Testing SpeedwayMedia.com

Category: Other Series PR

Other series racing press release

  • Matt Merrell; Win-Tron Racing Ready To Seal The Deal In Toledo

    “Merrell Knocking On The Door Heading Into’s ARCA Backyard”

    TOLEDO, Ohio (May 12, 2011) – – Matt Merrell’s success in the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards thus far in 2011 hasn’t been surprising. With top-10 finishes in each of the first four races of the year, Merrell has found himself knocking on the door to his first career victory. Frustrating enough though, victory has eluded the Portland, Texas native.

    The opportunity for “champagne wishes and caviar dreams” will once again be in prime this weekend as Merrell and his Win-Tron Racing crew return to Toledo Speedway for the running of the Menards 200 presented by Federated Car Care.

    No doubt that taking the checkered flag first in the No. 32 Champion Brands Dodge Charger on Sunday will help a surge in the point standings where the former USARacing Pro Cup Series competitor occupies third, just 80 markers behind leader Ty Dillon.

    “I’m more than ready to win,” said Merrell. “Not only have we found ourselves close this season but in the past too. This Win-Tron Racing team continues to give me the ingredients on a weekly basis to climb into the No. 32 Champion Brands Dodge Charger and be competitive. A win at Toledo would be so sweet; I hope we can pull it off on Sunday.”

    The first of two contests at Toledo Speedway this year signifies the third race that Champion Brands will heed the role as the primary sponsor for the Lakeville, Minnesota-based team. Headquartered in Clinton, Missouri Champion Brands LLC produces and blends more than 300 products including fuel, oil and engine additives and lubricants for the automotive, heavy truck, agricultural and specialty markets.

    “To have a partner like Champion Brands on-board is a real blessing,” continued Merrell. “It’s because of their commitment to this team and me as a driver that I’ll be heading back to Toledo this weekend. Sure, another strong run would be good for us, but man, would a win mean that much more. We’ll just keep doing what we’re doing and hope it will all unfold.”

    The 26-year old will make just his third start at Toledo Speedway on Sunday and aim to improve on his brilliant fifth place finish that occurred in 2009. “It’s been a while since I’ve been to Toledo, but hopefully I won’t forget how to drive the place,” Merrell joked.

    Nate Thiesse, co-owner of Win-Tron Racing is confident in the ability of Merrell once again this weekend. “Matt has all the talent in the world to take this team back to victory lane. He’s such a wheelman. He proved that at Toledo in the past. His strong finishes this season have kept his confidence high and knowing that we know he’s going to give us 150 percent behind the wheel. We know it’s just a matter of time and not if but when Matt will add his name to the list of first time ARCA winners.” 

    Merrell will make his 17th career start at Toledo in the ARCA Racing Series presented Menards this weekend. In his previous 16 outings, Merrell has seven top-fives including runner-up finishes of second at Berlin (Mich.) Raceway and Pocono (Pa.) Raceway (August) in 2009 and nine top-10s. His best start position for Win-Tron Racing occurred at the tricky triangle of Pocono (Pa.) Raceway where he qualified his No. 32 CollinsHope.org Dodge Charger second in June of 2009.

    The Menards 200 presented by Federated Car Care (200 laps / 100 miles) is the fourth of 19 events on the 2011 ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards schedule. The 69th ARCA race at Toledo Speedway is a two-day show. Practice begins Saturday, May 14th with an hour and a half practice session planned from 12:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. Menards pole qualifying presented by Ansell is set for later in the day slated to begin at 3:30 p.m. An hour and 15 minute on-track autograph session has been etched in from 12:00 p.m. – 1:15 p.m. on race day (Sunday). The contest will take the green flag shortly after 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 15. The race will not be televised nationally but event coverage including live timing and scoring throughout the weekend will be available through the ARCA Racing Network (ARN) online at arcaracing.com presented by ARCANation.com.  For the second consecutive race at Toledo Speedway, the anticipated thriller will be available locally on television through the Buckeye CableSystem Sports Network (BCSN) Sunday night at 9:00 p.m. All times are local.

    Further information including driver opportunities with Win-Tron Racing is available by visiting win-tronracing.com or contacting Nate Thiesse at 952.469.1839.

  • ModSpace Named Sponsor of May 22 ARCA Event at New Jersey

    (MILLVILLE, N.J.) – New Jersey Motorsports Park and Modular Space Corporation (ModSpace) have entered into a partnership agreement that names the Berwyn, Pa.-based company title sponsor of the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards event on May 22, 2011.

