Category: Other Series PR

Concord, NC (March 6, 2013) – Soon after the completion of his ARCA Racing Series debut last month at Daytona, Venturini Motorsports driver Justin Boston stated how much he was looking forward to his next race, Saturday’s Mobile ARCA 200 at Mobile International Speedway.

Boston (No. 25 ZLOOP™ Computer & Electronics Recycling Toyota) finished 31st that afternoon after contact and damage from another driver, but remained positive with short track racing just around the corner. He said then that based on his racing background, short track racing suits him better early in his ARCA career.

He repeated that sentiment after testing at Mobile and producing positive results last Saturday.

“I really like that track,” Boston said. “It suits me well. When we were first running Saturday, we only ran about a tenth off of what Brennan (Poole) ran in the same situation (in 2012). Our race pace was almost the same as what won the race last year on 50-lap tires, so we’re right there. We made one mock (qualifying) run and we were a little off, but I think that’s just because of how cold it was.”

The rookie from Baltimore also appreciates Mobile for its similarities to another short track he’s driven in his young career. He is quick to note, though, that Mobile – a half-mile oval with no backstretch wall – is a unique facility.

“It’s not really the same as another; no short track is the same,” he said. “But it does remind me a lot of Myrtle Beach. I like Myrtle Beach, and I felt some similarities in it, but it’s overall different.”

Not only did testing give Boston a chance to dial in his Toyota before practice begins Friday, but the commute of over 600 miles each way between Venturini’s home shop in Concord, N.C. and the track in Irvington, Ala. helped the driver become more well-rounded by learning about his crew.

“It helps us as a team,” Boston said. “It definitely helps to know who’s working on your car and who everybody is, what they’re all about. I feel like we’re starting to become more of a family now. When you spend 20 hours in a car with these guys over the past few days and then you’re at the track with them, you learn a lot about what they like in their lives and what they do. It’s cool to get to know them better and for them to get to know me better.”

Fewer than half of the 30 drivers above Boston in the standings are entered at Mobile, giving him a prime opportunity to move toward the top 10. Should his finish Saturday meet his early expectations – and should the bad luck from Daytona truly stay in the past – Boston will have no problem approaching the top tier of the standings.

“Really, the only thing you can do is keep your head down and look at what’s in front of you, and not worry about what’s behind you,” he said. “I can’t control what happens behind me, only how I react to what happens in front of me. Conservatively, we’re thinking top 10, but really I’m thinking top five or top three.”

Two 45-minute practices are scheduled for Friday at Mobile International Speedway, beginning at 2:30 and 4:15 p.m. Menards Pole Qualifying presented by Ansell is scheduled for that evening, at 7 p.m. Boston and the rest of the ARCA Racing Series field will participate in an on-track autograph session at noon Saturday, just before the 200-lap, 100-mile race at 2 p.m. All times listed are Central.

About ZLOOP™
ZLOOP™ Computer and Electronics Recycling Centers, based in Hickory, N.C., offers eWaste recycling services based on the company’s core values of education and simplicity, and that will be evident in NASCAR and ARCA competition across America in 2013.

More information on ZLOOP™, its equipment and processes, and ZLOOP™ Racing is available online atzloopit.com. ZLOOP™ is on Twitter at @ZLOOPRacing and @zloopCERC.

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. With 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 Ryan Reed. In 2012, VMS was inducted into the National Italian Sports Hall of Fame, and 2013 will highlight the team’s debut in the NASCAR Nationwide Series.

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

Watertown, Conn.—March 4, 2013 — Drivers never want to see a fellow driver get injured and in the unfortunate circumstance that a counterpart does suffer an injury, the pit area bands together to help out their fallen comrade. David Gravel will do his best to carry the torch this week for Bill Rose, who suffered a broken left arm that required surgery, on the second night of the season at Volusia Speedway Park last month. Rose has tabbed Gravel to fill-in for him for at least the next five races aboard the No. 6 Fire Text Response Maxim with the World of Outlaws STP Sprint Car Series. Gravel will compete in three races this week in Las Vegas and Tucson as the World of Outlaws kick-off a six-week West Coast swing.

