2013-06-08

Chase Elliott Wins Pocono ARCA 200

11-ARS-BULLETINS-MASSHEAD
For Immediate Release:
Saturday, June 8, 2013  
 
 Becomes Youngest Superspeedway Winner in ARCA Racing Series History     

 

(LONG POND, Pa.) - Seventeen-year-old Chase Elliott became the youngest superspeedway winner in ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards history Saturday, winning the Pocono ARCA 200 at Pocono Raceway.

 

Elliott, in the No. 9 Aaron's Dream Machine-Hendrickcars.com Chevrolet, raced his way from the 32nd starting position, took the lead with 21 laps to go, and then held back a hard charge from fellow 17-year-old driver Erik Jones to earn his career-first ARCA victory.

 

"This was a lot of fun," Elliott said. "This means a ton to me. It was about 10 years ago that I was sitting in victory lane here with my dad."

 

Elliott, who had to test at Pocono beforehand just to be eligible to enter the race, is a few months younger than Shelby Howard was when Howard won at Kansas Speedway in 2003.

 

"I had some work to do to get to the front," Elliott said. "When I got there I was a little cautious there at the end, maybe too cautious. I didn't want to make a mistake with any of the lapped cars."

 

Jones, in the No. 15 ToyotaCare Toyota, got within five lengths of Elliott at the checkered flag after erasing a four-second deficit over the final 15 laps.

 

"I think Chase just got too far out in front of us," he said. "I was doing everything I could to catch him at the end. I grabbed the wall a little bit. We were pushing it hard."

 

Jones, like Elliott, capitalized on the opportunity created by a new ARCA driver approval process that allows 17-year-old drivers to race at Pocono and Kentucky Speedway. Both drivers were among 20 drivers that participated in an ARCA-sanctioned open test at Pocono Wednesday.

 

Jones led laps early but ran out of fuel just as a caution flag came out, then had to start at the tail end of the field. He worked his way back to the front and put on a furious rally at the end, but ran out of time.

 

"We'll come back here in August and try it again," Jones said.

 

Series point leader Frank Kimmel, who led the first 22 laps, finished third in the Ansell-Menards Toyota while Tom Hessert, in Barbera's Autoland Dodge, finished fourth. Mason Mitchell, in the Happy Cheeks-BeavEx-Reliance Tool Ford, was fifth, with Mason Mingus sixth in the 811 Call Before You Dig Toyota.

 

Kimmel came up short in his bid to tie Iggy Katona in career ARCA Racing Series victories, but increased his series point lead over second-place Mingus and third place Hessert.

 

"Jeriod (Prince) told me we weren't faster than first or second, but we were faster than third," Kimmel said. "At that point, you think about points and finishing strong."

 

Kimmel led the most laps, followed by Elliott, and Jones, who led 20. Mingus and Hessert also led laps. Four cautions slowed the race for 21 laps. The 80-lap, 200-mile race took just over 90 minutes to complete.

 

A.J. Henriksen, one of four cars in the race fielded by Venturini Motorsports, finished seventh in the ECC Toyota. Spencer Gallagher was eighth in the Allegiant Travel Chevrolet. Justin Boston was ninth in the ZLOOP Computer and Electronics Toyota. Josh Williams finished 10th in the Southwest Florida Cable Construction Ford, his fourth consecutive top-10 finish.

 

Despite an event-filled race, Elliott was the story of the show, setting the age mark on a track that his father won five career NASCAR races at. The elder Elliott stood alone atop the Hendrick Motorsports ARCA team transporter for most of the race watching his son make laps, take the lead, and then hold on for the victory.

 

"He definitely helped me out a lot," Chase said. "He wasn't here Wednesday, but we talked on the phone. It was strange coming here because I am so used to coming here with dad and watching him race.

 

"Being able to come to the ARCA series and run at Pocono Raceway is huge for me. It definitely opens some doors for us and enables us to do something different."

 

The ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards heads next to Michigan Int'l Speedway for the 32nd annual Michigan ARCA 200 Friday, June 14, live on SPEED at 5 p.m. eastern.

