Brenden Queen secured his seventh ARCA Menards Series victory of the season on September 20 at Salem Speedway, showcasing a tense finish fueled by a late restart. Queen outpaced Andrew Patterson by 2.59 seconds to claim the Kentuckiana Ford Dealers 200, highlighting his tactical racing acumen.
Late-Race Restart Seals Queen’s Victory
Although Queen led fewer laps than some of his competitors, his consistent and strategic driving during crucial moments proved decisive. When a caution flag waved on lap 172 after Max Reaves crashed into the outside wall while pursuing leader Lavar Scott, the race dynamics shifted dramatically. This slowed the field and set up a pivotal restart with 32 laps remaining, where Queen started just behind Scott.
On the restart, Queen took advantage of the opportunity, overtaking Scott to seize the lead. This critical move turned the tide of the race in Queen’s favor. Reflecting on the moment after the race, Queen told Fox Sports 2,
“You don’t always have to have the best car; you just have to be there when it counts.”
Brenden Queen
Max Reaves’ Crash Alters the Outcome
Before the caution, Lavar Scott held a narrow lead of over two seconds and appeared set for victory. Reaves, running second and aggressive in pursuit, had been a strong contender but suddenly crashed, forcing extensive repairs and removing him from contention. This accident not only shook up the competition but also diminished Scott’s chances as the restart unfolded.
Queen capitalized as Scott fell back from second to fourth place. Andrew Patterson impressed in his ARCA debut, finishing second for Nitro Motorsports, while Leland Honeyman took third. Isabella Robusto, Scott’s Venturini Motorsports teammate, finished fifth behind the trio.
Challengers and Race Dynamics Throughout the Night
Reaves began the race as the favorite after securing pole position, setting high expectations based on recent history where the pole winner often dominated at Salem. However, the race’s momentum shifted when Scott made a decisive pass on Reaves at lap 112. After several attempts to move past Reaves on the inside, Scott succeeded by climbing to the high line and overtaking on the outside.
This maneuver placed Scott in command, appearing ready to take his first ARCA victory. Despite leading a significant portion of the race, the late restart exposed him to Queen’s challenge and ultimately cost him the top spot. Scott concluded the race with a respectable 11th top-five and 16th top-10 finish in 18 starts, though a victory remains elusive.
Top Ten Finishers and Race Standings
The final top ten at Salem Speedway were Brenden Queen, Andrew Patterson, Leland Honeyman, Lavar Scott, Isabella Robusto, Mason Mitchell, Will Kimmel, Connor Popplewell, Tony Cosentino, and Ryan Vargas. Reaves, impacted by his crash, finished in 18th place.
Looking Ahead to the Reese’s 150 at Kansas Speedway
The ARCA Menards Series continues with the Reese’s 150 at Kansas Speedway, scheduled as the second-to-last event of the season. This race will take place on Saturday at 7 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on Fox Sports 1. Notably, Queen also won the series’ previous Kansas race in May, making him a strong contender once again.
Queen’s ability to stay composed under pressure and capitalize on unpredictable moments at Salem reflects his growing presence in the series. As the ARCA season nears its conclusion, the battle for wins and points intensifies, with drivers like Queen, Patterson, and Scott pushing hard for top honors.
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