The 29-year-old enters a new chapter of her racing career.
Amber Balcaen teased a social media image of her signing a new contract On December 27th. Now, that deal has been officially announced.
Balcaen has singed with Rette Jones Racing for 2022. She’s set to compete full-time in the ARCA Menards Series. Mark Rette will serve as the crew chief.
ICON Direct will remain as her sponsor. The company will serve as a sponsor for all 20 events. Glenn McLeod and Sons has also signed on to sponsor the entry.
The 29-year-old will pilot the No. 30 machine. Ford Performance, Goodridge Fluid Transfer Systems, Jones Group Demolition and Abatement and JRi Shocks will remain with the team as associate sponsors.
Back in 2016, Balcaen became the first Canadian female drive to win a NASCAR sanctioned event.
Amber Balcaen comments on 2022
In 2021, the driver ran a part-time schedule in the ARCA Menards Series West with Bill McAnally Racing. She picked up her career-best finish of 11th at Irwindale Speedway.
“It is really special for me as a Canadian competing in the United States to be representing all Canadian companies on my car with Rette Jones Racing,” Balcaen said. “To have the hometown support is amazing. I couldn’t do this without them.”
“Racing in NASCAR’s national ARCA Menards Series has always been my dream.”
She concluded, “To compete at historic tracks like Daytona and Talladega is something I have visualized for years. I have dedicated the last eight years, working hard to make this dream become reality, and I cannot be more excited to live it.”
Amber Balcaen ran three ARCA races in 2021: Irwindale (15th), Irwindale 2 (11th), Las Vegas Motor Speedway (22nd)
John Loewen
ICON Direct is based out of Manitoba, Canada. The company is a manufacturer of high-quality plastic component parts for the RV industry.
“We are excited to be a returning sponsor of Amber Balcaen in NASCAR’s ARCA Menards Series,” added John Loewen, CEO of ICON Technologies Limited. “I resonate with Amber’s underdog story. She has a really bright future as a professional race car driver and is a great brand ambassador for ICON.”
Mark Rette
Mark Rette is a co-owner of the team in addition to his crew chief role. Terry Jones is the other owner of the team.
“Everyone at Rette Jones Racing is excited about the 2022 ARCA Menards Series season,” Rette said. “As a company, we are thrilled to return to the premier ARCA Menards Series on a full-time basis, and we look forward to the opportunity to strengthen Amber’s craft as a driver in a series that has always provided a lot of diversity.”
“Our goals for the season are obtainable, and we look forward to producing the results we know that we are capable of and giving Amber a shot at the ARCA Menards Series championship.”
The driver makes her debut with the new team in the ARCA Menards Series’ annual pre-race practice at Daytona on Jan. 14-15.
Links
Amber Balcaen | Rette Jones Racing | ARCA Menards Series | NASCAR
