Category: Other Series PR

After Mother Nature spoiled the party at Varney Speedway Motorplex two weeks ago and forced the postponement of the Rick Woolner Memorial, the event is set to run this weekend at Sunset Speedway. The commemorative event in honour of Rick Woolner, who passed away form lung cancer in 1999, will be a 40-lap feature race Sunday afternoon. The race has been shortened by 10 laps in order to fit the race in to the busy Velocity weekend schedule.

Heat race starting positions for the Memorial were determined following the results of the Prelude to the Memorial on Saturday September 14. The heat race starting order will stand, with new cars being added to the tail of the field.

Current points leader Gary McLean (No.8) is coming off a win in the Prelude at his home track two weekends ago. It was the best possible rebound after a hard wreck at Flamboro on September 8 threatened McLean’s hopes for a second consecutive OSCAAR title. However, the Conn, Ont. driver thrashed to have his car ready at Varney, and with two more weeks to prepare the car, look for McLean to be eager for win two at Sunset this season.

OSCAAR sophomore pilot Davey Terry (No.14) had perhaps his best performance of the season at Varney, time trialing second-quick at the ¼-mile bullring and battling for a fourth-place finish in the 30-lap feature. Terry is looking to turn his luck around at Sunset this year to get on the podium in the final trip to the Innisfil, Ont. oval.

Currently tied for the rookie points lead, Shane Stickel (No.39) had an impressive 6^th-place finish in his first ever start at Varney, earning top-rookie honours. Consecutive top-ten finishes have Stickel in the mix to take over the rookie lead for the first time this season. He will have stiff competition from youngster Branden Bullen (No.67jr) who has led the rookie standings since July, but finds himself in a tie with three races remaining. Bullen is looking to bounce back from a tough race at Varney, which included a pair of spins in his first trip to the tricky oval.

Bobby Tolton (No.13) returned to action two weeks ago and finished the night with a solid ninth-place result. If Tolton can replicate the performance at Sunset, he should be in top-five contention as he was before being caught in a last lap incident on June 30.

Bowmanville Home Building Centre teammates Brian (No.47) and Brent McLean (No.7) are coming off second- and third-place finishes, respectively, at Varney. Brian, who also won at Flamboro to start the month, will look to avenge the mechanicals failures he’s experienced at Sunset this year, while Brent will look to pick-up his third victory of the season after winning at Barrie and Sunset already. Brent is the defending winner of the Rick Woolner Memorial.

The OSCAAR Modifieds will run their sole set of heat races on Saturday afternoon before their 40-lap feature on Sunday evening. The Saturday portion of the event features qualifying heats for the Limited Late Models, Super Stocks, and Mini Stocks, as well as complete shows for the Hurricane Midgets, Pro Challenge series, and Canadian Vintage Modifieds. Racing starts on Saturday at 4:00pm and at 1:30pm on Sunday.

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For a full schedule of events, including practice times, for this weekend’s two-day event at Sunset Speedway, please visit www.sunsetspeedway.ca.

For directions to Sunset Speedway, follow the following link: http://sunsetspeedway.ca/contact_SunsetSpeedway.php#!

Saturday Tickets (Spectator Gates Open at 2:30pm): Adults – $18, Students/Seniors – $13.

Sunday Tickets (Spectator Gates open at 12:00pm): Adults – $35, Students/Seniors – $30.

The OSCAAR Super Late Model tour is presented by a number of dedicated sponsors throughout Ontario, including: Knightworks Design, Hoosier Racing Tire, Klotz Synthetics Canada, Race2way.ca, Dave Franks Photos, Dickson Printing, Finishline Fabrication, McColl Racing Enterprises, McGunegill Engine Performance, Stefko Racing Engines, VP Racing Fuels, OntarioOval.com, RaceTime Radio, Inside Track Motorsport News, Jenco Equipment, Midas of Orangeville, Reinhart Trailer Sales, North Toronto Auctions, and South Shore Services.

By Clayton Johns (@cjohnsmedia) – OSCAAR Media and Public Relations

Contact: oscaar.media@gmail.com

The OSCAAR Super Late Model tour makes its fifth and final stop of the 2013 tour at Sunset Speedway as part of the Velocity weekend this Sunday. So far this season, Sunset has been the site of the most competitive races this season and largest fields, including a record-tying 28 cars on June 29. More of the same is expected this weekend. With only two races left in the 2013 campaign, drivers who have yet to take the checkered flag this summer are in tough to earn a victory.

Four-time series champion Glenn Watson (No.22) has struggled throughout this season, but has seen bright spots, including two podium finishes. Watson was the runner-up in the season opener at Sunset this year and historically is very strong at the Innisfil, Ont. oval. Starting deep in the field has been the biggest issue for the veteran driver, but if he is able to start inside the top-five, look for him to be in contention on Sunday evening.