“It’s unfortunate luck for Bill (Rose) to get injured,” said Gravel. “I’m going to do my best to get some good finishes for him. To be in a World of Outlaws car is a great opportunity for me and to get to visit some new tracks as well is something I am really looking forward to.”

Gravel, who has one career World of Outlaws STP Sprint Car Series main event win, will make his debut at the half-mile at The Dirt Track at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Wednesday, March 6, with the two-night program concluding on Thursday, March 7. Each night will consist of a full race program beginning with hot laps and time trials, followed by heat races, a dash and A-Feature event.

“Hot laps will be pretty important each night and paying close attention to what lines we runs and how the track is,” shared Gravel. “Usually I do pretty good on the bigger tracks, so going from Volusia last month to Las Vegas this week should not be too big of an adjustment. My crew chief Tyler (Swank) has been there quite a few times, so he knows what to expect and that always helps as well.”

Gravel will head to the southwest following the two nights at Las Vegas, where he’ll visit another track for the first time as the World of Outlaws STP Sprint Car Series make their first appearance since 2007 at Tucson International Raceway on Saturday, March 9, for the Wildcat Shootout Presented by NAPA Auto Parts. Tucson International Raceway is a semi-banked, three-eighths-mile and Gravel has raced twice on a track that size this season with the UNOH All Star Circuit of Champions at Bubba Raceway Park in Florida, where he finished fifth and sixth.

“I usually adapt to new tracks pretty well, so hopefully that’s the case at Tucson,” he noted. “Most of the guys on the road with the Outlaws have been to so many tracks that even at a place like Tucson that they haven’t been to for a while, they still have notes from other places they can compare it to, so that may give them a bit of an advantage, but you try not to think about stuff like that.”

Gravel, who opened the season last month with the World of Outlaws in the UNOH DIRTcar Nationals Presented by Summit Racing Equipment in his familiar No. 89G (which he will again pilot, once Rose returns), will also contend for the series Kevin Gobrecht Rookie of the Year Award under a new format implemented for 2013. To be considered for the Kevin Gobrecht Rookie of the Year Award Presented by ButlerBuilt, a driver must participate in at least 50 percent of the races scheduled in 2013, with the formula used to determine the top rookie based on average feature event finish.

“The timing was right with the rules being adjusted for Rookie of the Year candidates,” Gravel explained. “I would have loved to run a whole year under the old format, but they opened it up so that more people have a chance and with how things are today it was a good decision by them. I’m definitely excited and hopefully we can get a lot of strong finishes this year and be in contention for some wins.”

Gravel enters the trio of races this week 17th in the World of Outlaws championship standings, just 26 markers out of the top-10. He finished eighth on the second night of the UNOH DIRTcar Nationals at Volusia Speedway Park in Florida last month, coming all the way from the 22nd starting position, earning the KSE Racing Products Hard Charger Award in the process. He also qualified for the main event on the other two nights at Volusia.

“The first goal at each of the races this week is to make it into the feature,” he said, when asked about Las Vegas and Tucson. “Then the next goal is to get into the top-10 or top-five at the finish. Obviously, we want to win races, but you have to get into the race first and then put yourself in a good position to be in contention and we’ll try out best to do that.”

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

Concord, NC (March 4, 2013) – Already in 2013, young Kyle Benjamin has turned heads in the racing world with performances well beyond his 15 years. This week at Mobile International Speedway in Alabama, Benjamin will become the youngest competitor in 61 years of ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards competition.

Benjamin earned four wins and seven fast-time awards in super late model action at the World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing just weeks ago at Florida’s New Smyrna Speedway. With Venturini Motorsports this week, the Easley, S.C. driver will aim for more success and his first ARCA win in Venturini Motorsports’ No. 15 The Truth Band Chevrolet.

While he’s a rookie by series standards, Benjamin is no stranger at Mobile’s high-banked, half-mile oval. Last year, he competed in each race of the five-leg Miller Lite Super Late Model Series at the track, winning on April 28 and finishing second on June 23. The year before, he competed three times in pro late model action, winning once.

