The ARCA series has been around since the early 1950s.
There have been some iconic names who have helped shape the series throughout its existence. From Iggy Katona’s early domination, to Nelson Stacy and Jack Bowsher in the sixties, to Frank Kimmel owning the series in the early 2000s.
There were several drivers who made an indelible mark on the sport.
During the 80s and 90s, Bill Venturini Sr. tried his hand in the ARCA series.
From 1982 through 1996, Venturini ran 188 races and took home the trophy in 12 of those events, including two championships. However, when he climbed out from behind the wheel and focused on just owning the race team is when he really made his mark on the organization.
Venturini was famous for kissing his drivers in victory lane after they won races, but in the garage is where he really made a significant impact on the series.
Venturini was well known for helping other competitors in garage when they needed it to make races or make their cars better. Venturini started his team with his wife in their hometown of Chicago. For years it was basically the two of them who made sure the car got to the race track. As the years went along, Bill’s son, Billy Venturini, tried his hand at racing, too, although he only managed one victory in 161 ARCA starts.
He moved out of the seat in 2007 and started the Venturini Motorsports Driver Development Program, which truly pushed the organization to the forefront of the series.
At the beginning of this season, it was announced that Venturini would be shutting down the operation at the end of the 2025 and selling its assets to Nitro Motorsports.
Venturini always did what he could to help young drivers get their opportunity in the sport.
The list of names who have been behind the wheel of Bill’s cars over the years is very impressive.
Justin Allgaier, Joey Logano, Alex Bowman, Erik Jones, Daniel Suarez, Frank Kimmel, Christopher Bell, William Byron, Christian Eckes, Tanner Thorson, Ken Schrader, Ryan Blaney and Corey Heim have all been in Venturini cars, among so many others.
There have also been track owners, dirt drivers, drag racers and motorcycle racers as well behind their wheel. To say Venturini played a hand in the development of some great drivers and great crew members is an understatement.
The ARCA series has the most diverse racing schedule in major auto racing in the United States. Short tracks, road courses, dirt tracks, intermediate speedways and superspeedways all line the schedule. That is part of what made Venturini so special to the sport.
He had the equipment and technology to run at the front regularly. He also had the resources to share that with other race teams. From helping teams with tires for races to shocks, brakes, transmissions and more to make sure the fields were full was a huge boon to the series week in and week out.
Venturini worked with the series behind the scenes as well to help get sponsorship, media coverage and more. Don’t forget, Venturini also contributed to the broadcast world by bringing Wendy Venturini into the sport. She announces for PRN on race weekends and has also competed in the Better Half Dash at Charlotte Motor Speedway multiple times.
There are different types of legends in motorsports.
Some impact the sport with their racing prowess. Others shape the sport through their personalities. Still, more bring the sport to the masses through their voices.
When it comes to Bill Venturini, it was all of those things and more. Passion for racing runs deep in many people. The love that Bill and his wife Cathy had for the sport of racing, and especially the ARCA Series, ran deep and wide.
1,560 races, 108 pole positions, 110 victories and six championships. Hundreds, if not thousands of crew members and others behind the scene people got their starts with the Venturini family.
The sport will be different without Big Bill in the garage, but the sport is definitely better because he was in it.
What is it that Mike Neff doesn’t do? Mike announces several shows each year for the Good Guys Rod and Custom Association. He also pops up everywhere from PRN Pit Reporters and the Press Box with Alan Smothers to SIRIUS XM Radio. He has announced at tracks all over the Southeast, starting at Millbridge Speedway. He's also announced at East Lincoln Speedway, Concord Speedway, Tri-County Speedway, Caraway Speedway, and Charlotte Motor Speedway.