2012-07-13

ARCA Turning 55 at Pocono; Pennsylvania ARCA 125 on the Way

For Immediate Release:

Thursday, July 12, 2012

 

August 4; Poole, Buescher Battle for Championship Points Lead

 

(TOLEDO, Ohio) - The ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards is celebrating its 60th Anniversary Season in 2012, a major milestone in anyone's book.

 

And if you read the 'book', you'll note that Pocono Raceway, the "Tricky Triangle" in Long Pond, Penn., has played a major role throughout ARCA's incredible history.

 

In fact, the upcoming Pennsylvania ARCA 125 on August 4 will mark the 55th ARCA race on Pocono's 2.5-mile triangular superspeedway since 1983.

 

The 125-mile race will follow the same-day NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race at Pocono, making for an impressive double-header event for race fans at track and those watching both events live on SPEED.

 

Equally impressive is the ARCA Racing Series winners list at Pocono over the year. It includes Tim Steele, Bob Schacht, Mike Wallace, Blaise Alexander, Kerry Earnhardt, Ryan Newman, Casey Atwood, Casey Mears, Scott Riggs, Frank Kimmel, Travis Kvapil, Justin Allgaier, Joey Logano and most recently, current point leader Brennan Poole, who looks forward to returning.

 

"I feel like we've always got a head start no matter where we go race," said Poole, who drives the No. 25 car for Venturini Motorosports, the same team that sent Logano to Victory Lane at Pocono.

 

"I'm going to be in a great racecar, the best out there. And Pocono fits my driving style. I think the combination of a great car and a track I really enjoy is what makes our success there.

 

"At the same time, the coaching I get from Bill and Billy (Venturini) puts me ahead of the game. They both have a lot of laps around that place, and they've really helped me with advice long before I ever saw the place.

 

"Pocono is the most fun I've ever had on a big track. There's something always going on, and so much to deal with even though you'll get a break through the straight-aways. All the corners are different; there's absolutely no boring element to that place. As fast as we're traveling there, you're on the edge the whole time."

 

The championship points battle that's been brewing all season most likely helps keep Poole on edge. As of 7-12-12, Poole's point advantage is only 10 points over Roush Fenway Racing development driver Chris Buescher. In the ARCA world, that's only two positions on the track. Furthermore, Buescher, a winner at Toledo and Michigan, has bested Poole's finishes in the last three ARCA races.

 

On-track activity for the Pennsylvania ARCA 125 starts Friday, August 3 with practice from 1:40 - 3:00 p.m. Menards Pole Qualifying presented by Ansell follows at 5:15 p.m. The Pennsylvania ARCA 125 is scheduled to get underway Saturday afternoon at 3 p.m.

 

In addition to live coverage on SPEED, ARCARacing.com will feature live timing and scoring of all the ARCA on-track activities.   

2012 is the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards' 60th Anniversary Season, featuring 20 races at 18 tracks. The complete 2012 event schedule is available at ARCARacing.com.

 

The ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards has crowned an ARCA national champion each year since its inaugural season in 1953, and has toured over 200 race tracks in 26 states since its inception. The series has tested the abilities of drivers and race teams over the most diverse schedule of stock car racing events in the world, visiting tracks ranging from 0.375 mile to 2.66 miles in length, on both paved and dirt surfaces as well as a left- and right-turn road course in its most recent season. This year, the series visited Alabama's Mobile International Speedway and Minnesota's Elko Speedway for the first time.

 

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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Kawartha Speedway 2012: That's Just Fan-tastic

By Jim Clarke, Kawartha Speedway PR/Clarke Motorsports Communications

 

From the big leagues of motorsports to the show at your local racetrack, every fan has a favourite driver.  Someone they cheer for week after week.  A special driver they love to see turn laps on the track.  They may not be the fastest car out there or ever make it to victory lane, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t a cheering section following their every move.  After a mid-season break Friday, July 13th, Kawartha Speedway’s next night of action – Friday, July 20th – is all about the fans.