“I’ve been there a handful of times in a late model and won a few races, so I have a fair amount of laps on the track,” said Benjamin, who will follow his debut with ARCA races later this season at Toledo, Winchester, and Iowa Speedways. “ARCA cars are obviously different than late models so I have some things to learn. They’re both really hard to drive, just in different ways. The ARCA car handles completely different. They’re both competitive, so it’s a huge learning deal that’s going on now. I’ll have to learn everything, how the car falls off, what happens when the tires wear, all that stuff.”

Benjamin and his Venturini teammates were among a group of over 10 drivers who tested at Mobile Saturday to gain extra seat time before the Mobile ARCA 200.

“In race runs, our car was stout,” he said. “It didn’t seem to drop off as fast as everybody else, so I’m pretty excited about the race.”

Last season, Venturini driver Erik Jones made his ARCA debut at Mobile, becoming the series’ youngest competitor at 15 years, 284 days. Born on November 3, 1997, Benjamin will make his first series start even earlier, at 15 years, 126 days. Jones started third and led 14 laps in his debut, and Benjamin feels he can contend in the same way.

“We wouldn’t go if we didn’t think we could win the race,” he said. “Obviously, it’s going to be tough because I’m still learning a lot every time I get in the car. Everybody in the ARCA Racing Series is really experienced, so we’ll see how it goes. I feel like I’ve proven myself in a late model and I want to do the same in an ARCA car.”

Benjamin said Venturini teammates Justin Boston, Taylor Ferns, and Brennan Poole have been helpful in his development and transition to ARCA competition. Poole ran the full season last year and has four series wins. Boston made his debut at Daytona last month, and Ferns is joining Benjamin in a debut effort this Saturday.

“They’ve been nice to me and have given me information to help me transfer into the ARCA car and speed up the learning process.”

If Benjamin’s recent history – the New Smyrna success, ARCA CRA Super Series victories in the prestigious Watermelon 100 super late model race and at Lucas Oil Raceway last year, and the 2012 ARCA CRA Super Series Southern Tour championship – are any indication, that learning process may very well move through Victory Lane at Mobile International Speedway.

Benjamin’s race sponsor, rock band The Truth, will kick off the Mobile ARCA 200 weekend at the Home Mortgage of America Green Flag Party this Thursday, March 7. The party will take place at Grand Central on Dauphin St. in downtown Mobile. The Truth vocalist Ayesha Scott will perform the national anthem for Saturday’s race.

Two 45-minute practices are scheduled for Friday at Mobile International Speedway, beginning at 2:30 and 4:15 p.m. Menards Pole Qualifying presented by Ansell is scheduled for that evening, at 7 p.m. Benjamin and the rest of the ARCA Racing Series field will participate in an on-track autograph session at noon Saturday, just before the 200-lap, 100-mile race at 2 p.m. All times listed are Central.

About the TRUTH Band
National Recording Artists, THE TRUTH BAND, formed in Pittsburgh, PA by lead vocalist and guitarist Paul Benson, brings a driving rock and roll sound back to the forefront from the days when bands rocked arenas. This eclectic group of musicians’ debut album, “Can’t Let Go”, was produced by Kid Rock’s Kenny Olson and features original songs written by the band and co-writers Jeff Thurston and legendary, number one song writer Bernie Nelson.

Founder, Paul Benson has had a passion and uncanny musical ability from a very young age. Both Paul, a veteran performer of the big stage, and drummer Josh Gerba, a road warrior, have performed hundreds of live shows with various bands. Shayne MacLaughlin brings the distinct guitar sound Paul has been searching for. Beautiful and multi-talented vocalist Ayesha Scott, who joined Paul after several guest appearances on his live shows, has been collaborating on music and lyrics ever since, gelling their musical styles together to form the sound of The Truth. The band will be touring this summer with the ARCA Racing Series, serving as the official ‘Music Partner” of Venturini Motorsports and has a full fall college tour scheduled. Twitter: @thetruthisrock

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. With 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 Ryan Reed. In 2012, VMS was inducted into the National Italian Sports Hall of Fame, and 2013 will highlight the team’s debut in the NASCAR Nationwide Series.

