Category: Other Series PR

New Castle, Ind.—April 28, 2013— It’s starting to feel like the movie Groundhog Day for Tracy Hines and his fellow USAC competitors, as rainouts continue to dominate the early part of the season. After getting in a full show with the USAC Amsoil National Sprint Car Series on Friday, April 26 at Gas City Speedway in Indiana, the originally scheduled event on Saturday, April 27 at Lincoln Park Speedway was interrupted by rain after the first heat race, while the USAC Traxxas Silver Crown Series event on Sunday, April 28 at the Terre Haute Action Track fell to rain.

At Gas City, Hines finished eighth in his Hansen’s Welding Inc. DRC, which marked his third top-10 finish of the season and helped him remain among the top-five in the USAC Amsoil National Sprint Car Series standings. He lined up 12th on a very fast track that was challenging to pass on and was able to gain four spots over the course of the 30-lap main event to cross the finish line in eighth.

“It was wide open and fast at Gas City, no doubt about it,” said Hines. “With all the rain the last few weeks here in the Midwest, we’ll probably see some similar situations to that in the next few weeks. We were able to gain a few spots in the feature, but you always want to gain a few more and finish even further up front. We’ll work on a few things in the shop this week and try to put ourselves in a position to start a little closer to the front in the features next weekend.”

The native of New Castle, Ind., opened the night at Gas City by turning the 12th-fastest lap in time trials of the 29 drivers in attendance. He was victorious in the fourth eight-lap heat race to earn a spot in the A-Feature, which started 23 cars.

On Saturday night at Lincoln Park Speedway, also in Indiana, Hines recorded the 15th-fastest lap in time trials of the 35 entrants. He was slated to compete in the third heat race, but a rain shower hit after the first heat, forcing a postponed of the remainder of the racing program. Series and track officials are currently working on a date to reschedule the event at the high-banked five-sixteenths-mile.

With the Sumar Classic at the Terre Haute Action Track being rained out for the USAC Traxxas Silver Crown Series on Sunday, the Hall of Fame Classic at Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis on May 18 will now serve as the season opener for the series. Hines finished ninth in the Silver Crown standings in 2012.

“It’s been a tough month weather-wise, that’s for sure,” he shared. “We were really hoping to get all three races in and try to get back into a rhythm, since it had been a couple of weeks since we had raced. Early season races in the Midwest are always tough and we seem to spend just as much time watching the radar as we do anything else this time of year. All we can do is keep looking forward and make sure we are ready to go when the next race comes up.”

Hines will be back in action with the USAC Amsoil National Sprint Car Series next weekend at U.S. 36 Raceway in Missouri, on Friday, May 3 and at Eagle Raceway in Nebraska, on Saturday, May 4. The 2002 series champion is currently fifth in points, just 20 markers out of the top spot. Hines has two wins and three top-10 finishes in the first five races of the 2013 USAC Amsoil National Sprint Car Series campaign.

“Hopefully, the weather cooperates next weekend and we can get both shows in,” shared Hines. “U.S. 36 (Raceway) and Eagle (Raceway) are pretty racy tracks. I’ve had a good amount of success over the years in a midget at Eagle and it would be great to win in a sprint car over there. Those are two tracks that don’t get see us race very often, so we’re looking forward to putting on a good show for the fans out that way.”

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

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

Frank Kimmel No. 44 Ansell/Menards Toyota Camry
Qualifying Report
The Salem Speedway – Kentuckiana Ford Dealers ARCA 200 presented by Crosley Radio

Race Information:
Date: April 28, 2013
Race: 3 of 21
Location: The Salem Speedway
Track Details: .555 Miles
Race Length: 200 laps/ 111 Miles

Broadcast Information:
ARCARacing.com = Live Timing & Scoring

Team Facts:
Current Point Standings: Tie for 1st
Crew Chief: Jeriod Prince
Engines: Triad Racing Technologies

SALEM, Ind. (April 27, 2013) — Frank Kimmel, the nine-time ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards champion who’s the career victories and poles leader at Salem Speedway, Saturday qualified eighth for Sunday’s third race of the ARCA season, the Kentuckiana Ford Dealers ARCA 200 presented by Crosley Radio.