 

The annual Fan Appreciation Night features an on-track autograph and meet n’ greet session with drivers in all 3 regular classes, in addition to a full evening of racing with the NAPA Auto Parts ACT Late Models, Thunder Cars and a 50 lap invitational event for the Hasiuk Trailer and Container Rental Mini Stocks.  The Fraserville oval’s entry level class turns in some of the track’s best racing and often run their feature races without a yellow flag.

 

There’s nothing flashy about Dan Demers.  The Cavan, Ontario racer wheels his #67 Goodwin Metals/Ricky’s All-Day Diner Honda Prelude Mini Stock exactly the same way he has since he first climbed behind the controls.  He knows he may never win a race and most nights, gives-up the starting position he picks in the pre-race draw to fire up near the rear of the field and stay out of the way of the faster cars in the field.  Always smiling, Demers races to have fun and happily shares a story from a race night during the 2011 season.

 

“Our clean-up crew was on the track taking care of some debris in one of the corners and the pace car brought us down pit road for a few laps,” said Demers, who is 10th in points after 3 nights of action. “On the second time through, I actually stopped in victory lane to have a look around.  I figured I’ll probably never wind-up there after a race and I wanted to see what all the excitement was about.”

 

As always, gates open Friday, June 20th at 3:00 with rotating practice rounds getting underway at 5:00.  The night’s first green flag is at 7:00.

 

Kawartha klips:  The OSCAAR Outlaw Super Late Model/OSCAAR Modified events that were rained-out Friday, June 1st will be made-up Friday, September 7th.  The show will also include the year’s final appearance by the Ontario Legends Series and the second 50 lapper for the Hasiuk Trailer and Container Rental Mini Stocks...Thunder Car teams run 50 lap main events Friday, July 27th and August 24th.  NAPA Auto Parts ACT Late Models have a 100 lap invitational Friday, August 17th.  The annual running of the 75 lap OSCAAR Outlaw Super Late Model Don Biederman Memorial is Friday, August 10th. The 2012 calendar concludes with the 250 lap NASCAR Canadian Tire Series finale Saturday, September 22nd...For details on the complete 2012 schedule and the latest track news, see www.kawarthaspeedway.com.

 

Photo attachment:  Jim Clarke – Clarke Motorsports Communications

Even if he never wins a main event, Cavan, Ontario’s Dan Demers has a great time racing in the Hasiuk Trailer and Container Rental Mini Stock division at Kawartha Speedway.

 

Prepared by:  Jim Clarke – Clarke Motorsports Communications

 

 

 

 

 


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Sweet Flies High, Steals Second Governor's Cup

Badore, Whitcomb Bounce Back for Feature Victories

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                                            TR – 071212

 

Barre, VT – Barre’s hometown hero Nick Sweet continued a dominating 2012 with a dazzling victory in the Vermont Governor’s Cup 150 presented by the VT Lottery Commission at Thunder Road on Thursday (July 12). Sweet was hounded by defending Champion Dave Pembroke, and perennial front runner Scott Payea picked up third place. Young sensation Cody Blake crossed the line fourth, with 2011 Governor’s Cup winner John Donahue rounding out the top five.

 

 American Canadian Tour front-runner Joey Polewarczyk Jr., snatched the early lead from the second starting position, but it only took 6 laps for Sweet to pull to the front from fourth. Sweet dominated the next 46 circuits, looking well on his way to victory, when he stunned the large hometown crowd and pitted on a lap 53 caution, taking the top five with him and leaving East Montpelier’s Cris Michaud at the point. Michaud spent the next 46 laps in a duel with South Burlington’s Trampas Demers, but it was all for not when the familiar #88 of Sweet returned to reclaim the lead on lap 100 of the 150 lap event, and went on to power through a late race surge from Pembroke to take the Governor’s Cup by just .365 seconds. Top Vermont State Championship Series runners Brent Dragon, Phil Scott, and Ricky Rolfe struggled to 16th, 22nd, and 21st place finishes respectively.

