ARCA: Alexander’s challenging debut ends early with last-place finish
Alexander spins for the second time on Lap 21. (Photo: Craig White/@TobyChristieCom)
Jayson Alexander finished last for the 1st time in his ARCA Menards Series career in Friday’s General Tire 150 at Charlotte Motor Speedway when his No. 11 Constant Contact Ford fell out with sway bar issues after completing 20 of 100 laps.
The finish came in Alexander’s series debut.
Originally from Apex, North Carolina, Alexander’s motorsport career began as an intern at Reaume Brothers Racing in 2021. In 2022, he began competing as a driver by making his debut in the Carolina Pro Late Model Series. While gaining on-track experience, Alexander remained heavily invested in the business aspect of his career, taking over marketing for Costner Weaver Motorsports and eventually connecting with his sponsor Constant Contact through the social networking platform LinkedIn.
Alexander’s first appearance in ARCA came just this month when he joined Fast Track Racing for a partial 2024 schedule. So far, he has run two races in the ARCA Menards Series East for the team, finishing with solid eighth-place results at both the Nashville Fairgrounds and Flat Rock.
Unfortunately, Alexander’s national ARCA debut would not go as smoothly. Shortly after the green flag, he brought out the first caution of the race on Lap 3 with a single-car spin in Turn 2. While Alexander was able to continue, he spun again on Lap 21 to bring out the second caution, and a subsequent shredded right front tire left his car heavily damaged as a result. Alexander pulled behind the wall shortly thereafter with “sway bar” listed as the reason out.
Alexander’s pit crew assesses the damage. (Screenshot: FS1)
In total, 30 cars appeared on the entry list - Caleb Costner’s No. 93 C4 Foundation / Heritage Water Systems Chevrolet was forced to withdraw following a crash in qualifying, meaning only 29 would start the race. Costner’s qualifying lap of 33.623 seconds would have been enough to place him 19th on the grid. Starting last was Lawless Alan in a late entry for the Reaume Brothers, who along with Mitch Gibson and Con Nicoloupolous anchored the starting lineup in positions 28-30, as all three did not set a qualifying time. Brad Smith’s time of 37.834 left him 27th on the grid, over two seconds slower than Hunter Deshautelle’s lap of 35.444, which rounded out the Bottom Five in the starting lineup. Alan was by far the biggest mover through the field as he took home a strong eighth-place finish.
The other four drivers who finished in the Bottom Five were all listed as out of the race due to different reasons. Suspension issues forced Christian Rose behind the wall after 28 laps, while recurring brake problems spoiled Connor Mosack’s chances at victory and left him with a 27th-place finish. Smith was the next retirement from the race, falling out with mechanical issues after completing 36 laps. Rounding out the Bottom Five was current LASTCAR ARCA Drivers’ Championship leader Alex Clubb, who completed 45 laps before axle problems ended his race.
At the front of the field, Tanner Gray scored a long overdue first career win in the national ARCA series, driving back through the field after a flat tire compromised his evening roughly a third of the way into the race. Carson Kvapil finished second after leading the most laps, while polesitter Andres Perez finished third.
DID NOT START
30) #93-Caleb Costner
THE BOTTOM FIVE
29) #11-Jayson Alexander / 20 laps / sway bar
28) #32-Christian Rose / 28 laps / suspension
27) #28-Connor Mosack / 30 laps / brakes
26) #48-Brad Smith / 36 laps / mechanical
25) #03-Alex Clubb / 45 laps / axle
2024 LASTCAR ARCA MENARDS SERIES OWNERS’ CHAMPIONSHIP (After Race 6 of 20)
1st) Fast Track Racing (3)
2nd) Kennealy Keller Motorsports, Peterson Motorsports, Clubb Racing Inc. (1)
2024 LASTCAR ARCA MENARDS SERIES MANUFACTURERS’ CHAMPIONSHIP (After Race 6 of 20)
1st) Chevrolet, Toyota, Ford (2)
AUTHOR’S NOTE: Click HERE throughout the 2024 ARCA season to view the full drivers’ standings for both the ARCA Menards Series and its East and West divisions. You can also find the manufacturers’ and owners’ standings for all three series HERE.
2024 LASTCAR ARCA MENARDS SERIES DRIVERS’ CHAMPIONSHIP (After Race 6 of 20)