Kimmel, who was third in the opening practice on Salem’s washboard-rough .555-mile 33-degree banked asphalt oval, fell to 18th in the 45-minute final practice before posting his best lap of the day, 17.263 seconds, an average speed of 115.739 mph in qualifying.

That made sense, since Kimmel and crew chief Jeriod Prince decided to use one set of tires throughout two practices before bolting another set on for qualifying. Kimmel, who in Salem’s 60-year history has an ARCA all-time best nine victories and eight poles, said he was happy with the balance of his No. 44 Ansell / Menards Toyota and was looking forward to a positive race on Sunday.

“These new tires are really tough and as they wear out, well, as a driver you’re always griping about them because it’s all in the tires,” Kimmel said. “Because in the end who does well will be those who have their cars the best on the long run. And of course Jeriod and I and the guys have been working really hard on that, so we’re hoping we are pretty good.

“We qualified eighth so I was actually pretty happy with that and I think we’ll be OK.”

Kimmel comes into the race tied for the ARCA championship lead with Mason Mingus, who qualified fifth in his No. 32 Win-Tron Racing Toyota with a lap in 17.233 seconds.

In two Salem starts a year ago, Kimmel finished second in this race and fourth in September, which only pumps up his confidence and enthusiasm on a weekend in which the weather forecast called for rain, which failed to appear Saturday.

“We only ran the one set of tires so that’s why we kept getting slower and slower,” Kimmel said of hitting a time-sheet low point in Happy Hour. “But I think the balance of the car, and the progression of how the tires fell off is the best we’ve had it, in a while, so I’m looking forward to how we do in the long runs Sunday.”

Saturday Justin Boston won his first career ARCA pole in just his third attempt, in Venturini Motorsports’ No. 25 Toyota, just ahead of No. 15 Venturini teammate Kyle Benjamin. Anderson Bowen will start third in the 28-car field in the No. 22 Cunningham Motorsports Dodge.

On Sunday an ARCA driver autograph session from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. ET will precede the main event. The season’s third race is scheduled to get the green flag at 2:15 p.m. Live time & scoring and audio coverage is available online at ARCARacing.com.

ABOUT MENARDS:
With 270 stores in 14 Midwestern states, Menards has the tools, materials and supplies for all your home improvement needs whether just needing a light bulb or can of paint to building a deck or new home. Menards is known throughout the home improvement industry as the low price leader; it’s no wonder their famous slogan – “SAVE BIG MONEY” – is so widely known and easy to remember. Menards does things right – the company’s strength and success can be seen in the well-stocked and maintained stores, the lowest prices in town and the way guests are always treated like family in a hometown hardware store atmosphere.

ABOUT THORSPORT RACING:
ThorSport Racing, based in a state-of-the-art 100,000-square-foot facility in Sandusky, Ohio, is the longest-tenured active NASCAR Camping World Truck Series team. Thorsport, which has run full-season Truck Series schedules annually beginning in 1998, in 2013 will run the No. 88 Menards Toyota Tundra driven by Matt Crafton, the No, 98 Carolina Nut Co./Curb Records Toyota Tundra driven by Johnny Sauter and the No. 13 SealMaster Toyota Tundra driven by Todd Bodine in the Truck Series and the No. 44 Ansell/Menards Toyota Camry driven by Frank Kimmel in the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards.

“ARCA Team Welcomes New Partner for Remainder of Season”

SALEM, Indiana (April 24, 2013) – – After a six week break, racing resumes for the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards this weekend at the legendary Salem (Ind.) Speedway, the site of Sunday’s Kentuckiana Ford Dealers ARCA 200 presented by Crosley Radio.

Championship point’s leader Mason Mingus and his Mooresville, North Carolina-based Win-Tron Racing don’t mind that their vacation is ending. They do mind however, about gaining sole possession of the point standings following the third race of the season.

Two top-10 finishes, including a career-best fourth after starting on the pole at Mobile (Ala.) Speedway last month, have tied the Brentwood, Tennessee native with nine-time ARCA champion Frank Kimmel atop of the pyramid, accumulating 420 points apiece.

The good news for Mingus, driver of the No. 32 Diamond Equipment / Call 811 Before You Dig Toyota Camry is the brutal 0.5-mile short track is one of his favorites on the tour.

