2012-03-11

Hometown Driver Cale Gale Wins ARCA's First Race at Mobile


For Immediate Release:
Saturday, March 10, 2012

 (IRVINGTON, Ala.) - The customary purple Hoosier band draped around his neck, the Mobile ARCA 200 winner paused for a moment on the frontstretch at Mobile International Speedway, waiting for a quieter moment to answer a question.

That's because the winner was Mobile's own Cale Gale, and he was surrounded by excited, loud fans and friends from his hometown just minutes after holding off Chad Hackenbracht and taking the checkered flag for his second ARCA win.

The race was the first trip to the track for the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards, and the first short track race of ARCA's 60th Anniversary Season.

Gale (No. 33 Rheem Chevrolet) led 76 of 203 laps, including the last 28, in a race extended by a green-white-checkered finish. Just days after celebrating his 27th birthday, Gale passed fellow Alabama driver Grant Enfinger on Lap 176 and held the advantage through four late caution periods and the subsequent restarts. A full-time NASCAR Camping World Truck Series driver, Gale now has 11 ARCA starts, and a second win to back up a 2006 triumph at Gateway.

"This worked out better than we ever could have expected it to," said Gale, standing in Mobile's victory circle and approximately 100 yards in front of his own infield billboard reading "Thanks Mobile! Gotta Have A Dream" and featuring pictures old and new from his racing career.

"We came here with intentions to win but actually being able to pull it off is awesome and it comes at a good time," he said. "What a packed house today. (Promoter) Rick (Crawford) has done an awesome job promoting this thing, and Tommy Praytor too. It's especially special, because my grandfather passed away last year and we spent many a night down here on Saturday nights and it's my first race to win since he passed away."

The win was the first for Eddie Sharp Racing since Craig Goess scored his only career ARCA victory at Pocono in 2010.

Driving to the front took some work for Gale. He started ninth, four rows behind Menards Pole Award presented by Ansell winner Alex Bowman (No. 22 eBay Motors/St. Jude Children's Hospital Dodge). Bowman led the first 28 laps in his fourth ARCA start, keeping the lead even after a Lap 19 restart.

Chase Elliott (No. 9 Aaron's Dream Machine/Hendrickcars.com Chevrolet) passed Bowman on the inside on Lap 29 after looking close a lap earlier, turning what had been as much as a 0.733-second Bowman advantage into his own lead. Elliott drove away easily after finding clean air, and even Gale passed Bowman for second on Lap 31.

The race was Elliott's first in the ARCA Racing Series. The son of NASCAR champion Bill Elliott had previously raced in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series but never in an ARCA car.

Elliott kept the lead on a Lap 42 restart resulting from the race's second caution, but chose to pit during the race's third caution period, allowing Bowman to return to the front. Erik Jones (No. 55 Paragon Corvette Reproductions Chevrolet) - making his first ARCA start at just 15 years old - rose to second, just ahead of Hackenbracht (No. 58 CGH Motorsports Chevrolet) and Frank Kimmel (No. 44 Ansell/Menards Toyota).

Bowman built a gap on the Lap 56 restart, finding himself more than a second ahead of Jones within six laps. His advantage was not meant for long, though. Two cars lost control and drove off the track and over the hill in Turns 3 and 4, an unusual occurrence but not at all unexpected at Mobile, where the only retaining wall is on the frontstretch.

Bowman pitted on the ensuing caution period, allowing Jones to move to the front. Jones led for 15 laps, but Gale - who had been fifth when Jones took the lead - quickly closed the gap. Jones led by 0.748 second at Lap 75 and 0.863 second at Lap 77, but saw that advantage sink under 0.1 second two laps later. On Lap 80, Gale took the first spot, with Elliott following for second.

Matt Lofton (No. 16 Strutmasters.com Chevrolet) followed the lead pair in third, with Enfinger (No. 61 Breland Homes Ford) and Bowman moving back to the top five by Lap 100, the race's halfway point.

Enfinger, of Fairhope, Ala., passed for third on Lap 103, just before another caution period, and it was clear that he was ready to take aim at Gale and form a true Alabama battle at the front. He moved into second nine laps later, and slowly infringed upon Gale's lead. The leaders hit lapped traffic at Lap 126, and with one driver in front of them struggling with a broken sway bar and creating a slight traffic jam, Enfinger closed Gale's lead to 0.076 second at Lap 127. He passed for first the next time around.

With Enfinger now in front of Gale, the Alabama drivers easily put some distance on the field. At Lap 133, they led by three seconds over third. Twenty laps later, they had more than seven seconds on third-place driver Mikey Kile (No. 1 ModSpace Ford) - an advantage of about one-third of a lap.

At Lap 168, though, a 59-lap green flag run ended with a spin in Turns 3 and 4. Enfinger pitted as the leader, and kept the lead over Gale as he exited. Behind them were Mason Mingus (No. 32 Call 811 Before You Dig Toyota), Clint King (No. 66 Warehouse Design Chevrolet), and Hackenbracht.

Hackenbracht passed King almost immediately after the Lap 175 restart, a precursor to Gale's pass of Enfinger for the lead the next time around. Mingus then lost control and drove over the Turns 3 and 4 hill, bringing out another caution with Gale the leader and Hackenbracht having passed Enfinger for second.

Gale led Hackenbracht out of the Lap 182 restart, another restart five laps later, and two more as the final laps ran down. The final caution period came with just four laps remaining, setting up an extension of the race and a final green-white-checkered finish on Laps 202 and 203.

