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.

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“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.

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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.

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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.

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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).

After a red flag for cleanup, another car crashed under caution, further delaying things. The race became a one-lap shootout for the win. Robusto led Ruggiero and Kimmel, who both had nose damage. Cleetus restarted in fourth for the mad dash to the checkered flag.

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Ruggiero fell back with damage, but Kimmel actually briefly took the lead before falling back as well. Dean and Cleetus split him, and were side-by-side exiting the final corner. They nearly wrecked as they made contact, and that slowed them down just enough for Jankowiak to slip by and capture the checkered flag.

Cleetus McFarland with Andy Jankowiak in Victory Lane

“Looking at that, I feel like I needed to back up a smidge,” said Cleetus. “I left the No. 71 (Jankowiak), I’m pretty sure. I tried to go down. I didn’t have enough room, we started beating each other up and then Andy passed us, got the W. Congrats to him.

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“What an insane day of racing. The greatest race I’ve ever been a part of in my life right there. My team, Rette Jones Racing, (spotter) Kevin Hamlin, did such a good job … Honestly, probably the most fun I’ve ever had with clothes on. It was freaking insane.”

Read Also:

Cleetus McFarland and Squirrel McNutt Shake and Bake at ARCA Talladega

Cleetus McFarland denied NASCAR O’Reilly superspeedway approval

Cleetus McFarland’s top ten ARCA run at Kansas goes up in smoke

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