The series’ 2007 champion, Derrick Tiemersma (No.7) has also had several strong runs this season, falling one spot short of victory lane on a couple of occasions. Tiemersma is also consistent as any driver in the field at Sunset and his historically good starting position will be as asset to consider. Tiemersma is beyond due for a well-deserved win.

Veteran driver Tyler Hawn (No.42) enters this weekend fifth in the championship standings and is one of only five drivers to start all 10 events so far this season. Hawn has fought some issues over his last two starts, but believes he has figured out the deceptively tricky configuration at Sunset and will look for a third consecutive top-ten this weekend.

Current point leader Brandon Watson (No.9) is fresh off a top-15 finish at New Hampshire Motor Speedway with the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East. The defending champ holds a commanding lead atop the standings with two races to go as he looks to repeat his efforts from 2012. Brandon has four wins already this season and is looking to make it an even five at his home track on Sunday.

Part-time driver Dwayne Baker (No.48) has rattled off two wins at Sunset this year, including the overall winner of the 2013 edition of the Don Biederman Memorial. Baker was strong in his appearance at Kawartha Speedway in August as well, and another strong effort at Sunset will make him a favourite to complete the hat-trick.

J.R. Fitzpatrick (No.27) is set to make his first OSCAAR start since the Don Biederman Memorial at the end of June. Fitzpatrick will once again pilot the Roy Passer-owned entry, but will be powered with a Chevrolet Crate engine for the first time. The Ayr, Ont. native has spent several hours piecing the car together so look for the fiery driver to be at the front.

Rookie Andrew Gresel (No.81) is coming off his third win of the year three weeks ago at Flamboro Speedway. Gresel will be in tough to eliminate Brandon Watson’s 40 point lead, but a pair of wins to complete the year would make him the greatest rookie in series history if he hasn’t already earned the honour. Keep an eye on the ‘BMAC Bullet’ all weekend long.

The OSCAAR Super Late Models will be one of five divisions competing on Sunday as part of Sunset’s Velocity weekend. They will be joined by the OSCAAR Modified tour, Limited Late Model, Super Stock, and Mini Stock invitational races. Racing gets underway at 1:30pm on Sunday. The OSCAAR Super Late Models will be the final feature of the evening.

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For a full schedule of events, including practice times, for this weekend’s two-day event at Sunset Speedway, please visit www.sunsetspeedway.ca.

For directions to Sunset Speedway, follow the following link: http://sunsetspeedway.ca/contact_SunsetSpeedway.php#!

Sunday Tickets (Spectator Gates open at 12:00pm): Adults – $35, Students/Seniors – $30.

The OSCAAR Super Late Model tour is presented by a number of dedicated sponsors throughout Ontario, including: Knightworks Design, Hoosier Racing Tire, Klotz Synthetics Canada, Race2way.ca, Dave Franks Photos, Dickson Printing, Finishline Fabrication, McColl Racing Enterprises, McGunegill Engine Performance, Stefko Racing Engines, VP Racing Fuels, OntarioOval.com, RaceTime Radio, Inside Track Motorsport News, Jenco Equipment, Midas of Orangeville, Reinhart Trailer Sales, North Toronto Auctions, and South Shore Services.

By Clayton Johns (@cjohnsmedia) – OSCAAR Media and Public Relations

Contact: oscaar.media@gmail.com

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INDIANAPOLIS (Friday, Sept. 27, 2013) – INDYCAR announced today that IZOD will conclude its sponsorship of the IndyCar Series after the current season.  

 

“We are proud of our partnership with IZOD over the past six years and we’re grateful to PVH Corp., owner of the IZOD brand, for its support, creativity and vision,” said Mark Miles, chief executive officer of Hulman & Co., the parent company of INDYCAR. “But circumstances change and now we’re seeking new partnerships with brands looking to align with the fastest, most versatile form of racing.  

 

“We are combining and strengthening our commercial functions at INDYCAR and Indianapolis Motor Speedway, which will allow us to more aggressively pursue new opportunities for our sport.”

 

IZOD joined the IndyCar Series in 2008 as its official apparel provider and became the series entitlement holder in 2010.  

 

“After an exciting relationship that has been as enjoyable and fast-paced as INDYCAR itself, PVH Corp. has made the decision to not continue IZOD’s title sponsorship with IndyCar beyond the 2013 season,” said Mike Kelly, Executive Vice President, The PVH Marketing Group. “As we and our retail partners shift the IZOD brand’s product focus, we need to shift our marketing spend to complement it. We would like to thank the IndyCar community, from the amazing fans, to the incredible drivers, to the entire series, for their partnership. We wish the series all the best and we look forward to finishing out the 2013 season with much success.”

