Confident Maryeve Dufault Anxious For Toledo Speedway Return
TOLEDO, Ohio (October 12, 2011) - - After a solid 18th place showing at Kansas Speedway last Friday night, Sorel, Quebec Canada native Maryeve Dufault returns to Toledo Speedway in her No. 12 Mad Croc / Dodge Motorsports / Tony Marks Racing Dodge Charger this weekend looking to end her first season of ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards in style with another good showing in Sunday afternoon’s Federated Car Care 200. Rewinding back to Kansas Speedway for a minute, Dufault showed strength and speed despite a hiccup in qualifying which forced the Tony Marks Racing development driver to start the Kansas Lottery 98.9 from the rear of the field after a cut down tire caused her to spin but she miraculously kept her automobile off the wall; showing overwhelming car control coming to the completion of her first lap. Starting from the 32nd position without any damage to her hotrod, Dufault rocketed her Chrysler nameplate through the field to maneuver her seventh top-20 effort of the year and earn for her second consecutive race (Pocono and Kansas) the CGS Imaging Hard Charger award. |
“We thought we could get a little bit more out of the car for qualifying, but we went too far on the adjustment causing my car to travel more than expected on the track, ultimately cutting down the tire on my first lap causing me to spin. Still, we were able to recover nicely in the race,” Dufault explained. On the heels of two strong showings reverting back to Pocono (Pa.) Raceway in August, the former NASCAR Canadian Tire Series pilot now turns her attention towards short track beating and banging where on Sunday afternoon she is gunning for her second top-10 finish of the season and end her rookie season on a high note that will lean over into 2012. “The last two races have been great and there is no reason we can’t move forward even further this weekend,” said Dufault. “A race like we had last Friday night considering all of the circumstances and the length of the race proved that our program is improving all the way around.” To further propel her confidence towards the 19th race of the season, Dufault and her teammate Jared Marks recently tested at the half-mile oval with stellar results which gives the now Davidson, North Carolina resident some motivation and objectives in her No. 12 Mad Croc / Dodge Motorsports / Tony Marks Racing Dodge Charger. “I was thankful that we tested, it helped me a lot,” she added. “Both of the Tony Marks Racing cars were pretty equal and we’re coming back this weekend – hoping to find even more speed. I like Toledo Speedway; it’s a cool place and probably one of my favorite short tracks. Unfortunately, even though we were running 11th in the spring, a lapped car put a bunch of us in a bad situation and started a chain-reaction incident and we were caught up in it. So, we weren’t able to put together the finish that we had hoped for. By now, I’m hoping I’ve earned some respect from my peers on the track and they will race me how they want to be raced. Everyone on the team deserves to see our No. 12 near the front of the field and I’m hoping we’re able to accomplish that on Sunday afternoon.” For the team’s second attempt to conquer Toledo Speedway, the team has brought on Tommy Buzze, the champion car chief from 2010 ARCA Racing Series championship team Sheltra Motorsports to call the shots for Dufault on Sunday afternoon. “I’ve really heard nothing but good things about Tommy and his credentials are obviously impressive,” Dufault explained. “It’s a good thing for TMR to be expanding to two cars more frequently and definitely having Tommy on the pit box on Sunday will do nothing but help the program all the way around and I’m all for that. I’m looking forward to working with him.” Following Toledo, Dufault plans to regroup with her Mooresville, North Carolina-based team and prepare for 2012 which includes returning to the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards for another year of battle. “I’ve been incredibly grateful for everything that has happened to me this year,” Dufault humbling stated. “The learning process has been extensive but nothing but positive as far as I’m concerned. We’ll spend the off-season getting the cars together and working on hopefully bringing some more marketing partners on-board to kick off the new season. One thing is for sure, we’ll be back and better than ever.” Car owner Tony Marks offered his insight on Sunday’s anticipated thriller. “I cannot wait to see both of our Tony Marks Racing entries duking it out for a good finish on Sunday afternoon,” said Marks, a successful entrepreneur from Ohio. “The test went extremely well and Maryeve’ confidence is contagious, so I’m anxious to see the green flag drop and see her end the ARCA season on a positive note.” In addition to backing from Mad Croc Energy, Dodge Motorsports, the freshman organization welcomes additional support from Hickory’s Best Beef Jerky, Walgreens, Pilkington Glass, Cool Off Icy Towelettes and the University of Northwestern Ohio (UNOH) for Sunday’s festivities. The Federated Car Care 200 (200 laps / 100 miles) is the 19th of 19 events on the 2011 ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards schedule. The 70th ARCA race at Toledo Speedway is a two-day show. Practice begins Saturday, October 15 with a forty five minute practice session planned from 12:00 p.m. – 12:45 p.m. A final forty five minute “happy hour” session has been etched in from 1:40 p.m. – 2:25 p.m. Menards pole qualifying presented by Ansell is set for later in the day slated to begin at 4:00 p.m. A one hour on-track autograph session has been etched in from 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. on race day (Sunday). The contest will take the green flag shortly after 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 16. The event will be televised live on SPEED with additional race coverage including live timing and scoring throughout the 1,331st race for the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards since it was formed in 1953 will be available through the ARCA Racing Network (ARN) online at arcaracing.com presented by ARCANation.com. All times are local. To learn more about Tony Marks Racing, please click over to Tmr-racing.com. For more on Maryeve Dufault, please log onto Maryeveracing.com. For additional information on TMT, Inc. please visit; tmtcompanies.net. |
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