Hackenbracht stuck to Gale's back bumper and tried to drive under Gale in the second turn of the final lap, but Gale held his line and Hackenbracht struggled. In front of a screaming hometown crowd, Gale drove to victory by 0.634 second, with Hackenbracht, Bowman, Kile, and King trailing him.

Chris Buescher (No. 17 Roulo Brothers Racing Ford) finished sixth, just ahead of Brennan Poole (No. 25 Adcetera Toyota). Jared Marks (No. 12 Dodge Motorsports/UNOH Dodge) was eighth, edging Tom Hessert (No. 52 Federated Auto Parts Chevrolet) and Elliott.

Southern short track ace Bubba Pollard (No. 29 Grease Monkey/M&E Construction Chevrolet) finished 11th over Ryan Reed (No. 15 JDRF Toyota), Enfinger, Sean Corr (No. 82 Empire Racing Ford), and Tyler Reddick (No. 18 Broken Bow Records/Stoney Creek Records Chevrolet).

Kimmel, the nine-time ARCA champion, ended the day 17th. Jones, who led 14 laps in his debut, finished 29th after his car stalled coming off of pit road. The full results are available at ARCARacing.com.

The race was slowed by 11 cautions for 65 laps, and finished in one hour, 48 minutes, and four seconds.

The next race for the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards will take place Sunday, April 29 at Salem Speedway. The 200-lap, 111-mile Kentuckiana Ford Dealers 200 is scheduled to start at 2:15 p.m. Salem will host practice and Menards Pole Qualifying presented by Ansell on Saturday, April 28. The event at Salem will be ARCA's 91st at the track, where nine-time ARCA champion Frank Kimmel has nine wins.

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 28 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 0.4 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 for the first time. In June, the first event at Minnesota's Elko Speedway will give ARCA a race in a 29th state.

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.



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2012-03-08

MAC ROD SHOP : PAS JUSTE DES PIÈCES

Communiqué de presse                                                   Pour diffusion immédiate
SSQ-2012-018
Québec, QC (7 mars 2012) – Chez MAC ROD SHOP de Vallée-Jonction, c’est une histoire de famille.  Fondée en 2006 par François, la patriarche, et Marc-André, l’aîné de la famille, l’entreprise est un atelier de fabrication et de restauration de Hot Rod, stock-car, voitures sport et anciennes.

Selon M. André Poulin, président de la Série Sportsman Québec, les ateliers MAC ROD SHOP est le choix de plusieurs équipes de stock-car, ils offrent un grand éventail de produits et services dont ceux de vérification par dynamomètre des moteurs.  « Effectivement, en plus d’être le constructeur de choix de plusieurs des équipes dans la Série pour les pièces, la réparation ou les conseils sur la suspension, MAC ROD SHOP, contribue au processus de contrôle des moteurs avec son dynamomètre.  D’ailleurs, ils possèdent le seul dynamomètre fixe dans la grande région de Québec-Beauce » déclara Poulin.
La Série contrôle la puissance maximale des moteurs en recueillant des données de performance de chacun des moteurs utilisés dans les compétitions à partir des résultats que le dynamomètre relève.  Une fois les données recueillies et analysées pour la conformité, des scellés sont apposés pour prévenir toute modification non autorisée.  L’objectif étant d’assurer la conformité et un contrôle des coûts associés aux moteurs.
Les pilotes et propriétaires d’équipe de course qui souhaitent participer à une ou des épreuves de la Série en 2012 sont invités à assister à la réunion d’information qui aura lieu à la salle de réception de Méchoui International, au 264 St-Grégoire, St-Étienne, G6J 1E8, le dimanche 11 mars à compter de 13 h. 

La levée de rideau pour la série se fera avec une journée d’essai et d’inspection à l’autodrome Montmagny le 12 mai et la première compétition, une manche de 75 tours, qui aura lieu le 19 mai à l’Autodrome St-Eustache dans le cadre du festival sportsman qui mettra aussi en vedette les Sportsmans ANCA et la classe Sportsman de la piste américaine Airborne Speedway.
– 30 –

Pour de plus amples informations, contactez:

André Poulin, Président Série Sportsman Québec, courriel: andre.poulin@sportsman.ca, 581-998-7388

Préparé par M.P. Roy, courriel: mproy@roy-motorsports.com, 514-907-1773 poste 35


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Dwight Brown Vows to Keep Charging Until All the Numbers Add Up

By Jim Clarke, Kawartha Speedway PR/Clarke Motorsports Communications

What is the difference between a driver and a racer?  Some people may try to tell you there isn’t one, but just take a casual survey at your favourite speedway.  You don’t need to be part of the action on the track to be a racer.  It’s more about having an undying passion for the sport.  You eat, sleep and dream motorsports.  It’s an infatuation that consumes you and you can’t wait to get to the track.


Dwight Brown is a racer.  A regular in the NAPA Auto Parts ACT Late Model division at Kawartha Speedway, the 43 year-old father of 2 from Beeton, Ontario knows there’s more to the sport than just getting behind the wheel, fastening the seatbelts and driving as fast as he can for as long as he can.  Brown is always thinking.  Always looking for a break that will help him gain an advantage on the competition and a position on the racetrack.  He knows where he’s running and where he needs to finish to get the most out of his equipment in every race.

