2012-05-07

Grogan's Towne Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram Sponsoring and Offering Promotion for ARCA Truck Series Race May 19

 

For Immediate Release:

Monday, May 7, 2012

 

(TOLEDO, Ohio) - After launching a new promotional partnership last spring, the Automobile Racing Club of America (ARCA), Toledo Speedway, and Grogan's Towne Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram of Toledo have enhanced that relationship for 2012 - ARCA's 60th Anniversary Season.

 

The connection between the three key Toledo groups will be evident on Saturday, May 19, as Grogan's Towne will sponsor that afternoon's ARCA Truck Series race at Toledo Speedway, the Grogan's Towne 50. The race will lead one of the year's top race weekends at the half-mile oval, as the stars of the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards will shine in the next day's Menards 200 presented by Federated Car Care.

 

The Grogan's Towne 50 will open the ARCA Truck Series' 14th season, also marking the beginning of ARCA Fan Fest 2012, the interactive fan event surrounding the ARCA Racing Series event weekend at Toledo Speedway.

 

"ARCA is well known throughout the country but lucky for us, it's based right in our neighborhood," said Denny Amrhein, general manager and partner at Grogan's Towne. "We are proud to support our local community and especially our partnership with the leading racing organization."

 

The race sponsorship is beneficial not only for the track, but for area fans as well. Starting Thursday, May 10, race fans and customers who visit Grogan's Towne for oil change service any day through May 19 will receive two tickets to the Grogan's Towne 50 after the completion of their service.

  

Additionally, Grogan's Towne has renewed its position as an Official Sponsor of the ARCA Safety Initiative, and has supplied a Dodge Ram truck to be used as the chase vehicle for the 2012 ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards season. The vehicle is used as the first-response vehicle for all ARCA Racing Series events, carrying ARCA Safety Initiative officials to the scene of on-track incidents to provide observations and evaluation of the track conditions and driver status.

 
"We're very appreciative of the support offered by Grogan's Towne to assist our safety efforts," said Joe Wells, vice president of competition for ARCA.

  
For over 50 years, Grogan's Towne Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram has offered exceptional service, unbeatable specials and the latest selections of new and pre-owned vehicles. Located at 6100 North Telegraph Road in Toledo, Grogan's Towne has your favorite Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge and Ram models at competitive prices. Grogan's Towne is dedicated to assisting you with all of your automotive needs and providing the best service possible.

 
The ARCA Safety Initiative is the culmination of forward thinking, combined efforts, and the desire to achieve a higher level of responsibility within the safety sector of the ARCA sanctioning body. In all, the Safety Initiative is designed to steer the safety efforts of the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards, as well as all action at Toledo Speedway and Flat Rock Speedway, ARCA's signature track properties.

 

Founded by John and Mildred Marcum in 1953 in Toledo, Ohio, the Automobile Racing Club of America (ARCA) is recognized among the leading sanctioning bodies in the country. Closing in on completing its sixth decade after hundreds of thousands of miles of racing, ARCA administers over 100 race events each season in three professional touring series and local weekly events.

 
 
CONTACT:

Griffin Hickman, ARCA

 

Don Radebaugh, ARCA

 


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Burning Passion Fuels Larry Jackson's Championship Chase

By Jim Clarke, Kawartha Speedway PR/Clarke Motorsports Communications

 

Racecar drivers earn a living in a variety of different professions.  At the short track level, few weekly runners – even the most successful in any division – can’t look at paying the bills with the money they earn at the track.  Larry Jackson – who captured the NAPA Auto Parts ACT Late Model title at Kawartha Speedway in 2007 – is a full time professional firefighter.  An acting captain with the City of Mississauga fire department, Jackson says he loves the competition at the Fraserville 3/8th mile oval.

 

“Derek Lynch and his people at KD are a great bunch,” said Jackson, who’ll celebrate his 38th birthday on May 12th.  “The decisions they have to make aren’t always easy, but it’s a wonderful place to race and I can’t think of anywhere I’d rather spend my Friday nights.  For the most part, everyone gets along no matter how hard we might battle each other on the track.”

 

Jackson, who lives in Oakville, Ontario with partner Wendy Montgomery and their 8 year-old daughter has been racing in one division or another for more than 20 years.  His career started in street stocks at nearby Flamboro Speedway, before turning laps in a challenger and open wheeled modified at Mosport and other tracks throughout the province.  For the last 10 years, selected NASCAR modified shows south of the border have also been part of his agenda.

 

“Racing is an easy way to spend a lot of money you might not really have,” said Jackson with a smile.  “I’ve been very fortunate to run competitively almost everywhere I’ve raced.  My late model program at Kawartha has easily been the most satisfying and successful over the years.  We’ve regularly been a top 10 car in points – finishing 2nd in 2008 and 2011 – in addition to 3rd in 2010, so that’s always a plus.”

 

Early in his career, Larry Jackson’s racecars carried the number 29 into battle, but an alliance with Barton Motorsports saw that change to 84.  For Kawartha Speedway’s 2011 season, the driver of the Montgomery Marketing/Gary Jackson Trucking/B & B Decals/Speedy Muffler machine took the green flag in a piece that had been designed and built in the team’s shop.  While they may have struggled to find the perfect set-up during the first few events, hard work by crew members Dean and David Ramsbottom, Chuck Barton, Dan Boutcher and Roger Youens turned the chassis into a winner.

