Visconti Motorsports Adds Mason Diaz To Driver Lineup For 2021

By Kyle Souza, for MyRaceNews.com & Souza Media

MOORESVILLE, N.C. — Visconti Motorsports, and new driver Mason Diaz, are set to chase the ARCA Menards Series East championship in 2021. 

Based in Mooresville, North Carolina, the team announced on Monday the addition of Diaz as a full-time competitor in the ARCA East Series. Diaz will chase the championship driving the familiar No. 74, and as part of the ride, Diaz, and his family, will bring equipment and sponsorship to combine with the already established group at Visconti, proven to win races and run inside the top-five. Together, all parties are confident in making a championship run.

Michael Diaz (Mason’s father) and I have the same goal in mind. We want to give Mason the opportunity to be competitive and compete for wins as well as having some fun along the way. We look forward to our new venture together.”

The team also announced that former Daytona 500 winning crew chief and current NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour car owner Tommy Baldwin will crew chief the entry.

“Having Mason become part of our team is a huge step for us,” John Visconti, owner of Visconti Motorsports, said. “Tommy also helps bring us to the next level with engineering and technology. We’re excited for the season.”

Diaz is no stranger to competition in the upper levels of the sport. The Manassas, Virginia, driver, competed full-time in ARCA East last season, finishing inside the top-10 three times. He also has selected starts in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, Camping World Truck Series, ARCA Menards Series and ARCA West Series, along with a full slate of pavement Late Model action. Diaz has already established himself as a competitive racer, and will now have the opportunity to showcase his talent against some of the toughest teams in the business — but Visconti and Diaz are ready for it. They are eager to hit the track at New Smyrna Speedway for race one.

“I think Mason was getting more out of his equipment than his cars were even allowing,” Visconti said of Diaz’s previous experience. “He wasn’t overly aggressive, but was good. He is excellent with the fans — has a good personality, and has a lot of experience… he has Xfinity starts, Trucks… he has a broad spectrum of experience… I was extremely impressed with his abilities.”

The goal for the season is simple: hoist the big trophy at the end of the eight-race slate. The season begins in February, at New Smyrna Speedway’s World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing, and ends at Bristol Motor Speedway on September 16. The team will also compete in a select amount of additional ARCA Sioux Chief Showdown events.

“Absolutely, our goal is 1,000% championship, second will not be good enough,” Visconti said. “I feel as though with the talent and experience we have, we should be able to win races.”

Baldwin assisted Visconti in making the move to the ARCA Menards Series a few years ago, and now will join the team to turn the wrenches in hopes of contending for race wins and the title — bringing it full circle.

“I had no clue what went on in North Carolina, running our Modified seemed like the biggest and best I was going to do back then,” John Visconti said. “But speaking with Tommy, he guided me into the ARCA Menards Series, and that’s how it all came to be.”

Outside of John Visconti (owner), Marie Visconti (owner), Tommy Baldwin (crew chief) and Mason Diaz (full-time driver), multiple other crew members and supporters will follow the team in 2021. On the sponsor front, Solid Rock Carriers, Prince William Marina, Grafix Unlimited, Bomber Eyewear and Visconti Motorsports will back the ride. The Reichert Group IGA Marketplace, which has been a supporter of Visconti’s effort for many years, will return.

Inside the shop, Steve Keller will return as car chief. Additional crew members include Glen Dixon (tire engineer), Austin Green (crew), Michael Visconti (crew), John Condit (crew), Bill Goffin (crew), Brad Roper (crew), Ryan Towels (crew) and Kevin Kowalkowski (crew).