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

Frank Kimmel – Mobile International Speedway
ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards
Race 2 of 21

Frank Kimmel No. 44 Ansell/Menards Toyota Camry
Pre-Race Report
Mobile International Speedway – ARCA Mobile 200

Race Information:
Date: March 9, 2013
Race: 2 of 21
Location: Mobile International Speedway
Track Details: 0.5 miles
Race Length: 200 laps / 100 Miles

Broadcast Information:

ARCARacing.com for Live Timing & Scoring

Team Facts:
Current Point Standings: 4th
Crew Chief: Jeriod Prince
Engines: Triad Racing Technologies

SANDUSKY, Ohio (March 4, 2013) — Frank Kimmel knew he had a great possibility to score his first ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards victory with ThorSport Racing at the 2012 ARCA Mobile 200.

But three laps from the end of the series’ inaugural event at the half-mile short track, Kimmel was spun out of a top-five finish in a race won by popular local driver Cale Gale. Kimmel ended up 17th, part of a disastrous beginning to last season that ultimately doomed Kimmel’s chances for a 10th career title before they really got started.

In 2013, Kimmel has several reasons to eagerly anticipate Saturday afternoon’s second annual Mobile ARCA 200 — and Gale not being on the Mobile entry list isn’t one of them. First, Kimmel and his ThorSport team came out of the series’ opener, three weeks ago at Daytona International Speedway, fourth in the championship.

But even more important, he’s got a full season working with crew chief Jeriod Prince, who engineered two victories for Kimmel in the second half of last season.

“Mobile is just your absolute, classic short track,” Kimmel said. “Last year was my first time there and that was my first short-track race with ThorSport, so there were a lot of variables going on with that deal.

“But we came off the truck really fast. We ran good the whole night and actually had a really good opportunity to win the race. Late in the race we were right there and was passing for third up on the outside and we got spun out.”

The contact cut down the left-rear tire on Kimmel’s No. 44 Ansell/Menards Toyota Camry and when the dust settled and the checkers flew Kimmel was 17th in the final running order.

“That was a disappointing end to what could have been a really, really good finish,” Kimmel said. “So I can’t wait to get back there. It is your typical short track that we’ve all come from and it brings back a lot of memories. That’s why I’m really looking forward to it.”

After he got done gritting his teeth at the memories, Kimmel had to smile when he looked at that Mobile-style action from the fans’ perspective.

“That uncertainty — never knowing what’s gonna happen — is absolutely part of the attraction of any short-track race,” Kimmel said. “That’s why there’s such popularity with Bristol and Martinsville and all the other stuff for the big guys (NASCAR Sprint Cup Series) because anything can happen.

“We had a really good car and was looking at a really good finish and everything was in line — we just didn’t get it done. But that’s what makes short-track racing so exciting. Everything’s so close and anything can happen on any lap.”

Right off the bat, Kimmel hopes to improve his qualifying performance. He started the 2012 Mobile event 11th and at the next short-track race, at Salem, Ind., he did the same. The difference was, Kimmel finished second at Salem.

“Based on how we went through the year in 2012 I think this trip can be really good,” Kimmel said of Mobile. “I think we learned a lot at Mobile and on into the season. Our cars got faster and faster as we went.

“There are things that we need to work on — that I need to work on — and qualifying is definitely one of them. We need to start further up front so we don’t put our stuff in jeopardy. The pit stops were excellent last year and I’m sure they’ll be even better this year and I feel like we’re gonna be a force to be reckoned with any place we go race this year.”

Kimmel hopes to participate in at least part of an ARCA fan event at the USS Alabama battleship at Mobile Bay on Thursday evening, when a driver autograph session is scheduled from 5-6 p.m. CT. Practice for the Mobile race begins at 2:30 p.m. Friday and Menards Pole Qualifying presented by Ansell is at 7 p.m. in conjunction with races for Mobile’s local divisions.

The main event is scheduled for Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m. Another ARCA driver autograph session will precede the ARCA Mobile 200, from 12-1 p.m.