The bad news? It also happens to be one of the best for Kimmel too.

Still, Mingus is upbeat and anxious to get to back to the track that’s known for its “bullring” type-demeanor and look for his first career ARCA Racing Series victory in his 16th career start.

“I’m glad the break is over and we can get back to racing,” said Mingus, who stayed busy with school, spring break and late model racing during the hiatus. “Salem is one of my favorite tracks. Its mean characteristics can be a driver’s worst nightmare, but I embrace its challenges gladly. We’ve been able to finish 10th and sixth in our last two visits there, but this weekend we need another top-five, if not a win.”

The 18-year old knows though he’ll have to battle hard to leave Sunday’s race at the top.

On both accounts.

“There are a lot of factors at Salem,” Mingus mentioned. “Track position, lap traffic, tires and handling – all of those come into full effect at Salem. But, that’s what makes the racing so great there, you just never know what to expect. I know Frank’s going to be tough, but I don’t think he’ll be the only one we’ll have to watch this weekend, so it should be a great race for the fans.”

The veteran ARCA Racing Series will also welcome a new partner for the second short track race of the year. DOC 360, the primary sponsor on Win-Tron Racing’s NASCAR K&N Pro Series East division with rookie Matt Tifft has expanded their support to leap aboard Mingus’s vehicle for the remaining 19 events in 2013.

“I’m glad to have the support of DOC 360, but we’re also extremely thankful to have Diamond Equipment and Call 811 Before You Dig on our car this weekend too,” sounded Mingus. “I have high hopes for this weekend, I hope we don’t disappoint.”

Win-Tron Racing co-car owner Nate Thiesse is anticipating another strong race for his team. “We’re looking forward to this weekend at Salem,” he said. “Overall, we’ve had a very health track record there. Mason also likes the track, which is a bonus for us. The more laps he turns there, the better he becomes. We hope to continue our strong start to the year on Sunday.”

Entering Salem, Mingus and Kimmel hold a 65-point cushion over third place contender Mason Mitchell.

In the Tennessean’s previous 15 ARCA Racing Series races, he has acquired one top-five and nine top-10 finishes including a fourth place run at Mobile (Ala.) International Speedway in March 2013. Additionally, a pole run last month, also at Mobile (Ala.) International Speedway is his best time trials effort to date.

The Kentuckiana Ford Dealers ARCA 200 presented by Crosley Radio (200 laps / 100 miles) is the third of 21 events on the 2013 ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards schedule. The 93rd ARCA race held at Salem is a two-day show. Practice begins Saturday, April 27 with a forty-five minute session planned from 12:00 p.m. – 12:45 p.m. A final 45-minute session is set for 1:15 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. Menards pole qualifying presented by Ansell is set for later in the day at 3:30 p.m. An on-track autograph session has been etched in on race day, Sunday, April 28 from 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 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’s multiple Motorsports programs is available by visiting win-tronracing.com or contacting Nate Thiesse at 612.306.1641.

Learn about Call 811 Before You Dig and what it can do for you by connecting to call811.com.

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

Mingus tweets too. Follow him on Twitter @Mason_Mingus.

About Win-Tron Racing:

Located in Mooresville, North Carolina, 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, Matt Merrell and Brandon McReynolds to their first career ARCA victories. In 2013, the team will begin its seventh year of competition with a presence in the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards, the NASCAR K&N Pro Series (East) and the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series.

Concord, NC (April 25 2013) – After nearly a two-month break in the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards racing schedule, the series returns this weekend to the ultra-fast-half-mile, Salem Speedway.

Venturini Motorsports (VMS) will unload four teams at Salem with 2013 Daytona race winner, John Wes Townley, leading the way. The twenty-three year old Townley will be back behind the wheel driving his familiar Zaxby’s Toyota with crew chief, Kevin Reed calling the shots from the pit box.

“I’m excited to get back into my element and back into the ARCA car after our Daytona win,” stated Townley. “There’s no track quite like Salem. It’s a fun track with a ton of character. There’s no doubt Sunday’s race is going to be fast and exciting, it should be very interesting.”

