ARCA: Nick White's first official start ends early with transmission issues
by Ben Schneider / LASTCAR.info Staff Writer
PHOTO: Zachary Tinkle, via Timecard100
Nick White finished last for the 1st time in his ARCA Menards Series career in Friday’s Henry Ford Health 200 at Michigan International Speedway when his No. 22 Brooks Dockside Seafood Chevrolet fell out with transmission issues after 9 of 57 laps.
The finish came in what was recorded as White’s second career ‘start’ in ARCA, though Friday marked the first time White had taken the green flag in a race.
White is the son of former ARCA racing driver Drew White, who made 35 starts in the series from 1991 to 2006 with a best finish of 15th at Pocono in 1997. The younger White, however, has to wait until his fifth ARCA attempt for the opportunity to officially make his debut. After getting his start in the early 2020s running local late model races in his home state of Florida, White attempted to qualify for the 2025 season-opening race at Daytona, but withdrew from the entry list before practice and qualifying. When the series returned to superspeedway racing at Talladega, White was able to participate in practice and ultimately received credit for 38th-place points, but had to withdraw once again after losing an engine in practice, leading to a “did not start” ruling.
This season, White has faced similar challenges at the superspeedways, as full car counts at both Daytona and Talladega left him on the outside looking in with a DNQ. On Friday, however, White did not have to worry about that issue, as just 30 cars appeared on the entry list. Issues in practice for both Charles Weslowski and Brad Smith meant only 28 took the green flag. After blowing a left-rear tire in practice, Weslowski shared on his Facebook page that his car’s damage was extensive enough to prevent the team from starting the race. Smith, meanwhile, appeared to receive a lifeline from the Clubb Racing, Inc. team, who offered to help Smith’s team replace his car’s transmission. However, further inspection revealed a clutch issue that prevented Smith from taking part in the race.
While the fifth time proved to be the charm for White as he was able to run nine laps, mechanical issues marked an early end to his afternoon. Initial reports believed it may have been another engine failure, but the driver later took to Instagram Stories to confirm it was a transmission issue, and that the team would be back again at Pocono this coming weekend. Joining White behind the wall were Fast Track Racing teammates Dustin Hillenburg, who appeared to make a planned “start-and-park,” and Matt Kemp, who reportedly had a clutch issue. A spin for Bobby Dale Earnhardt left the fourth-generation driver with a 25th-place finish after 46 laps. Rounding out the Bottom Five was Jeff Maconi, who finished under power to complete 47 laps.
At the front of the field, Gio Ruggiero took his third win in four starts this season for Joe Gibbs Racing, holding first place when rain shortened the event from its 100 scheduled laps to just 57. Nitro Motorsports teammates Jake Bollman and Gavan Boschele took second and third, while Pinnacle Racing Group teammates Connor Mosack and Lanie Buice rounded out the Top Five. Cleetus McFarland, who took a surprise pole position and led the first six laps, finished 14th, the last car on the lead lap after being involved in an incident that ultimately became the final caution of the race.
DID NOT START
30) #32-Charles Weslowski
29) #48-Brad Smith
THE BOTTOM FIVE
28) #22-Nick White / 9 laps / transmission
27) #10-Dustin Hillenburg / 11 laps / quit
26) #11-Matt Kemp / 21 laps / clutch
25) #89-Bobby Dale Earnhardt / 46 laps / accident
24) #86-Jeff Maconi / 47 laps / running
2026 LASTCAR ARCA MENARDS SERIES OWNERS’ CHAMPIONSHIP (After Race 7 of 20)
1st) Maples Motorsports (2)
2nd) Ryan Huff Motorsports, Rise Racing with Earnhardt-Shearer Racing, Costner Motorsports, Brad Smith Motorsports, White Motorsports (1)
2026 LASTCAR ARCA MENARDS SERIES MANUFACTURERS’ CHAMPIONSHIP (After Race 7 of 20)
1st) Chevrolet (5)
2nd) Ford (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 7 of 20)
