Andy Jankowiak Bio
Andrew Jankowiak, known professionally as Andy Jankowiak, is an American racing driver born on March 10, 1988, in Tonawanda, New York. He competes part-time in the ARCA Menards Series, driving the No. 73 Toyota Camry for KLAS Motorsports. Jankowiak has built a reputation as a determined short-track and superspeedway racer, drawing on a deep family heritage in motorsports.
Over the course of his career, Jankowiak has competed in the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour and across the ARCA Menards Series platform, including the main series, the ARCA Menards Series East, and the ARCA Menards Series West. His persistence on the developmental ladder paid off with his first national-series victory in 2026.
Early Life and Background
Andy Jankowiak was born and raised in Tonawanda, New York, a community in western New York with a strong short-track racing tradition. His parents, Tony Jankowiak and Debby Druar Jankowiak, were both racing drivers, and his maternal uncle, Tommy Druar, also raced. Tragedy touched the family early, as Tommy Druar was killed in a summer 1989 race at Lancaster Motorplex, and Tony Jankowiak was killed in a crash at Stafford Motor Speedway in April 1990.
His mother, Debby Druar Jankowiak, holds a notable place in regional racing history as the first female driver to win a race at Lancaster Motorplex. Andy grew up around the sport, frequently visiting the Ransomville Speedway go-kart track with his mother and her brother-in-law, Jake, which helped spark his lifelong interest in racing. To support his career, Jankowiak worked as a delivery driver for Bob & John’s La Hacienda, using tips from that job to help fund his racing efforts.
Path to NASCAR
Jankowiak’s rise through the ranks began on the modified racing scene, where he developed the skills that would later translate to national-series competition. He made his NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour debut in 2019, driving for Susanne Lewis Racing. His first scheduled start, the Musket 250 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, was withdrawn, but he returned later that year at the Sunoco World Series 150 at Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park, where he drove the No. 55 Airport Collision Dodge.
He continued to build experience in the Modified Tour in 2020 and 2021, working with teams such as Steve Mendoza Racing and Jody Lauzon Racing. These part-time opportunities allowed him to refine his race craft and prepare for a step up to the ARCA Menards Series. His dedication to the sport, paired with the mentorship of team owners and crew chiefs, helped him earn a chance to compete at the national level.
Andy Jankowiak Career
Early Career (2019–2020)
Jankowiak’s early professional career centered on the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour. In 2019, he made his series debut with Susanne Lewis Racing and competed at Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park in the No. 55 Airport Collision Dodge. Although he was collected in a multi-car crash on lap 13 and finished 38th, the start marked his entry into NASCAR-sanctioned competition.
In 2020, Jankowiak expanded his Modified Tour presence, entering events at Jennerstown Speedway Complex and Thompson Speedway. Driving the No. 59 Jankowiak Racing Chevrolet and later a Chevrolet fielded by Steve Mendoza Racing, he gained valuable track time despite handling issues that hampered his results. These seasons laid the groundwork for his eventual transition to ARCA.
ARCA Menards Series Breakthrough (2021–2022)
Jankowiak moved to the ARCA Menards Series in 2021, fielding the No. 73 entry for his own Jankowiak Motorsports on a part-time basis after purchasing a car from Ken Schrader Racing. He made his ARCA debut at the Lucas Oil 200 at Daytona International Speedway, where he qualified eleventh out of 34 cars and finished eighth on the lead lap. That strong start was supported by sponsorship from OneRail.
He followed it with a seventh-place run at Talladega Superspeedway, sponsored by V1 Fiber and Thermal Foams, and additional lead-lap top-ten finishes at Charlotte Motor Speedway and Pocono Raceway. At Charlotte, he honored fallen members of the United States Armed Forces from western New York with a special paint scheme. He also contested his first road-course event at Watkins Glen International in 2022, finishing sixteenth after a qualifying setback. Across the main ARCA series, he accumulated 26 top-ten finishes.
KLAS Motorsports Era (2023–Present)
On January 19, 2023, it was announced that Jankowiak would return part-time in the ARCA Menards Series, with team ownership transitioning to fellow driver Andy Seuss and Kevin Lapierre. The team was renamed KLAS Motorsports, formed from the initials of the new owners, allowing Jankowiak to focus solely on his driving duties. He continued to pilot the No. 73 car for the organization through 2026.
