Townley wins ARCA Series season opener at Daytona

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – John Wes Townley has won his second ARCA Racing Series season opener at Daytona International Speedway.

Townley led 33 laps and held off several challengers Saturday to secure his second victory in four years at the famed superspeedway. Townley also won the 2013 ARCA opener. Those are his only ARCA wins.

William Byron was second, followed by Kyle Weatherman, Chase Briscoe and Frank Kimmel. Rookie Gray Gaulding was ninth, one spot ahead of fellow 18-year-old driver Cole Custer. Custer started on the pole — he was the youngest pole-sitter in series history — and led 42 laps before getting stuck in the middle of the pack.

Townley was out front for much of the rest of the way.

Eight-time race winner Bobby Gerhart was involved in a nine-car wreck on the third lap and finished 37th in the 40-car field.