2012-06-04

Tyler Betts Gambles on a Strong Kawartha Speedway Season

By Jim Clarke, Kawartha Speedway PR/Clarke Motorsports Communications

 

The ironic twist of racing at Kawartha Speedway – where an OLG casino is a stone’s throw from the front stretch – hasn’t been lost on a NAPA Auto Parts ACT Late Model runner named ‘Betts’.  At 21 years of age, second generation speedster Tyler Betts – whose father Terry recorded top 10 point finishes in 2007 and 2008, running the track’s former limited late model division – says he’s ready to roll the dice at a chance of success in the 3/8th mile Fraserville, Ontario oval’s highly competitive headline class.

 

“I’m heading into my first year at Kawartha with 2 goals,” said the millwright industrial mechanic apprentice.  “I want to learn as much as I can and have fun.  As the weeks go by, I know I’ll get more out of the car but right now, I’m going in with an empty notebook.  It’s only my 3rd season of racing, so there’s no way anyone can expect me to know everything.  Some solid top 10 showings can’t help but make me a better racer.”

 

Hampton, Ontario’s Tyler Betts will go into battle wheeling a 2012 Chevrolet Impala from Howe Racing Enterprises of Beaverton, Michigan.  His Toreion/Pingle’s Farm Market/Farm Bro Racing/Pro Street Automotive machine carries the same number his father used during his career.  After turning wrenches and helping out behind the scenes on his Dad’s equipment, Tyler is excited about taking the next step in his motorsports development.

 

“Its a challenge to make the cars fast on a consistent basis and running with the late models at Kawartha puts me head-to-head with some of the best in business,” said Betts.  “I was able to pick-up a few solid skills in my 2 seasons at Mosport and finishing 5th in 2011 late model points there increased my confidence level and made me think about doing something new this year.”

 

A dedicated, family racing operation, Tyler Betts has his father Terry, mother Sue and sister Melissa cheering for him at the racetrack and helping to get the car ready for action.  Girlfriend Tennille Drysdale pitches-in as well, offering emotional support and a well-timed smile. The driver says having so many familiar faces around his team helps get him through even the toughest times.

 

“You don’t need to look too far to see the importance that family members can bring to a team,” said Tyler Betts.  “Many of the top runners – not just at Kawartha, but every track – have family involvement.  Some drivers are second generation runners like me and for others, it goes even deeper than that.  Youngsters used to get pumped-up about a particular driver while watching the races with their parents, but with the strength of karting and other driver development programs, they’re getting a fast start behind the wheel.  I’m just 21, but I’m still amazed at the talent level of these kids and how quickly they’re able to advance through the ranks.”

 

While he enjoys every aspect of the sport, Tyler Betts says he looks forward to leading laps and eventually, winning races.  Echoing the comments of many before him, the young racer is concerned about the cost of building and maintaining a competitive team but is looking forward to an exciting season at Kawartha.

 

Kawartha klips:  With the rainout Friday, June 1st the 2012 season opener at Kawartha Speedway has been delayed until Friday, June 15th.  A 100 lap invitational event for the NAPA Auto Parts ACT Late Models will headline a show that also features Thunder Cars and the Hasiuk Trailer and Container Rental Mini Stocks...Late Model racer Earl Ireland of Earl Ireland Auto Sales will supply trophies for feature event winners throughout the 2012 season...Kawartha Speedway welcomes Rice Lake Fuels as the official supplier of Klotz Racing Fuel for all 3 regular divisions.

 

Photo attachment:  Jim Clarke – Clarke Motorsports Communications

Hampton, Ontario’s Tyler Betts will battle for rookie of the year honours in Kawartha Speedway’s NAPA Auto Parts ACT Late Model division during the 2012 season.

 

Prepared by:  Jim Clarke – Clarke Motorsports Communications

 


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Ranger Collects Circuit ICAR Victory

For Immediate Release

(Added quotes and race details)

 

Adds Another Win To Road-Course Résumé

 

MIRABEL, Que. (June 3, 2012) – Andrew Ranger held off J.R. Fitzpatrick and Scott Steckly in a green-white-checker finish to pick up his first NASCAR Canadian Tire Series win of the season taking the ICAR Lucas Oil Grand Prix presented by Budweiser on Sunday at Circuit ICAR.

