On the tracks of Toledo Speedway this Saturday, as the 2025 ARCA Menards Series gained its new champion, the checkered flag evoked an emotion unlike any other for Bill Venturini. A team built on childhood dreams and fond memories had raced one last lap. “Arrivederci! End of an Era,” the garage echoed– decades of domination were coming to a close.

“I never thought this day would come, but as it got closer, I kind of looked forward to it, but at the same time, I really didn’t want it to really happen,” Venturini opened up after the season finale. “But it’s time. I’m okay. I’m not really as emotional as I thought I would be, mainly because I think it’s time… I was tired of the daily grinding. Not that I had to work a lot, but it’s just the mental responsibility.”

At 72 years old, Venturini has seen it all, from founder and driver to owner.

He and his wife, Cathy, built the team after Bill Sr. spent most of his childhood watching his father, Tony, race stock cars, competing against some of the very best at the historic Soldiers Field. Big Bill not only held on to the legacy but also passed it down notably well.

As a driver who debuted in 1982, right alongside Venturini Motorsports, Bill sr. racked up 12 wins and two championships in 1987 and 1991, setting records at Daytona and Talladega that still stand. Once his son, Billy, stepped in, the run was hard to replicate. He recorded just one win before ownership and management proved to be his true calling. 

After vacating the driver’s seat in 2007, Billy went on to build a launchpad for talent. He helped groom Joey Logano, who scored his first ARCA win with them in 2008 at Rockingham, and followed it up with the likes of Ryan Blaney, Alex Bowman, and William Byron, who have all climbed to NASCAR Cup Series success. 

Soon enough, VMS had established a stronghold on ARCA. Over 40 years, the team had built itself into the series’ most successful with 107 victories and four championships. The final bits of it were seen in Toledo on Saturday. 

Julian DaCosta, No. 20 Toyota, finished eight, ensuring all three of VMS cars had finished the race. Though it wasn’t a finish strong enough for the image the team has held over the years, name and recognition haven’t been lost. 

 Prior to the race, Venturini and his wife were presented with ARCA Gold Card lifetime memberships by ARCA president Ron Drager. A rather fitting honor for a driver who not only won titles but also innovated with an all-female pit crew in 1987 (he even won the championship that year). The legacy is now being passed on to Nitro Motorsports. 

“My partner Joe (Tovo) and I understand the responsibility to carry on that legacy and the history that the Venturini family has poured their life’s work into and build on that for many years to come with Toyota GAZOO Racing,” founder Nick Tucker said in April after the move was made official. For 2026, though, Billy will step into the general manager role at Nitro Motorsports to smooth the transition. The longstanding partnership between VMS and Toyota GAZOO Racing will also continue despite the change in ownership. 

Bill Venturini & co have one final race before the transition completes by October 15th. Thomas Annunziata (No. 15 Nitro Motorsports Toyota), Jade Avedisian (No. 20 Mobil 1 Toyota), and Taylor Reimer (No. 25 BuzzBallz Toyota) will race on October 10th at the The Bullring at Las Vegas Motor Speedway as a part of the ARCA Menards Series West. 

It will be the final que for Bill Sr. to enjoy his retirement, something he has already planned out: “South America in March, Mississippi River Cruise in July, I think Ireland in October, and in between that, my bucket list was to drive Route 66 from Chicago to LA.” 

He will also be keeping ties alive through a small museum he’s building at the shop to house trophies and memories. Venturini Motorsports may have seen its final days, but Big Bill believes he is still 72 and healthy, ready to fly out to Daytona or wherever the new team is.