Shift Up Now Athlete Amber Balcaen announced Thursday that she’ll be competing with Venturini Motorsports (VMS) in the ARCA Menards Series at Daytona International Raceway on Sunday, February 18, 2023.
Driving the No. 15 Toyota Camry with continued sponsorship from Icon Direct, Balcaen will be entering her second year of ARCA racing. During her rookie season, she captured six top-ten finishes and had a particularly-strong showing at Daytona in 2022. During the official pre-season testing at Daytona on January 13th and 14th, her first time on track in the VMS car, Balcaen was second fastest of the 62 cars taking part.
“Having raced Daytona last year, and knowing the track record that Venturini Motorsports has at superspeedways, I’m very confident going into Daytona knowing we have a real shot to be at the front of the pack,” said Balcaen. “My goal is to earn my ARCA career-best finish and put the No. 15 Icon Direct VMS car on the podium.”
The Canadian driver will also be driving for VMS at Talledega Super Speedway on April 22, 2023.
“I’ve watched Venturini Motorsports dominate the ARCA Menards series for years and it’s been a dream of mine for a long time to drive for VMS,” she explained. “To say I’m excited to drive for a hugely winning team is an understatement. I’m thrilled knowing I’ll be in a fast car this season.”
Balcaen, a third-generation driver, has become an established name in the racing world. She’s already become the first Canadian woman to win a NASCAR-sanctioned race and has a goal to reach the pinnacle of NASCAR. She’s known for her skill on track and notable personality, making a name for herself as an entrepreneur and influencer for her fans.
She also has a business degree, and has worked tirelessly to secure her own sponsorship deals. In 2023, she’s eager to expand on her success with VMS resources.
“I improved a lot through 2022 and I’m excited to put that all to use in 2023,” she said. “Between my experience last year, and the speed that the VMS cars show year in and year out, I have no doubt that we can put together a successful performance.”
The race at Daytona International Speedway will begin at 1:30pm EST on February 18, 2023, and will be viewable on FS1 or the Fox Sports app. For more information, fans can visit www.amberbalcaenracing.com.