Townley, who drives full-time in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series with Red Horse Racing, is also running a partial schedule with Venturini Motorsports in the ARCA and NASCAR Nationwide Series.

In addition to John Wes Townley, drivers Kyle Benjamin, Justin Boston and Milka Duno will round out the Kentuckiana Ford Dealers ARCA 200 presented by Crosley Radio entry list for VMS.

Fifteen year-old, Kyle Benjamin coming off his second place finish at Mobile in his ARCA debut looks to make history this weekend by becoming the youngest winner in the 61 year history of the ARCA series. Benjamin, who battled Mobile race winner, Grant Enfinger, last month for the top spot, led a total of 26-laps during the race. Benjamin’s second-place finish was good for top rookie finisher and earned him SCOTT Rookie Challenge honors for the ARCA Mobile 200.

Seemingly not much of a long-shot, the Easley, SC native is living up to the pre-season hype with a legitimate shot to win every time he straps himself into the car. Benjamin will be running a limited ARCA schedule due to the ARCA series age restrictions will be driving the No.15 “The Truth Band”/FATHEADS Eyewear Chevrolet at Salem Speedway this weekend.

Justin Boston will be making his Salem debut driving the No.25 ZLOOP Computer and Electronics Recycling Toyota.
Boston, a strong candidate for rookie of the year honors is coming off a career best sixth place finish at Mobile Speedway.Boston tested Salem last week with his VMS teammates and posted the quickest laps of the bunch.

“I’m really excited to get back to business at Salem,” said Justin. “We tested there last week and our ZLOOP Camry was strong throughout the day. I’m in proven equipment and Brennan (Poole) who has won here before has been a huge help getting me up to speed quickly at new tracks. I intend to fully capitalize on the opportunity I have at Salem.”

After signing with Venturini Motorsports during the off-season, Milka Duno is set to make her third start of the 2013 campaign this weekend at Salem Speedway. Duno, who qualified on the outside pole and led the beginning laps at Daytona earlier this year, is ready to get back behind the wheel of her No.35 CAN-TV – MILKA Way Chevrolet at Salem.

“I like the challenge that racing on a short track offers – and Salem is one of my favorite tracks. You have to drive so hard from the beginning to the end to have a good finish. I know VMS will have a good car for me and we’ll be doing our best to deliver a good result,” says, Milka Duno.

Milka Duno finished 13th last month at Mobile Speedway is hoping to improve on her recent success this coming weekend with veteran crew chief, Kevin Caldwell leading the way.

This weekend’s event at Salem Speedway will mark the 93rd running for the Kentuckian Ford Dealers 200, adding to ARCA’s storied history at the southern Indiana race track.

Practice for the Kentuckiana Ford Dealers 200 is Saturday, April 27 from 12:00 PM – 12:45 PM, with final practice from 1:15 PM – 2:00 PM. Menards Pole Award Qualifying presented by Ansell is scheduled to follow at 3:30 PM. Pre-race festivities and driver introductions get underway just before 2PM on Sunday afternoon (April 28) with the Kentuckiana Ford Dealers 200 slated to get the green flag at 2:15 PM EST. Live race day coverage will air on ARCARACING.com radio with play-by-play given by the dynamic duo of Charlie Krall and Tim Clagg.

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

BLOOMINGTON, Ind.—April 25, 2013— There are very few tracks on the World of Outlaws STP Sprint Car Series circuit that are as steeply banked as Salina Highbanks Speedway in Oklahoma. In fact, they can probably be counted on just one hand. Kraig Kinser has raced on a number of high-banked tracks over the course of his career and one of those is Salina where he’ll continue a stretch of races in the Midwest with the World of Outlaws STP Sprint Car Series this weekend.

Kinser will hit the track in the Casey’s General Store/Mesilla Valley Transportation Maxim at Salina Highbanks Speedway in Salina, Okla., on Friday April 26, for a full race program, beginning with hot laps, followed by heat races, a dash and an A-Feature event. In the case of a weather-related postponement, Saturday, April 27, has been reserved as the rain date.

The third-generation driver will be making the second start of his career at Salina Highbanks Speedway, a three-eighths-mile in Northeastern Oklahoma. He made his debut at the venue in 2011 with the World of Outlaws STP Sprint Car Series, racing his way through the B-main to earn a spot in the 30-lap main event.

