“The 2009 ARCA RE/MAX Series season started as a roller-coaster of emotions,” said Arpin. “I went into this (2009 season) with the same determination and grit that has helped me amass my dirt victories. I was not going to accept anything less than 110% from myself.”
Arpin’s ARCA journey started with the No. 20 car of Eddie Sharp Racing, where he was slated to only run the Speedway Challenge races. Plans were quickly deviated however, and Arpin was set to run the first half of the season. The quirky Canadian had his mind set and goals determined. He wanted to earn the respect of his peers on the circuit, take home the Rookie of the Year title (ROTY), win races and let the racing world know Steve Arpin was not going to give up until he reached the top.
“Steve (Arpin) came to us at the beginning of the year and immediately I realized his true potential,” said Eddie Sharp Racing owner Eddie Sharp at the beginning of the 2009 season. “His determination, grit and raw talent were well known, and he was more than willing to tackle any obstacle placed in front of him. Steve had already shown his natural skill in the dirt ranks across the country and we knew he’d succeed in the ARCA ranks.”
Statisticians see but one thing at the end of the day, numbered results. Unfortunately for Arpin, the first half of the 2009 ARCA season was scattered with ill handling racecars, mechanical woes and wrecks the young driver could not avoid. These results are shown in the stats, but the complications are not. Complications Arpin faced, challenged and tried conquering. All of which helped his learning process and made him more determined than ever.
In the first 12 races of the season, Arpin and his No. 20 team captured only one top five and five top tens. Cunning and advantageous, Arpin was disappointed in his results and had already made up his mind on the remainder of the season. He was going to finish what he set out to do and attain his goals. Thanks to the help of his long-time sponsors and supporters: Jeff Taylor Chassis, Pinewood Sports, Lo-N-Bro Enterprises, the Speedshop, Clyde Ditmars Enterprises, MundyRanch.com, New Vision Graphics and the Nelson Family, this would become possible.
“The first half results showed nowhere near where I wanted them too,” commented Arpin on the first 12 races. “We ran into some problems and adversity but I was not about to give up. I decided to forge on and reach my goals.”
Arpin found himself faced with yet one more dilemma leading into the second half of the season, to stay with his No. 20 Eddie Sharp Racing team or pursue opportunities elsewhere. Through the help of family, friends and his wife, he quickly decided to take a different avenue for the final nine races, he would begin racing with Venturini Motorsports as part of their Driver Development Program under the direction of veteran Crew Chief Billy Venturini. Ecstatic about this new opportunity, both Arpin and the team headed to Pocono Raceway for their first race on August 1, 2009 in the Pennsylvania ARCA 200.
“First off I want to thank Eddie Sharp and all of the guys over there for providing me that opportunity at the beginning of the season,” commented Arpin on his new ride. “If it wasn’t for them giving me a chance then, I may not be where I am now. I also want to thank Venturini Motorsports and Billy Venturini for believing in me enough to extend this offer to me. It means the world to me that they believe in me, and I can’t wait to start working with all of the guys.”
In only their first outing together in 2009, Arpin and the Venturini Motorsports team showed they joined together for a reason. With a hard fought battle all day, Arpin never faltered out of the top five, and eventually brought the Venturini Motorsports No. 25 home in fourth, scoring his first top five with the team in only there first race together.
“Steve (Arpin) is won of the most talented racecar drivers I have worked with,” said an ecstatic Billy Venturini. “We were honored when he decided to come race for our organization, and I knew we would start seeing results almost instantly. The kid (Arpin) has proven himself in everything he has ever done, and ARCA will be no different.”
Throughout the remainder of the 2009 season, the team would run into some minor woes, but Arpin would rally the next week as he had done before. Less a transmission problem at NJMP and Rockingham and a wreck caused by a competitor at Chicago, Arpin and the team gelled immensely, never finishing out of the top ten. In fact at Chicago, Arpin was charging to the front before the incident and had lead numerous times before losing a transmission at Rockingham, while battling for the lead.
Following the final nine races of the 2009 ARCA RE/MAX Series season, Arpin and his Venturini Motorsports team scored three top fives and six top tens. An astonishing feat, seeing the driver and team combo came together mid-season.
“Steve came to our team wanting consistency and the results he was capable of,” commented Billy Venturini. “Right out of the box he proved he was a racer, and I am truly proud of the way he raced the second half of 2009. He is a talented young driver who has a bright future ahead of him, and I am proud to say he is associated with Venturini Motorsports.”
Steve wishes to thank all of his sponsors/supporters for 2009 as well as his family, friends and fans, without them none of this would be possible. A special thanks to: Jeff Taylor Chassis, Pinewood Sports, Lo-N-Bro Enterprises, the Speedshop, Clyde Ditmars Enterprises, MundyRanch.com, New Vision Graphics and the Nelson Family.
Be sure to check www.stevearpin.net for continued updates on Steve’s 2010 racing plans.
Also be sure to visit www.venturinimotorsports.com to learn more about their Driver Development Program
- Venturini Motorsports Press Release