 

“There were some things we’d always wanted to try and we managed to incorporate them into the new car,” said Jackson.  “Anytime you start with something brand new – especially something you’ve built and designed on your own – you need to build some notes on how it handles and responds to the changes you make.  I’m not saying we’re going to mass produce this car, but picking-up that first main event win was especially rewarding.”

 

While he’s nowhere near ready to walk away from the sport, Jackson admits that he’s thought about looking for a younger driver to take over his car, but before that happens; there is some unfinished business on his racing bucket list that needs to be taken care of.

 

“It would be nice to run a couple of road course races in a NASCAR Canadian Tire Series car or take the modified to New Smyrna,” said Jackson.  “Just recently, I got to watch my beautiful little girl race her go kart of the first time.  It was both scary and thrilling.  Probably the same way my parents felt seeing my first race.”

 

Fans can follow Larry Jackson throughout Kawartha Speedway’s 2012 season at the track or by visiting www.bartonmotorsports.com.

 

Kawartha klips:  Kawartha Speedway will hold its annual open practice session Friday, May 25th.  The 2012 season opener – with the track’s 3 regular divisions, as well as the OSCAAR Super Late Models and the new OSCAAR Modifieds – is Friday, June 1st.  There will also be a pre-season test for NASCAR Canadian Tire Series teams Wednesday, June 6th.  See www.kawarthaspeedway.com for all the details.

 

Photo attachment:  Jim Clarke – Clarke Motorsports Communications

Larry Jackson earned a second place NAPA Auto Parts ACT Late Model point finish during Kawartha Speedway’s 2011 season.  The Oakville, Ontario racer is excited to start the 2012 campaign.

 

Prepared by:  Jim Clarke – Clarke Motorsports Communications

 


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Helliwell, Quenneville Take Rousing Spring Green Wins at Devil's Bowl Speedway

ATTACHED PHOTOS (all credit MemorEvents):

bombers.jpg: Bomber top three finishers (L-R): Harold LaVair (2nd), Josh Masterson (1st), Ray Germain, Jr. (3rd) in victory lane.
gordon2.jpg: Renegade winner Robert Gordon.
helliwell.jpg: 101.5 The Fox Spring Green winner Wayne Helliwell, Jr. (bottom left) and team celebrate their first career American-Canadian Tour victory.
quenneville.jpg: Bond Auto Parts Modified winner Vince Quenneville, Jr. (left) in victory lane with Kevin Nevalained, NASCAR Senior Manager, Weekly Racing Operations, of Daytona Beach, Florida.
First ACT win for Helliwell; Gordon and Masterson also winners
For Immediate Release                                                                                       DBS-050612-1
 WEST HAVEN, VT – Devil’s Bowl Speedway fans rocked the grandstands with exciting season-opening stock car racing at the 101.5 “The Fox” Spring Green on Sunday afternoon.  Wayne Helliwell, Jr., and Vince Quenneville, Jr., brought the house to its feet with close finishes and emotional landmark wins.  Robert Gordon and Josh Masterson each started the 2012 campaign off in victory lane as well.

Helliwell, of Dover, NH, copped his first career victory on the American-Canadian Tour in a razor-close finish with Joey Polewarczyk, Jr.  Helliwell started the 112-lap main event in third place but was held up in early traffic and fell back almost outside the top then.  He clawed his way back to the front on the outside lane, taking the lead from Polewarczyk just after the halfway point in the race.  Hudson, NH racer Polewarczyk held nothing back during the final laps as he tried to steal the win, but Helliwell persevered for his inaugural ACT Late Model Tour score.  Austin Theriault of Fort Kent, ME drove from 20th starting position to finish third ahead of Ray Parent and Randy Potter.
Vince Quenneville, Jr., made his return to Devil’s Bowl Speedway a popular one with his home track fans, taking the first Bond Auto Parts Modified victory of the year in the 35-lap NASCAR Whelen All-American Series feature.  Quenneville, of Brandon, VT, drove into the lead on the outside of defending champion Ron Proctor after a restart with seven laps remaining and never looked back.  Proctor, of Charlton, NY, held off a furious mid-race charge from Leon Gonyo for the runner-up spot.  Jessey Mueller drove from 18th starting position to finish third, with Gonyo fourth and rookie Joey Roberts completing the unofficial top five.
Rob Gordon of Milton, VT opened the season with a 25-lap score in the Renegade feature.  Gordon beat Lance Rabtoy of Fairfax, VT in a comfortable margin at the finish, but not before two- and three-wide racing in the first half of the race.  Ryan Keith finished third ahead of Frank Monroe and Jeremy Jones.
Rookie Josh Masterson of Bristol, VT started his Bomber division career on the right foot by winning that class’ 20-lap feature in his first career start.  Harold LaVair of Gabriels, NY held on for second place.  Ray Germain, Jr., was third, followed by John McCarron and Dan Collins. 
Devil’s Bowl Speedway is back in action on Sunday, May 13 for a Mother’s Day Special event at 1:30pm.  General admission is $10 for adults, $9 for seniors (62+), and free for children 12 and under.  Devil’s Bowl Speedway is located on Route 22A in West Haven, VT, six miles north of Exit 2 on US Route 4.  For more information, call (802) 265-3112 or click www.devilsbowlspeedwayvt.com.