“We have the chance to pick up a maximum of 100 points during every show,” said Brown.  “A heat race win is worth 10 points.  The semi feature pays another 15 and winning the 25 lap main event earns 75.  Every position is worth points toward the annual track championship and even though I can’t always give you an exact amount, I’ve usually got a good idea of who’s running where and how I’ll need to finish to keep pace or even pull ahead.”

While many would look back at a season with a pair of feature race wins, the soft spoken speedster – who works as a forklift mechanic through the week – thinks of what could’ve should’ve would’ve been if he had been just a little more aggressive while marching toward the front.  A well placed nudge or bump at the right moment may have closed the 6 point gap that stood between Brown and a second place 2011 point finish or eliminated the 17 deficit to eventual track champion Dan McHattie.

“I finished in the top five 8 times last year, but running 13th in the Summer Sizzler and 9th on August 5th made a big difference in the outcome of the final standings,” admitted Brown.  “One night, I followed another driver – I can’t remember who it was – for a number of laps and watched the leaders get further and further away.  I gave him a tap in the bumper and managed to get the spot, but it also caused the right front fender to start rubbing on the tire.  From there, I tried to chase down the pack but also worried about cutting down the tire.”

A 24 year veteran of the weekly short track racing wars who has advanced through almost every division, Dwight Brown – the driver of the Bourque Transmission/RB Graffix #20 machine – admits he still loves the competition that comes with battling the best on Kawartha’s 3/8th mile layout, but confesses he’s becoming a little concerned about the increasing costs and a timid economy that seem to be affecting car counts and spectator turnouts.

“The action is great in all 3 classes, but there isn’t a speedway in the land that wouldn’t love to have extra drivers in each division and more people there to see the show,” said Brown.  “Hopefully 2012 will be the year that happens for Kawartha...and my goal is to run well enough to earn the late model track championship.”

Kawartha klips:  2012 race action gets started with an open test session Friday, May 25th.  Fans can see the complete schedule and the latest off-season news anytime at www.kawarthaspeedway.com.

Photo attachment:  Jim Clarke – Clarke Motorsports Communications
1). Dwight Brown’s first season in Kawartha Speedway’s headline class was in a ride he called the ‘Sesame Street car’, sponsored by the number 20 and the colour red.
2). Friday, July 22nd marked Dwight Brown’s first trip to NAPA Auto Parts ACT Late Model victory lane for Kawartha Speedway’s 2011 season.

Prepared by:  Jim Clarke – Clarke Motorsports Communications


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LE CHAMPION DÉFENDRA SON TITRE



Communiqué de presse                                                   Pour diffusion immédiate
SSQ-2012-017
Québec, QC (6 mars 2012) – Le multiple champion de la Série Sportsman Québec (2008, 2011), Simon Roussin, sera de retour pour défendre son titre et espère accéder à un troisième titre.  Il devient le 15e pilote à completer son accreditation pour l’année 2012.

Le pilote de Québec a connu un début de saison 2011 difficile, avec trois accidents successifs.  Malgré cela, avec de la détermination et un peu de chance, il est revenu en force, pour remporter deux victoires et enregistrer 4 top-5 et 6 top-10.  Cette performance, lui a valu un deuxième titre de champion, le seul pilote de la jeune Série à avoir accompli l'exploit à deux reprises.
« Je dois être plus chanceux!  Nous revenons pour remporter un troisième titre.  J'ai très hâte de courir sur le triovale de Sanair.  J'ai toujours aimé rouler sur cette piste qui est très rapide » indiquait Roussin.
Selon M. André Poulin, président de la Série Sportsman Québec, Simon Roussin demeure un des plus sérieux candidats pour le titre de champion.  « Simon est un très bon pilote.  Sa voiture est toujours préparée au quart de tour.  La Série est chanceuse de pouvoir le compter parmi nous, il relève d'un cran le niveau de compétition. »
Pour tout connaître sur Simon Roussin, visitez sa page de pilote au :http://www.seriesportsman.ca/francais/pilotes/66-simon-roussin-quebec.html
Les pilotes et propriétaires d’équipe de course qui souhaite participer à une ou des épreuves de la Série en 2012, sont invités à assister à la réunion d’information qui aura lieu à la salle de réception de Méchoui International, au 264 St-Grégoire, St-Étienne, G6J 1E8, le dimanche 11 mars à compter de 13h.  Il est possible de profiter des installations et de bruncher sur place à compter de 11h en réservant au 418-831-2547 avant le 7 mars (mentionnez que vous êtes avec la Série Sportsman Québec).

La levée de rideau pour la série se fera avec une journée d’essai et d’inspection à l’autodrome Montmagny le 12 mai et la première compétition, une manche de 75 tours, qui aura lieu le 19 mai à l’Autodrome St-Eustache dans le cadre du festival sportsman qui mettra aussi en vedette les Sportsmans ANCA et la classe Sportsman de la piste américaine Airborne Speedway.
– 30 –

Pour de plus amples informations, contactez:

André Poulin, Président Série Sportsman Québec, courriel: andre.poulin@sportsman.ca, 581-998-7388

Préparé par M.P. Roy, courriel: mproy@roy-motorsports.com, 514-907-1773 poste 35


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2012-03-06

Bond Auto Parts Launches Sponsorship Effort at Devil's Bowl Speedway

ATTACHED PHOTO: Jake Zakrzewski, Jr. (#34) is one of the top drivers who will compete in the Bond Auto Parts Modified division at Devil's Bowl Speedway.  (MemorEvents photo)

 Vermont auto parts dealer pledges support to West Haven track
 For Immediate Release                  DBS-030612-1
 WEST HAVEN, VT -- Bond Auto Parts has stepped up its commitment to support local stock car racing at Devil’s Bowl Speedway.  The Barre, VT-based auto parts retailer will present three season-long programs at the Devil’s Bowl half-mile as part of the weekly NASCAR Whelen All-American Series.