 

With a new approach to scheduling, dynamic drivers, racing on distinct oval, street and road courses, and renewed focus on innovation, speed and safety, INDYCAR’s trajectory is up.

 

“Our on-track competition is at an all-time high and INDYCAR offers a unique activation platform with brand attributes of speed, technology and innovation. With changes we’ve made to our overall company structure and the master facility plan underway at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, we’re heading into discussions with some very creative opportunities,” Miles added.

NEW CASTLE, Ind. — Sept. 26, 2013— Lawrenceburg Speedway in Indiana served as the Midwest opener for the Amsoil USAC National Sprint Car Series back in April and will close that portion of the 2013 campaign for the series this weekend. For Tracy Hines, the event at Lawrenceburg will serve as one of the last two major open wheel events in his home state of Indiana that he will compete this season, before heading west to wrap up the year.

The USAC Amsoil National Sprint Car Series City of Lawrenceburg Fall Nationals at Lawrenceburg Speedway is set for Saturday, Sept. 28 at the state-of-the-art, high-banked, three-eighths-mile. A full racing program beginning with hot laps and time trials will be followed by heat races and a 30-lap main event.

The veteran driver has made three starts at Lawrenceburg this season, with two of those coming with the Amsoil USAC National Sprint Car Series and the other with the Honda USAC National Midget Series. He finished a season-best 10th at the track during Indiana Midget Week. In the spring with the Amsoil USAC National Sprint Car Series, Hines was 12th at the three-eighths-mile, turning the fastest lap in qualifying of the 40 entries, to earn his first quick time award of the season. He also finished 12th in July during Indiana Sprint Week aboard the Hansen’s Welding Inc./The Carolina Nut Company DRC.

“We’ve been pretty fast in the sprint car at Lawrenceburg this year, but haven’t gotten the finishes we were looking for,” said Hines. “Lawrenceburg is a momentum-type racetrack and we’ve done well at similar places this year. It would definitely be nice to wrap up the Midwest part of the USAC schedule with a strong run.”

Last season, Hines made four overall starts at Lawrenceburg Speedway with three of those coming in a sprint car. He finished seventh at the track located on the Indiana/Ohio border during Indiana Sprint Week and was ninth in the fall during a co-sanctioned USAC/MSCS event. The veteran driver earned his best 2012 Lawrenceburg finish in a Honda USAC National Midget Series event during Indiana Midget Week, coming home fourth. Hines was victorious at the track twice in 2011 in weekly sprint car competition and scored a win with the USAC National Midget Series at Lawrenceburg in 2010.

Last weekend in the 4-Crown Nationals at the famed Eldora Speedway in Ohio, Hines finished third with the Honda USAC National Midget Series. He opened the night as the second fastest-qualifier of the 20 entries and followed that up with a third-place showing the second heat race. In the 30-lap main event for the Amsoil USAC National Midget Series, the 2002 series champion, was leading on the white flag lap when he got upside in turn four and ended up 20th. Hines was running second in the Traxxas USAC Silver Crown Series 50-lapper when he got upside with two laps remaining. He was scored ninth at the finish and wrapped the season up third in points.

“Obviously, Eldora didn’t end how we were hoping, but you have to put that out of your mind,” said Hines. “We were fast in all three cars and were in a position for a win in two of those races and that’s all you can ask for. Racing is definitely not an easy sport and it seems like you have more lows than highs, so when you have the good nights, you certainly have to enjoy them and build on them.”

Entering the City of Lawrenceburg Fall Nationals, Hines is sixth in points with the Amsoil USAC National Sprint Car Series. He has won twice in 2013 and has recorded 15 top-10 finishes. A total of five nights of racing remain for the series this season.

Tracy Hines Racing would like to thank: Hansen’s Welding Inc., Parker Machinery, Turbines, Inc., Afco Racing Products, Daum Crop Insurance, Schoenfeld Headers, Allstar Performance, Kenny’s Components, Race Bumpers and Bell Racing.

For more information on Tracy Hines Racing, visit http://www.tracyhinesracing.com. Follow Tracy on Twitter atwww.Twitter.com/TracyHinesRacin.

Bloomington, Ind.— Sept. 26, 2013— Kraig Kinser has had a good amount of success on small, tight bullrings this season with the World of Outlaws STP Sprint Car Series. He has nine top-10 finishes on tracks that measure one-third or one-quarter of a mile in distance. He’ll have one more chance to add those to solid statistics this weekend as the series heads to Ohio for an event at Fremont Speedway, piloting the Mesilla Valley Transportation/Casey’s General Store/King Racing Products Maxim.