Ranger, a two-time series champion out of Roxton Pond, Que., took the lead in his No. 27 Dodge/GC Motorsports Dodge from D.J. Kennington on Lap 7 and remained out front the rest of the way to pick up his 17th career win in the series. It was his 12th on a road course with seven of those coming in his home province of Quebec. Ranger has three wins each at Montreal’s Circuit Gilles Villeneuve and Circuit de Trois-Rivieres in Quebec while this is his first triumph at the Mirabel track.

 

It wasn’t a prototypical win for Ranger, though. In his previous 11 road-course wins, the 25-year-old had an average starting position of second. However, after weather forced the cancellation of qualifying on Saturday, the field was lined up per the series rule book which gave Ranger a start from the 16th position.

“This was a great win. We have a new team this year and to get the first win of the season is special,” said Ranger.

Battling Fitzpatrick for the win is nothing new for Ranger, but he was able to handle all of the challenges throughout the race.

“My car was really good and my times were consistent, but it took a couple of laps to get going on the restarts,” said Ranger, who is the series’ all-time leader in wins with 17. “(Fitzpatrick) always races hard and I knew he would make some runs on that last restart. He did, but I was able to hang on.”

Fitzpatrick, who trailed Ranger to the line by .507 seconds, followed his season-opening win two weeks ago with a runner-up finish after battling back from an early spin.

“I made a couple of mistakes early on that created some issues for a couple of other guys and for that I’m sorry,” said the 24-year-old Fitzpatrick. “Once I settled down we were able to work our way back up from 15th or something.”

Steckly rebounded from an early penalty for rough driving to finish third after getting the start from the pole position. He clearly disagreed with the penalty call, but was diplomatic afterward.

“We started first and finished third,” said the defending series champion. “It was a good day for the Canadian Tire car.”

Last season’s Rookie of the Year Louis-Philippe Dumoulin finished fourth for his second straight top-five finish while Kennington followed in fifth.

Alex Labbe finished an impressive sixth in his series debut trailed by Jean-Francois Dumoulin in seventh. Jeff Lapcevich, Ron Beauchamp Jr. and rookie Martin Roy completed the top 10.

The race was slowed due to caution four times for 10 laps and the lead change between Ranger and Kennington was the only one in the 31-lap race.

In the point standings, Fitzpatrick was able to retain his place at the top, but has just a one-point advantage over Ranger. Both Kennington and Steckly sit seven points back.

The NASCAR Canadian Tire Series takes on an oval track for the first time in 2012 in its next outing on Saturday, June 16 on the Speedway at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park in Bowmanville, Ont.

 

Contact:

Shon Sbarra

 

 

NASCAR CANDADIAN TIRE SERIES-ICAR Lucas Oil Grand Prix presented by Budweiser Results

Sunday

At Circuit ICAR

Mirabel, Que.

Lap length: 2.113 miles

(Start position in parentheses)

1. (16) Andrew Ranger, Roxton Pond, Que., Dodge, 31 laps, 54.359 mph.

2. (3) JR Fitzpatrick, Cambridge, Ont., Chevrolet, 31.

3. (1) Scott Steckly, Milverton, Ont., Dodge, 31.

4. (12) Louis-Philippe Dumoulin, Trois-Rivieres, Que., Dodge, 31.

5. (2) DJ Kennington, St. Thomas, Ont., Dodge, 31.

6. (25) Alex Labbe, St. Albert, Que., Dodge, 31.

7. (26) J.F. Dumoulin, Trois-Rivieres, Que., Dodge, 31.

8. (9) Jeff Lapcevich, Grimsby, Ont., Dodge, 31.

9. (5) Ron Beauchamp, Jr., Windsor, Ont., Dodge, 31.

10. (21) Martin Roy, Napierville, Que, Dodge, 31.

11. (13) Steve Cote, Ile Bizard, Que, Chevrolet, 31.

12. (20) Larry Jackson, Oakville, Ont., Dodge, 31.

13. (6) Jason White, Sun Peaks, B.C., Dodge, 31.

14. (19) Dave Coursol, St. Jerome, Que., Dodge, 31.

15. (24) Ray Courtemanche Jr., Montreal, Que., Dodge, 31.

16. (17) Howie Scannell Jr., Milton, Ont., Dodge, 31.

17. (14) Hugo Vannini, Repentigny, Que., Ford, 31.

18. (10) Noel Dowler, Sherwood Park, Alta., Dodge, 31.

19. (29) Michel Pilon, Blainville, Que., Chevrolet, 31.

