Andy Nelson, the interior and tire specialist with Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR), passed away last month. He was 39 years old.

Affectionately known as "Doggie" by friends, according to ARCA, Nelson was a member of the ARCA Menards Series East championship-winning team each of the last two years, and a key member of the team that won 11 races and the ARCA Menards Series Owner's championship in 2024. Nelson, originally from Dalles, Oregon, before moving to the Charlotte area, also worked for Dave Blaney Racing, Turner Scott Motorsports and MDM Motorsports before moving to JGR in 2019.

Nelson was also part of Ryan Blaney's winning team for his first NASCAR touring series victory in the West Series at Phoenix Raceway in 2011 and was a part of East series championship-winning teams for both Justin Haley and Harrison Burton in 2016 and 2017, respectively.

In addition, former ARCA Menards Series competitor Ken Rowley, who drove in ARCA Menards Series and USAC Stock Car Series races from 1974-1998, passed away last month at the age of 77. 

The family is planning a Celebration of Life on Sunday, November 17, at Davis Lodge on Lake Bloomington in his native Illinois.

For more information, visit arcaracing.com.