Annunziata Collects Maiden ARCA Pole At Lime Rock

Thomas Annunziata in action Friday at Lime Rock Park. (Bobby Pastelak/NASCAR photo)

By ARCA Contributor Tyler Benoit

LAKEVILLE, Conn. – With an extensive road course background, it was no surprise seeing Thomas Annunziata on top of the board during ARCA Menards Series qualifying Friday afternoon at Lime Rock Park.

Annunziata turned in a time-trial lap of 54.193 seconds (98.182 mph) on the 1.473-mile, seven-turn road course, wheeling the No. 70 Nitro Motorsports Toyota to his first national ARCA pole in just his fifth career start.

The 20-year-old New Jersey native has three podium finishes in three Trans-Am starts at Lime Rock, including a runner-up earlier this year. He was also the runner-up in his ARCA debut in 2024 at Daytona (Fla.) Int’l Speedway.

Brent Crews, who was fastest in practice earlier in the day, came just short of the pole position by .127 seconds with his time of 54.320 seconds (97.953 mph).

Crews will start alongside Annunziata in the front row in an expected battle between the two Trans-Am TA2 Series rivals on Saturday.

Venturini Motorsports takes up the second row, with Lawless Alan in the third spot (54.423/97.767), followed by Israel’s Alon Day in his ARCA debut (54.555/97.531).

ARCA point leader Brenden Queen starts fifth, with vintage racer Ryan Gemmell, Dale Quarterley, Isabella Robusto, Lavar Scott, and Glen Reen filling out the top 10.

Broadcast coverage of the Lime Rock Park 100 is slated for 4 p.m. ET, live on FS2, select affiliates of the Motor Racing Network, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, channel 90.

The race is scheduled for 68 laps, with a five-minute ‘halftime’ break at or around lap 34. Teams will have three sets of General Tire slicks, as well as wet-weather tires if necessary.