20. (22) Jarrad Whissell, Calgary, Alta., Ford, 31.

21. (4) Kerry Micks, Mt. Albert, Ont., Ford, 30.

22. (23) Mike Scholz, Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., Chevrolet, 29, off track.

23. (7) Jason Hathaway, Dutton, Ont., Dodge, 24.

24. (18) Derek White, Kahnawake, Que., Chevrolet, 23, off track.

25. (11) Isabelle Tremblay, St. Hippolyte, Que., Dodge, 15, rear end.

26. (15) Robin Buck, Campbellville, Ont., Dodge, 6, off track.

27. (8) Dexter Stacey, Kahnawake, Que., Dodge, 5, off track.

28. (27) Elie Arseneau, Laval, Que., Chevrolet, 4, suspension.

29. (28) Dave Connelly, Arnprior, Ont., Dodge, 1, suspension.

Race Statistics

Time of Race: 1 hour 12 minutes 18 seconds

Margin of Victory: .507 seconds

Fastest Qualifier: None (weather)

Caution Flags: 4 for 10 laps.

Lead Changes: 1 among 2 drivers.

Lap Leaders: D. Kennington 1-6; A. Ranger 7-31.

Standings: 1. J. Fitzpatrick, 90; 2. A. Ranger, 89; 3. D. Kennington, 83; 4. S. Steckly, 83; 5. L. Dumoulin, 79; 6. J. Lapcevich, 72; 7. R. Beauchamp,Jr., 69; 8. J. White, 63; 9. K. Micks, 60; 10. M. Roy, 60.

 


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LOUIS-PHILIPPE DUMOULIN À UNE MARCHE DU PODIUM

COMMUNIQUÉ DE PRESSE
(Pour diffusion immédiate)

LOUIS-PHILIPPE DUMOULIN À UNE MARCHE DU PODIUM
Grand Prix Lucas Oil - ICAR

Trois-Rivières, le 3 juin 2012 – Louis-Philippe Dumoulin a réalisé le deuxième top-5 de la saison en signant une quatrième place au Grand Prix Lucas Oil ICAR de Mirabel, ce jour. Au volant de la voiture no 47 WeatherTech Canada/Bellemare, la recrue de l’année 2011 en série NASCAR Canadian Tire a pris le départ en douzième position et s’est battue avec le peloton de tête dès le septième tour de piste jusqu’au drapeau à damiers.

PRESS RELEASE
(For immediate diffusion)

LOUIS-PHILIPPE DUMOULIN ONE STEP FROM THE PODIUM
Grand Prix Lucas Oil - ICAR

Trois-Rivieres, June 3rd 2012 – Louis-Philippe Dumoulin realized a second Top-5 result this season finishing in fourth position at Grand Prix Lucas Oil in Mirabel today. Behind the wheel of no 47 car WeatherTech Canada/Bellemare, the rookie of the year in 2011 started in twelfth position and fought with the leaders from the seventh lap to the checkered flag.

 

Louis-Philippe Dumoulin a réalisé le deuxième meilleur temps (2:06.870) lors des essais de la veille (2 juin 2012), qui se sont déroulés sous la pluie battante. Averses tellement abondantes que les Officiels de la série ont pris la décision d’annuler la séance de qualifications de l’après-midi. Le positionnement sur la grille de départ a été effectué selon le classement final de l’année dernière. Vingt-neuf bolides ont pris le départ de cette course ponctuée de nombreux changements de positions chez les meneurs, pénalités et neutralisations.

Le cadet des frères Dumoulin a dû jongler avec un accrochage en piste dès les premiers tours. « Nous sommes partis en 12e position, Robin Buck a percuté la voiture en début de course, malgré un 360, j’ai réussi à repositionner la voiture no 47 WeatherTech Canada/Bellemare rapidement sans perdre de position. Toutefois, les échappements ont été abimés ayant comme impact la surchauffe du moteur et perte de puissance tout au long de la course, ne permettant pas de se battre pour la victoire. De plus, dans le dernier tour, une valve s’est débarrée causant davantage de dommages. Un tour de plus et nous ne pouvions pas terminer la course », explicite le pilote québécois.