The track’s headline open-wheel division will be known as the Bond Auto Parts Modifieds in 2012.  Drivers in the Bond Auto Parts Modified class not only race for the Devil’s Bowl Speedway track championship, the division’s top driver will also be crowned the NASCAR Vermont State Champion and honored at a post-season awards gala in Charlotte, NC.
Bond Auto Parts Modified drivers also earn points toward the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series national championship and will be featured in several special events throughout the summer.  Top drivers include defending track champion Ron Proctor of Charlton, NY, veterans Vince Quenneville, Jr., and Don Scarborough of Brandon, VT, and young stars Jessey Mueller, Hunter Bates, Jake Zakrzewski, Jr., and Cody Sargen.
In addition to its support of the top class at Devil’s Bowl Speedway, Bond Auto Parts will also present the weekly Bond Auto Parts Hard Charger Award in the Renegade and Bomber divisions.  Each week, the driver who gains the most positions in each division’s feature races will be rewarded with a $50 gift card to Bond Auto Parts.
“We here at Bond Auto Parts are excited about partnering with the new ownership of Devil's Bowl Speedway,” said Mark Mast, Vice President of Marketing for Bond Auto Parts.  “In our business we try to support as many tracks as we can and Devil's Bowl offered us some great opportunities.  By sponsoring local tracks we can really get our brand out in front of our customer base on all levels including the drivers, teams and the fans.”
Bond Auto Parts is Vermont’s largest aftermarket automotive dealer, with 42 stores serving Vermont, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts.  For more information, visit www.bondauto.com.
Devil’s Bowl Speedway opens its 46th season of stock car racing on Sunday, May 6, with the Bond Auto Parts Modifieds, Renegades, Bombers, and the Spring Green 112 for the American-Canadian Tour Late Models.  For more information, call (802) 265-3112 or click www.devilsbowlspeedwayvt.com.
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Andy Belmont Racing; Mikey Kile Say Bring On Mobile



MOBILE, Alabama (March 6, 2012) - - With the season-opening Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 from Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway in the rearview mirror, Andy Belmont Racing (ABR) driver Mikey Kile and the rest of the ABR team turn their attention towards round two, which in retrospect they consider the official start of the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards season when the green flag waives at Mobile (Ala.) International Speedway (MIS) on Saturday March, 10.


While the ABR team in their familiar No. 1 ModSpace Ford Fusion had a strong machine at Daytona, many of the spectacles that surface with restrictor plate racing are now obsolete which means it’s time to get back to the grassroots of stock car racing.
This weekend however, it’s not the traditional short track venues of Salem (Ind.) Speedway or Toledo Speedway that the 60-year old series is trekking towards, but instead, it’s a return to the deep South to the state of Alabama for ARCA’s inaugural showing at Mobile.
“I’m so ready to get back to some real racing,” said Kile, whose poised to make his 30th career ARCA start this weekend. “Daytona is fun but you can never predict the outcome. This weekend though, we’re heading to a track this weekend where a driver can actually make a difference.”
The 29-year old continued, “Jeff (McClure) my crew chief is really excited about this race. He likes short track racing just as much as I do and with Andy Belmont Racing’s success rate last year on the short tracks, it’s definitely giving the team something to look forward to. No question about it, I think we have a shot at Victory Lane on Saturday afternoon.”
A trip to the winner’s circle would not only be a nice way to reward ModSpace with their second career victory in the ARCA Racing Series – but for Kile, a native of Westlake, Louisiana, Saturday’s anticipated thriller also means an enormous celebration from the stands.
“I consider Mobile a hometown race,” sounded Kile. “Since it’s close to home, I’m going to have a lot of support in the stands from family and friends, so while I want to get a win for everyone at ModSpace and the team, it would be nice to get a win for them too.”
Team principal Andy Belmont is all to-familiar with history in Motorsports and he would be more than obliged to see his veteran team be the first to soar to the checkered flag this weekend. 
“With the combination of Mikey and Jeff, how can we not be a favorite?” offered the long-time ARCA icon and Penndel, Pennsylvania native. “The guys have really been busting their tails to make sure that every car that we put on the track can be a contender. Mobile’s sure to have a lot of action, but we’re hoping to etch our name into the record books by winning the Mobile ARCA 200.”
An undeserving 16th place finish at Daytona has Kile occupying that position entering this weekend’s festivities in the championship standings, but with several competitors ahead of him opting out of partaking in Saturday’s contest, Kile will unofficially take the green flag inside the top-10 and look to make a massive dent towards the coveted top spot in the overall championship.
For the second consecutive event, Kile will have a teammate at ABR as rookie Thomas Praytor will steer the No. 5 ModSpace Ford Fusion in the first short track race of the season.
The Mobile ARCA 200 (200 laps / 100 miles) is the second of 20 events on the 2012 ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards schedule. The first ARCA race held at MIS is a two-day show. Practice begins Friday, March 9 with a three and a half hour practice session planned from 1:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Menards pole qualifying presented by Ansell is set for later in the day at 7:00 p.m. An on-track autograph session has been etched in on race day, Saturday, March 10 from 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. The event will take the green flag shortly after 2:00 p.m. The race will not be televised on SPEED but additional race coverage including live timing and scoring will be available through the ARCA Racing Network (ARN) online at arcaracing.com.  All times are local.
For more on Mikey Kile, please visit him online at MikeyKile.com and through Twitter @MikeyKile.
Additional information on Andy Belmont Racing is available by logging onto AndyBelmont.com.
PHOTO CAPTION: Mikey Kile, driver of the No. 1 ModSpace Ford Fusion in the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards for Andy Belmont Racing (ABR).
About ModSpace:
Modular Space Corporation (ModSpace), based in Berwyn, Pa., is a leading provider of modular buildings, portable storage and services for temporary and permanent space needs. With more than 40 years of experience, ModSpace serves a diverse set of customers and markets through a network of 80 branches throughout the United States and Canada. Further information is available by visiting http://www.modspace.com.