    The “ModSpace 150,” ARCA’s only road course event, is scheduled to take the green flag at 1 p.m. on Sunday, May 22.

    “We’re happy to join ModSpace in promoting the upcoming ARCA race weekend,” said Brad Scott, general manager of New Jersey Motorsports Park. “ModSpace is a well known entity in both the region and through their involvement in motorsports, and we look forward to showcasing their products during pre-race for the ModSpace 150.”

    ModSpace is a leading provider of mobile offices, portable storage, and custom modular buildings. The company will showcase its latest innovation, the HQ ground-level office, to host opening ceremonies and ARCA driver introductions near pit road prior to the race. ModSpace is no stranger to ARCA, as its logo can be found on the No 1. ModSpace Ford Fusion driven by Chad McCumbee for the 2011 season.

    “We are thrilled to support NJMP for this great event and look forward to seeing these great drivers challenge themselves on this competitive road course,” said William Mann, director of motorsports for Modspace.

    ARCA will be on track at New Jersey beginning on Saturday, May 21 for practice at 11:15 a.m., the second practice at 1:45 p.m., and qualifying at 4:30 p.m., followed by the ModSpace 150 on Sunday, May 22 at 1 p.m.

    Dirt Modified “RoadMods,” vintage stock cars, and vintage Trans Am cars will also be on track throughout the weekend. To view the full schedule of events, visit www.NJMP.com.

    Tickets are available now for the ModSpace 150 at New Jersey Motorsports Park and can be purchased by calling (856) 327-7217, or fans can buy online and save at www.NJMP.com.

    Modular Space Corporation (ModSpace), based in Berwyn, Pa., is a leading provider of modular buildings, portable storage, and services for temporary or permanent space needs. Building on more than 40 years of experience, ModSpace serves a diverse set of customers and markets – including commercial, construction, education, government, healthcare, industrial/energy, and special events -through an extensive nationwide branch network throughout the United States and Canada. More information is available at .

    Sitting on more than 500 acres in Millville, N.J., New Jersey Motorsports Park (NJMP) is nestled snugly in a beautifully forested region surrounded by scenic rivers and the nearby Delaware Bay. NJMP is conveniently located near Philadelphia, the Jersey Shore, New York, and Baltimore, offering diverse and dynamic motorsports attractions. The park includes two world-class road courses, Thunderbolt and Lightning, a motorsports country club known as the “Drivers Club” featuring the Finish Line Pub restaurant, and F1 New Jersey, one of the top karting facilities in the U.S. 

    2011 spectator events are highlighted by the return of the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards May 21-22, the New Jersey Vintage Grand Prix Festival, including a performance by the U.S. Navy Blue Angels May 27-29, GRAND-AM Road Racing July 22-24 and the AMA Pro Road Racing Sept. 2-4. For more information about NJMP spectator events or to purchase tickets, call (856) 327-7217 or visit NJMP.com. 

    The ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards has crowned an ARCA national champion each year since its inaugural season in 1953, and has toured over 200 race tracks in 28 states since its inception. The series tests the abilities of drivers and race teams over the most diverse schedule of stock car racing events in the world, annually visiting tracks ranging from 0.4 mile to 2.66 miles in length, on both paved and dirt surfaces as well as a left- and right-turn road course.

    Founded by John Marcum in 1953 in Toledo, Ohio, the Automobile Racing Club of America (ARCA) is recognized among the leading sanctioning bodies in the country. Closing in on completing its sixth decade after hundreds of thousands of miles of racing, ARCA administers over 100 race events each season in two professional touring series and local weekly events.

  • ARCA Debut Offers Clear Goals; Strict Agenda For Jared Marks

    TOLEDO, Ohio (May 12, 2011) – – After a mixture of various forms of Late Model competition this season, 16-year old Jared Marks will finally be able to make his stock car debut in Sunday’s Menards 200 presented by Federated Car Care at Toledo Speedway.

    Marks will drive a second entry for Tony Marks Racing (TMR), one of the newest multi-car programs in the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards. The Napoleon, Ohio native will be a teammate to Rookie of the Year candidate and one of the sanction bodies’ most popular stars Maryeve Dufault.

    Balancing a racing career, juggling the focus and attentiveness of a balanced education and still trying to enjoy the fundamentals of being a teenager, the driver of the No. 8 VR-12 / Dodge Motorsports Dodge Charger leans on Toledo Speedway to temporarily erase his mind of those worries and focus on a solid finish in his inaugural ARCA debut.