Louis-Philippe Dumoulin est satisfait de cette quatrième position, d’autant plus que l’équipe a dû préparer la voiture selon des ajustements en prévision de la météo qui s’annonçait peu clémente (www.meteomedia.com).
« Dans ces conditions, sachant que nous n’avions pas de puissance, une quatrième position avec la voiture no 47 WeatherTech Canada/Bellemare est intéressante, mais nous visons le podium et la victoire pour les prochaines épreuves », partage avec aplomb l’instructeur de pilotage professionnel.

« La synergie d’équipe était présente et nous avons offert un spectacle à la hauteur de notre partenaire majeur WeatherTech Canada. C’est un plaisir d’être associé à une compagnie Nord Américaine qui se soucie de la qualité optimale de leurs produits », mentionne Louis-Philippe Dumoulin.

WeatherTech Canada conçoit, développe des accessoires automobiles haut de gamme et sur mesure pour les consommateurs et les manufacturiers. Ils fabriquent et manufacturent digitalement des tapis de voiture toutes saisons, tapis de protection arrière ainsi que des garde-boues (sans vis), aux États-Unis, pour tous types de véhicules en Amérique du Nord. Les ingénieurs utilisent les outils les plus sophistiqués disponibles pour la saisie des données et la géométrie complexe des véhicules, telles que les surfaces au sol, les zones de rangement, les ouvertures de fenêtre ou les ailes (standards de qualité optimale).

Louis-Philippe Dumoulin, en partenariat avec WeatherTech Canada et Groupe Bellemare, sera de retour au Canadian Tire Motosport park (Mosport Speedway 200) le 16 juin prochain.

« Passion – Performance – Partenariats »

-30-

Louis-Philippe Dumoulin set the second fastest time (2:06.870) during tests the previous day (June 2, 2012), which took place in the pouring rain. The rain was so heavy that the officials of the series took the decision to cancel the qualifying session of the afternoon. The positioning of the grid has been done according to final ranking last year. Twenty-nine cars took the start of the race punctuated by many changes of positions among the leaders, penalties and neutralization.

The youngest of the brothers Dumoulin had to manage a collision on the track since from the first laps. "We started in 12th position, Robin Buck struck the car early in the race and despite a 360, I managed to reposition the No. 47 car WeatherTech Canada/Bellemare quickly without losing position. However, the exhausts were damaged causing engine overheating and power loss throughout the race, making it impossible to fight for the victory. Moreover, in the last lap, a valve unlocked causing further damages. One more lap and we could not finish the race, "explains the Quebec driver.

Louis-Philippe Dumoulin is satisfied with this fourth position, especially as the team had to prepare the car adjustments according to weather forecast which promised to be not mild (www.meteomedia.com).
"In these circumstances, knowing that we had no power, a fourth place with the no 47 car WeatherTech Canada/ Bellemare is interesting, but we want the victory podium for the next races," shares the professional driver instructor.

"The team has a great synergy and we have offered a show to prove equal to our major partner WeatherTech Canada. It is a pleasure to be associated with a North American company that cares about the optimal quality of their products, "said Louis-Philippe Dumoulin.

WeatherTech Canada designs, develops and produces high quality digitally custom-fitted FloorLiners, All-Weather Floor Mats, Cargo Liners and No-Drill Mudflaps in the USA on North American machinery for customers and manufacturers. Engineers use the newest technology available for data entry and the geometric complexity required by the vehicles for floor-surface coverings, storage areas, aisles and window openings (at a superior quality standards).

Louis-Philippe Dumoulin, in partnership with Canada and WeatherTech Group Bellemare, will be back at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park (Mosport Speedway 200) on June 16th.

« Passion – Performance – Partenariats »
-30-

 


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Ranger Collects Circuit ICAR Victory

For Immediate Release

 

Adds Another Win To Road-Course Résumé

 

MIRABEL, Que. (June 3, 2012) – Andrew Ranger held off J.R. Fitzpatrick and Scott Steckly in a green-white-checker finish to pick up his first NASCAR Canadian Tire Series win of the season taking the ICAR Lucas Oil Grand Prix presented by Budweiser Sunday at Circuit ICAR.

Ranger, a two-time series champion out of Roxton Pond, Que., took the lead in his No. 27 Dodge/GC Motorsports Dodge from D.J. Kennington on Lap 7 and remained out front the rest of the way to pick up his 17th career win in the series. It was his 12th on a road course with seven of those coming in his home province of Quebec.

 

Fitzpatrick, who trailed Ranger to the line by .507 seconds, followed his season-opening win two weeks ago with a runner-up finish. Steckly rebounded from an early penalty for rough driving to finish third while Louis-Philippe Dumoulin and Kennington finished fourth and fifth, respectively.

