Ganassi Racing

GRC

Jeff Ward's Bio

Age:54 Location:Newport Beach, CA Sport:Rallycross

A native of Fort Frances, Ontario, Canada, and son of an entrepreneur and dirt racer, Steve Arpin started winning races in go-karts at the age of 10. Arpin’s high school days were different than most; while his friends were going to class and doing homework, the young Canadian was out winning regional and national snowmobile championships. By the time Arpin turned 18, he was a seven-time world snowmobile champion.

When not racing on snow, Arpin became a force on four wheels, securing the Wissota Auto Racing Series and Emo Speedway Modified Track Championship at 15. Arpin was able to defend his title, winning every heat and feature event held at the Canadian speedway for the next three years.

Arpin soon broke into the American spotlight by becoming the youngest driver on record to capture the prestigious Wissota 100. In the beginning of 2007, he had near-perfect record, winning the UMP Dirt car Winter Nationals championship and the North Florida National Championship. Arpin conquered North Dakota during the IMCA Dakota Classic Modified Tour, winning every heat and every feature for five straight nights. He racked up an impressive 18 feature wins and 42 top-five finishes, under six sanctioning bodies, while racing at 38 different tracks in 22 different states and Canada throughout the ’07 season.

Arpin has found major success over his career competing at the highest levels in the ARCA Racing Series, NASCAR Nationwide Series, NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and now competing full-time in the Global Rallycross Championships.

Arpin’s latest accomplishment came at Summer X-Games ’15 where he won silver in Rally Car Racing.

Q & A

Q.

Biggest accomplishment?

A.

Raising 4 great kids!

Q.

Coolest place you've ever been?

A.

Japan

Q.

What is your favorite music?

A.

Country

Q.

Favorite thing to do?

A.

Go to my kids athletic sports.

Q.

Never leave home without?

A.

Money $

Q.

What inspires you?

A.

I'm inspired by people that work hard and don't complain and help somebody when there down.

Q.

Favorite food?

A.

Anything my wife cooks. Ha

Career Highlights

  • 1984

    Won AMA 125cc national motocross title.

    1985

    Won AMA national 250cc motocross and Supercross titles.

    1987

    Won second AMA national 250cc Supercross championship.

    1988

    Captured second AMA national 250cc motocross title.

    1989

    Won AMA national 500cc motocross championship to become first rider in history to win every major AMA national motocross title.

    1990

    Won second consecutive AMA national 500cc motocross championship.

    2004

    Won AMA Supermoto Championship at 43 years of age.

    2006

    Won X-Games Supermoto Championship at 45 years of age.

    2006

    Won AMA Supermoto Championship (second title)

    2008

    Won X-Games Supermoto Championship at 47 years of age (second title).

  • Indy Racing League

    1997

    Finished third at Indianapolis 500 in maiden effort, finished 30th in IRL season point standings.

    1998

    Earned career-first pole position at Phoenix IRL race, four top five finishes, finished career-best 6th in IRL season point standings.

    1999

    Finished career-best second at Indianapolis 500, three top five finishes, finished 11th in IRL season point standings.

    2000

    Finished fourth at Indianapolis 500, two top five finishes, finished 11th in IRL season point standings.

    2001

    Two top five finishes, finished 11th in IRL season point standings.

    2002

    Winner of Boomtown 500 at Texas Motor Speedway, finished ninth at Indianapolis 500, two top five finishes, finished 11th in IRL season point standings.

  • Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series

    2008

    Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series Rookie of the Year

    Dirt Sports Rookie of the Year

    2nd Place in Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series Championship, behind by 1 point

Steve Arpin's Bio

Age:31 Location:Cornelius, NC Sport:Rallycross

A native of Fort Frances, Ontario, Canada, and son of an entrepreneur and dirt racer, Steve Arpin started winning races in go-karts at the age of 10. Arpin’s high school days were different than most; while his friends were going to class and doing homework, the young Canadian was out winning regional and national snowmobile championships. By the time Arpin turned 18, he was a seven-time world snowmobile champion.

When not racing on snow, Arpin became a force on four wheels, securing the Wissota Auto Racing Series and Emo Speedway Modified Track Championship at 15. Arpin was able to defend his title, winning every heat and feature event held at the Canadian speedway for the next three years.

Arpin soon broke into the American spotlight by becoming the youngest driver on record to capture the prestigious Wissota 100. In the beginning of 2007, he had near-perfect record, winning the UMP Dirt car Winter Nationals championship and the North Florida National Championship. Arpin conquered North Dakota during the IMCA Dakota Classic Modified Tour, winning every heat and every feature for five straight nights. He racked up an impressive 18 feature wins and 42 top-five finishes, under six sanctioning bodies, while racing at 38 different tracks in 22 different states and Canada throughout the ’07 season.

In 2008, Arpin got the opportunity to pilot Carl Edwards’ USAC Silver Crown Car, capturing Rookie of the Year honors.

The following year, Arpin competed in the ARCA Racing Series, taking home seventh-place in the championship point standings. He also earned the 2009 Most Popular Driver award.

In 2010, he captured three ARCA victories at Salem Speedway, Texas Motor Speedway and DuQuoin State Fairgrounds with Venturini Motorsports. Arpin ended the year with seven top-five and ten top-10 finishes as the fans voted him the Most Popular Driver for the second consecutive year.

That same year, Arpin made his NASCAR Nationwide Series (NNS) debut at Talladega Superspeedway, where he qualified fourth and finished 26th. He made six more NNS starts, with his best finish of 10th coming at Daytona International Speedway.

In 2011, Arpin made his NASCAR Camping World Truck Series debut with Turner Motorsports behind the wheel of the No. 32 Mike’s Hard Lemonade Chevrolet Silverado.

In 2013, the former NASCAR driver is taking on a new challenge, competing full-time in the Global Rallycross Championship (GRC) in 2013. He will race for newly formed OMSE2, a satellite team to GRC powerhouse team OlsbergsMSE. His first race will be at Foz do Iguaçu, later this month in Brazil.

Career Highlights

  • 2010

    Most Popular Driver Award

    Southern Illinois 100 at DuQuoin Dirt Race Winner

    Rattlesnake 150 at Texas Motor Speedway Race Winner

    Kentuckiana Ford Dealers 200 Race Winner

  • 2009

    Most Popular Driver Award

  • 2008

    Rookie of the Year