ABOUT MENARDS:

With 271 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 Mattei Air Compressors 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.

UNOH Battle At The Beach Night Two:

Hayley Claims NASCAR K&N Pro Series Event; Park Wins Modified Race

Green-White-Checkered Finish Wraps Up Exciting Trio of Short-Track Clashes

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Cameron Hayley came from behind during a green-white-checkered finish to win the inaugural UNOH Battle At The Beach NASCAR K&N Pro Series race Tuesday night at Daytona International Speedway.

It was only fitting that the third and final race of the two-day event concluded with cars trading paint, given that the first two races ended with last-lap contact and late lead changes.

Hayley took advantage when the race leaders tangled in Turn 2 to drive to the victory.

Fifteen-year-old Gray Gaulding finished second in the Krispy Kreme Toyota, while Puerto Rican Bryan Ortiz took the third spot in the Putinka Vodka Toyota.

“It was a tough race overall,” said Hayley, who hails from Calgary, Alberta, Canada. “When I was sitting there on that last restart, I was thinking they were going to wreck in front of me. There’s going to be something happening in front of me. My crew chief and my spotter coming over the radio telling me to be patient and when you see a hole – go.”

Tuesday’s nightcap, the feature of the UNOH Battle At The Beach, showcased 28 drivers from 11 different U.S. states, Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico and Spain.

Other notables included Ben Kennedy, son of International Speedway Corporation CEO Lesa France Kennedy, who finished fifth.  Kennedy is the first France family member to race at Daytona International Speedway in a stock car.

“It was a great experience to run at DIS, really cool what the track has put together for tonight,” Kennedy said. “Unfortunately we got knocked around and messed up our rear end for the rest of the night. Really should’ve been in Victory Lane tonight but proud of the guys. We’ll go on to Bristol and set our sights on the championship.”

 

 

Steve Park Wins UNOH Battle At The Beach NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour Race in Another Wild Last-Lap Finish

Park Bumps Then-Race Leader Mike Stefanik in Turn 2 to take Checkered Flag

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Steve Park raced to the finish line to capture the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour Race, the first of two races Tuesday night at the UNOH Battle At The Beach at Daytona International Speedway.

Park, a Daytona Beach resident, overtook Eric Goodale coming out of Turn 2 after making contact with Mike Stefanik’s back bumper on the white flag lap.  Eric Goodale finished second in the RBS Showroom Chevrolet, while Ted Christopher took third place driving the Cape Cod Copper/Silver Dollar Construction Chevrolet.  Stefanik claimed 13th place in his Robert B. Our Co./Canto & Sons Paving Chevrolet.

“You can win races all over this country but you are not going to have a Daytona trophy like we have here,” said Park, who had previously raced in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. “I’ve had the opportunity to race here 14 or 15 times and I never had a Daytona trophy but now I do. It’s a big deal for me.

“We started almost dead last and won the race,” said Park, who drove a Ford sponsored by UNOH. “We went from the outhouse to penthouse. I don’t think we had the fastest car.  I thought if we could put ourselves in the position and have the wheels on the car, we would have something to race with at the end.”

Tuesday night’s opener included 18 cautions in the 150-lap, 60-mile race.

Tickets for Budweiser Speedweeks events are available online at daytonainternationalspeedway.com or by calling 1-800-PITSHOP.

Fans can follow NASCAR on Twitter (@NASCAR) and stay up to speed on the latest news by using hashtags #NASCAR and #DAYTONA500 and #NASCARBattle.  In addition, fans can also stay connected with Daytona International Speedway on Twitter, Facebook, Google+ and Pinterest for all the latest news all season long.

New Castle, Ind.—Feb. 19, 2013— It’s the goal of every driver to start the season on a strong note and with some consistency. Tracy Hines did exactly that as he finished third in the 2013 season-opener for the USAC National Midget Series and their pavement championship at New Smyrna Speedway in Florida, and wrapped up the two-night event with an eighth-place performance.

