Greg Van Alst Motorsports Overview
Greg Van Alst Motorsports is a professional stock car racing team owned by Gregory Michael Van Alst, an American racing driver from Anderson, Indiana. The team competes part-time in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series with the No. 35 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro and also participates in the NASCAR Xfinity Series with the No. 35 Chevrolet SS. Known for its competitive presence in the ARCA Menards Series, the team has earned recognition through Van Alst’s driving achievements and strategic growth within NASCAR’s national series.
Founding and Organizational Origins
Greg Van Alst Motorsports was established under the ownership and leadership of Greg Van Alst, who also serves as the team’s CEO. While the exact founding date is not publicly documented, the team is based in Anderson, Indiana, reflecting Van Alst’s personal roots. The organization was created to provide Van Alst a platform to compete at higher levels of stock car racing, combining his driving career with team management. Early operations focused on building a competitive racing outfit capable of participating in multiple NASCAR-sanctioned series, leveraging Van Alst’s experience and connections within the racing community.
Growth Into NASCAR Competition
The team expanded its operations to compete in NASCAR’s national series, including the Craftsman Truck Series and the Xfinity Series. Initially, Greg Van Alst competed in the ARCA Menards Series, gaining valuable experience and establishing the team’s presence. The transition to NASCAR competition involved strategic partnerships and technical alliances, such as running Toyota and Chevrolet vehicles. The team has fielded cars numbered 35 and 20, adapting to the demands of different series and tracks. Key leadership and driving roles have been filled by Van Alst himself, who balances responsibilities as both owner and driver.
Greg Van Alst Motorsports Competitive Journey
Greg Van Alst Motorsports has steadily progressed through various stock car racing series, beginning with ARCA competition and advancing into NASCAR’s national circuits. The team’s journey reflects a commitment to growth and adaptability, marked by notable race performances and strategic scheduling amidst financial challenges.
Early Seasons and Development (2002–2021)
Greg Van Alst made his ARCA Re/Max Series debut in 2002, driving the No. 01 Chevrolet for Robert Locke in three races. His best finish during this period was fifteenth at Chicagoland Speedway. After a hiatus, Van Alst returned to ARCA competition in 2021, this time driving for his own team in the No. 35 car. That season, he ran eight races and secured three top-ten finishes, including a second-place finish at Winchester and a seventh at Kansas. The team’s early approach focused on gaining experience and establishing a competitive foothold in the ARCA Menards Series.
Breakthrough in ARCA Menards Series (2022–2023)
In 2022, Greg Van Alst Motorsports committed to a full-time ARCA Menards Series schedule for the first time. Van Alst finished fifth in the final points standings, achieving eleven top-ten finishes and a best race result of fifth at Charlotte Motor Speedway. The team also debuted in the ARCA Menards Series West with a combination race at Phoenix. The breakthrough came in 2023 when Van Alst won his first ARCA Menards Series race at Daytona, executing a decisive pass on the final lap. This victory marked a significant milestone for the team and underscored its competitive potential. Despite plans to run full-time, financial constraints led to a reduced schedule for the remainder of the season.
Modern Program and Current Direction (2024–Present)
In 2024, Greg Van Alst Motorsports aimed to return to full-time competition in the ARCA Menards Series, opening the season with a strong third-place finish at Daytona. However, sponsorship and manufacturer support challenges prompted a shift back to part-time participation mid-season. The team continues to compete selectively in ARCA events and has expanded its presence in NASCAR’s Xfinity and Craftsman Truck Series. For 2025, Van Alst announced plans to drive in four Truck Series races with his own team, focusing on building competitive strength and operational sustainability. The team maintains manufacturer relationships with Toyota and Chevrolet and fields cars numbered 35 and 20.
Philosophy and Competitive Strengths
Greg Van Alst Motorsports emphasizes resilience and adaptability, balancing competitive ambition with pragmatic resource management. The team excels on superspeedways and intermediate tracks, leveraging Van Alst’s driving skill and strategic race execution. Their approach combines technical development with focused race selection to maximize performance within budgetary constraints.
Key Milestones and Major Moments
The team’s first major milestone was Van Alst’s 2023 ARCA Menards Series victory at Daytona, a landmark achievement that elevated the team’s profile. Other notable moments include Van Alst’s 2019 ARCA/CRA Super Series championship and the 2014 CRA Late Model Sportsman Series title, which reflect the broader success of the driver-owner’s career. The team has also navigated significant challenges, including a serious injury to Van Alst in a 2023 Truck Series crash and ongoing financial hurdles impacting race schedules.
Greg Van Alst Motorsports Achievements and Results
Greg Van Alst Motorsports has accumulated a range of competitive accomplishments primarily in the ARCA Menards Series and related stock car racing circuits. The team’s results demonstrate steady progress and competitive resilience across multiple racing platforms.
ARCA Menards Series Achievements
The team has secured one ARCA Menards Series race win, achieved by Greg Van Alst at the 2023 BRANDT 200 in Daytona. In 2022, Van Alst finished fifth in the series points standings, recording eleven top-ten finishes. These results highlight the team’s ability to compete consistently at a high level within the ARCA framework.
NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Achievements
Greg Van Alst Motorsports entered the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series in 2023, with Van Alst driving the No. 20 truck for Young’s Motorsports before transitioning to his own team. While the team has not yet secured wins or top-ten finishes in the Truck Series, it continues to build experience and competitive presence. Van Alst’s participation includes overcoming significant adversity, such as recovering from a fractured vertebrae sustained in a multi-truck accident.
NASCAR Xfinity Series Achievements
The team’s involvement in the NASCAR Xfinity Series began with Van Alst’s debut in 2023 for Alpha Prime Racing and continued with select races for SS-Green Light Racing and Joey Gase Motorsports. Although the team has yet to achieve top-tier finishes, it has gained valuable experience and exposure in the series. Van Alst’s best Xfinity finish to date is 26th at Phoenix in 2024. The team plans to focus on a majority schedule in 2025 with Joey Gase Motorsports, balancing commitments with their Truck Series efforts.