KLAS Motorsports welcomes back Automotive Consultants of Ithaca for the 2026 ARCA Menards Series season as a sponsor, partner and friend of the team.
Automotive Consultants of Ithaca has been in business since 1961 and is operated by second generation owner Bill Card, who has been involved in the sport since the 1980’s when he was partnered with the former #4 Morgan-McClure Kodak in the NASCAR Cup Series. Card joined forces with driver Andy Jankowiak before the KLAS team was formed, continued the relationship from day one of the team and has been a popular face in the team’s pit area ever since. In 2026, that role will include being featured on the KLAS Motorsports #71 entry.
“He came on as an ARCA sponsor – he reached out and we got to chit chatting a little bit,” said Jankowiak. “Early in ARCA, my big three sponsors were Automotive Consultants of Ithaca, Florida Safety Systems and Yukon Creek. Bill has been here since the start. It wouldn’t be the same without him. We are just grateful for his contributions and his friendship. He makes this fun. He is one of the characters who has become part of this story.”
“It’s back to KLAS!” said Card. “We are at the top of our KLAS now and I’ve been here since kindergarten. I guess we are now in fifth grade and I started back when Andy was running the AJ Racing team.”
Card and Jankowiak are both larger than life characters and that has made for a great fit.
“He’s a good soul,” said Card. “He’s living his dream and we get to live it with him. It’s a lot of fun.”
Card also enjoys the rest of the KLAS Motorsports team.
“The hospitality couldn’t be better – not only for ARCA, but at any level (of the sport),” said Card. “This is my racing family. I like to consider myself a working sponsor too. I’m out there waxing the car because I’m used to detailing cars on my car lot. I love this and I’m in it for the long haul.”
Of course, sponsorship would not work if it was only about having fun. Card also uses the partnership with KLAS Motorsports to sell cars. He has worked out deals to put various KLAS Motorsports crew members and even fellow competitors into new rides over the past few years.
“He’s always got a business card in his pocket,” said Jankowiak. “He’s selling new cars at wholesale prices – even at the track. Just contact Bill!”
The ARCA Menards Series will visit Daytona International Speedway on Saturday, February 14th for the ARCA Daytona 200. The race will kick off the 2026 season and will be televised live on the Fox television network starting at Noon ET.