About Andy Belmont Racing (ABR):

Andy Belmont Racing (AndyBelmont.com) is a competitive and respected motorsports operation who fields race cars in the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards. ABR has been serving the motorsports community and winning for nearly 25 years. Currently, the team fields a full-time ARCA Racing Series program for series winner Mikey Kile in the No. 1 ModSpace Ford Fusion.


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High Expectations Surround Chase Elliott in ARCA Debut


For Immediate Release:
Tuesday, March 6, 2012

(TOLEDO, Ohio) - His name alone stirs attention. At 16 years old, Chase Elliott - the son of NASCAR champion Bill Elliott - is a fan favorite wherever he races.  


But young Elliott's position on the family tree isn't the only quality keeping him top of mind in motorsports circles these days. With a long list of major accomplishments and success in Hendrick Motorsports' development program, the Dawsonville, Ga. teen has proven a real ability to compete.

Elliott, driving a No. 9 Aaron's Chevrolet for Bill Elliott Racing, will make his first ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards start Saturday at Mobile International Speedway, which will host ARCA for the first time. Elliott believes he can contend in the second race of ARCA's 60th Anniversary Season.

"I don't really see why there'd be any reason we can't run in the top five or 10," he said last week. "I really feel like we're capable of doing that. Obviously, this will be my first race as a driver and things are going to be different, but I think if we adapt well, I don't see any reason why we can't run inside the top 10."

Elliott's accomplishments are numerous. Both this January and last, he won the pro late model feature at Speedfest, the season opener for the CRA Super Series. Last year, he added the super late model title at the same event.

In 2010, Elliott won another major CRA race, the Winchester 400. Late last season, he secured what he calls the biggest win of his racing career, the Snowball Derby at Five Flags Speedway in Pensacola, Fla. In 44 years of the prestigious late model race, Elliott is the youngest winner.

His trophy list extends far beyond those events. In addition, he was named last season's NASCAR K&N Pro Series East Most Popular Driver and earned a High School Player of the Week mention by none other than Sports Illustrated.

Elliott raced last weekend in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West at Phoenix International Raceway, finishing 17th. He drove a full schedule in the eastern division last year, ranking ninth in points with six top-10s in 12 races. He also finished third at Phoenix in the West finale.

His move to an ARCA car for five races this year is the result of his growth plan and, as is common in racing, sponsorship influence. Elliott will also compete in the ARCA Racing Series at New Jersey in July, Berlin (Mich.) and Madison (Wis.) in August, and at Salem (Ind.) in September, according to a Hendrick Motorsports representative.

"It's mostly a thought process between us and Aaron's, our sponsor," he said. "It was just that things worked out with my age, being 16 and not being able to run speedways. That pointed the finger toward short tracks and the road course. We're trying to get our feet wet in ARCA as well as get experience on road courses. We're just trying to do the best with the next step at the age I'm at right now."

One factor playing a role in Elliott's entry at Mobile, though, has to be his history at the race track. He won a late model championship at the track in 2010, earning two wins along the way.

Lance McGrew, a former NASCAR Sprint Cup Series crew chief for Hendrick, will lead Elliott's effort at Mobile. McGrew notably led Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Mark Martin at the Sprint Cup level, and also headed cars for Kyle Busch and Jeff Gordon, among others, in the NASCAR Nationwide Series. He now works in Hendrick's research and development wing and manages Elliott's driver development plan.

McGrew's support for Elliott at Mobile will consist of people from the Hendrick shop in Concord, N.C. and Elliott's shop in Dawsonville. Bill Elliott will attend the race, but Chase is uncertain whether or not his father will spot as he did last weekend in Phoenix.

Given his experience at Mobile, Elliott feels qualified to speak to the track's characteristics.

"I think it's going to be an interesting race, for sure," he said. "The cars that I've raced there are light cars, but these ARCA cars are heavy. It's a heavy stock car. We'll see how it goes. I kind of have a feel of what the race track is like. I'm sure there's going to be differences between driving a late model car and driving an ARCA car.

"It's a very unique place, obviously, with no walls except for on the front straightaway. It's different looking, and has a different feel. It's the kind of race track you're not used to seeing. Most places you go, you have the wall to kind of catch you. It's just different. All that plays into the feel of a race track. It's really smooth in (Turns) 3 and 4, and there are a few bumps in 1 and 2."

Whether Elliott earns that top-10 he wants or not is up to him and those around him, but the 16-year-old is confident that he'll be part of a memorable show in ARCA's first trip to the Alabama track.

