NASCAR Next driver Michael Self (@mself_21) will make his ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards debut at Mobile (Ala.) International Speedway next weekend, CATCHFENCE.com has learned.
Self, 23, will drive the No. 66 Venturini Motorsports Toyota Camry in the second race of the season. Self tested for the ARCA Racing Series powerhouse organization at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway last December, as well as Mobile earlier this week with his Venturini Motorsports (VMS) teammates Justin Boston and John Wes Townley.
“I really can’t put into words how excited I am, on a multitude of levels,” said Self in an exclusive interview with CATCHFENCE.com. “This off-season has been hard, even through February, I really didn’t know when the next time I would be in a racecar. After coming off a career best season, that’s really tough on a driver, so for Venturini Motorsports to give me this opportunity, it just ignites a whole new fire. Not only because I’ll be racing again, but because I have the opportunity to race with one of the most respected, well-known and accomplished teams in ARCA and I know they have my back.”
The Park City, Utah native has competed in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West division full-time since 2010, earning six wins, 22 top-fives and 34 top-10 runs. His best championship finish came last season, claiming fourth overall in his No. 21 Golden Gate Meats / RCR Chevrolet.
In addition to his NASCAR Next status, Self is also a former development driver for Richard Childress Racing. His relationship with RCR fused this opportunity with the Concord, North Carolina-based team.
“We had a great test,” Self reflected. “It was a whole new learning experience. People can say what they want, but the difference between a K&N car and an ARCA car on a short track is substantial. You’re dealing with a lot more horsepower and a lot more tire, going to the Hoosier radial. You have to learn the tire dynamics ad threshold and by the end of the day, I felt confident with that and the team played a huge role in getting me there. We were right were we needed to be time-wise and I know we have a solid racecar underneath us, so we’re ready to get back and fine tune it next week.”
A primary sponsor has not been named for Self’s entry, but the No. 66 will have a tribute sticker for Self’s grandmother who passed away last Christmas. She was a native of Pell City, Alabama, a few hours from Mobile International Speedway. Members of Self’s Alabama family will attend his inaugural ARCA debut.
CATCHFENCE.com has also confirmed that part-time NASCAR Camping World Truck Series competitor and Late Model standout BJ Mcleod will crew chief the team’s fourth entry.
Cody Coughlin, a Joe Gibbs Racing development protégé will also make his ARCA Racing Series debut in the Mobile ARCA 200 driving the No. 55 JEGS Toyota Camry for VMS.
Despite being a relative newcomer to stock-car racing, Self has demonstrated himself as a bona fide West contender and is hopeful pending sponsorship to compete for the NKNPSW championship again this season.
Follow Chris Knight on Twitter @Knighter01.