 

ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards

Pocono ARCA 200 Race Report
Pocono Raceway (6-8-13)  

 

The official finish for Saturday's Pocono ARCA 200 at Pocono Raceway with starting position in parenthesis, driver, hometown, type of car, laps completed, and reason out of race, if any:

 

1. (32) Chase Elliott, Dawsonville, Ga., Chevrolet, 80; 2. (5) Erik Jones, Byron, Mich., Toyota, 80; 3. (1) Frank Kimmel, Clarksville, Ind., Toyota, 80; 4. (4) Tom Hessert, Cherry Hill, N.J., Dodge, 80; 5. (7) Mason Mitchell, W. Des Moines, Iowa, Ford, 80; 6. (2) Mason Mingus, Brentwood, Tenn., Toyota, 80; 7. (8) A.J. Henriksen, Elgin, Ill., Toyota, 80; 8. (10) Spencer Gallagher, Las Vegas, Nev., Chevrolet, 80; 9. (6) Justin Boston, Baltimore, Md., Toyota, 80; 10. (14) Josh Williams, Port Charlotte, Fla., Ford, 80; 11. (22) Sean Corr, Goshen, N.Y., Chevrolet, 80; 12. (24) George Cushman, Waterville, N.Y., Chevrolet, 77; 13. (26) Buster Graham, Lafayette, La., Ford, 77; 14. (9) Milka Duno, Caracas, Venezuela, Toyota, 77; 15. (30) Brian Kaltreider, Orangeville, Pa., Ford, 77; 16. (12) Thomas Praytor, Mobile, Ala., Ford, 76; 17. (33) Garrett Smithley, Kannapolis, N.C., Chevrolet, 76; 18. (28) Tom Berte, New Berlin, Wis., Chevrolet, 76; 19. (23) Bobby Gerhart, Lebanon, Pa., Chevrolet, 76; 20. (27) Brent Cross, Cortland, N.Y., Chevrolet, 75; 21. (21) Ed Pompa, Ballston Spa, N.Y., Chevrolet, 74; 22. (13) Darrell Basham, Henryville, Ind., Chevrolet, 73; 23. (11) Chris Bailey, Jr., South Park, Pa., Ford, 73; 24. (18) James Hylton, Inman, S.C., Ford, 71; 25. (17) James Swanson, Clarksboro, N.J., Ford, 55, suspension; 26. (29) Nick Igdalsky, Long Pond, Pa., Chevrolet, 51, accident; 27. (16) Dominick Casola, Holmdel, N.J., Dodge, 45, differential; 28. (15) Roger Carter, Sunfield, Mich., Dodge, 37, transmission; 29. (25) Don Thompson, Carlisle, Pa., Chevrolet, 29, handling; 30. (20) John Ferrier, Middletown, N.Y., Ford, 4, transmission; 31. (3) Will Kimmel, Sellersburg, Ind., Dodge, 4, accident; 32. (31) Kyle Martel, Lebanon, Pa., Chevrolet, 4, engine; 33. (19) Dave Savicki, Clinton, N.Y., Ford, 1, brakes.

 

Time of race: 1 hour, 34 minutes, 20 seconds; Margin of victory: 0.676 seconds; Lap leaders: Frank Kimmel 1-22, Erik Jones 23-42, Mason Mingus 43-44, Tom Hessert 45-59, Chase Elliott 60-80.

 

CONTACT:

 

Doug Donnelly, ARCA

 

Don Radebaugh, ARCA


ARCAracing.com
ARCAnation.com 

Facebook.com/arcaracing 

Follow on Twitter @ARCA_Racing 


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Self Takes NASCAR K&N Pro Series Win At Iowa

First West Driver To Take Overall Victory In Combo Race

 

NEWTON, Iowa (June 7, 2013) – Michael Self continued his winning ways Friday night at Iowa Speedway.

 

The 22-year-old from Park City, Utah, pulled away from the NASCAR K&N Pro Series field en route to the win in the Casey's General Store 150. It was Self's second straight win, his fifth in his last 14 races, and he became the first NASCAR K&N Pro Series West driver to win the annual combination race with the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East.

 

"This is just unbelievable," said Self. "To be the first K&N West driver to win this race here is just out of this world. I really can't describe what was going through my head those last couple laps."

 

Self also became the eighth different overall winner in eight NASCAR K&N Pro Series combination races at Iowa. He led twice for a race-high 83 laps, including the final 73.

