Gio Ruggiero will get third ARCA Menards Sequence victory in rain-shortened race at Michigan Worldwide Speedway within the Henry Ford Well being 200.
BROOKLYN, Mich -Joe Gibbs Racicng introduced Pinnacle Racing Group’s scorching streak at Michigan Worldwide Speedway to an finish on Friday afternoon with Gio Ruggiero piloting their No. 18 Toyota to victory within the Henry Ford Well being 200.
Gio Ruggiero: Third Victory
An incredible push from Gavan Boschele on what proved to be the ultimate restart of the day propelled Ruggiero forward of ARCA Menards Sequence factors chief Jake Bollman, simply previous the midway level. Inclement climate introduced the race to an finish shortly thereafter, serving to Ruggiero earn his third win in 4 ARCA Menards Sequence begins this yr.
The triumph additionally denied PRG the prospect to win its third consecutive Michigan ARCA Menards Sequence race.
Restarts proved to be vital through the Henry Ford Well being 200 when it got here to gaining monitor place. Whereas Ruggiero admitted his automotive might have been higher, he capitalized on the inflow of restarts, which rewarded him with one other victory.
“It was cool that Gavan [Boschele] bought to push me on the finish of the race and assist me get the lead,” Ruggiero mentioned. “We executed on each restart, I felt like. Our automotive drove good, however I felt like we had been nonetheless a little bit bit behind on velocity. We nonetheless bought it finished. Undoubtedly day for us.”
Presently in his second full-time NASCAR Craftsman Truck Sequence season with Tricon Storage, Ruggiero has made essentially the most of his alternatives to compete on the ARCA Menards Sequence platform with Joe Gibbs Racing.
After scoring two high fives with Gibbs in 2025, Ruggiero opened 2026 by delivering the JGR ARCA Menards Sequence program its first win at Daytona Worldwide Speedway. Ruggiero backed that efficiency with one other journey to victory lane at Kansas Speedway.
Rain-Shortens the Race
Rain was quickly approaching Michigan proper because the Henry Ford Well being 200 reached the midway level. Ruggiero had been affected person all day following Bollman, who took the lead on the penultimate restart. However a warning for a spin by Bobby Earnhardt created the opening Ruggiero was ready for.
Ruggiero took the lead from Bollman on the restart and held it till a multi-car crash slowed the sector moments earlier than Mom Nature arrived to carry a untimely finish to the 100-lap occasion.
Ruggiero would have most well-liked to finish the Henry Ford Well being 200 beneath inexperienced, particularly with rain having impacted his final two race weekends. But Ruggiero seamlessly tailored to the altering situations with steerage from crew chief Matt Ross, remaining stalwart via the extraordinary late-race restarts.
“I really feel like that’s what we’ve been doing each week,” Ruggiero mentioned. “You’ve simply bought to capitalize, execute and get the monitor place when you’ll be able to. Clearly I knew the rain was coming, however I didn’t realize it was going to be this unhealthy. It’s superior to get the win.
“Hopefully tomorrow I can go get the Truck race win and park it in Victory Lane.”
Following Ruggiero within the runner-up place was Bollman, who additional bolstered his benefit within the ARCA Menards Sequence standings. Boschele got here house in third after pushing Ruggiero to the lead, with the PRG teammates in Mosack and Buice finishing the highest 5.
Rounding out the highest ten finishers had been Thomas Annunziata, Isabella Robusto, Will Kimmel, Wesley Slimp, and George Siciliano.
Cleetus McFarland, who earned the pole for the Henry Ford Well being 200, was collected within the last accident of the afternoon, however completed 14th because the final automotive on the lead lap.
Jake Bollman leads Thomas Annunziata in second place by 25 factors. In third place is Ryan Vargas (-28). Andy Jankowiak and Isabella Robusto spherical out the highest 5.
Subsequent Up
The ARCA Menards Sequence returns to Pocono Raceway for its first occasion on the historic venue since 2023. The Pocono ARCA 150 begins at 3 pm ET on Friday, June twelfth, on FS1.
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