News Director 
Story By: DON RADEBAUGH / ARCA – CONCORD, NC – Rising young star Brandon Grosso is teaming up with Ken Schrader Racing (KSR) for the full 2018 ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards season, beginning at Daytona Int’l Speedway.
Grosso will be driving the No. 52 KSR Ford, the ride recently occupied by 2017 ARCA national champion Austin Theriault.
“Timing is everything,” said Grosso. “To be able to make my first ARCA Racing Series start with Ken Schrader Racing and then be able to race with them full-time is an amazing opportunity. I’m looking forward to working with Donnie (Richeson/crew chief) and the team, and especially excited knowing that Kenny will be available to provide advice and direction is a high confidence booster for me. I realize I have a very big seat to fill and I’m up for the challenge. There are so many people that have helped me get to this point, especially my family, and I do not want to let them or the Ken Schrader Racing team down.”
The “very big seat to fill” is a reference to Theriault, who took the series by storm last year, winning seven races en route to the national championship.
“We’re thrilled to have Brandon Grosso with our KSR team for the 2018 ARCA season,” said Team Owner Ken Schrader. “He did a fine job for us last year at DuQuoin, finishing fifth in his first time at the track. We’re looking forward to working with him again. At every level in which he has competed he has done well. His fifth-place finish in the CARS Tour last year is very impressive. He is a proven driver on the dirt and asphalt. We hope Brandon continues that trend in the #52 ARCA car.”
The Belle Mead, N.J. rookie is one of several drivers who will be testing this weekend, Jan. 12-13 at Daytona. However, he will not turn 18 until March 30, which will prevent him from racing in the season-opening Lucas Oil 200 Driven by General Tire at the “World Center of Racing.” Grosso will be permitted to make a lap in practice during Speedweeks at Daytona in order to earn points toward the championship. Riley Herbst, who finished fifth in ARCA Racing Series standings in 2017, followed the same procedure last year.
Grosso’s “official” 2018 ARCA Racing Series campaign will begin April 7 at the historic Fairgrounds Speedway in Nashville, Tennessee.
Grosso started racing at age 5 and competed in national and regional USAC quarter midget events, earning 250 wins and 17 championships. At 15, he moved into dirt sportsman and modified competition where he produced 18 wins and three track championships. His on-track success earned him the chance to test an ARCA car with Cunningham Motorsports, which eventually led to his opportunity with KSR. In 2017, he competed in the CARS Tour Late Model Stock Series where he finished fifth in championship points, running as a teammate to Myatt Snider, son of NBC Sports announcer Marty Snider.
Additional details, including sponsor partners and marketing programs, will be released in coming weeks.
