Andy Jankowiak wins, Cleetus McFarland second in ARCA Talladega thriller

Saturday’s ARCA Menards Series race at Talladega Superspeedway ended in a wild one-lap dash for the win, and occasional pizza delivery driver Andy Jankowiak earned the first win of his career in his 48th career start. “I’ve done this before, I just always wake up,” he said after the race.

Coming to the checkered flag, Cleetus McFarland (Garrett Mitchell) and Gus Dean got together in the battle for the lead. As they slammed doors, Jankowiak powered by on the outside and took the win in a dramatic finish.

“I thought there was one lap left in the race, the radio was super staticky,” said Jankowiak, putting on a green bandanna as he exited the car. “I’m still — this effort, everything that got me to ARCA and everything after that’s come — there’s been no greater team combination. I’ve had to much help, so many people that help make all of this happen. This never been more of a team effort standing in Victory Lane at Talladega. What an adventure. This one’s for my best friend Steve Mendoza. I’m wearing a green bandanna for him. I love him so much, and I know he’s home watching.”

Race recap

Andy Jankowiak wins

Gio Ruggiero led the race from pole position, and it was a clean start. After starting from 20th, Cleetus quickly made his way up inside the top ten, settling into seventh place. It took 30 laps before the first caution of the race, with Alli Owens crashing in the tri-oval.

After a restart penalty for Jack Wood and Taylor Reimer, Cleetus found himself running second at the competition caution, right behind Ruggiero.

During the break, there was a lot of talk on the No. 30 radio as the team advised him on how to handle the restart, making him aware of the rules and what to do in order to potentially take the lead. Cleetus replied that he ‘loves nothing more than a good ole drag race.’

On the ensuing restart, he actually made door-to-door contact with Gio Ruggiero in the battle for the lead, and then surged ahead with a push from Daniel Dye, leading for the first time in his ARCA career.

He continued to hold the lead until the next restart, when Ruggiero took it back on the outside. However, he got too far out, and Cleetus roared past, reclaiming control of the race as the crowd erupted in cheers

A two-car crash at the back set up another restart, and Cleetus was on the radio, saying “how f****** lucky I am.” … “I wish Biff was here.”

The battle up front intensified, and Cleetus, locked to the car behind in a push, ended up turning Jake Bollman in the battle for the lead. There was no caution, but a far bigger incident was about to break out. Cleetus fell back to fifth as Isabella Robusto moved into the lead.

Will Kimmel was pushing Thomas Annunziata, leading the outside line when Annunziata got turned down into Ruggiero. Cleetus narrowly got through as the Big One broke out. Several cars were destroyed, including Cleetus’ friend and fellow YouTube personality Squirrel McNutt (George Siciliano).