"I think Rick Crawford's done a really great job promoting the race track and getting ARCA to come over. I think it's going to be a phenomenal race, one that the fans will enjoy."

Practice will begin at 1:30 p.m. Central on Friday, March 9, and will last for three and a half hours. Menards Pole Qualifying presented by Ansell will follow that, starting at 7 p.m.

The 200-lap, 100-mile Mobile ARCA 200 will start at 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 10. ARCA Racing Series drivers will appear on the track for an autograph session just before the race, at noon.

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 28 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 0.4 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 will visit Alabama's Mobile International Speedway and Minnesota's Elko Speedway for the first time; ARCA's first visit to Minnesota will give ARCA a race in a 29th state.

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.


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BOUTIQUENASCAR.COM DE RETOUR AVEC SON POOL


Communiqué de presse                                                   Pour diffusion immédiate
SSQ-2012-016
Québec, QC (5 mars 2012) – L’entreprise de Québec spécialisée dans la vente de produits promotionnels NASCAR et de sports motorisés, la Boutique NASCAR, est de retour à titre de commanditaire associé à la Série Sportsman Québec pour une 2e année.

« C’est un privilège pour nous de pouvoir être associé à la Série Sportsman » déclara Luc Grondin le propriétaire de la boutique qui a pignon sur rue sur la 1ère avenue à Québec dans l’arrondissement Bas Charlesbourg.  « C’est tout à fait naturel pour nous de poursuivre notre association pour une 2e année en commanditant le pool de la Série qui a connu un grand succès l’an dernier.  De plus, nous remettrons 2 vestons NASCAR dans la cagnotte de la loterie-campagne de financement » ajouta M.Grondin.
Selon M. André Poulin, président de la Série Sportsman Québec, il est possible de se procurer des billets de tirage de la loterie-campagne de financement auprès des différents pilotes et équipes.  Les sommes recueillies par la vente des billets seront redistribuées aux équipes ayant participé à la vente des billets et les nombreux prix totalisant 3500.00$ seront redistribué grâce à la participation des généreux commanditaires comme la Boutique NASCAR lors du tirage qui aura lieu le 26 mai 2012.
Les pilotes et propriétaires d’équipe de course qui souhaitent participer à une ou des épreuves de la Série en 2012 sont invités à assister à la réunion d’information qui aura lieu à la salle de réception de Méchoui International, au 264 St-Grégoire, St-Étienne, G6J 1E8, le dimanche 11 mars à compter de 13 h. 

La levée de rideau pour la série se fera avec une journée d’essai et d’inspection à l’autodrome Montmagny le 12 mai et la première compétition, une manche de 75 tours, qui aura lieu le 19 mai à l’Autodrome St-Eustache dans le cadre du festival sportsman qui mettra aussi en vedette les Sportsmans ANCA et la classe Sportsman de la piste américaine Airborne Speedway.
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Pour de plus amples informations, contactez:

André Poulin, Président Série Sportsman Québec, courriel: andre.poulin@sportsman.ca, 581-998-7388

Préparé par M.P. Roy, courriel: mproy@roy-motorsports.com, 514-907-1773 poste 35


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Mason Mingus Focused On Helping Win-Tron Racing Wrestle Mobile Field

 


LAKEVILLE, Minnesota (March 5, 2012) - - Brentwood, Tennessee native Mason Mingus may not be a familiar fixture on the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards circuit - yet. Win-Tron Racing, considered by many, one of the most potent single-car operations in the series will hand the wheel of their No. 32 Toyota Camry to the rising phenom for Saturday’s Mobile ARCA 200 at Mobile (Ala.) International Speedway


Win-Tron Racing known for grooming up and comers has tightened their reins around Mingus all with the intentions of putting the former MMRA Mini Cup Series driver into contention in ARCA’s historic first visit to MIS.

Not only is the teenager juggling the books of being a High School scholar, but the 17-year old is excelling in his post-curricular activities in wrestling. Last month while the Win-Tron Racing team was partaking to the high-banks of Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway, Mingus was tackling the mats with his team in the State championship rounds after his team won their division title, where he placed an impressive fifth overall in his individual class.

With the former ARCA CRA-Super Series standout continuing to make noise throughout the hallways of his school, Mingus is now prepped and ready to return to business at the racetrack when he climbs aboard the No. 32 Call 811 Before You Dig Toyota Camry for his second career start in the ARCA Racing Series.

Mingus, in all aspects is used to pressure, so the bonus announcement of Win-Tron Racing expanding their newest protégés presence to a minimum of eight races on the 60-year old tour sheds light that Mingus will find himself gunning for another type of trophy by season’s end.

“I’ve been ready to go racing for a while,” said Mingus, a former competitor in the MMRA Baby Grand Series. “I’m excited about our race schedule increasing in the ARCA Racing Series. I think it’s going to help me immensely develop as a driver. I know I have a lot to learn and I’m going to be racing against some really good drivers, but it’s a comforting feeling to me knowing that I have the experience and faith of the group at Win-Tron Racing behind me. As a rookie, that eases the comfort level quite a bit.”

