ARCA: Matt Kemp, Landon S. Huffman step in for the Kitzmillers at Salem
by Ben Schneider / LASTCAR.info Staff Writer
Kemp’s renumbered car formerly driven by Jason Kitzmiller sits on the grid at Salem. (PHOTO: @toomuchcountry, X/Twitter)
Matt Kemp finished last for the 5th time in his ARCA Menards Series career in last Saturday’s Spruce 212 at Salem Speedway when his No. 79 Carter CAT Rental Chevrolet fell out with mechanical issues after 2 of 216 laps.
The finish came in Kemp’s 25th career series start.
With both Jason and Isaac Kitzmiller missing the trip to Salem due to a family commitment, CR7 Motorsports called on Landon S. Huffman to take the elder Kitzmiller’s place in the team’s No. 97. Into the No. 79 normally driven by 2025 ARCA Menards Series East champion Isaac Kitzmiller sat Matt Kemp, who shared on Facebook that he was “incredibly grateful” for the “pretty cool opportunity.”
Driving a former No. 97 entry with Jason Kitzmiller’s name still above the window and a “79” number decal over the original 97, Kemp carried out a ‘start-and-park’ run, completing just two laps before he pulled behind the wall. While the evening was short-lived, it still allowed Kemp to get back behind the wheel for his seventh start of the 2026 season. His best finish of the year on the national ARCA tour remains an eighth-place run with Fast Track Racing at Berlin, while his best overall came with Maples Motorsports in the ARCA East standalone at Flat Rock, where he matched his career-best of fourth.
Of the 23 cars on the entry list, Kemp’s was the only one who did not record a qualifying lap, leaving him to anchor the starting grid. Joining him behind the wall with early exits were two other apparent ‘start-and-parks.’ Nate Moeller, this time behind the wheel of Kimmel Racing’s second entry, parked his No. 68 after four laps, while Kevin Campbell went one further to complete five laps before another vibration issue. Like Kemp in 23rd, both drivers also finished the race in the same position they had started, with Moeller in 22nd and Campbell 21st. An oil leak left Alex Clubb with a 20th-place finish, while Ben Peterson rounded out the Bottom Five, retiring with crash damage in an incident that also involved ARCA championship contender Thomas Annunziata.
While fans tuning in on network television did see some great battles throughout the field, none of those battles resulted in a single lead change, as Max Reaves delivered yet another flag-to-flag victory for Joe Gibbs Racing. Jake Bollman finished second to extend his championship points lead, while Will Kimmel placed third to score his best ARCA finish in over three years. Huffman brought home a strong fourth-place finish to aid CR7’s ranking in the owner standings, while Isabella Robusto rounded out the Top Five. Annunziata, meanwhile, recovered to finish seventh following the incident with Peterson.
THE BOTTOM FIVE
23) #79-Matt Kemp / 2 laps / mechanical/quit
22) #68-Nate Moeller / 4 laps / mechanical/quit
21) #81-Kevin Campbell / 5 laps / mechanical/vibration
20) #03-Alex Clubb / 57 laps / mechanical/oil leak
19) #06-Ben Peterson / 143 laps / crash/accident
2026 LASTCAR ARCA MENARDS SERIES OWNERS’ CHAMPIONSHIP (After Race 18 of 20)
1st) Brad Smith Motorsports (3)
2nd) Maples Motorsports, Fast Track Racing, KC Motorsports (2)
3rd) Ryan Huff Motorsports, Rise Racing with Earnhardt-Shearer Racing, Costner Motorsports, White Motorsports, MBM Motorsports, Clubb Racing Inc., City Garage Motorsports, CCM Racing, ACR Motorsports (1)
2026 LASTCAR ARCA MENARDS SERIES MANUFACTURERS’ CHAMPIONSHIP (After Race 18 of 20)
1st) Chevrolet (9)
2nd) Ford (7)
2nd) Toyota (2)
AUTHOR’S NOTE: Click HERE throughout the 2026 ARCA season to view the full drivers’ standings for both the ARCA Menards Series and its East and West divisions. You can also find the manufacturers’ and owners’ standings for all three series HERE.
2026 LASTCAR ARCA MENARDS SERIES DRIVERS’ CHAMPIONSHIP (After Race 18 of 20)
