Michael Leach to Run Remainder of 2019 ARX2 Schedule for Loenbro Motorsports and AF Racing

Fresh off making his rallycross debut in a Sierra ARX3 crosskart last month at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, Michael Leach will run the remainder of the 2019 Americas Rallycross ARX2 season for Loenbro Motorsports, through a strategic partnership with AF Racing that helps young drivers forge a path to the Supercar ranks. Leach’s #09 American Grinders ARX2 car will make its debut in the series’ upcoming doubleheader from World Wide Technology Raceway at Gateway on July 13-14.

“Running ARX2 is going to be very exciting for me because I’ve never ran a car like this before,” said Leach. “I’m used to turning left all the time and now I’m going to be switching back and forth as well as running on both dirt and asphalt. The ARX2 cars are completely different from cars I’m used to running. My main car is a dirt oval stock car, so I only have to turn left. Now I’m going to be driving a car with a lot more power. All in all this is going to be very fun and I can’t wait to compete with the other racers!”

“It’s exciting to get Michael into an ARX2 car,” added Steve Arpin, Loenbro Motorsports general manager and ARX Supercar driver. “The little bugger has impressed in everything he has jumped into and he is a smart, calculated driver that really respects his equipment. Having the ARX2 series as a development class feeding the Supercars has proven to be a successful model, which has recently been proven again by how my teammate Travis PeCoy turned about every head that could be turned in his debut at Mid-Ohio a few weeks back! It’s going to be a fun year watching Michael progress!”

Leach’s young career so far has included everything from debuting in quarter midgets at eight years old to winning his first IMCA Modified race in his first season in the car earlier this year. He joined the ARX3 field for the second day of action at Mid-Ohio in June, and immediately proved successful by scoring a fourth place finish in the final. It was one of many successes for the team on the weekend, as both Arpin and PeCoy finished on the podium in Sunday’s Supercar final to kick off the championship on a high note. Leach’s car will be backed by American Grinders, a celebration of the skilled laborers across the United States that keep the country at work.

“American Grinders is all about showing people that it is perfectly okay to work with your hands in this modern day world,” said Leach. “People are starting to believe all over that you absolutely need college and schooling to be successful, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. We want people to work in fields, in race car shops, and at the oil rig, and we’re here to encourage people to get their hands dirty and not be afraid to stick to their roots.”

Don’t miss Leach, Arpin, PeCoy, and the Loenbro Motorsports team as they run for the 2019 Americas Rallycross championship, continuing with the ARX of Gateway at World Wide Technology Raceway at Gateway on July 13-14. Tickets for the event are on sale now via www.arxrallycross.com.

Be sure to follow Michael Leach, American Grinders, Loenbro Motorsports, and AF Racing on social media:

• Facebook: American Grinders, Loenbro Motorsports
• Twitter: @loenbroracing, @afracingteam
• Instagram: @m09leach, @american.grinders, @loenbromotorsports, @afracingteam