3-Time Champ From New York Makes His Grand Entry to the ARCA Series
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Just when we thought that all major announcements before the 2024 season’s Daytona race were over, and the lineups for all nationwide series were fairly set, Rette Jones Racing and Justin Bonsignore revealed their plans to team up for the 2024 ARCA Series opener at Daytona.
Bonsignore, a three-time NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour champion, made the most of the opportunity provided to him earlier by the Road to Daytona program and now aims to not only take part in but also win the Daytona ARCA 200. But how did this come about?
How Justin Bonsignore found himself at the right place at the right time
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Initially, there were conversations between Mark Rette, the co-owner of Rette Jones Racing, and their former driver, Frankie Muniz, to field a Daytona ARCA entry. But since that plan fell apart and Bonsignore contacted Rette at just the right time, fans can now expect the Modified Tour star to dominate the ARCA Series lineup for the season opener!
Justin Bonsignore’s journey down the Road to Daytona was triggered by the absence of 2023 Modified Tour Champion Ron Silk. It all started when Bonsignore reached out to fellow Modified racer Andy Suess, asking him for contacts that could help put together a Daytona ARCA 200 opportunity.
And that’s exactly what Suess did, linking the champion with Terry Jones’ partner, Rette. Not only was the team owner looking for a driver, but Rette was also somewhat aware of Bonsignore’s accolades. He was quoted by NASCAR in a press release, “I’m from the Northeast. I’m a New Jersey-born and bred guy. The Modified Tour, those cars, I love them. I’d always known Justin’s name. I obviously have tried to keep up with those guys and watch them. Those cars are near and dear to my heart from my childhood.”
Soon, Rette took to Google to find out more about the Bonsignore name and witnessed his racing, realizing Bonsignore had three Modified Tour Championships to his name, along with also ranking fourth in the all-time Modified Tour win list. He added, “The things that he has accomplished most recently in the last couple of years … wow. It was way more than I thought. My expectations are high. I think this guy can go compete.”
Three-time modified champ Justin Bonsignore will drive the Rette Jones Racing No. 30 car at the ARCA opener at Daytona. Bonsignore tested a car (for Fast Track) at Daytona last month.
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) February 5, 2024
So for Justin Bonsignore, 2024 is turning out to be quite the rollercoaster. But what else can you expect from a champion who knows what he’s after and proactively goes after ensuring it sees the light of day? As for the upcoming weekend, Rette concluded the statement by stating, “It would be a storybook thing for Justin. Modified guy comes to Daytona, races at New Smyrna in a Modified Tour car on Saturday night, and a week later he’s competing for a win at Daytona. How cool is that story?”
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Adding to the perfect week in February, Bonsignore also has his family getaway planned around the same time as the Daytona ARCA 200. But it appears to fit into the schedule perfectly.
The stars keep aligning perfectly for Justin Bonsignore after the ARCA Series announcement
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While many would think the prospect of a last-minute deal to race at Daytona would throw major logistical hurdles at Bonsignore and Rette Jones Racing, the dates actually land perfectly. Bonsignore’s first stop on the list will be at Charlotte for a seat fitting and he will then proceed to New Smyrna Beach, Florida, to participate in the Modified Tour 2024 season opener.
After the 10th February race, the New Yorker has a family vacation planned that was in the works long before his Daytona ARCA entry was finalized. And only a few days later, Bonsignore will head to Daytona International Speedway for the 15th-17th February weekend.
Speaking about his stars aligning, Bonsignore stated, “For the last three or four years we’ve actually stayed and made a nice little vacation out of it. We’re going to spend the whole week there and then obviously the ARCA deal will pick up on Thursday and Friday with practice and qualifying.” Once the Daytona ARCA 200 is over, Bonsignore will return to fight for the title in the Modified Tour series.
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So with the coming days seemingly filled with action for Justin Bonsignore, will the three-time Modified Tour champion be able to keep up with the high-stakes races throughout?
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Edited by:
Ranvijay Singh