Hines, piloting the Parker Machinery/Powered by Toyota Spike, began the first night at New Smyrna on Sunday, Feb. 17, by turning the ninth-fastest lap in time trials. He lined up third in the first of two scrambles and finished fourth. Each of the two scrambles were inverted by six, with the finishing positions of those 12-lap contests determining the starting lineup for the main event. Hines lined up on the inside of the fourth row for the 30-lap A-Feature at the high-banked, half-mile. The native of New Castle, Ind., fell back a couple of spots at the beginning of the main event before making a late race charge to take the third and final spot on the podium from Tanner Swanson.

“The car really came out late in the race,” shared Hines on Sunday night. “For the first race of the season to come home third was a pretty good result. We were trying a few things and learned a number of things that will help us down the road. It gives us a good baseline for Monday nightand to gain some momentum for the rest of the year.”

On Monday night, Hines was fifth-fastest in time trials, which put him on the outside of the second row in the first 12-lap scramble. Hines started fourth and finished fifth in the scramble, which was delayed by nearly an hour-and-a-half, due to the track lights going out. The veteran driver lined up seventh for the 30-lap A-Feature and came home eighth to earn his second straight top-10 finish to open the season.

“We were fast at the beginning of the night and just couldn’t quite make up any ground in the heat race or the main event,” he noted. “We are getting closer to where we need to be. The next pavement midget race is at IRP (Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis) where we always do well, so I’m definitely looking forward to that one.”

Hines, who is currently seventh in the USAC National Midget Series Pavement Championship standings, just three points out of fifth and 20 markers out of the lead, will remain in Florida this week to kick-off the 2013 USAC Amsoil National Sprint Car Series season at Bubba Raceway Park in Ocala. Three nights of racing are scheduled, beginning on Thursday, Feb. 21 and running through Saturday, Feb. 23. The next race for the USAC National Midget Series will be the Dirt Championship opener at Kokomo Speedway in Indiana on Friday, April 12 andSaturday, April 13.

“We have a bit of time until the next midget race and quite a while until the next pavement race, so we’ll work on a number of things when we get back to the shop to get a bit faster,” he shared. “As a driver you always want to finish just a little further up, but for the first two races of the year to have a podium and just be outside of the top-five in the other, we’ll take it.”

Tracy Hines Racing would like to thank: Parker Machinery, Powered by Toyota, Turbines, Inc., Afco Racing Shocks, Schoenfeld, Stanton Racing Engines, Daum Motorsport, Indiana Underground, Hoosier, Bell and Drivin Racing Oil.

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

Bloomington, Ind.—Feb. 18, 2013— Entering the season-opening World of Outlaws STP Sprint Car Series event at Volusia Speedway Park in Florida, Kraig Kinser wanted to at least equal his performance from last year at the half-mile. He did more than that, as he exceeded his results from 2012, by finishing third, ninth and 11th in the three races for the series during the 42nd Annual UNOH DIRTcar National Presented by Summit Racing Equipment. Kinser heads back north fourth in the World of Outlaws STP Sprint Car Series championship standings.

“All in all, things went pretty well at Volusia,” said Kinser. “We were fast all week, especially in time trials and put ourselves in a good position on a couple of those nights. We learned a lot about the new tires and got up to speed fairly quick on those. You always want to finish a few spots higher, but with the caliber of cars that were at Volusia, to finish as well as we did, I can’t complain.”

Kinser opened the 42nd Annual UNOH DIRTcar National Presented by Summit Racing Equipment with a ninth-place showing on Friday, Feb. 15 in the Casey’s General Store/Mesilla Valley Transportation Maxim. He timed in third-fastest to earn three bonus points in the World of Outlaws STP Sprint Car Series championship standings. He finished third in the third eight-lap heat race to earn a spot in the dash where he finished third. Kinser ran among the top-10 for the duration of the 30-lap main event, which was slowed by four cautions and a red flag period, crossing the line ninth to earn his first top-10 finish of the season.

“We just of kind of missed the set-up in the feature,” he shared. “We still finished in the top-10, but where we were starting we probably should have finished in the top-five or even on the podium. You’ll have those nights and you have to learn from them and move on and we still had a strong showing and ran with some good cars.”