 

A late caution pushed the scheduled 150-lap event to 159 laps. On each restart, however, Self was able to power away, leaving Dylan Kwasniewski and early race-leader Brett Moffitt to battle for second. Kwasniewski wound up claiming the runner-up spot over Moffitt. As the top finishing East driver, Kwasniewski was credited with a win in the series standings.

 

"It was such a good car," said Self, "And such a big thanks to (crew chief) Steve Portenga and the Golden Gate Racing team for putting that car together."

 

Greg Pursley was fourth and Ben Rhodes fifth.

 

"We just rallied back," said Kwasniewski. "We were trying hard to beat Michael out there, but he was really good. ... It was fun running with Brett. It was a great race."

 

It was an eventful day for Kwasniewski, who skipped his high school graduation in Las Vegas to race in Iowa. He was presented his diploma by NASCAR K&N Pro Series East series director Kip Childress during driver introductions. Kwasniewski then recovered from a solo spin early in the event.

 

"That was my first time I had done that in, I don't know how long," said Kwasniewski, the defending West Series champion who is running full-time in the East this year. "I got into the flat down there and ended up spinning the thing out."

 

Moffitt, on the other hand, was left disappointed after he was in contention for the win all day. He led twice for 48 laps - the third time the Grimes, Iowa, native has led 45 or more laps the season. He has four top fives in six races but has yet to get to Victory Lane.

 

"I should feel really good about it, but we really start needing to get wins here," said Moffitt. "It's just really frustrating when we had a decent race car here the first half. We just got really tight and didn't adjust enough. We need to get on our game there."

 

Self, Kwasniewski, Moffitt and Rhodes were among a group of 13 up-and-coming drivers named to the NASCAR Next program, an industry initiative designed to spotlight the rising stars in the sport. Led by Self's dominating performance, the group certainly didn't disappoint Friday night.

 

LINK: NASCAR Next Roster For 2013 Announced

 

Cole Custer, Cale Conley, Cameron Hayley, Gray Gaulding and Matt Tifft rounded out the top 10.

 

Derek Thorn finished 18th overall and was able to maintain a six-point lead in the K&N Pro Series West over Self, Pursley and Hayley. All three have the same point total, with Self in second in the standings with two wins and Pursley third with one win.

 

In the K&N Pro Series East, Moffitt leads Kwasniewski by five points and Ben Kennedy by 17.

 

Earlier in the day, 15-year-old Anderson Bowen won the 21 Means 21 Pole Award presented by Coors Brewing Co. in his first career start. He wound up 14th overall.

 

Kwasniewski picked up a win as the top finishing West finisher (eighth overall) in the K&N Pro Series combination race at Iowa last spring, while Self was the top West driver (ninth overall) at Iowa last fall. Kwasniewski has switched series, and it was Self who was finally able to break through for the West.

 

"To come to Iowa Speedway and perform like this in front of these fans ..." said Self. "The West win last year for us was big. To win overall, I couldn't believe it. I haven't been this excited over any win."

 

The race had 11 cautions for 59 laps.

 

The Casey's General Store 150 is scheduled to air on SPEED on Thursday, June 13, at 3 p.m. ET.

 

The NASCAR K&N Pro Series West will head down the highway and compete in the Toyota/G-Oil 150 at I-44 Speedway in Lebanon, Mo. on Sunday. The NASCAR K&N Pro Series East will next race Saturday, June 22 at Langley Speedway in Hampton, Va.

 

Contact:

Jason Cunningham

Integrated Marketing Communications


NASCAR K&N Pro Series East/West Combination Event-Casey's General Stores 150

Unofficial Results

Friday

At Iowa Speedway

Newton, Iowa

Lap length: 0.875 miles

(Start position in parentheses)

1. (13) Michael Self, Park City, UT, Chevrolet, 159 laps, 63.519 mph.

2. (9) Dylan Kwasniewski, Las Vegas, NV, Chevrolet, 159.

3. (5) Brett Moffitt, Grimes, IA, Toyota, 159.

4. (7) Greg Pursley, Newhall, CA, Ford, 159.

5. (23) Ben Rhodes, Louisville, KY, Chevrolet, 159.

