Why we love the ARCA Racing Series

TALLADEGA, Ala. - NASCAR returns to Talladega this weekend with the Aaron's 312 and 499 on Saturday and Sunday respectively. But before they do, the ARCA Series took center stage with the International Hall of Fame 250.

Brandon McReynolds was robbed of his first career ARCA victory in March at Daytona when he ran out of fuel on the final lap, just 200 yards away from the finish line. The victory was returned to him on Friday afternoon as McReynolds won the International Motorsports Hall of Fame at Talladega Superspeedway.

Much like the ARCA races I've attended at Daytona and Mobile this season, today's race reminded me of everything I love about motorsports. There was a star-studded starting lineup, exciting but ultimately harmless accidents and a last-lap pass for the lead - everything a fan dreams of before the race.

I didn't even mention the margin of victory - 0.195 seconds. Exciting!

Much like the season-opening Lucas Oil Slick Mist 250 at Daytona International Speedway, Talladega was an all-star event featuring a combination of ARCA regulars, restrictor plate specialists and purse chasers. As a result, this race has a reputation as one of the most competitive in the ARCA Series - a league dominated by mostly half-mile short tracks.

Nine-of-20 ARCA races are on tracks a half-mile or shorter. If you've ever been to your local short track, you know just how competitive and exciting these tracks can be. Mobile and Salem produced some of the most exciting races of the season with Cale Gale and Alex Bowman picking up the checkered flags, respectively.

Gale's win was especially satisfying as the Mobile-native returned home, defeating a star-studded field that included ARCA regulars and Mobile Speedway's best that also included Chase Elliott, Bubba Pollard and Grant Enfinger.

At its core, that's what the ARCA Series is all about. It's about delivering the missing link between short track late model racing and NASCAR; featuring the most diverse track selection in motorsports history. In 2012, the ARCA Series will visit two 2.5-mile superspeedways, four 1.5-mile speedways, nine .5-mile shorts tracks, a dirt track, and for the first time ever - a road course at New Jersey Motorsports Park.

ARCA breeds champions with recent graduates including Ty Dillon and Joey Logano. Winning in the ARCA Series is a confirmation of one's talent and the gateway to future success in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.

The only drawback is the league's lack of promotion and television time. Despite the high quality of its racing, only 10 of its events are televised and not all of them are live or in high-definition. Do yourself a favor and watch the replay of today's race. It will be well worth your time. Follow that up by telling Speed that you want the full schedule televised - because after today's race you'll want more of the most diverse stock car series in the world.