 

“Man, I was just happy to see it over here at the end,” said a breathless Sweet. “Our strategy really worked well, it’s a great night for us,” he finished.

 

Polewarczyk recovered to take home sixth, and Eric Chase, Cris Michaud, Chip Grenier, and defending ACT Champion Brian Hoar rounded out the top ten. The race was slowed by just five cautions, one of which was for a mid-race spin on the backstretch for Hoar. The 30 car field completed the race just in 58 minutes and 55 seconds.

 

Sweet had already been invited to the ACT Bond Auto Invitational on Saturday, September 22 at New Hampshire International Speedway with his Memorial Day Classic win.

 

Milton’s Eric Badore paved the way to victory in the Bond Auto Tiger Sportsmen, diving underneath Barre’s Scott Coburn on lap 18 to charge to the checkers. High-point driver Jason Allen sliced and diced the 23-car field to continue his hot streak and unofficially reclaim the point lead with his third place finish. Wolcott’s Brendan Moodie Jr. took home fourth, and Hinesburg’s Bobby Therrien powered his way to round out the top five.

 

Badore was relieved to be back in victory lane. “We’ve just had so much bad luck this season. The broken transmission, the wrecks, and finally we just had an awesome ride tonight,” said Badore.

 

Redemption finally came to Elmore, VT’s Dave Whitcomb, who avenged a tough 2012 season with a dominating victory in the Allen Lumber Street Stock Division. Whitcomb expertly sliced through heavy lap traffic, fighting off a hard charge from Morrisville’s Jamie Davis and top ranked rookie Dean Switser Jr., in the closing laps. Last week’s victor Emily Packard came home fourth and Justin Town rounded out the top five.

 

“It’s just been such a tough year for us, “said Whitcomb smiling. “But this just feels so good. It just makes it all worthwhile,” he finished.

 

The stars and cars of Thunder Road are back in action for Mid-Season Championship Double Points night next Thursday, July 19 presented by The Times Argus.  Post time is 6:30.

 

