The ARCA Menards Series, for the first time in its illustrious history, will be getting a larger spotlight for one of its short-track events.
The Spruce 212 at Salem Speedway, scheduled to take place on Saturday, September 12 at 8:00 PM ET, will be televised live over-the-air on FOX. While the season-opener at Daytona International Speedway has been shown on the channel for the last two years, this will mark the first time a short track race will be shown on national broadcast television.
“We are thrilled to have a second ARCA Menards Series race broadcast on FOX in 2026,” said Ron Drager, President of ARCA, in a press release. “It provides our drivers, teams, sponsors, and fans a tremendous opportunity to see one of the most unique and exciting race tracks on the ARCA Menards Series schedule. No track has hosted more ARCA Menards Series races, and we look forward to adding another exciting chapter to that history live on FOX.”
This season, the ARCA Menards Series event at Salem, typically 200 laps, will add 12 additional laps, in honor of this being the 112th ARCA event at Salem Speedway.
“With 111 previous races at Salem, the list of winners is a who’s who of ARCA Menards Series history,” Drager continued. “Salem Speedway is one of the most demanding tracks not only on the ARCA schedule, but in the entire country. To win here, you have to not only beat the competition but the racetrack as well. The 35-degree banking and the unique line, especially in turns three and four where you run inches off the outside wall, are as imposing a challenge as the ARCA Menards Series drivers and teams see every year.”
The ARCA Menards Series will be back in action on Sunday, August 23, when they will visit the Illinois State Fairgrounds for their first of two dirt track races of the year.