    Last month, the TMR development driver competed in the JEGS / CRA All-Stars Tour opener at Toledo Speedway in the VR-12 / Easter Bunny 100 presented by Jegs in his No. 5 VR-12 / Dodge Motorsports Dodge but an early race incident not of his doing sidelined the phenom – giving this weekend’s rematch an extra push.

    “There are some butterflies in my stomach, but I’m sure they will go away by the time I take the green flag on Sunday,” said Marks. “Because of TMR, VR-12 and Dodge Motorsports, I’m able to make my ARCA debut literally in my own backyard and I cannot tell you what that means to me.”

    Earlier this year, Marks along with Dufault participated in the open-test session at the defying Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway producing his first official on-track laps in a 3400-pound race car. While the breathtaking 2.5-mile superspeedway of Daytona resembles nothing like the fast and tricky short track of Toledo Speedway, Marks had the opportunity to recently participate in a private test at the half-mile oval and was extremely satisfied with the results.

    “I feel like the test went better than expected,” offered Marks. “We made several runs and worked on the setup extensively. I’m sure the weather conditions this weekend may change from the test but hopefully we’ll be balanced enough that we can adapt and have a strong presence heading into the race.”

    The goal for this weekend? Finish the race.

    “Realistically, the goal is to complete all 200 laps and hopefully be in the top-15,” sounded Marks. “It’s an important race for TMR because of our presence with VR-12 and Dodge Motorsports and of course having two cars. I want to learn a ton this weekend but I want to be competitive too.”

    Tony Marks, a successful entrepreneur from Ohio will play two roles this weekend at Toledo Speedway. In addition to car owner, Marks has to sit back and watch his son live out his dream.

    “This is a racing family and it excites me that Tony Marks Racing with the help of VR 12 and Dodge Motorsports that we’ve been able to put two cars on the track this weekend at Toledo,” sounded Tony Marks. “We’ve been extremely satisfied with the progression of Maryeve in the series. Jared has a lot of talent and it will only be a matter of time before everyone sees what all of our sponsors see in him as well.”

    Before their duties this weekend, both Marks and Dufault will make a stop at Grogan’s Towne Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram on Thursday May 12 from 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. The duo will meet with fans, sign autographs and promote the upcoming Menards 200. The fan event, scheduled from 5-7 p.m., will also feature a live radio remote from Toledo’s K100 Country. The ARCA pace cars will be on site, as will the ARCA safety vehicle – a Dodge Journey supplied by Grogan’s Towne. Dufault’s show car, a Tony Marks Racing Dodge, will appear at the event.

    Grogan’s Towne Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram is located at 6100 Telegraph Road, just south of the Michigan / Ohio border.

    The Menards 200 presented by Federated Car Care (200 laps / 100 miles) is the fourth of 19 events on the 2011 ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards schedule. The 69th ARCA race at Toledo Speedway is a two-day show. Practice begins Saturday, May 14th with an hour and a half practice session planned from 12:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. Menards pole qualifying presented by Ansell is set for later in the day slated to begin at 3:30 p.m. An hour and 15 minute on-track autograph session has been etched in from 12:00 p.m. – 1:15 p.m. on race day (Sunday). The contest will take the green flag shortly after 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 15. The race will not be televised nationally but event coverage including live timing and scoring throughout the weekend will be available through the ARCA Racing Network (ARN) online at arcaracing.com presented by ARCANation.com.  For the second consecutive race at Toledo Speedway, the anticipated thriller will be available locally on television through the Buckeye CableSystem Sports Network (BCSN) Sunday night at 9:00 p.m. All times are local.

    For additional information on TMT, Inc. please visit; tmtcompanies.net.

    To learn more about Tony Marks Racing, please click over to Tmr-racing.com

    See the buzz that VR-12 is creating by clicking over to their website at VR-12.com.

    Quench yourself with Victory Water, see how at Victoryh20.com.

    About Tony Marks Racing (TMR):

    Tony Marks Racing was founded in 2009 through the passion for racing of team owner and former driver Tony Marks.  Marks is the successful owner of TMT, Inc., a logistics, warehousing and packaging company with over 400 employees whose customers are mainly comprised of Fortune 100 companies. 

    Marks began his racing career in 1985 getting behind the wheel of everything from drag racers, Dirt Late Models, SCCA Formula Fords, USAC F2000 Open Wheel and ARCA cars.  Tony personally raced until 2005 amassing numerous wins, championships and track records along the way until he  then changed his focus from driver to owner and began building racing programs for his children Jared (16 years old) and Rachel (13 years old).  Under the auspices of TMR, Jared began his racing career in 2002 in quarter midgets and now competes in late model, CRA, ASA and ARCA Series events while Rachel continues her development program racing quarter midgets and Bandoleros.

