Racing series to offer ARCA and Truck rides to their winners and point leaders
Having talent is one thing. But, having the opportunity to showcase that talent requires something of a lottery winner, in all forms of motorsports.
Bill McAnally Racing is looking to bridge the gaps between talent and funding. The ARCA and NASCAR Team owner has created a new series called the BMR Drivers Academy.
Starting in March, the series will run on short tracks and road courses on within the West Coast. The series is limited to just five tracks: All-American Speedway (Oval); Irwindale Speedway (Oval); Kern County Raceway (Oval); Sonoma Raceway (Road Course); Thunderhill Raceway Park (Road Course).
The series will run on only five tracks but the season will be 40 total races. All of those races will be compacted into 16 2-day shows.
As of now, the team expects a max of 14 entries for full-time competition. All races are expected to be shown via live streams.
The Cars
The cost to run all 40 races comes at the price of $268,500. However, drivers have the option to run a smaller package at only ovals or road courses.
The cars are spec machines supplied by Bill McAnally Racing. The ARCA style machines will feature a Roush-Yates Spec engine.
Racing is a sport that costs money. And if you want to go faster, you can always throw more money at the problem. But, the differences in equipment make it difficult to gauge talent of rising stars in the sport.
BMR is looking to compare talent on an equal playing field. With cars being as close to the same as possible, the true talent will rise to the top.
The liveries of the machines can be set by the drivers themselves. The sponsorship they bring will still have to be approved by BMR.
If a driver wins six races in a car, that car becomes eligible to be claimed by another competitor for $7,500. $5,000 of that fee will go directly to the driver who’s equipment was claimed.
Bill McAnally Racing is the most established team in the history of the ARCA Racing Series West. The team has claimed 10 championship titles o the West coast short track series.
Spec race cars for BMR Drivers Academy 
BMR Drivers Academy – Engines 
BMR Drivers Academy – Cars
Drivers
Currently, 3 of the 14 full-time spots have been claimed. Three confirmed drivers: 2019 Southwest Tour Super Late Model champion Cole Moore, David Smith and Amber Balcaen.
David Smith is a 71-year-old hall-of-famer.
“It’s not only for kids,” McAnally said. “We want racers who want an equal opportunity at ARCA and the Truck Series.”
Incentives
Bill McAnally is an owner of teams at the ARCA Racing Series level. But, he also owns a NASCAR Truck Series team with full-time driver Derek Kraus.
“The three ARCA races we’re awarding, it goes by points,” McAnally said. “They’re going to earn that with averages finishes and consistency. The truck ride is a lottery. If you win 10 races, and I win one, you get 10 chances to have your name drawn out of the hat and I get one.
After races #14, #24 and #30, the Drivers Academy points leader will be awarded an opportunity for a 2021 NASCAR/ARCA event.
But, the big prize is the opportunity to race a NASCAR Truck Series machine. Winners of every BMR Adademy event will have their names thrown into a random draw. If they win 10 races, they get 10 draw entries. BMR will draw one name from the bucket and they’ll be given a NASCAR Truck Series race.
The NASCAR team will field a second entry at Phoenix Raceway and in November 2021 with the draw winner filling the seat.
This series isn’t sanctioned by NASCAR. However, the stock car racing sanction has given BMR licencing rights to help promote the series and the growth of the sport as a whole.
BMR Drivers Academy
Schedule
March 26-27, 2021
All American Speedway
Roseville, CA
April 9-10, 2021
All American Speedway
Roseville, CA
April 23-24, 2021
All American Speedway
Roseville, CA
April 30-1, 2021
All American Speedway
Roseville, CA
May 14-15, 2021
All American Speedway
Roseville, CA
May 18-19, 2021
Thunderhill Raceway
Willows, CA
May 30-31, 2021
Sonoma Raceway
Sonoma, CA
June 11-12, 2021
Irwindale Speedway
Irwindale, CA
June 26-26, 2021
Kern County Raceway
Bakersfield, CA
July 9-10, 2021
Kern County Raceway
Bakersfield, CA
July 23-24, 2021
All American Speedway
Roseville, CA
August 13-14, 2021
Irwindale Speedway
Irwindale, CA
August 28-29, 2021
Sonoma Raceway
Sonoma, CA
September 17-18, 2021
All American Speedway
Roseville, CA
July 24-25, 2021
Kern County Raceway
Bakersfield, CA
October 1-2, 2021
All American Speedway
Roseville, CA
Links
BMR Drivers Academy | Bill McAnally Racing | All American Speedway | Irwindale Speedway | Kern Country Raceway | Sonoma Raceway | Thunderhill Raceway Park