The World of Outlaws will make their sixth-ever appearance at Fremont Speedway on Saturday, Sept. 28 for the running of the Joe Stelter Memorial on Kistler Racing Products night. The night will open at the semi-banked, one-third-mile oval, located in northern Ohio, with hot laps, followed by time trials, heat races, a dash and will culminate with a 40-lap, $10,000-to-win A-Feature.

Kinser raced most recently at Fremont in 2011 with the World of Outlaws STP Sprint Car Series, finishing 18th in the 40-lap main event. He began the night by turning the 18th-fastest lap in time trials of the 37 cars that were in attendance. Kinser finished sixth in the second heat race, coming up just one spot short of transferring to the main, which put him in the B-main. He raced his way into the A-Feature by finishing second in the B-main.

“Hot laps will definitely be important, since it’s been a couple of years since we’ve races at Fremont (Speedway) and obviously were on a different tire then than we are now,” said Kinser. “There will be a lot of cars there and the locals are tough, which will make time trials and qualifying in the right spot that much more important. Transferring from the heat race to the feature will be a key, as will finishing first or second to get into the dash. It’s going to be an intense night of racing for sure.”

Kinser raced for the first time at Fremont in 2001 during Ohio Sprint Speedweek with the UNOH All Star Circuit of Champions. He turned the 10th fastest lap in time trials that night. The native of Bloomington, Ind., returned to the track in 2003 for another race with the All Stars, recording the 11th-fastest lap in qualifying with a very strong 52-car field in attendance. Kinser has raced in five feature events in Ohio this season with the World of Outlaws, with four of those coming at the famed Eldora Speedway and the other at Limaland Motorsports Park in the Brad Doty Classic.

“Fremont is a place that I turned some laps at early in my career, but since that time, the trips there have been few and far between,” he noted. “We’ve been pretty good on the smaller tracks this year and feel like we have a solid baseline and set-up for places like Fremont. Turning consistent laps and putting yourself in a good position is what it will take to be in contention.”

Last weekend’s scheduled pair of events for the World of Outlaws STP Sprint Car Series at Eldora Speedway in Ohio, and Lernerville Speedway in Pennsylvania, were rained out and will not be re-scheduled.

Kinser enters this weekend 11th in the World of Outlaws STP Sprint Car Series standings, just 13 markers out of the top-10, with six nights of racing remaining this season. The third-generation driver has one victory to go along with 32 top-10 finishes, of which eight are top-five showings.

Kraig Kinser Racing would like to thank Casey’s General Stores, Mesilla Valley Transportation, King Racing Products, Maxim, Aerodine Composites, Sander Engineering, Integra Shocks, All Star Performance, FK Rod Ends, Brown & Miller Racing Solutions, Bell, KSE Racing Products, ButlerBuilt, Schoenfeld Headers, Donovan Engineering, Fel-Pro, Brodix, Wilwood, Dyer’s, Barnes Systems, Ringer Gloves, Jakes Custom Golf Carts, and Ben Cook Racing Limited for their continued support.

Kraig Kinser By the Numbers: Fremont Speedway
0.33– Miles around Fremont Speedway
1- Start with the World of Outlaws STP Sprint Car Series at the third-mile in his career
3– Tracks in Ohio that the series races at this season
4- Heat race wins in 2013
6- Nights of racing for the World of Outlaws in Ohio this season
11- Current position in the series standings
11.732- Track record at Fremont Speedway
25- Laps led in A-Feature competition thus far in 2013
26- Bonus points for qualifying among the top-five this season
32- Top-10 finishes earned through Sept. 14
67- Total nights of racing completed by the World of Outlaws STP Sprint Car Series this season
291- Miles from the Steve Kinser Racing shop in Bloomington, Ind., to Fremont Speedway in Ohio
2001– Year of first start at Fremont Speedway with the UNOH All Star Circuit of Champions
2011- Year of most recent start at the third-mile with the World of Outlaws STP Sprint Car Series
8147- Points accumulated through Sept. 14

Keep up with all the action 
For the latest news on Kraig Kinser, visit http://www.kraigkinser.com, and follow Kraig on Twitter at http://twitter.com/kraigkinser11k and receive live updates from the track each and every race night.

Tune in
Listen live to each and every World of Outlaws STP Sprint Car SEries event on DIRTVision.com with “The Voice of the Outlaws” Johnny Gibson on the call. Visit www.DIRTVision.com for live audio of each and every World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series event.

Edges Seibert By One Point In Season Long Battle

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Sept. 26, 2013) – After a back-and-forth battle throughout the season, Alex Guenette has earned the 2013 rookie of the year award for the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series presented by Mobil 1 by just one point over Ryley Seibert.

