The inaugural ARCA Menards Series race at Lime Rock Park was exciting. For one, it had more lead changes than the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race there earlier on Saturday (June 28).

Lime Rock had a first-time polesitter, four lead changes among three drivers, and the driver who laid down the fastest lap didn’t even lead one.

Congratulations to Thomas Annunziata, who became the third-straight national series first-time winner.

Nine races down and Brenden Queen has a nine-point lead over Lawless Alan and 17 over Lavar Scott. Jason Kitzmiller and Isabella Robusto round out the top five in fourth and fifth, and both are more than a full race’s worth of points behind Queen.

After the first road course of the 2025 season, the Frontstretch ARCA Power rankings welcome two new drivers.

1. Brenden Queen

First time at a road course for Queen? No problem. Queen momentarily challenged for the lead and ran top five throughout the race en route to a fourth-place finish.

“Man, what a day,” Queen told Motorsports Today post-race. “We ran second right there ‘til I messed up with two to go and went off track. But just a rookie mistake that if I get that chance again, I’ll be ready for it. But super happy with how I ran today. I was probably more nervous for our race than I have been in a while because I don’t have any road [course] experience at all. Just tried to stay on track all day; I did that ‘til two to go. And honestly, I wish that would’ve happened earlier in the race and not with two to go, but just made that one mistake there.

“But, a lot to build on, a lot to learn from, and super proud of everyone at Chevrolet, Pinnacle Racing, Josh Wise, and everybody back at Chevy that helped me prepare. And, you know, I’m mad about my mistake, but that’s on me, you know. So, we were just a little too free there at the end and not saying that caused what I did there, but just solid day really.”

Queen must feel great about his championship odds. He finished fourth in his first road course race and the next four racetracks on the schedule, including fellow road course Watkins Glen International, which Pinnacle Racing Group won in 2024.

2. Lawless Alan

Alan led 16 laps, including the first 15 after he drove deep into turn 1, sending Annunziata and Brent Crews spinning off track. When the checkered flag flew, Alan wound up third, same as his starting spot.

Alan’s third-place result is also his fourth-straight third-place finish. Moreover, all his top fives this season are his top 10s – zero finishes in sixth through 10th place.

“Still a good day,” Alan told Frontstretch post-race. “It was good to be able to follow those guys and watch them and learn from them so that I can apply it to Watkins Glen and hopefully be two spots better.

“It [his No. 20 Venturini Motorsports Toyota] was free to start. Kevin Reed Jr. up on the box made great adjustments, tightened me up, and so where I could really finesse it like I wanted to and like I could see those guys doing. And so, yeah, just needed a little bit more talent on the brake pedal, but we’ll apply it to Watkins Glen.”

Alan is running well enough to keep Queen in his sights, chasing the title. If he continues stringing top-10 runs and either beats Queen on pace or Queen has a poor run, Alan is in a prime position to pounce on the lead and top spot atop these rankings.

3. Thomas Annunziata

Annunziata’s victory was a masterclass in driving and the racing definition of persistence. He overcame his turn 1 spin on the opening lap, under green flag conditions, to drive up to fourth at the halfway competition caution.

Annunziata took the lead two laps later, was the beneficiary of Crews’ restart penalty, and cruised to a 4.139-second margin of victory. Annunziata’s road course prowess was on full display as he led a race-high 32 despite his lap 1 off-track excursion. His persistence paid off with a celebratory burnout.

Annunziata’s triumph is the second for Nitro Motorsports, and it has thrust the team into top-five owner points contention. The No. 70 is seventh in points, 42 behind third-place Alan’s No. 20. Annunziata was thrilled to win a road course close to home, too.

4. Brent Crews

Crews had the fastest car in practice, and he turned the fastest lap during the race.

He too persisted to restart on the front row when the race resumed following the halfway break. However, he jumped the restart by beating the leader Annunziata to the restart line and therefore received a pass-through penalty. Per ARCA, Crews turned laps in the second half frequently faster than the leader, but he ultimately ran out of time. He still showcased his talent by driving back up to sixth, 19.208 seconds behind Annunziata.

Unlike at the ARCA race at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in 2024, the FOX Sports broadcast had photographic and video evidence that Crews jumped the restart. He maintains Annunziata hit the brakes right before the restart line.

Nevertheless, Crews has more top 10s than three of the top 10 in points. He still has the sixth-most led laps. And he’ll be back in the No. 18 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota in the next three ARCA races.

5. Lavar Scott

Scott finished seventh at Lime Rock, his career-best road course finish. He has finished inside the top 10 in every race and has six top fives, too. He has completed all but one lap this season. Statistically, he is having a better 2025 than 2024, about three better spots both starting and finishing this year than last.

However, the reason Scott is third in points behind the top two is bonus points. They both have wins and pole awards – Scott has none – as well as more laps led.

The good news for Scott? He has the best average finishing position of the top 10 in points, and he’ll have opportunities to gain points on Queen and or Alan if they encounter troubles in the next two races. Both of those races are combination races with the ARCA Menards Series East, which should result in a higher car count.

Paint Scheme of the Race

Crews’ No. 18 Mobil 1 Toyota earned a lot of screen time, arguably the second most behind Annunziata. It stood out among the other racecars, and the No. 18 maintains its owner points lead ahead of Queen’s No. 28 Chevrolet. As such, Crews and his JGR team earn the Paint Scheme of the Race Award.

Crews, the national drivers, and the ARCA East drivers will next compete at Dover Motor Speedway. They will race 150 laps on Friday, July 18, at 5 p.m. ET with TV coverage provided by FOX Sports 1.