On the second night of the event, Kinser earned a season-best third-place finish as he continued his strong start to the 2013 campaign. The third-generation driver lined up fourth for the main event and ran as high as second over the course of the 30-lap contest, which had just one yellow flag. The native of Bloomington, Ind., opened the night by turning the 10th-fastest lap in time trials. He finished second in the second eight-lap heat race to earn a spot in the dash where he came home fourth.

“It was a great run and a confidence booster for sure,” said Kinser on Saturday night. “We’ve been good since we unloaded for practice earlier in the week. We put ourselves in a nice position by getting into the dash and had a really good set-up for the feature. This gives us some good momentum going into Sunday night, as we know we have a good big track program right now.”

The 2005 winner of the Knoxville Nationals wrapped up the UNOH DIRTcar Nationals Presented by Summit Racing Equipment with an 11th-place showing on Sunday, Feb. 17 in a race that was slowed three times in the final three laps for cautions and once for a red flag. Kinser recorded the fifth-fastest lap in time trials of the 36 entrants at the half-mile. He finished fourth in the first heat race to transfer to the 30-lap main event, where he lined up 13th.

“We rolled the car on the trailer in one piece and with everything that was going on the last few laps in that race, that was an accomplishment in itself,” he said. “We started in the middle of the pack and the track was so fast that it was tough to do a lot of passing, so you had to kind of pick and choose your spots wisely. We learned a few things that should come in handy later in the year on the bigger tracks.”

Kinser was scheduled to compete in both of the UNOH All Star Circuit of Champions events at Volusia on Wednesday, Feb. 13 and Thursday, Feb. 14, but that pair of races fell to rain and was not rescheduled.

Kinser, who is currently fourth in the World of Outlaws STP Sprint Car Series standings, on the strength of two top-10 finishes, returns to action on Wednesday, March 6 and Thursday, March 7 at The Dirt Track at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, followed by a trip to Tucson International Speedway in Arizona on Saturday, March 9, as the series begins its early-season West Coast swing.

“We have a couple of weeks to prepare for the West Coast trip and we’ll make the most of the time in the shop,” Kinser shared. “We have a good foundation to build on and some momentum as we head west. To leave Florida in the top-five in points is great and we showed that we are fast and we know what we are capable of. I can’t wait to get to Las Vegas in two weeks.”

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.

Volusia Speedway Park Results

Date	Time Trials	Heat Start	Heat Finish	Dash Start	Dash Finish	Feature Start	Feature Finish	Points
Feb. 15	3rd	4th	3rd	4th	3rd	3rd	9th	8th
Feb. 16	10th	2nd	2nd	4th	4th	4th	3rd	4th
Feb. 17	5th	3rd	4th	N/A	N/A	13th	11th	4th

Kraig Kinser By the Numbers: Volusia Speedway Park:
0.5- Miles around Volusia Speedway Park
1- Top-Five finish at the half-mile
2- Top-10 finishes at Volusia; Appearances in the dash in 2013
3- A-Feature events contested by the World of Outlaws STP Sprint Car Series during the UNOH DIRTcar Nationals Presented by Summit Racing Equipment
4- Current position in the series championship standings
5- Top-Five finishes at Volusia Speedway Park with the World of Outlaws dating back to 2005
6- Average qualifying position in 2013 with the World of Outlaws
6.7- Average starting position in main events this season
7- Different seasons competing in an A-Feature at Volusia with the World of Outlaws
7.7- Average finishing position in A-Feature events thus far in 2013
10- Career top-five finishes with the World of Outlaws at Volusia Speedway Park
10.7- Average finish in 19 career main events starts with the series at the half-mile
13.057- Lap in time trials on Friday night
13.283- Laps in time trials on Sunday night
13.319- Laps in time trials on Saturday night
19- Career main event starts with the World of Outlaws at Volusia Speedway Park
408- Points earned in the first three races of the season
6,750- Dollars earned in the first three World of Outlaws event of 2013

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 event on DIRTVision.com with “The Voice of the Outlaws” Johnny Gibson on the call. Visitwww.DIRTVision.com for live audio of each and every World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series event.