Guenette, the 17-year-old from Terrebonne, Quebec, was the top-finishing rookie on five occasions this season while piloting the No. 39 Motos Illimitées/DLGL/Polaris Dodge for Dave Jacombs Racing. For the season, Guenette finished 10th in the final series point standings and recorded two top-five and five top-10 finishes including a season-best finish of second on July 27 at Autodrome St. Eustache (Quebec).

The accomplished karting competitor, who had limited stock car experience, came into the season as a complete newcomer to the Canadian Tire Series

“I wasn’t at all familiar with the tracks or the cars, so we had to learn a lot very quickly,” he said. “The adjustments weren’t difficult, but every race was something new to me.”

Assisting with the sometimes steep learning curve was veteran car owner Dave Jacombs, who helped transition another young Quebec driver, Andrew Ranger, into to stock-car competition in 2007. Ranger and Jacombs won two series titles in four full seasons together.

“We’re proud of what we accomplished this year and I congratulate Ryley on a great season, as well,” Guenette said. “This is a great honor and I hope to do bigger things next year.”

Seibert, from Williams Lake, B.C., finished 11th overall with three top 10s and also was the top rookie five times.

 

Rookie of the year standings are determined by a driver’s finishing position versus other rookies in the race. The top-finishing rookie in a race receives 10 points, second receives nine and so forth. The rookie of the year honor goes to the driver with the most rookie points on the year.

Past winners of this award include Jason White (2008), Joey Hanssen (2009), Derek White (2010), Louis-Philippe Dumoulin (2011) and Martin Roy a season ago.

 

The official presentation of the 2013 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series presented by Mobil 1 Rookie of the Year Award will take place at the NASCAR Touring Series Awards on Saturday, Dec. 14 in the Crown Ballroom of the Charlotte (N.C.) Convention Center at the NASCAR Hall of Fame along with the top rookie drivers from NASCAR’s other touring series.

WATERTOWN, Conn. — Sept. 26, 2013— David Gravel has raced on more bullrings – tracks that measure a quarter-mile or third-mile in distance – this season in a 410-winged sprint car than in any other year thus far in his career. Before heading to a half-mile, five-eighths-mile and four-tenths-mile to wrap up the season with the World of Outlaws STP Sprint Car Series, the native of Watertown, Conn., will compete once more on a short track as the series visits Fremont Speedway in Ohio this weekend, a track that Gravel has turned numerous laps at.

The World of Outlaws STP Sprint Car Series event at Fremont Speedway, the Joe Stelter Memorial on Kistler Racing Products night, is set for Saturday, Sept. 28. The event will consist of a full racing program, beginning with hot laps and time trials, followed by heat races, a dash and 40-lap main event.

“It was unfortunate to have both races rained out last weekend, especially since we only have eight (now six) left,” said Gravel. “I am excited to get back in the car at Fremont (Speedway) this weekend. I’ve run at Fremont quite a few times with the All Stars, but it’s been a while going back to last year, the last time I was there. We’ve run pretty well on the smaller tracks this year, so hopefully we can keep that up this weekend.”

Gravel, who drives the FMR Racing/JRC Transportation/Musco Fuel/Model Craft J&J, raced in six events with the UNOH All Star Circuit of Champions at Fremont last season, earning four top-10 finishes. He finished third on the opening night of the Jim Ford Classic last fall. In the finale of that two-night event, the 21-year-old finished ninth. Gravel qualified seventh or better in both of those events and made the dash on the opening night. On the second night, he raced his way through the B-main into the main event.

The East Coast racer also competed at Fremont during the two-night spring event. In that contest, he was fifth in the opener and ninth in the finale. He was strong in time trials, timing in seventh-fastest on the first night and was fifth-quickest on the second night. Gravel raced his way into the dash both nights, which gave him a top-10 starting spot in each of the A-Features. The young driver also made two appearances at Fremont during the 2012 edition of Ohio Sprint Speedweek with the All Stars.

Gravel finished fourth at Fremont in 2011, during the finale of the Jim Ford Classic, after lining up ninth. He has eight top-10 finishes at the track over the last three seasons, with seven of those coming in races with the All Stars. Gravel also competed in the World of Outlaws STP Sprint Car Series event at Fremont in 2011, finishing 15th.

“Having a good amount of laps at Fremont definitely helps,” he shared. “Hopefully, the track hasn’t changed too much since the last time I was there. We’ll look to take what I’ve learned in the past there and use it this weekend.”

Gravel enters competition this weekend with a pair of wins this season with the World of Outlaws STP Sprint Car Series. He scored his first victory of the season at I-94 Speedway in Minnesota in May and found himself back in the winner’s circle on the first preliminary night of the Knoxville Nationals at the famed Knoxville Raceway in Iowa in August. Gravel has recorded 24 top-10 finishes with the World of Outlaws STP Sprint Car Series this season and is currently 13th in the series championship standings.

