By Brian Eberly, Contributing Writer
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – Dalton Sargeant will drive the No. 77 car for Cunningham Motorsports in the ARCA Racing Series for the 2017 season, team co-owner Kerry Scherer announced at a press conference during the Performance Racing Industry trade show at the Indiana Convention Center on Saturday afternoon.
This past season, Sargeant drove for Venturini Motorsports in ARCA competition, winning at Berlin Speedway and earning 10 top-five finishes in 15 starts. Sargeant finished second at Toldeo, Winchester and Kentucky and was crowned the SCOTT Rookie of the Year. Under the leadership of crew chief Billy Venturini, the team recorded an average finishing position of 5.47.
“We are so excited, here at Cunningham Motorsports, to welcome Dalton to our organization. Working together, we should be able to capitalize on his top finishes this season, along with our championship caliber team,” Scherer said.
As part of the announcement, the team enhanced their chances at earning back-to-back titles by becoming a driver development partner with Ford Performance.
RELATED: Cunningham Motorsports Named Driver Development Partner with Ford Performance
“I couldn’t be more excited to join Cunningham Motorsports, Ford Performance and the No. 77 team as we battle for the 2017 ARCA Racing Series championship. I’m really looking forward to working with Chad Bryant, Paul Andrews and the entire Cunningham Motorsports team.”
Sargeant will have big shoes to fill in the No. 77 car, as this season driver Chase Briscoe and crew chief Chad Bryant recorded six victories and earned the organization their first ARCA Racing Series championship in dominating fashion.
“Coming off a championship season, they obviously have very high expectations going into 2017 and so do I. In the past, I’ve come so close to winning races. I feel like the package Cunningham brings to the track and the people they have within their organization, will put me in a situation to contend for the ARCA Racing Series championship. To say the least, I can’t wait to get started with the No. 77 group and head to Daytona for testing.”
