The series began as a local touring group in the Midwestern United States, becoming part of Daytona Speedweeks in 1964 at the request of Bill France Sr. That same year, the series was renamed the Automobile Racing Club of America (ARCA) at France’s suggestion to increase national exposure. Throughout its history, the series has been known by several sponsor names, including the ARCA Permatex SuperCar Series (1986–1991), the ARCA Hooters SuperCar Series (1993–1995), the ARCA Bondo/Mar-Hyde Series (1996–2000), the ARCA RE/MAX Series (2001–2009), and the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards (2011–2019).
The ARCA Menards Series frequently serves as a developmental ground for young drivers aspiring to reach NASCAR’s top three series. Drivers such as Benny Parsons, Ken Schrader, Kyle Petty, Kyle Busch, Justin Allgaier, Casey Mears, and Sam Hornish Jr. have all raced in the series. Young drivers often participate in the series opener at Daytona to gain NASCAR approval for superspeedway events in the Truck or Xfinity Series.
In 2014, ARCA introduced the ARCA Ilmor 396 engine, also known as the ARCA Control Engine (ACE), developed by Ilmor. The engine delivers 700 horsepower and 530 ft-lb of torque and costs $35,000 to build. The Ilmor engine debuted during testing at Daytona International Speedway in December 2014, with Sean Corr’s Ilmor-powered #48 Ford topping the speed charts. The engine is a "purpose-built powerplant" using Holley electronic fuel injection and based on the Chevrolet LS engine family, able to deliver 700 horsepower and 530 ft-lb of torque. Teams can use the same engine at all track types for up to 1,500 miles between rebuilds.
Beginning in 2015, ARCA began using composite car bodies developed with Five Star Race Car Bodies, based on the Sprint Cup Series Gen 6 models of the Chevrolet SS, Ford Fusion, and Toyota Camry. These bodies are constructed of a composite laminate blend, designed for easy replacement of panels and reduced on-track debris. By 2020, all ARCA cars were required to use composite bodies. In 2022, the Ford Fusion was replaced by the Ford Mustang, though the Fusion remained legal as of 2024. An Indiana-based indie game developer created ARCA Sim Racing '08 to simulate the RE/MAX championship. From 1995 until 2016, Hoosier Racing Tire was the series tire supplier, with the tires branded in 2016 by their business partner Continental AG's General Tire following Continental's acquisition of Hoosier in October 2016.
The Rookie of the Year award is given to the top-scoring rookie at the end of the season, with past winners including Benny Parsons, Davey Allison, and Parker Kligerman. The Bill France Four Crown award, inaugurated in 1984, recognizes the driver with the most points across dirt ovals, short ovals, superspeedways, and road courses; Frank Kimmel has won the Four Crown seven times.
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