“We are pretty rested after last weekend, and the main thing at Fremont is to stay focused,” Gravel said. “Hot laps are always important, but especially after you’ve had a break in the action like we had. It sound like there are going to be quite a few cars there, so qualifying is going to be even more important than normal. Going into a place like Fremont, you have to be on your game, because the local guys know the track very well and are pretty tough.”

Keep up-to-date with David Gravel and DDR Motorsports by visiting www.DavidGravel89.com. Follow David on Twitter @davidgravel89gand like David on Facebook.

Dover, DE (September 25, 2013) – Baltimore, Maryland native Justin Boston will be making his second career NASCAR K&N Pro Series East start Friday afternoon in the Drive Sober 150 event at Dover International Speedway driving the Venturini Motorsports (VMS) No.25 ZLOOP Computer and Electronics Recycling Toyota.

Although Boston has never competed at the “Monster Mile” he considers Dover his home track. Growing up less than two hours away in the suburbs of Baltimore, Maryland, Boston credits the legendary track as his inspiration to pursue stock car racing at the highest levels.

“It’s an amazing opportunity to come back and race so close to home. I consider Dover the birthplace of my stock car racing career. Up until I was a teenager I raced motocross fulltime and came here to watch a truck race with my family. The experience I had at the track (Dover) made me realize I needed to make the change from two-wheels to four. Since that day I knew racing cars was everything I wanted to do,” says Boston.

Boston began his racing career on a motorcycle at age 5. He competed nationally in motocross and earned over 300 victories before making the transition to stock car racing. Since discovering his true passion and desire to race cars, the motocross racer turned stock car driver has adapted quickly to his new surroundings.

After brief stints competing in the UARA and REV-Oil Pro Cup Series (2008-2011) Boston progressed to the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards earlier this year for a full season effort driving for VMS. Boston, a true rookie in every sense of the term entered the 2013 ARCA season with less than 20 stock car events to his credit.

Showcasing his raw talent the 25-year old driver has proven he’s a force to be reckoned with behind the wheel.

Boston currently occupies the third spot in ARCA’s Championship point standings and owns the top spot in ARCA’s Scott Rookie Challenge (rookie of the year) accumulating (7) top-5 and (15) top-10 finishes with just one event remaining on the schedule, the Kansas Lottery 98.9 at Kansas Speedway on October 4th. The NASCAR K&N – Drive Sober 150 green flag will drop Friday, September 27 at 4:45 p.m. (Eastern). The race will be tape-delayed on FOX Sports 1 with an air date of Sunday, October 13 at 12:00 p.m.

Today’s IZOD IndyCar Series, Firestone Indy Lights and Mazda Road to Indy headlines:

 1.      If you missed it: INDYCAR Conference Call with A.J. Foyt

 2.      Sato piling up the miles

 3.      Strike to support Newgarden’s car at Houston

1. If you missed it: INDYCAR Conference Call with A.J. Foyt: Earlier today, racing legend and IZOD IndyCar Series team owner A.J. Foyt participated in an INDYCAR Conference Call to discuss the Shell and Pennzoil Grand Prix of Houston. Selected quotes from the call are below.

Q: What was it like to be back at the racetrack yesterday at Fontana?  

A.J. FOYT:  Well, it was a lot better than being in a hospital bed, I’ll assure you that. I really enjoyed getting back there with the group and the crew and all that and really enjoyed it.  It was a long day because I flew out there that morning and flew back last night.  I’m kind of tired today a little bit, but we’ll bounce back pretty strong. 

Q: I know that Takuma Sato is one of the 10 drivers who have won a race this season, and he led the point standings going into Indianapolis this year.  With the team at the shop and watching the races at home, how would you judge the job the team has done so far in 2013?  

A.J. FOYT:  We’ve really started off good and run into kind of a bad luck streak, and that’s racing.  It’s not going to be rosy all the time, and you’ve got to accept that.  I think he’s done a great job for us.  It’s just a couple mistakes that were made that really hurt us, and then we had a couple of other problems that weren’t the crew’s fault or his fault.  But you’re going to have that in today’s racing or any racing.  As long as the good offsets the bad, that is the biggest thing. 

Q: The next stop for the series is the Shell and Pennzoil Grand Prix of Houston, which will mark the first time that your team has actually raced in your back yard of Houston, Texas. Talk a little about INDYCAR coming to Houston and the show cast for your hometown? 

A.J. FOYT:  You always like to run in your hometown.  I wish I was still young and still driving, because before we came back here I was fortunate enough to win right here in my hometown.  But I’m not driving anymore.  I think he’ll run good, and they’ll have to beat him because he’s very fast on street courses.  You know, if we don’t get penalized on something, we’ll be in good shape. 