6. (2) Cole Custer, Ladera Ranch, CA, Chevrolet, 159.

7. (3) Cale Conley, Vienna, WV, Toyota, 159.

8. (17) Cameron Hayley, Calgary, Alberta, Ford, 159.

9. (10) Gray Gaulding, Statesville, NC, Toyota, 159.

10. (28) Matt Tifft, Hinkley, OH, Chevrolet, 159.

11. (12) Brandon Jones, Atlanta, GA, Chevrolet, 159.

12. (15) Ben Kennedy, Daytona Beach, FL, Chevrolet, 159.

13. (19) Bryan Ortiz, Bayamon, Puerto Rico, Toyota, 159.

14. (1) Anderson Bowen, Suwanee, GA, Dodge, 159.

15. (20) Eddie MacDonald, Rowley, MA, Toyota, 159.

16. (33) Daniel Suarez, Monterrey, Mexico, Toyota, 159.

17. (31) Daryl Harr, Edmonton, Alberta, Chevrolet, 159.

18. (21) Derek Thorn, Lakeport, CA, Ford, 159.

19. (6) Jesse Little, Sherrils Ford, NC, Chevrolet, 159.

20. (14) Johnny Van Doorn, Coopersville, MI, Chevrolet, 159.

21. (39) Jamie Krzysik, Grand Prairie, Alberta Canada, Toyota, 159.

22. (4) MacKenna Bell, Carson City, NV, Toyota, 159.

23. (36) Anthony Giannone, Colorado Springs, CO, Chevrolet, 159.

24. (38) Scott Heckert, Ridgefield, CT, Chevrolet, 159.

25. (40) Giles Thornton, Whitefish, MT, Toyota, 159.

26. (30) Dylan Lupton, Wilton, CA, Ford, 159.

27. (37) Dylan Hutchison, Fair Oaks, CA, Chevrolet, 159.

28. (27) Austin Dyne, Malibu, CA, Chevrolet, 159.

29. (41) Carl Harr, Edmonton, Alberta, Chevrolet, 159.

30. (34) Taylor Cuzick, Tolleson, AZ, Chevrolet, 159.

31. (35) John Wood, Eagle, ID, Dodge, 157.

32. (32) Akinori Ogata, Kanagawa, Japan, Toyota, 152.

33. (11) Ryan Gifford, Winchester, TN, Toyota, 151.

34. (42) Jack Sellers, Sacramento, CA, Chevrolet, 146.

35. (22) Eric Holmes, Escalon, CA, Toyota, 143.

36. (18) Brandon McReynolds, Mooresville, NC, Chevrolet, 120, electrical.

37. (16) Austin Hill, Winston, GA, Toyota, 108, engine.

38. (29) Brandon Gdovic, Yorktown, VA, Toyota, 94, engine.

39. (25) Brett Thompson, Jerome, ID, Chevrolet, 56, accident.

40. (24) Jimmy Weller, Hubbard, OH, Chevrolet, 54, accident.

41. (26) Kenzie Ruston, El Reno, OK, Chevrolet, 48, accident.

42. (8) Brodie Kostecki, Perth, Western Australia, Chevrolet, 21, accident.

 

Race Statistics

Time of Race: 2 hours 11 minutes 25 seconds

Margin of Victory: .737 seconds

Fastest Qualifier: A.Bowen * (132.042 mph, 23.856 seconds)

Caution Flags: 11 for 59 laps.

 

NASCAR K&N Pro Series East Standings: 1. B. Moffitt, 238; 2. D. Kwasniewski, 233; 3. B. Kennedy, 221; 4. B. Gdovic, 210; 5. G. Gaulding, 210; 6. R. Gifford, 206; 7. E. MacDonald, 206; 8. K. Ruston, 196; 9. C. Custer, 184; 10. B. Ortiz, 181.

 

NASCAR K&N Pro Series West Standings: 1. D. Thorn, 171; 2. M. Self, 165; 3. G. Pursley, 165; 4. C. Hayley, 165; 5. D. Lupton, 141; 6. C. Harr, 130; 7. T. Cuzick, 128; 8. B. Thompson, 127; 9. J. Wood, 120; 10. S. Pena, 116.



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