“Salina is a very fast track,” said Kinser. “That’s a place where you really get your momentum going with the banking and it’s a horsepower-type track for sure. It’s been a couple of years since we’ve been there and obviously we have different tires heading there this time, so we’ll use what we believe is a good baseline and go from there.”

Kinser, who has competed at four different tracks in his career in Oklahoma, raced for the first time in the Sooner State in March of 2002 at the former State Fair Speedway in Oklahoma City, setting fast time. He made four starts at the historic track early in his career. The 2004 Kevin Gobrecht Rookie of the Year Award winner also set fast time in the World of Outlaws debut at Outlaw Speedway in Muskogee in 2005. Kinser finished third in the series inaugural visit to Tri-State Speedway in Pocola in 2010, marking his best-career finish in the state. He has made seven starts in his career with the World of Outlaws in Oklahoma.

“There have been a lot of World of Outlaws races over the years in Oklahoma and there are some great fans out in that area,” he shared. “I haven’t raced a ton out that way, but the few times I  have, we’ve had some good runs and I definitely enjoy going to parts of the country like that, that we don’t get to visit very often.”

The originally scheduled event for the World of Outlaws STP Sprint Car Series on Saturday, April 27 at Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 in Pevely, Mo., was cancelled due to rising flood waters in the area and will not be made up. The series will return to the high-banked bullring, Aug. 2–3 for the Ironman 55.

“We always look forward to racing at Pevely, so it’s unfortunate that the weather didn’t cooperate this time around,” shared Kinser. “The Ironman 55 weekend is back to two nights of racing this year, so those are a couple of races we’ll have circled on the calendar come August.”

Kinser is currently ninth in the World of Outlaws STP Sprint Car Series championship standings on the strength of eight top-10 and three top-five finishes. Entering this weekend’s race, the native of Bloomington, Ind., has finished eighth or better in three of his last four starts, including a pair of fifth-place finishes at El Paso Speedway Park in Texas and Kings Speedway in California.

Kraig Kinser Racing would like to thank Casey’s General Stores, Mesilla Valley Transportation, 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: Salina Highbanks Speedway
0.375- Distance around Salina Highbanks Speedway in miles
1- Race in the state of Oklahoma this season for the World of Outlaws STP Sprint Car Series
2- Fast time awards at World of Outlaws events in Oklahoma during career
3- Top-five finishes thus far in 2013
7- Career World of Outlaws starts in Oklahoma
8- Top-10 finishes this season
9- Position in the current series standings
11.9- Average finishing position in A-Feature events this season
531- Miles from Tri-State Speedway in Haubstadt, Ind., where the World of Outlaws raced on April 20 to Salina Highbanks Speedway in Salina, Okla.
1978- Points earned through April 20
2011- Year of first start at Salina Highbanks Speedway
23,105- Dollars earned through April 20

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.

Frank Kimmel No. 44 Ansell/Menards Toyota Camry
Pre-Race Report
The Salem Speedway – Kentuckiana Ford Dealers ARCA 200 presented by Crosley Radio

Race Information:
Date: April 28, 2013
Race: 3 of 21
Location: The Salem Speedway
Track Details: 0.555 miles

Broadcast Information:
ARCARacing.com for Live Timing & Scoring

Team Facts:
Current Point Standings: Tied for 1st
Crew Chief: Jeriod Prince
Engines: Triad Racing Technologies

SANDUSKY, Ohio (April 25, 2013) — The Salem Speedway, site of Sunday’s third round of the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards, the Kentuckiana Ford Dealers ARCA 200 presented by Crosley Radio, means something special to nine-time series champion Frank Kimmel — who’s won at the legendary southeastern Indiana short track a record nine times.

“It’s our home track, so we’re feeling good that we’re staying home and in our own bed every night,” said Kimmel, a Clarksville, Ind., native. “But more than that we really enjoy that racetrack and feel like we really have a hometown advantage, for sure.”

But to the fans that no doubt will pack the venerable .555-mile oval with its daunting 33-degree banked turns, Kimmel — who once won five consecutive ARCA races at the track, between September 2000 and September 2002 — knows it means something else.