Q: Could you have imagined that it would be 50 years later before you got back even though you’re not driving, at least got back to run a race here?  

A.J. FOYT:  Well, everybody said when I started I was never going to live to be 22, so I don’t know if that’s good or bad.  I wasn’t even supposed to be around this long.  They showed me pictures of my earlier days up on two wheels and one wheel.  That’s when you didn’t have all of the roll cages.  I guess I’m lucky to still be here.  It’s been a good life.  It’s been a fun life.  Life is very short.  People don’t realize if you cannot do what you want to do in life, you have a miserable life.  So far I’ve been able to do what I want to do and had a lot of fun.  I’ve been able to feed my wife and the children.  I’m no big, big, multi-, multi-millionaire, but at least I know where my next meal’s coming from now. It’s been a good life and I’ve had a lot of fun.  So what else can you ask about life?  

Q: How special would it be to race in your hometown again?  

A.J. FOYT:  Well, I’m thrilled to run here.  I wish I wasn’t so damn old that I could run myself.  But time passes on.  There comes a time when you have to quit.  I felt like it was there the day I quit it at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.  That was it.  I crawled out and I haven’t crawled back in one since. Even though we go testing, a lot of people say why don’t you get in one, and that would be like an alcoholic.  You take to hearing all that and have a beer or something like that, and then you’re right back on it.  I know I’m too old to even try, but I fight.  But there is no way you could hog tie me in one anymore. 

Q: Where do we stand with team growth?  You’ve toyed around with one or two cars, and where to go with two cars.  I know Larry takes care of a lot of that.  But is there any hope for a second car?  

A.J. FOYT:  The way I look at that, I would like to run two cars again, but getting a proper sponsor and doing it 100 percent, I’m not doing it until we can do it right.  It only takes one car to win the race, and I know it makes it easier when you’ve got a team with two or three cars, because if something happens to one, you’ve got a good back up on the next one.  But I’d like to go back to a two car team, but at the same time, it takes a lot of money now.  If you can’t do it right, there is no sense in trying to do it. 

2. Sato piling up the miles: Takuma Sato flew from Tokyo to Los Angeles for the Honda manufacturer test at Auto Club Speedway and returned to Tokyo after completing the sessions in the No. 14 ABC Supply car for A.J. Foyt Racing.

He’s competing in Round 6 of the Super Formula Series in Sugo, Japan, this weekend. Others in the race include former IZOD IndyCar Series driver Hideki Mutoh and Ryo Hirakawa, who tested a Dale Coyne Racing car at Sonoma Raceway in August.

Sato competed in the season opener in April at the Suzuka circuit.

3. Strike to support Newgarden’s car at Houston: The No. 67 Sarah Fisher Hartman Racing car driven by Josef Newgarden will carry primary sponsorship for the Houston doubleheader from Strike, an energy services provider based in The Woodlands, Texas. 

“To bring on a partner such as Strike will put forth a fantastic commercial effort as we work through our first race weekend in Houston,” said team co-owner Sarah Fisher. “Everyone at Strike has been truly engaged in the process and I greatly look forward to working with them throughout the weekend and beyond. We are certain the livery will grab a lot of attention and hopefully showcase Strike in the best possible arena.”

Founded in 2003, Strike’s efforts have expanded across the United States, providing 13 different service locations. Many of Strike’s employees and clients are looking forward to joining SFHR’s family in Houston.

“We are excited to partner with a world class racing team like Sarah Fisher Hartman Racing,” Steve Pate, Chairman and CEO of Strike, LLC said. “We cannot wait to see Josef Newgarden drive the Strike car to victory.”

 ***

The next IZOD IndyCar Series race is the Shell and Pennzoil Grand Prix of Houston presented by the Greater Houston Honda Dealers doubleheader on Oct. 5 and 6 at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center Speedway at Reliant Park. Both races will be televised live by NBC Sports Network (3 p.m. ET on Oct. 5 and 1 p.m. ET on Oct. 6) and broadcast by the IMS Radio Network, including on Sirius and XM Channels 211, www.indycar.com and the INDYCAR 13 App for most smartphones and tablets. The next Firestone Indy Lights race is the Grand Prix of Houston on Oct. 5 at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center Speedway at Reliant Park. The race will be televised by NBC Sports Network at 4 p.m. (ET) on Oct. 6.

Sparta, KY (September 22, 2013) – Erik Jones finished sixth to lead a group of three Venturini Motorsports drivers among the first dozen finishers in the ZLOOP™ 150, the first ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards race at Kentucky Speedway since 2009.