Alex Labbe finished an impressive sixth in his series debut followed by Jean-Francois Dumoulin in seventh. Jeff Lapcevich, Ron Beauchamp Jr. and rookie Martin Roy completed the top 10.

The race was slowed due to caution four times for 10 laps.

In the point standings, Fitzpatrick was able to retain his place at the top, but has just a one-point advantage over Ranger. Both Kennington and Steckly sit seven points back.

The NASCAR Canadian Tire Series takes on an oval track for the first time in 2012 in its next outing on Saturday, June 16 on the Speedway at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park in Bowmanville, Ont.

 

Contact:

Shon Sbarra

 

NASCAR CANDADIAN TIRE SERIES-ICAR Lucas Oil Grand Prix presented by Budweiser Results

Sunday

At Circuit ICAR

Mirabel, Que.

Lap length: 2.113 miles

(Start position in parentheses)

1. (16) Andrew Ranger, Roxton Pond, Que., Dodge, 31 laps, 54.359 mph.

2. (3) JR Fitzpatrick, Cambridge, Ont., Chevrolet, 31.

3. (1) Scott Steckly, Milverton, Ont., Dodge, 31.

4. (12) Louis-Philippe Dumoulin, Trois-Rivieres, Que., Dodge, 31.

5. (2) DJ Kennington, St. Thomas, Ont., Dodge, 31.

6. (25) Alex Labbe, St. Albert, Que., Dodge, 31.

7. (26) J.F. Dumoulin, Trois-Rivieres, Que., Dodge, 31.

8. (9) Jeff Lapcevich, Grimsby, Ont., Dodge, 31.

9. (5) Ron Beauchamp, Jr., Windsor, Ont., Dodge, 31.

10. (21) Martin Roy, Napierville, Que, Dodge, 31.

11. (13) Steve Cote, Ile Bizard, Que, Chevrolet, 31.

12. (20) Larry Jackson, Oakville, Ont., Dodge, 31.

13. (6) Jason White, Sun Peaks, B.C., Dodge, 31.

14. (19) Dave Coursol, St. Jerome, Que., Dodge, 31.

15. (24) Ray Courtemanche Jr., Montreal, Que., Dodge, 31.

16. (17) Howie Scannell Jr., Milton, Ont., Dodge, 31.

17. (14) Hugo Vannini, Repentigny, Que., Ford, 31.

18. (10) Noel Dowler, Sherwood Park, Alta., Dodge, 31.

19. (29) Michel Pilon, Blainville, Que., Chevrolet, 31.

20. (22) Jarrad Whissell, Calgary, Alta., Ford, 31.

21. (4) Kerry Micks, Mt. Albert, Ont., Ford, 30.

22. (23) Mike Scholz, Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., Chevrolet, 29, off track.

23. (7) Jason Hathaway, Dutton, Ont., Dodge, 24.

24. (18) Derek White, Kahnawake, Que., Chevrolet, 23, off track.

25. (11) Isabelle Tremblay, St. Hippolyte, Que., Dodge, 15, rear end.

26. (15) Robin Buck, Campbellville, Ont., Dodge, 6, off track.

27. (8) Dexter Stacey, Kahnawake, Que., Dodge, 5, off track.

28. (27) Elie Arseneau, Laval, Que., Chevrolet, 4, suspension.

29. (28) Dave Connelly, Arnprior, Ont., Dodge, 1, suspension.

Race Statistics

Time of Race: 1 hour 12 minutes 18 seconds

Margin of Victory: .507 seconds

Fastest Qualifier: None (weather)

Caution Flags: 4 for 10 laps.

Lead Changes: 1 among 2 drivers.

Lap Leaders: D. Kennington 1-6; A. Ranger 7-31.

Standings: 1. J. Fitzpatrick, 90; 2. A. Ranger, 89; 3. D. Kennington, 83; 4. S. Steckly, 83; 5. L. Dumoulin, 79; 6. J. Lapcevich, 72; 7. R. Beauchamp,Jr., 69; 8. J. White, 63; 9. K. Micks, 60; 10. M. Roy, 60.