Vermont Lottery Commission Governor’s Cup 150 Unofficial Results

Thunder Road –Barre, VT

Thursday, July 12, 2012

Vermont State Late Model Championship Event #3

Pos. (Start) Driver, Hometown, Laps Completed

1. (4) Nick Sweet, Barre, VT 150 Laps

2. (8) Dave Pembroke, Middlesex, VT 150 Laps

3. (9) Scott Payea, Milton, VT 150 Laps

4. (6) Cody Blake, Barre, VT 150 Laps

5. (29) John Donahue, Graniteville, VT 150 Laps

6. (2) Joey Polewarczyk Jr., Hudson, NH 150 Laps

7. (5) Eric Chase, Milton, VT 150 Laps

8. (14) Cris Michaud, E. Montpelier, VT 150 Laps

9. (20) Chip Grenier, Graniteville, VT 150 Laps

10. (23) Brian Hoar, Williston, VT 150 Laps

11. (17) Eric Williams, Hyde Park, VT 150 Laps

12. (22) Jay Laquerre, Barre, VT 150 Laps

13. (16) Jamie Fisher, Shelburne, VT 150 Laps

14. (12) #Jimmy Hebert, Williamstown, VT 150 Laps

15. (7) Trampas Demers, South Burlington, VT 150 Laps

16. (11) Brent Dragon, Milton, VT 149 Laps

17. (10) Joey Becker, Jeffersonville, VT 149 Laps

18. (26) Jamie Aube, No. Ferrisburg, VT 149 Laps

19. (24) Brooks Clark, Fayston, VT 149 Laps

20. (1) Jerry Lesage, Winooski, VT 149 Laps

21. (28) Phil Scott, Berlin, VT 149 Laps

22. (18) Ricky Rolfe, Albany Twp, ME 149 Laps

23. (15) Mike Bailey, South Barre, VT 148 Laps

24. (13) Matt White, Northfield, VT 148 Laps

25. (21) Dave Whitcomb, Essex Jct., VT 148 Laps

26. (30) Brett Wheeler, Waterbury, VT 148 Laps

27. (19) Derek Ming, Island Pond, VT 148 Laps

28. (27) Jim Morris, Barre, VT 130 Laps

29. (25) Derrick O’Donnell, North Haverhill, NH 31 Laps

30. (3) Lance Allen, Barre, VT 6 Laps

Lap Leaders: Joey Polewarczyk, Jr., 1-6; Nick Sweet, 7-53; Cris Michaud, 54-60; Trampas Demers, 61-63; Michaud, 64-99; Sweet, 100-150

Time of Race: 58:55

Margin of Victory: .365 seconds

Cautions: 5 (Lap 6, 15, 58, 63, 81)

 

Bond Auto Tiger Sportsmen – Unofficial Results

Pos. Driver (Car #) Hometown

1. Eric Badore (04) Milton, VT

2. Scott Coburn (1) Barre, VT

3. Jason Allen (29) Barre, VT

4. Brendan Moodie (94) Wolcott, VT

5. Bobby Therrien (4) Hinesburg, VT

6. Dylan Payea (07) Henniker, NH

7. David Finck (90) Barre, VT

8. Mike Ziter (26) Williamstown, VT

9. Josh Demers (10) Middlesex, VT

10. Mike Martin (01) Craftsbury Comm., VT

11. Jason Corliss (61) Barre, VT

12. Joe Steffen (00) Grand Isle, VT

13. Shawn Fleury (31) Middlesex, VT

14. John Lambert (2) Northfield, VT

15. Randy Gonyaw (22) S. Barre, VT

16. #Jason Woodard (68) Waterbury Ctr., VT

17. #Chris Roberts (9) Washington, VT

18. Kyle Pembroke (27) Montpelier, VT

19. Christopher Pelkey (64) S. Barre, VT

20. Joel Hodgdon (36) Craftsbury, VT

21. Darrell Morin (71) Essex Jct., VT

22. Shawn Powell (40) Jericho, VT

23. Mike Pelkey (85) S. Barre, VT

 

 

Allen Lumber Street Stocks – Unofficial Results

Pos. Driver (Car #) Hometown

1. Dave Whitcomb (77) Elmore, VT

2. Jamie Davis (43) Wolcott, VT

3. #Dean Switser Jr. (16) Lyndonville, VT

4. Emily Packard (98) E. Montpelier, VT

5. #Justin Town (53) E. Barre, VT

6. #Kevin Wheatley (33) Brookfield, VT

7. Nick Pilotte (11) Jefferson, NH

8. Bunker Hodgdon (83) Hardwick, VT

9. Bob Eldred (31) Waterbury, VT

10. William Hennequin (47) Morrisville, VT

11. Donny Yates (5) N. Montpelier, VT

12. #Greg Adams Jr. (42) Hardwick, VT

13. Cameron Ouellette (90) Barre, VT

14. Garry Bashaw (92) Lincoln, VT

15. #Daniel Brassard (32) E. Randolph, VT

16. Gary Mullen (29) Tunbridge, VT

17. Tommy Smith (50) Williamstown, VT

18. #Kevin Dodge (8) Barre, VT

19. Ron Gabaree (9) Barre, VT

20. Michael Gay (3) So. Burlington, VT

21. Marvin Johnson (24) Essex Jct., VT

22. Amanda Habel (9) Roxbury, VT

23. Keith Lord (2) Groton, VT

24. Keith Fortier (35) Hinesburg, VT

25. Jennifer Getty (25) Cambridge, VT

26. Joe Fecteau (75) Hardwick, VT

27. #Paul Grant (46) E. Calais, VT

28. Cassie Trendle (28) Georgia, VT

29. Scott Maynard (59) Burlington, VT

30. #Tommy Elwood (88) Morrisville, VT

31. Tyler McNally (37) Salisbury, VT

32. George Sanders (38) Northfield, VT

-30-

 


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