Jones (No. 15 Toyota Care/Matrix Protection Toyota) started second with the field set by owner points, and he led 25 laps early. The race, which started at 1:47 p.m., had been delayed over 17 hours from Friday evening, when heavy precipitation swept through northern Kentucky. This left the racing surface unavailable for use and the lineup set by the rule book.

Jones contended for the lead before a pit stop miscue on Lap 36 sent him out of the top 10. The jack fell before his crew had finished his stop, sending Jones’ car to the ground and delaying him considerably. From 13th place, the 17-year-old from Michigan recovered and moved to ninth by the race’s halfway point. On Lap 54, though, he spun in the frontstretch grass, again falling out of the top 10.

Jones restarted 13th on Lap 62 and improved to ninth over the next 13 laps. He then gained three positions in the final 25 laps to earn his eighth top-10 in 14 ARCA starts.

Scott Rookie Challenge contender Justin Boston (No. 25 ZLOOP™ Computer & Electronic Recycling Centers Toyota) had extra incentive to earn a first career victory in his 20 ARCA starts, with his sponsor also acting as the primary supporter of ARCA’s 20th event at Kentucky. Boston started fifth but fell to seventh shortly thereafter, an area in which team general manager and No. 25 crew chief Billy Venturini acknowledged the young driver can improve.

“We need to get a little better on our initial restarts with the 25, but once Justin got rolling, he did a great job,” Venturini said.

Indeed, Boston returned to the top five by Lap 15 and stayed there through a caution period and a Lap 36 pit stop in which he took four tires and fuel, and made several minor adjustments. With four fresh tires, Boston moved into fourth soon after the Lap 40 green flag, and drove to third when leader Chase Elliott slowed down the next time around.

Boston started to drop around the race’s halfway point, and found himself fifth for a Lap 62 restart which would shape the fate of his day. Soon after the green flag, Boston felt his tires were too cool and he was unable to get a good run down the Kentucky backstretch; he fell to seventh. Jones passed him in the final quarter of the race and Boston stayed eighth from there, but Venturini found positives for his 24-year-old rookie from Maryland.

First of all, a broken engine part caused Boston to lose horsepower late, so maintaining a top-10 finish ended up a silver lining. After the checkered flag, Venturini quickly pointed out to his driver over the radio that he had gained on Scott Rookie Challenge rival Mason Mingus by beating him by two positions.

“I think that finish right there by Justin just made the worst-case scenario that we can finish in a tie in first,” Venturini said, with the official standings set to be released by ARCA at the beginning of next week.

Boston’s top-10 finish was his 15th in 20 starts.

Seventeen-year-old Taylor Ferns (No. 55 National Auto Placement/Motor City Auto Transport Toyota) finished 12th in her eighth start.

“Taylor, she’s obviously got the least amount of experience in a stock car, so finishing 12th, I think she showed a lot of positives,” Venturini said. “There’s a lot of potential there. She can be great once we get her a little more experience.”

Rounding out the Venturini group, Milka Duno (No. 35 CANTV/Milka Way Toyota) finished 23rd and Tom Berte (No. 20 CGS Premier Chevrolet) was 25th.

Corey LaJoie won the race, which finished in one hour, 12 minutes, and 33 seconds at an average speed of 124.149 mph. Thirty-two cars started the event.

Venturini Motorsports will next compete in the season finale, the Kansas Lottery 98.9 at Kansas Speedway on Friday, October 4. Practice will begin at 9 a.m. with qualifying following at 5:35 p.m. The 99-lap, 148.5-mile race will air live on FOX Sports 1 at 7:30 p.m., and ARCARacing.com will present live timing and scoring of all on-track events. All listed times are Central. 

About Venturini Motorsports
Venturini Motorsports (VMS), fielding cars for over 30-years in the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards, is one of the premier NASCAR driver development programs in the country. Multiple team championships and consistent on-track success, VMS has evolved into one of the most recognizable names in motorsports. Since 2007, VMS has assisted in the career development of notable NASCAR drivers such as Joey Logano, Justin Allgaier, Ryan Blaney, Alex Bowman, Brian Scott, Kevin Swindell, Miguel Paludo, John Wes Townley, Josh Richards and Johanna Long.

In 2012, VMS and the Venturini family was inducted into the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame and now find themselves enshrined with such sports icons as Joe DiMaggio, Mario Andretti, Vince Lombardi, Tommy Lasorda and Rocky Marciano, among others.

After nearly two decades away from NASCAR, 2013 marks VMS’s modern day return to the series with John Wes Townley driving the team’s familiar No.25 in selective NASCAR Nationwide Series events.

Official: www.VenturiniMotorsports.com  |  Twitter: @VenturiniMotor  |  Facebook: Venturini Motorsports