 


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La course de la série Sportsman ICAR Challenge remise au 23 juin

Communiqué pour publication immédiate

 

Un week-end sous la pluie pour le premier Grand Prix de la saison

Mirabel, Québec, le 03 juin 2012 – C’est sous un week-end de pluie que se déroule le premier Grand Prix de la saison au Québec. Lors de la première journée, le 2 juin, toute les séries sauf la série Cup lites ont roulées comme prévu sur le circuit. La qualification prévue à 15h50 pour la série Nascar Canadian Tire a cependant été annulée en raison de la mauvaise température. La série fera tout de même la course principale à 13h30 aujourd’hui. La grille de départ, déterminée selon le règlement en cas d’annulation de qualification, donne la pole au champion de la série en 2011 qui défend son titre soit Scott Steckly. Elie Arseneau, qui a obtenu le meilleur temps lors de la deuxième session d’essais, partira quant à lui à la 27e position sur 29. 

 

Vu la pluie annoncée aujourd’hui, les membres de CISA et de la direction de la série Sportsman ICAR Challenge ont décidé de reporter la première course de la série au samedi 23 juin lors du ICAR Sundown.

— 30 —

 


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Brennan Poole Leads 148 Laps, Dominates for Second ARCA Win in Akona 200 at Elko Speedway

For Immediate Release:

Saturday, June 2, 2012

 

(ELKO NEW MARKET, Minn.) - Brennan Poole passed Frank Kimmel for the lead in the Akona 200 presented by Federated Car Care on Lap 134 of 200 and did not relent, winning his second race in the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards.

 

Poole (No. 25 Venturini Motorsports Chevrolet) led 148 laps in all after first taking the lead from Matt Lofton (No. 16 Strutmasters.com Chevrolet) on Lap 12 and leading until the caution flag was out on Lap 92, then ultimately running first for the final 67 laps.

 

Matt Lofton finished second over Chris Buescher (No. 17 BeavEx/Reliance Tool Ford), and they were followed by Kimmel (No. 44 Ansell/Menards Toyota) and Tom Hessert (No. 52 Federated Auto Parts Chevrolet).

 

"The car was really good," said Poole, whose last win came in his series debut last spring at Salem Speedway in Indiana. "I can't thank Venturini Motorsports enough. It's pretty awesome to win the inaugural race at Elko. I had a lot of fun here tonight. The track's a blast. Of course, it's always fun when you've got such a good race car. I was slipping and sliding and trying to get everything out of it coming into the corner, dodging traffic. It was crazy.

 

"We've never been to a place like this. I'm proud of my guys and all the work they did."

 

The race was the first for ARCA at Elko Speedway, just south of Minneapolis and St. Paul. ARCA's top division had never before appeared in Minnesota.

 

Poole had shown his dominance early in the race, pulling away to leads of over three seconds on second place and more than 10 seconds on third. When Poole drove away, he truly got away from the field. Often, he would cross the start/finish line when someone as high as third place was just exiting Turn 2 on the 0.375-mile oval.

 

His final margin of victory was 1.205 second, perhaps a conservative margin.

 

"The car was really good out front and it worked really well in traffic," said the 21-year-old from The Woodlands, Texas. "We were just a little bit tight, so we had to save the right front once we got into the lead. I kind of used up what I had to get into the lead so once I got there, I just tried to let it ride and protect that right front. That first run, I was good up front, but I used up my right front tire and started to get tight late in the run.

 

"I thought our pit strategy was great. (Crew chief) Billy (Venturini) made a great call on that. We came down and got four tires a little later than some of the other guys and our car was good enough to march to the front of the field."

 

Alex Bowman (No. 22 St. Jude Children's Research Hospital Dodge) won the Menards Pole Award presented by Ansell for the third time in six races this season, but could only hold the lead for eight laps before being passed by Lofton. Poole opened up a quarter-second lead at Lap 12 and extended it to more than three seconds by Lap 42. His lead over Lofton had fallen off to less than two seconds when a car spun on Lap 67 to bring out the race's first caution. While Kimmel, Buescher, Bowman, Lofton, and other contenders elected to pit, Poole stayed out and got away clean at the Lap 76 restart.

 

Kimmel, driving on fresh tires, rose to third by Lap 86 and second over Hessert on Lap 89, but Poole still led by more than a second. Another spin on Lap 91 brought out the race's second caution flag, causing Poole to pit.

 

Kimmel took the lead under the yellow flag on Lap 93, driving ahead of Lofton, Buescher, Poole, and Ryan Reed. He led out of the Lap 97 restart, and stayed there through two more caution periods, which concluded with green flags on Laps 117 and 123.