Call 811 Before You Dig, which leaped aboard for Mingus’s inaugural ARCA Racing Series debut last September at Salem (Ind.) Speedway has returned for the 2012 season and will hoist the title as the primary marketing partners of the team’s entry beginning with Saturday afternoon’s 200-lap dash.
811 is the new number you should call before you begin any digging project. A new, federally-mandated national "Call Before You Dig" number, 811 was created to help protect you from unintentionally hitting underground utility lines while working on digging projects. People digging often make risky assumptions about whether or not they should get their utility lines marked due to concerns about project delays, costs and previous calls about other projects. These assumptions can be life-threatening.
Every digging job requires a call – even small projects like planting trees or shrubs. If you hit an underground utility line while digging, you can harm yourself or those around you, disrupt service to an entire neighborhood and potentially be responsible for fines and repair costs.
“Call 811 Before You Dig is a great program and we want to increase their awareness and I feel that we’re going to make a major dent into that this season,” offered Mingus. “It’s really a great, informational service available and I’m extremely grateful to them for pairing up with me this season. Believe me, we’re going to do everything we can to spread their message and more importantly take them to Victory Lane!”
Nate Thiesse, co-car owner of Win-Tron Racing is eager to put his newest pupil behind the wheel of their Win-Tron Racing entries. He also admits that it won’t take long for the passion and devotion to set in for Mingus.
“We’ve worked with a lot of drivers, but I don’t think I’ve ever seen a driver so passionate about winning and eager to dig right in with the team,” offered Thiesse. “There isn’t a question in my mind that he can climb into our No. 32 Call 811 Before You Dig Toyota and become a contender. Mobile’s going to be a strong field, but one of Mason’s strongest suites is that he adapts quickly, so that has propelled the team’s morale a bunch heading into the weekend.”
In addition to Mobile (Ala.) International Speedway, Mingus has increased his ARCA Racing Series schedule from five races to eight races with the option of adding more races becoming likely. In addition to Mobile, Salem (Ind.) Speedway, Toledo Speedway, Elko (Minn.) Speedway, Winchester (Ind.) Speedway, Iowa Speedway, Lucas Oil Raceway and the traditional Fall Salem (Ind.) Speedway classic have all been laid out as Mingus’s ARCA Racing Series current short track blitz.
In addition to Call 811 Before You Dig, Diamond Equipment has leaped aboard the team as an associate marketing partner for Mingus’s foray into the development series.

The Mobile ARCA 200 (200 laps / 100 miles) is the second of 20 events on the 2012 ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards schedule. The first ARCA race held at MIS is a two-day show. Practice begins Friday, March 9 with a three and a half hour practice session planned from 1:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Menards pole qualifying presented by Ansell is set for later in the day at 7:00 p.m. An on-track autograph session has been etched in on race day, Saturday, March 10 from 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. The event will take the green flag shortly after 2:00 p.m. The race will not be televised on SPEED but additional race coverage including live timing and scoring will be available through the ARCA Racing Network (ARN) online at arcaracing.com.  All times are local.

Further information including driver opportunities with Win-Tron Racing is available by visiting win-tronracing.com or contacting Nate Thiesse at 612.306.1641

For more input on Call 811 Before You Dig, please connect to call811.com.

For more on Mason Mingus, please visit MasonMingusRacing.com.

About Win-Tron Racing:

Located in Lakeville, Minnesota, Win-Tron Racing is the home of one the most potent ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards single-car operations. Owned by former racers Kevin Cywinski and Nate Thiesse, the team since has acquired the assets of County Joe Racing has become a favorable fixture on the circuit. Since Win-Tron Racing’s inception in 2007, the team has hosted a variety of drivers including leading drivers James Buescher, Blake Bjorklund, Justin Marks and Matt Merrell to their first career ARCA victories. In 2012, the team will begin its sixth year of competition under the helm of veteran crew chief Mike Chaffee with current drivers Chris Windom and Mason Mingus.

PHOTO CAPTION: Mason Mingus with his No. 32 Call 811 Before You Dig Toyota Camry in the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards for Win-Tron Racing.

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2012-03-05

Austin Theriault: The Rattler 250 South Alabama Speedway Race Report

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – 3.5.12
For more information, visit http://www.austintheriault.com or E-Mail GWCNewEngland@gmail.com


KINSTON, Ala. – Austin Theriault of Fort Kent, Maine, finished seventh in the caution-filled Rattler 250 at South Alabama Speedway in Kinston, Ala., on Sunday, March 4. Theriault started 11th in the Brad Keselowski Racing No. 29 Checkered Flag Foundation Dodge after rain washed out all on-track activity on Saturday, and then he patiently avoided a slew of wrecks around him to post his best career Super Late Model finish. Theriault had worked into the Top-10 during the first half of the event, before another competitor's car spun into him and hurt the left rear of the No. 29. The team made several pit stops to try and repair the handling on Theriault's car, using some tire strategy en route to the seventh-place finish at the checkered flag.

 



WHO: Austin Theriault, Fort Kent, Maine
TEAM: BKR No. 29 Checkered Flag Foundation Dodge
CREW CHIEF: Gary Crooks, Mooresville, N.C.

WHAT: The Rattler 250
WHERE: South Alabama Speedway, Kinston, Ala. (.400-mile banked oval)
STARTED: 11th
FINISHED: 7th


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AUSTIN, IT LOOKED LIKE YOU HAD A PRETTY GOOD CAR ALL DAY BUT JUST COULDN'T GET THE TRACK POSITION YOU NEEDED.

“The car was pretty good right off the bat. We were holding our own there. We were just trying to settle in and save our stuff, save our tires for later in the race.

“We got racing side-by-side (with the car of Stephen Nasse). I was on the outside, and we must have raced like that for five or six laps. The guy just went into the corner too hard, and he lost it all by himself. When he spun, he hit us and it did something to our rear end. I'm not sure what – something with the trailing arm or the panhard bar – but that's probably what happened when the car went away from us for a while.”