    TMR has been at the forefront of charitable giving through its’  “Driving Against Hunger” and “Million Meal Challenge” race programs which have raised over $200,000 for Forgotten Harvest in 2010 at the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and NASCAR Nationwide Series events at Michigan International Speedway. 

    For the NASCAR events TMR along with TMT, Inc. partnered with Forgotten Harvest for the “Million Meal Challenge For Our Kids” which helps to bridge the hunger gap while schools are out of session and feeds 20,000 children per day in the Detroit metro area. Forgotten Harvest was significantly displayed on the entry of Chase Austin during both the Truck and Nationwide events at Michigan International Speedway along with logos of “Million Meal Challenge” sponsors Walgreen’s, United Race Group, Holyfield’s Choice Alka-Power Water and Vitamin Spice.  Evander Holyfield was also instrumental in the challenge, acting as Grand Marshall for the August race and announcing his “Fight Against Hunger” on behalf of Forgotten Harvest. 

    As the first race team to “Drive Against Hunger” through their partnership with Forgotten Harvest, TMR plans to continue their alliance with Forgotten Harvest and once again “Drive Against Hunger” during the 2011 season.

  • Empire Racing; Sean Corr Prepared For Toledo Assault

    “Corr Prepared To Haul The Mail In Roush Yates Powered Ford Fusion”

    TOLEDO, Ohio (May 12, 2011) – – ARCA Racing Series Rookie of the Year candidate Sean Corr currently occupies eighth in the championship standings entering Sunday’s Menards 200 at Toledo Speedway. But, after three races, the Goshen, New York native is looking for more than just a solid position in their bid for a championship chase, Corr is determined for brighter results.

    Results though haven’t particularly lacked for the Mooresville, North Carolina-based team in 2011. The team kicked off their season with a 15th place finish at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway, followed by a 16th place effort at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway after running in the top-10 for a majority of the 94-lap event. Most recently, Corr and his Howard Bixman led team delivered a season-best 14th place finish in the rising star’s inaugural short track debut at Salem (Ind.) Speedway.

    Armed this weekend with a brand-new No. 82 Roush Yates Performance Parts / Roush Yates Engines / BoomText Ford Fusion, Corr, Bixman and his Empire Racing team look to rise to the top in Sunday’s contest and assert just how determined their team is.

    “We’ve been good, but there is always room for improvement,” said Corr, who will make just his second career short track ARCA start Sunday. “We’ve made some significant changes to our “Empire” over the last month or so. It’s all been for the better. Even though we finished 14th at Salem, we didn’t really leave the track in the shape that we wanted too. I know and understand that learning is a crucial piece to the growing platform, I’m just anxious to start running in the top-five and be in contention to win races.”

    Corr’s No. 82 Roush Yates Performance Parts / Roush Yates Engines / BoomText Ford Fusion is a former Roush Fenway Racing automobile piloted by NASCAR veteran Paul Menard. With an immaculate setup on deck for Toledo this weekend, the 27-year old hopes to make the best of the short practice on Saturday and load his team with a strong starting position in the first of two races at the legendary half-mile oval.

    “The schedule this weekend at Toledo is almost identical to Salem,” sounded Corr. “With these quick practices, you almost have to be strong right off the hauler and fight to get your car even faster during the session. That’s our plan. Howard (Bixman) and all of the guys have really focused on this new race car hoping it will unload in the top-10.

    Toledo seems like a really fun and fast race track. It’s not high-banked like Salem, but still obviously will present its unique challenges. This weekend is another learning curve for me, but I’m heading into the weekend optimistic and committed to giving 100 percent behind the wheel. I also have to give a huge thanks to Roush Yates Engines, Roush Yates Performance Parts and all of our other partners who do their best to get us to the track on a weekly basis. We would not be here without them.”

    Roush Yates Engines, Roush Yates Performance Products, BoomText and TransGroup will all serve as associate marketing partners for Corr’s 14th career ARCA start this weekend.

    Recently, Empire Racing and BoomText officially announced the “Hard Corr Fans” program powered by BoomText, a mobile marketing campaign which allows fans to pledge towards becoming an official member of the Empire Racing team – not to mention helping three of Corr’s personal charities. To join the campaign, fans just simply have to text the word “CORR” to 411247 where they will receive an automated safe-secured link to join the “Hard Corr Fans” team. The activation of the project continues this weekend at Toledo. 