“It doesn’t get any tougher, or any rougher or any harder than Salem Speedway,” Kimmel said, with a truly affectionate grin spreading across his face. “It’s a great old racetrack with a tremendous amount of history and we’ve had great success there over the years. So obviously we really enjoy going back there.”

Kimmel’s being typically low-key when he describes his accomplishments at Salem, which is hallowed ground for both stock-car and open-wheel racers. In the 30 ARCA races at Salem since Kimmel’s first win there, in spring 1998, only fellow Indianan Shelby Howard, who swept Salem in 2003 and former ARCA Series champion Justin Allgaier have won more than once.

Kimmel, who isn’t renowned as a qualifier, holds the Salem ARCA record for pole positions with eight in the same 30-race stretch. Three drivers, former series champion Chris Buescher and former ARCA Rookies of the Year Brian Ross and Bill Baird, have two apiece in that time.

Race drivers — like Kimmel’s ThorSport Racing teammate Matt Crafton praising Rockingham Speedway for its tire-grinding pavement — historically crave a track with “character…” And even though that definition isn’t easy to pin down, Kimmel says Salem, with its 60-year racing legacy, definitely has “it.”

“Salem surpasses character,” Kimmel said, chuckling. “There’s not a lot you can say about Salem that hasn’t already been said, because it’s an amazing old racetrack. It’s rough and it’s tough and it’s unique because you’re running right at the very top of the racetrack.

“There are a lot of things about Salem that makes it a very special place, and the fans we have there are certainly near the top of that list.”

Kimmel and crew chief Jeriod Prince had two decent qualifying performances last year at Salem, 11th and seventh. In the spring, Kimmel finished second to 2012 ARCA Rookie of the Year Alex Bowman and in September Kimmel was fourth. Kimmel finished on the lead lap, but led a lap in neither.

Kimmel already has one short track victory with Prince, in 2012 on the flat Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis. Nothing could be further from Salem’s precipitous high-banked corners, and after one short-track race this season, on the high-banked Mobile International Speedway, Kimmel and Prince know where they need to go.

“Our car at Mobile wasn’t very good and I think both Jeriod and I know that,” Kimmel said. “We’ve already discussed it, a lot, trying to figure out what we need to do to get it back to where it was about mid-season last year, when we were really good racing on the short tracks (winning at LOR and on the Springfield dirt mile).

“So we’ve just got to go to work and check over our notes and try to make our car run good, longer. It’s fast, but we’ve got to make it run (fast) longer.”

Kimmel was fifth at Mobile and that result, along with his fourth-place finish in the Daytona season-opener, puts him in a tie for the series’ championship lead with Tennessee youngster Mason Mingus, the Mobile pole winner.

Kimmel and Mingus lead the 30-car Salem entry list, the least number of cars Kimmel will have to deal with in the last three Salem ARCA events. Besides Kimmel, last fall’s winner Tom Hessert Jr. is the only former winner entered, but there are a number of “young guns,” including Kyle Benjamin, Daytona winner John Wes Townley and Mobile winner Grant Enfinger, that are on Kimmel’s radar.

“I think it’s going to be a real good season,” Kimmel said. “I think there’s a lot of good, young racers out there. I’m hearing a rumor that Grant Enfinger is working on a deal to run the whole season so he’d be tough, and Mason’s done a real nice job.

“Whoever’s driving the 15 (Benjamin) and the 25 (Justin Boston) for the Venturinis is gonna be fast so every week that we go to the track we’re probably gonna have a slightly different list of characters but there’s a few that are going to run the whole year and those kids are gonna make it tough on us.

“We’re gonna have to go out and perform — but I really feel like if we go out and do what we’re supposed to do and what we’re capable of they’re gonna have a hard time with us.”

Menards Pole Qualifying presented by Ansell is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET Saturday afternoon and will be online at ARCARacing.com. On Sunday an ARCA driver autograph session from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. will precede the main event. The season’s third race is scheduled to get the green flag at 2:15 p.m.

ABOUT MENARDS:
With 270 stores in 14 Midwestern states, Menards has the tools, materials and supplies for all your home improvement needs whether just needing a light bulb or can of paint to building a deck or new home. Menards is known throughout the home improvement industry as the low price leader; it’s no wonder their famous slogan – “SAVE BIG MONEY” – is so widely known and easy to remember. Menards does things right – the company’s strength and success can be seen in the well-stocked and maintained stores, the lowest prices in town and the way guests are always treated like family in a hometown hardware store atmosphere.