 

WHAT DID YOU THINK OF THE RACE DIRECTOR'S CALL TO HAVE YOU RESTART IN THE REAR JUST BEFORE HALFWAY?

“They put us to the back on the restart. They said we were involved in the caution. I didn't quite agree with the call, but we had to go to the back of the pack, anyway. On the next two cautions after that, we came in and tried to fix it. We never quite did, but it did get better.”

 

HOW MUCH BETTER WAS THE CAR?

 

“I thought we might have had a Top-5 car at one point, but tire strategy played into it. We kind of burned our tires coming through the field after that restart in the back. Overall, the guys worked hard all weekend and especially trying to work on the car (during the race). Pit stops were great, we gained a couple of spots on pit road, and we're definitely making progress as a team.

“The day very well could have gone downhill after that contact. We almost went a lap down at one point. Before all of the adjustments we made, we were probably five laps from going down a lap. It goes to show, you can never give up.”

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PASS South Ready To Blast Off 2012 Season at Dillon Motor Speedway

 

CHARLOTTE, NC (March 5) – Anticipation has been building all Winter for the start of the 2012 Pro All Stars Series (PASS) South Super Late Models season to start. It all begins at Dillon Motor Speedway on Saturday, March 10th, a familiar setting for the nation’s top Super Late Model drivers. The 7th Annual South Carolina Clash marks the third time in the last four years that PASS South has began its season at Ron Barfield’s tough 4/10 mile oval, patterned after the legendary Darlington Raceway. And this year’s race is wide open with the retirement of former Dillon winner Justin Wakefield and two-time South Carolina Clash winner Ryan Blaney who is moving on to the NASCAR K&N Pro Series.

 

“I was thinking that since Blaney and Wakefield won’t be there that it was gonna be a Peltier and Fogleman show, but there are a ton of new cars this year that should have a shot to win every week,” said 2010 PASS National and PASS South Champion Preston Peltier. “We’ve been working really hard over the Winter and hopefully all the hard work will pay off.”

Dillon Motor Speedway holds a special place in Peltier’s heart since it is the track where he joined the Harold Johnson-owned #26 team back in 2009. The combination has proved tough, winning championships and taking six checkered flags since joining forces. But, this year Dillon is important to Peltier for a different reason.

“This race is for little Angel Thompson, who has cancer on her brain stem,” said Peltier. “She’s a big race fan and we’re gonna try to raise some money to help her family pay for her medical bills.”

Ross Kenseth will be making only his second career PASS South start after an impressive 7th place finish in 2011 at North Wilkesboro Speedway in THE RACE. Kenseth will be balancing his studies at Clemson University with racing for the PASS South Championship in 2012. And, it all begins with the South Carolina Clash.

“I’m really excited to go to a new place and race against some different guys I haven’t raced with very often,” said Kenseth, who recently tested at Dillon Motor Speedway.

For veteran driver Steve Wallace, the 2012 PASS South season will mark a chance at redemption. Wallace returns to his short track roots in the #66 Leavitt Racing Components house car as he attempts to make his first ever PASS South start at Dillon.

“I’m excited to get back to my roots,” said Wallace, who has Late Model wins at Nashville, Bristol, and Pensacola. “I built a new car and hopefully we can win with it in PASS. It’s weird not racing a full Nationwide schedule this year, but for once racing is fun again!”

For whoever goes to Dillon Motor Speedway’s victory lane, it certainly will not be easy. The field is stacked with experienced veterans and young up-and-comers. Ben Rowe, the 2009 South Carolina Clash winner, makes the tow down from Maine to jump start his 2012 racing season. He’ll be joined by fellow New Englander Kyle Desouza, who will be attempting his first PASS South start at Dillon. Perenial championship contender Jay Fogleman returns to the site of his first ever PASS race with new teammate David Latour, Jr., ironically attempting his first PASS South green flag. Several duos of teammates will be at Dillon including Coulter Motorsports’ Gray Gaulding and Craig Goess, Jr., Eddie Sharp Racing’s Brandon Jones and William Gallagher, and Brad Keselowski Racing’s Landon Cling and Nate Caruth. Veteran Brandon Ward is back in a brand new car for New Day Motorsports and is not only looking for his first PASS South win, but hopes to be a serious contender for the championship. PASS South newcomer Kyle Grissom makes the leap from Late Model Stocks to Super Late Models and will be joined by veterans Tim Pinion, Tim Nooner, and Spencer Wauters. Wauters has two career best finishes of fifth at Dillon in 2009 and 2010. Lake Junalaska, NC’s James Holton looks to make his first PASS South race, but it will be tough with home state veterans Clete Caywood and RA Brown to compete against.

The 7th Annual South Carolina Clash roars into Dillon Motor Speedway March 9th and 10th. There will be rotating practice on Friday, March 9th for all divisions from 3 PM until dark. On Saturday, March 10th, gates open at 9 AM with rotating practice for the PASS South Super Late Models, PASS Super Limiteds, CCS Legends, CCS Bandoleros, and Mini Cups from 11 AM until 3 PM. Qualifying begins at 4 PM and will be followed by the feature division races. PASS South then heads to South Boston (VA) Speedway on Saturday, March 24th for 150 laps with Twin 75’s for the NASCAR Late Model Stocks and a main event for the CCS Legends. For more information on any PASS division go to ProAllStarsSeries.com.

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