Steve Arpin Starts 2019 ARX Rallycross Season with Podium Finish

ENEOS-sponsored Loenbro Motorsports driver Steve Arpin took third place in the 2019 Americas Rallycross season opener from Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course on Sunday June 9. Teammate Travis PeCoy placed second and made Loenbro Motorsports the only team in the premier ARX Supercar division or its ARX2 development class to put two drivers on the podium during the weekend.

“It’s hard to imagine a better start to our season than this!” said Arpin, driver of the #00 ENEOS / cbdMD Ford Fiesta ST. “Putting both of our cars on the podium in the opener, on a brand new track, with a platform we’ve never raced before, feels like a dream. It’s a testament to the quality of the people on this Loenbro Motorsports team, and a huge way for us to build momentum going into the rest of the year. I can’t thank our crew enough – we have a lot of work to do before Gateway but I’m thrilled with our pace knowing there is still room for improvement!”

It was a weekend of ups and downs for both drivers, as Arpin returned to the Fiesta platform for the first time since 2017, and PeCoy made his first-ever Supercar start.

Both drivers showed pace in the Qualifying races, as Arpin kicked off Q1 in second place and PeCoy posted the third-best time in Q2. Arpin and PeCoy ended the intermediate sessions fourth and fifth, respectively, and finished second and third in their respective Semi-finals to each advance to the six-car Final. PeCoy’s Semi-final included an intense head-to-head battle with rallycross star Tanner Foust, but the rookie showed his ability to hold court with the sport’s biggest names.

As other cars bounced off one another in the first corner and the Joker Lap merge, Arpin and PeCoy managed to avoid contact in the Final and bring their cars home relatively damage-free. Arpin crossed the line just under three seconds behind eventual winner Scott Speed. However, he was penalized for missing a corner as a result of being knocked off course by another car between the first two turns. The penalty simply reversed the positions of the two Loenbro teammates on the podium.

“Being on the podium in my first-ever Supercar race is an amazing feeling,” said PeCoy, driver of the #3 Factory Canopies Ford Fiesta ST. “Huge thanks to the Loenbro Motorsports team for helping get me up to speed, especially Steve for all of his help on track. There’s no better way to start a season than by going home with a trophy, and my confidence is high going into next month’s action at Gateway!”

“We’re ecstatic about Steve and Travis’ results from Mid-Ohio,” said Loenbro Motorsports co-owner Paul Leach. “It’s proof that our people are second-to-none in this sport, and that their hard work over the off-season to make the switch back to the Fiesta has been well worth it. We’re looking forward to more great results over the rest of the season, and returning to the top step of the podium very soon!”

After the ARX season opener, Arpin sits third in the standings with 22 points, while PeCoy is fourth with 21.

WATCH THE RACE

Fans who missed the Facebook Livestream of the event can replay the action on the Loenbro Motorsports Facebook page.

The highlights of the race will be shown on the CBS Sports Network, with re-airs at the following times:

  • Thursday, June 13, 12:30AM ET
  • Thursday, June 13, 4AM ET
  • Saturday, June 15, 8:30AM ET

 

NEXT RACE

Don’t miss Arpin, PeCoy and the Loenbro Motorsports team as they run for the 2019 Americas Rallycross championship, continuing with the ARX of Gateway at World Wide Technology Raceway at Gateway on July 13-14.

Tickets for the event are on sale now via www.arxrallycross.com.

SOCIAL MEDIA

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