ARCA Menards Series field does nothing to help reputation in crash-filled Daytona race

On lap 12, the exit of turn four would once more be the trouble spot. Amber Balcaen's No. 70 slid up the track on corner exit, collecting Garrett Mitchell and Kyle Steckly. 

On lap 19, Balcaen and Mitchell were involved in another crash, this time on the exit of turn two. Craig Bracken suffered a major impact in the crash and was transported to a local hospital for further evaluation. 

On lap 46, a push from Lawless Alan sent Alan into the back of Jeff Scofield, who turned around the No. 55 of Isabella Robusto. Robusto, Alan and Corey Day, all of whom were considered to be race favorites, were knocked out of contention.

With 17 laps to go, Tim Richmond and Jake Finch both spun on the exit of turn four, bringing out the seventh and final caution of the race. 

The 80-lap race was won by Brenden Queen. 

The big story, however, isn't Queen's win. It's not a fifth-place finish by four-time Indianapolis 500 winner Helio Castroneves, who was wrecked after the checkered flag. It's not the endearing underdog story of Jason Kitzmiller, who managed a third-place finish, or Ryan Roulette, who put forth a ninth-place effort. 

The big story following Saturday's Ride the Dente 200 is that on Saturday, the ARCA Menards Series looked nothing like a professional auto-racing league. Superspeedway racing is inherently chaotic, but no race should ever see the carnage and chaos seen in the ARCA Menards Series season-opener.