Under the KLAS Motorsports banner, Jankowiak also branched into the ARCA Menards Series East and ARCA Menards Series West, expanding his national-series footprint. In the East series, he posted six top-ten finishes, while in the West he made his debut at the 2024 General Tire 150 at Phoenix. His most significant career milestone came in 2026, when he captured his first ARCA victory at the Alabama Manufactured Housing 200 at Talladega Superspeedway, making a dramatic last-lap pass on Cleetus McFarland and Gus Dean to take the checkered flag.
Driving Style and Strengths
Jankowiak has shown a particular affinity for superspeedway racing, posting strong lead-lap results at Daytona, Talladega, and Charlotte. His ability to navigate pack racing and capitalize on late-race opportunities was on full display in his 2026 Talladega victory. Working closely with crew chief Steve Mendoza, he has demonstrated steady race craft, mechanical sympathy, and a willingness to adapt to different track types, from ovals to road courses.
Notable Races and Milestones
His first ARCA top-ten at Daytona in 2021 announced his arrival on the national stage, while his tribute paint scheme honoring fallen U.S. Armed Forces members at Charlotte showcased his personal connection to the sport. The 2026 Talladega win stands as his defining career moment, rewarding years of part-time effort with a breakthrough victory. He also carries deep personal meaning in his career by racing the No. 73 in tribute to his late father and uncle.
Andy Jankowiak Career Wins
Andy Jankowiak has compiled a verified record of one ARCA Menards Series victory, recorded at the 2026 Alabama Manufactured Housing 200 at Talladega Superspeedway. Across the main ARCA series, he has also accumulated 26 top-ten finishes without a pole position. In the ARCA Menards Series East, he has recorded six top-ten finishes, while his appearances in the ARCA Menards Series West have not yet produced a top-ten result.
ARCA Menards Series Highlights
Jankowiak’s first ARCA Menards Series win came in dramatic fashion at Talladega in 2026, where he passed Cleetus McFarland and Gus Dean on the final lap. His best championship result in the main series to date is 12th in 2025. He opened his ARCA career with a lead-lap eighth-place finish at Daytona in 2021, the first of many strong superspeedway runs.
Other Wins and Performances
Beyond the main ARCA series, Jankowiak has competed in the ARCA Menards Series East, where his best points result is 22nd in 2024, and the ARCA Menards Series West, where he made his debut at the 2024 General Tire 150 at Phoenix. He has not recorded a victory in either regional ARCA series, but his consistent main-series results have established him as a reliable part-time contender.
| Series | Wins | Top Tens | Poles |
|---|---|---|---|
| ARCA Menards Series | 1 | 26 | 0 |
| ARCA Menards Series East | 0 | 6 | 0 |
Andy Jankowiak Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Jankowiak comes from a deeply rooted racing family. His mother and father, Debby Druar Jankowiak and Tony Jankowiak, both competed as racing drivers, as did his maternal uncle, Tommy Druar. Debby Druar Jankowiak is recognized as the first female driver to win a race at Lancaster Motorplex. Tony and Tommy were both lost to the sport, with Tommy dying in a summer 1989 race at Lancaster Motorplex and Tony perishing in a crash at Stafford Motor Speedway in April 1990.
Personal Life
Jankowiak races the No. 73 in tribute to his late father and uncle, a number that carries profound personal meaning throughout his career. In 2022, he ran a special paint scheme at Bristol Motor Speedway inspired by the design his mother once raced. He continues to honor his family’s legacy each time he takes the track, carrying their memory with him in the ARCA Menards Series.
2025 Season Performance
Andy Jankowiak’s 2025 ARCA Menards Series campaign represented a strong step forward in his part-time program with KLAS Motorsports. He recorded a career-best championship result of 12th in the main series standings, reinforcing his consistency on the superspeedways that have defined much of his success. His season included a series of lead-lap finishes and continued top-ten pace.
Beyond the main series, Jankowiak remained active in the ARCA Menards Series East, where his best prior result was 22nd in 2024. The 2025 schedule also featured his debut in the ARCA Menards Series West, where he finished 63rd in the standings after limited starts. Working alongside crew chief Steve Mendoza, he continued to refine his approach and prepare for future opportunities.
Looking ahead, Jankowiak carried strong momentum into 2026, where his dedication to the program would ultimately be rewarded with his first ARCA Menards Series victory at Talladega Superspeedway. His 2025 season demonstrated the steady progress of both driver and team, setting the stage for the breakthrough that followed.
