TMR Completes First Test for 2011
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Tony Marks Racing Completes First Test for 2011 Dufault, Marks and Austin Turn Laps at New Smyrna Toledo, OH (Dec. 15, 2010) –Tony Marks Racing (TMR) got their pre-season testing off to a great start after a three-day test at New Smyrna Speedway with drivers Maryeve Dufault, Jared Marks and Chase Austin at the wheel of the both a late model and ARCA car. |
The test was intended to provide Dufault and Marks an opportunity to get familiar with the ARCA car and get some valuable seat time as TMR prepares their 2011 campaign. Under the watchful eye of veteran crew chief Larry Moore, Austin took the first laps in the ARCA car, shaking it down and making certain that it was dialed in prior to Dufault and Marks taking the wheel. "This was only the 2nd time in the ARCA car for me but it all came back pretty easy," said Austin. "I just shook down the car to get a good baseline so that Maryeve and Jared could run without worrying about anything but getting familiar with the ARCA car. They both did a good job. I was impressed with how well they did and despite the rain, it was a successful test." Crew chief Larry Moore planned the test so that Dufault and Marks could run quite a few laps in the CRA Late Model car and learn the ½ mile oval of New Smyrna before moving into the ARCA car. "We came into the weekend with the goal being to get Maryeve and Jared familiar and comfortable in the ARCA car," explained Moore. "I was impressed with how smooth and calm they both were when we moved to the ARCA car as that is really something you can't teach a driver. They both handled the ARCA car really well and I was impressed with how quickly they picked up on the weight and horsepower of the car. It's nice to leave a test and say there was no drama with the drivers or the cars." For Dufault, the test was a good opportunity to get seat time in the ARCA car and begin to learn the nuances of the stock car. "I am really very happy with the whole weekend," said Dufault at the close of the test. "The team did a great job and we communicated really well. I was really happy to adapt so quickly to the 800 HP ARCA car and the test has really boosted my confidence going into the Daytona test in January." Marks started the weekend running the CRA Late Model that TMR plans to enter for the 2011 season. "The test started off really well, we were fast in the late model right out of the trailer so that was nice," explained Marks. "I'm going to be running Speedweeks at New Smyrna in February so it was nice to get a chance to run this track and fine tune the car and start getting ready for the Crate Late Model and Super Late Model events." Marks also got his first opportunity to test the ARCA car on Sunday. "I wanted to get my feet wet in the ARCA car," said Marks. "It's very different than the late model with a lot more horsepower and a heavier car so it was nice to get a feel for the car and get a little seat time. I am looking forward to doing some more testing in the ARCA car as the season goes forward." The team has now returned to their shop in Toledo, Ohio where preparations for their next test at the Daytona International Speedway January 11-13, 2011 are underway. "Now we're going to spend the next few weeks going over the cars and making sure we're ready to go testing in January," said Moore. "Even though we have a lot of work on our plates, I think we are just thrilled to be here and get to work with Maryeve and Jared and watch their careers grow." The team is slated to run the full 19 race season in the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards with Dufault. Additional team plans for 2011 include entries for additional drivers in select ARCA Racing Series events. TMR will also enter Jared Marks in a full schedule of late model racing in CRA and ASA and is exploring the possibility of limited Nationwide Series schedule. About Tony Marks Racing (TMR): Tony Marks Racing was founded in 2009 through the passion for racing of team owner and former driver Tony Marks. Marks is the successful owner of TMT, Inc., a logistics, warehousing and packaging company with over 400 employees whose customers are mainly comprised of Fortune 100 companies. Marks began his racing career in 1985 getting behind the wheel of everything from drag racers, Dirt Late Models, SCCA Formula Fords, USAC F2000 Open Wheel and ARCA cars. Tony personally raced until 2005 amassing numerous wins, championships and track records along the way until he then changed his focus from driver to owner and began building racing programs for his children Jared (16 years old) and Rachel (13 years old). Under the auspices of TMR, Jared began his racing career in 2002 in quarter midgets and now competes in late model, CRA and ARCA Series events while Rachel continues her development program racing quarter midgets and Bandoleros. TMR has been at the forefront of charitable giving through its' "Driving Against Hunger" and "Million Meal Challenge" race programs which have raised over $200,000 for Forgotten Harvest in 2010 at the Truck and Nationwide events at Michigan International Speedway. For the NASCAR events TMR along with TMT, Inc. partnered with Forgotten Harvest for the "Million Meal Challenge For Our Kids" which helps to bridge the hunger gap while schools are out of session and feeds 20,000 children per day in the Detroit metro area. Forgotten Harvest was significantly displayed on the entry of Chase Austin during both the Truck and Nationwide events at Michigan International Speedway along with logos of "Million Meal Challenge" sponsors Walgreen's, United Race Group, Holyfield's Choice Alka-Power Water and Vitamin Spice. Evander Holyfield was also instrumental in the challenge, acting as Grand Marshall for the August race and announcing his "Fight Against Hunger" on behalf of Forgotten Harvest. As the first race team to "Drive Against Hunger" through their partnership with Forgotten Harvest, TMR plans to continue their alliance with Forgotten Harvest and once again "Drive Against Hunger" during the 2011 season. For additional information on TMT, Inc. go to www.tmtcompanies.net. |
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