By Larry Woody
The Wilson Post
The owner-driver race team of Lebanon’s Mark Noble and Murfreesboro’s Tanner Arms was temporarily interrupted last year by a visit from the stork.
Baby Charlotte arrived safe and sound, allowing dad to get back to the business of running in fast circles. His next test comes Saturday in the ARCA Music City 200 at Nashville’s Fairgrounds Speedway.
“I’m super-excited,” says Arms, who last year called on Lebanon’s Dylan Fetcho for backup duty while on maternity watch. “This is a special race for us because it’s local.”
Noble, who in 2003 assumed operation of the team founded by his father Darryl in 1995, agrees:“They’re all important, but you always want to perform well on your home track. I anticipate a good showing.”
Last season Noble made the jump from local Late Models to the ARCA Series. ARCA (Auto Racing Club of America) was founded in 1953 as the fourth tier of stock car racing, behind NASCAR’s Cup, Xfinity and truck series. Some of the sport’s top drivers got their start in ARCA.
“It’s very competitive,” says Noble, whose MAN (Mark Anthony Noble) Team posted an impressive 6th place finish in last year’s ARCA debut at Nashville. “We raced against some established teams with good equipment and experienced drivers, and we learned a lot.”
After Saturday’s race, Noble plans to run Indy, Milwaukee, Bristol and Toledo.
In addition to overseeing his ARCA team, Noble assists daughter Anyelee, 13, with her quarter-midget racing. She finished first and second in her first two starts.
Arms, a native of Springfield who moved to Murfreesboro where he attends MTSU, will be behind the wheel for the team’s other upcoming ARCA races.
“This is a good team and I’m proud to drive for it,” he says. “Mark puts a lot of effort into it.”
In addition to starting a family, going to school and racing, Arms owns and operates InnovEight Printed Products which specializes in race-themed work.
“I stay busy, but it’s something I love to do,” he says.
Arms is one of five brothers who followed their dad into racing. He won Pro Mod championships at Highland Rim and Nashville, and last year collected his second Super Truck title at the Fairgrounds. He is second in the current standings.
“I enjoy racing trucks and would like to eventually get a shot at the NASCAR series,” he says. “But right now my focus is on only one thing – getting our first ARCA win.”
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Fetcho-Wright duel resumes: Wilson County drivers Dylan Fetcho and Hunter Wright, each with a win in the Speedway’s first two Pro Late Model races, resume their championship battle Saturday prior to the ARCA race.
A CRA Street Stock race starts the 5 p.m. schedule, followed by the Pro Late Models and ARCA feature.
On Friday, Limited Late Models, Street Stocks, Pure Stocks and Front Runners comprise a 7 p.m. schedule.