ABOUT THORSPORT RACING:
ThorSport Racing, based in a state-of-the-art 100,000-square-foot facility in Sandusky, Ohio, is the longest-tenured active NASCAR Camping World Truck Series team. Thorsport, which has run full-season Truck Series schedules annually beginning in 1998, in 2013 will run the No. 88 Menards Toyota Tundra driven by Matt Crafton, the No. 98 Carolina Nut Co./Curb Records Toyota Tundra driven by Johnny Sauter and the No. 13 SealMaster Toyota Tundra driven by Todd Bodine in the Truck Series and the No. 44 Ansell/Menards Toyota Camry driven by Frank Kimmel in the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards.

New Castle, Ind.—April 24, 2013— Having two straight weekends rained out feels like an eternity for a racer. Just ask Tracy Hines, who has put in plenty of hours in the shop recently, but would much rather be at the track mixing it up. With three races scheduled in his home state of Indiana this weekend, he’ll get the chance to compete and also show his versatility. Hines will contest a pair of races with the USAC Amsoil National Sprint Car Series along with the season opener for the USAC Traxxas Silver Crown Series.

Hines opens the weekend on Friday, April 26 at Gas City I-69 Speedway with the USAC Amsoil National Sprint Car Series in his own Hansen’s Welding Inc. DRC with a Stanton Mopar engine under the hood. Action then shifts to Lincoln Park Speedway in Putnamville on Saturday, April 27 for the sprinters. The USAC Traxxas Silver Crown Series season opening 50-lap Sumar Classic follows on Sunday, April 28 at the Terre Haute Action Track for Hines in the Lightfoot Racing No. 16 Beast.

“We are definitely anxious to get on the track and get all of the races in this weekend,” said Hines. “After a long layoff like we’ve had the last couple of weekends, it will be great to get to race at three tracks we’ve had some good runs at over the years. We’re looking to get back on track with the sprint car and open the Silver Crown season on a strong note.”

Hines raced a total of seven times in a sprint car at Gas City last season, with two of those appearances being with the USAC Amsoil National Sprint Car Series. He finished a season-best fourth at the always racy quarter-mile in May with the King of Indiana Sprint Series (KISS). The 2002 USAC Amsoil National Sprint Car Series champion has won twice with the series at Gas City in his career, with the most coming in 2010.

“We turned a lot of laps at Gas City last year and feel like we have a pretty good combination there,” he noted. “With it being early in the season, there will probably be quite a few cars on-hand, so qualifying well will definitely be important. Gas City is a place you always have to be on your toes at and keep up with what the surface is doing all night.”

Hines, who has two career victorious at Lincoln Park Speedway with the USAC National Midget Series, competed once at the high-banked, 5/16-mile last year with the USAC Amsoil National Sprint Car Series. That start came during Indiana Sprint Week. His best finish in 2012 at Lincoln Park was an eighth-place showing in a midget during Indiana Midget Week with the USAC National Midget Series.

“Lincoln Park can be a very challenging track,” he noted. “We only race there a couple of times a year and they always seem to have a strong field of cars there, so making the most of hot laps and turning in a good qualifying effort is a key to having a good night. These will be the first two races we’ve had on smaller tracks with the sprint car and it will be a good chance to see how we stack up on the tighter tracks.”

At the Terre Haute Action Track last year with the USAC Traxxas Silver Crown Series, Hines finished fifth, which was one of five top-10 finishes he recorded over the course of the season. He raced four times last year at the historic half-mile, which is the only half-mile dirt track in the state of Indiana. Three of those appearances came in a sprint car with the USAC Amsoil National Sprint Car Series. He finished a season-best third at Terre Haute during Indiana Sprint Week and was fourth in the fall at the venue. Hines enters this season with nine career USAC Traxxas Silver Crown Series wins, which is ninth on the series all-time win list.