UNOFFICIAL RESULTS – 101.5 “The Fox” Spring Green
Devil’s Bowl Speedway, West Haven, VT
Sunday, May 6, 2012

(# - denotes rookie)

American-Canadian Tour Late Models (112 laps)
1.    Wayne Helliwell, Jr., Dover, NH
2.    Joey Polewarczyk, Jr., Hudson, NH
3.    Austin Theriault, Fort Kent, ME
4.    Ray Parent, Tiverton, RI
5.    Randy Potter, Groveton, NH
6.    Eric Williams, Hyde Park, VT
7.    Ricky Rolfe, Albany Township, ME
8.    Quinny Welch, Lancaster, VT
9.    Brent Dragon, Milton, VT
10.  Luke Hinkley, Claremont, NH
11.  Brian Hoar, Williston, VT
12.  Nick Sweet, Barre, VT
13.  Jamie Fisher, Shelburne, VT
14.  Jean-Paul Cyr, Milton, VT
15.  Todd Davis, Claremont, NH
16.  Mark Lamberton, Mooers Forks, NY
17.  Eddie MacDonald, Rowley, MA
18.  Joey Becker, Jeffersonville, VT
19.  Glen Luce, Turner, ME
20.  Craig Bushey, Fairfax, VT
21.  Travis Fadden, North Haverhill, NH
22.  # Jimmy Hebert, Williamstown, VT
23.  Todd Patnode, Richmond, NH
24.  Jim Linardy, Somerville, MA
25.  Bruce Jaycox, Hartland, VT
26.  Derek Lynch, Warkworth, ON
27.  Hunter Bates, Middlebury, VT
28.  Jeff Labrecque, Jr., Rochester, NH
29.  Spencer McPherson, Carleton Place, ON
30.  Ben Ashline, Pittston, ME
31.  Claude Leclerc, Lanoraie, QC
32.  Rowland Robinson, Jr., Birch Harbor, ME
33.  Eric Chase, Milton, VT
34.  # Dan Petronis, II, Mechanicville, NY
Heat Winners: Eric Chase, Joey Polewarczyk, Jr., Brent Dragon
Consi Winners: Craig Bushey, Glen Luce
B-Feature Winner: Jimmy Hebert

Bond Auto Parts Modified (35 laps)
1.    Vince Quenneville, Jr., Brandon, VT
2.    Ron Proctor, Charlton, NY
3.    Jessey Mueller, Olmstedville, NY
4.    Leon Gonyo, Chazy, NY
5.    # Joey Roberts, Georgia, VT
6.    Alex Bell, Cambridge, NY
7.    Don Scarborough, Brandon, VT
8.    Hunter Bates, Middlebury, VT
9.    Jamie Proctor, Schuylerville, NY
10.  # Andy Smith, South Glens Falls, NY
11.  Mike Bush, Hudson Falls, NY
12.  Jason Bruno, Plattsburgh, NY
13.  Cody Sargen, Greenfield Center, NY
14.  # Jeff Haskins, Wells, VT
15.  Jim Introne, Jr., Hartford, NY
16.  Paul Braymer, Granville, NY
17.  Matt Atwood, Whitehall, NY
18.  James Introne, Sr., Hartford, NY
Did Not Start: Dave Snow, Brandon, VT
Heat Winners: Vince Quenneville, Jr., Joey Roberts, Ron Proctor

Renegade (25 laps)
1.    Robert Gordon, Milton, VT
2.    Lance Rabtoy, Fairfax, VT
3.    Ryan Keith, Pittsford, VT
4.    Frank Monroe, Granville, NY
5.    Jeremy Jones, Leicester, VT
6.    # Robin Cummings, Milton, VT
7.    Bill Duprey, Hydeville, VT
8.    # Bob Monroe, Granville, NY
9.    Matt Livingston, Ballston Spa, NY
Heat Winner: Robert Gordon

Bomber (20 laps)
1.    # Josh Masterson, Bristol, VT
2.    Harold LaVair, Gabriels, NY
3.    Ray Germain, Jr., Bristol, VT
4.    John McCarron, Rennselaer, NY
5.    Dan Collins, Rennselaer, NY
6.    Garry Bashaw, Lincoln, VT
7.    Jake Noble, Benson, VT
8.    Matt Monaghan, Colchester, VT
9.    Eddie Bruno, Fair Haven, VT
10.  # Gerald LaFlam, Hinesburg, VT
11.  Justin Lilly, Castleton, VT
12.  Alan Drescher, Argyle, NY
13.  John Fountain, Plattsburgh, NY
Did Not Start: Bobby LaVair, Gabriels, NY; # Shane Doran, Benson, VT
Heat Winners: Dan Collins, Josh Masterson

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