 

The Lap 123 restart would prove to be the race's last, and Kimmel led a two-by-two pack as cars moved back to speed. On his outside was Buescher, and the two were trailed by Lofton on the inside and Poole on the outside, in fourth. Kimmel originally got away and the group became a single line six laps later, but Poole moved inside Lofton for third on Lap 130. Three laps later, he passed Buescher on the backstretch, and one lap later he took the lead from Kimmel in the same place. Buescher moved past Kimmel for second, but Kimmel eventually regained the spot.

 

Side-by-side traffic throughout the race's late stages allowed Poole to get away. Hessert climbed to fourth in the final laps and had a look at third place. Larry Barford Jr., driving several laps down, drove into Hessert and Buescher as they all drove to the checkered flag, setting off some personal fireworks between Hessert and Barford as Poole coasted to a final victory margin of 1.205 seconds. He now leads Hessert by 10 points in the unofficial series standings.

 

Joey Miller, making his first ARCA start since last August, finished sixth at his home track; Miller is from Lakeville, Minn., and was looking for his sixth ARCA win after leading the first practice. Chad Hackenbracht, who won a national legends championship at Elko in 2008, finished seventh. Erik Jones, Mason Mingus, and Jared Marks filled out the top 10.

 

From the green flag to the checkered flag, the race last just 44 seconds over an hour, a 74.09 mph pace. Four caution flags slowed the field for 26 laps.

 

The ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards will visit Pocono Raceway for the first of two events this season next Saturday, June 9. SPEED will air the race at 2:30 p.m. on a same-day delay, one of 10 broadcasts for the series on the network this season. ARCARacing.com will feature live timing and scoring of all on-track events Friday and Saturday.

  

 

2012 ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards Event #6

Elko Speedway, Elko Minnesota, 6-2-12

Akona 200 presented by Federated Car Care

June 2, 2012 / 10:11 PM

FIN

STR

NO

DRIVER/HOMETOWN

LAPS 

STATUS  

1

5

25

Brennan Poole/The Woodlands TX

200

Running

2

2

16

Matt Lofton/Roxboro NC

200

Running

3

4

17

Chris Buescher/Prosper TX

200

Running

4

14

44

Frank Kimmel/Clarksville IN

200

Running

5

6

52

Tom Hessert/Cherry Hill NJ

200

Running

6

8

20

Joey Miller/Lakeville MN

200

Running

7

9

58

Chad Hackenbracht/New Philadelphia OH

200

Running

8

3

55

Erik Jones/Byron MI

200

Running

9

12

32

Mason Mingus/Brentwood TN

200

Running

10

7

12

Jared Marks/Napoleon OH

200

Running

11

1

22

Alex Bowman/Tucson AZ

200

Running

12

10

66

Steve Arpin/Fort Frances Ontario

199

Running

13

11

15

Ryan Reed/Bakersfield CA

199

Running

14

13

23

Spencer Gallagher/Las Vegas NV

199

Running

15

18

40

Nick Tucker/Bremerton WA

196

Running

16

15

35

Nelson Canache/Caracas Venezuela

194

Running

17

16

04

Larry Barford Jr./Denton MD

193

Running

18

17

2

Dustin Hapka/Grand Forks ND

191

Running

19

20

34

Darrell Basham/Henryville IN

190

Running

20

26

48

James Hylton/Inman SC

180

Running

21

22

06

Tommy O'Leary/Cygnet OH

35

Handling

22

24

0

Scott Null/Lake Mills WI

22

Handling

23

25

10

Brad Lloyd/Napa CA

12

Brakes

24

23

3

Chad Frewaldt/Kansas City KS

7

Brakes

25

21

69

Korbin Forrester/Cedartown GA

6

Handling

26

19

68

Will Kimmel/Sellersburg IN

5

Handling

27

27

99

Levi Youster/Toledo OH

3

Handling

28

28

79

Mike Koch/Mountain Home AR

2

Gear

Menards Pole Award Presented by Ansell: Alex Bowman 14.316 (94.300 mph) *NTR

Margin of Victory:  1.205 seconds 

Time of Race:  1:00:44

Lap Leaders: Bowman 1-8 (8); Lofton 9-11 (3); Poole 12-92, 134-200 (148); Kimmel 93-133 (41)


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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Posted by Marc Patrick Roy at 4.6.12 0 comments

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