“We finished last season at Terre Haute in the Silver Crown car and had a pretty good run, so hopefully we can build on that,” he shared. “With this being the first race of the season at Terre Haute we’ll pay extra attention to the surface early in the night and see how it settled after the winter and the all of the rainy weather early this spring. I’ve come close to winning in a Silver Crown car at Terre Haute in the past and it’s certainly one of those places I want to win at.”

Entering the pair of races with the USAC Amsoil National Sprint Car Series this weekend, Hines is fifth in points on the strength of two wins in the first four races of the season. In 2012, he finished ninth in points with the USAC Traxxas Silver Crown Series and claimed the series title in 2000.

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

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

Watertown, Conn.—April 24, 2013— Faced with the prospect of racing just once for the second weekend in a row, thanks to Mother Nature interrupting the World of Outlaws STP Sprint Car Series schedule, David Gravel did what any true racer would do. He found a race to fill the opening in the schedule and thus will get to compete twice this weekend in two different cars. He’ll continue to pilot Bill Rose’s Firetext Response Maxim with the World of Outlaws STP Sprint Car Series at Salina Highbanks Speedway in Oklahoma, before heading north to the famed Knoxville Raceway in Knoxville, Iowa, to pilot his own No. 89G JRC Transportation J&J.

Gravel will open the weekend by making his debut at Salina Highbanks Speedway in Salina, Okla., on Friday, April 26. On Saturday, April 27, he will take to the track for the Knoxville Raceway season opener.

For Gravel, the trip to the three-eighths-mile Salina Highbanks Speedway will mark the first sprint car start of his career in the state of Oklahoma. The last time the World of Outlaws STP Sprint Car Series raced in the Sooner State was in 2011 at Salina. Gravel has competed five times on three-eighths-mile tracks this season in Rose’s car, with a best finish of fourth at El Paso Speedway Park in Texas last week and also turned in an eighth-place performance at Tucson International Raceway in Arizona.

“From what I hear, Salina is a pretty decently sized track and obviously has a lot of banking to it,” said Gravel. “I’ve raced at a lot of new tracks this year and have been able to get up to speed pretty quick at them, so hopefully it’s the same this weekend. I’ve had some good runs at Eldora and other high banked tracks over the last few years and I’ll approach Salina the same way I do other higher banked, momentum-type tracks.”

Gravel competed at Knoxville Raceway last season during the Knoxville Nationals and also the Sunday prior to the event, racing in the inaugural Capitani Classic at the half-mile. During the new Friday night portion of the Knoxville Nationals, Gravel finished second which marked his best-career finish at Knoxville and more importantly earned him a spot in the Saturday night finale for the first time in his career. The native of Watertown, Conn., made his Knoxville Nationals debut in 2010, claiming Rookie of the Year honors.

“We haven’t been to Knoxville since the Nationals last year and one of the things we wanted to do this year was to get some laps in there before going back for this year’s Nationals and to get better there,” he explained. “It will be nice to get back in my car and see where we stand there at Knoxville. Any laps we can get at Knoxville will definitely come in handy when the Nationals roll around in August.”

The East Coast racer has made five starts in the No. 89G this season, opening the year with the UNOH All Star Circuit of Champions at Bubba Raceway Park in Florida, with a fifth-place finish. He crossed the line sixth in the finale of that two-night event. With the World of Outlaws STP Sprint Car Series at Volusia Speedway Park during the UNOH DIRTcar Nationals, Gravel finished eighth on the second night, earning the KSE Hard Charger Award, after starting 22nd.

Gravel is currently sixth in the World of Outlaws STP Sprint Car Series championship standings, just 29 markers out of the top-five on the strength of eight top-10 and four top-five finishes. Last weekend, he finished a season-best second at Tri-State Speedway in Indiana, piloting Rose’s No. 6 machine.

“We’ve been pretty quick the last couple of races in Bill’s car and hopefully we can continue that at Salina,” Gravel stated. “The main thing I think has been qualifying well and putting ourselves in a position to get in the dash and then having good runs in the dash to start up front in the feature. With how tough the competition is right now, you have to put a whole night together to be in contention and that’s what we’ve done the last few races.”

David Gravel and DDR Motorsports would like to thank: J&J Chassis, JRC Transportation, Kistler Engines, Musco Fuels and P&M Transportation for their continued support.

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