    The Menards 200 presented by Federated Car Care (200 laps / 100 miles) is the fourth of 19 events on the 2011 ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards schedule. The 69th ARCA race at Toledo Speedway is a two-day show. Practice begins Saturday, May 14th with an hour and a half practice session planned from 12:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. Menards pole qualifying presented by Ansell is set for later in the day slated to begin at 3:30 p.m. An hour and 15 minute on-track autograph session has been etched in from 12:00 p.m. – 1:15 p.m. on race day (Sunday). The contest will take the green flag shortly after 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 15. The race will not be televised nationally but event coverage including live timing and scoring throughout the weekend will be available through the ARCA Racing Network (ARN) online at arcaracing.com presented by ARCANation.com.  For the second consecutive race at Toledo Speedway, the anticipated thriller will be available locally on television through the Buckeye CableSystem Sports Network (BCSN) Sunday night at 9:00 p.m. All times are local.

    For more on Sean Corr, Empire Racing and marketing partnership opportunities for the 2011 racing season, please visit empireracingllc.com.

    For additional input on BoomText, please visit BoomText.com.  

    Connect with Sean Corr and Empire Racing through Facebook by clicking here.

    Tweet with Sean Corr through Twitter @EmpireRacingLLC.

    About Empire Racing:

    Established in 2009, Empire Racing LLC. (empireracingllc.com) is a two-tier professional Motorsports organization consisting of dirt and asphalt competition. Sean Corr, a 26-year old hailing from Goshen, New York pilots the team’s automobiles in the DIRTcar Series and Automobile Racing Club of America (ARCA). In 2011, the team will attempt to run for a championship in the ARCA Racing Series with aspirations of moving into the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR). The team is headquartered in Goshen, New York with an additional operation in Mooresville, North Carolina.

  • Michael Dabney Jr. Prepared To Conquer Concord

    CONCORD, North Carolina (May 12, 2011) – – INEX Asphalt Legend Car Series driver Michael Dabney Jr. will look for his first win of the 2011 season Friday night at Concord (N.C.) Speedway, as he’ll take his No. 5 Dabney Motorsports race car to the track’s quarter-mile oval looking to give his competition a preview of what could come for the summer racing tour.

    The Crandall, Texas native has been picking and choosing his contests thus far in 2011 throughout the states of North and South Carolina but the opportunity to pilot his familiar No. 5 entry Friday night was practically a no-brainer.

    “I’m planning for this to be my last race before the Summer Shootout next month,” said Dabney, who accelerated his racing endeavors by moving from the Lone Star state to Mooresville, North Carolina last December.

    “Friday night is a chance to go out there stay in the gas, have a little fun and hopefully bring home the checkered flag.”

    With eight wins in 2010, Dabney Jr. is anxious to double that number in 2011 and believes that Concord (N.C.) Speedway has all the ingredients to ignite that mission.

    “I want to win, not only for myself but all of the people that have helped me and who believe in me,” sounded the humble 23-year old. “I haven’t been able to race as much as I’ve wanted because of sponsorship, but that doesn’t stop my dream or goals. I’m lucky that I have some support that allows me to get to the race track and enjoy my life in the fast lane. Winning at Concord would be some great momentum heading into June.”

    Despite the lack of sponsorship dollars, it appears that the future is looking bright for the rising star. Plans are in the final stages and expected to be announced soon that will see Dabney Jr. compete in a Late Model and / or the PASS South Series later this year with the intentions of a championship effort in the PASS South Series in 2012.

    Through determination and the willingness to learn, Dabney Jr., has been utilizing the tools of his new foundation as a way of not only putting his foot in the door but creating the opportunity to strengthen his already impressive racing resume.

    “I’ve been working hard towards my future,” added Dabney Jr. “I am lucky to have some great people who are guiding me in the right direction and trying to help make me a successful race car driver on and off the track. It’s been important for me to build a reputation in North Carolina as a driver that is willing to do almost anything to get a shot. The people I’ve met here in a very short time have confirmed my move from Texas was the right decision.”

    Cost-efficient marketing partnerships are still available for Michael Dabney Jr. in 2011. For further information, please contact 469.474.6507.

    For additional information on Concord Speedway, please connect to concordmotorsportpark.com.

    Stay tuned for a new website highlighting Michael Dabney Jr. However, additional information is available by connecting with Michael Dabney Jr. and Dabney Racing through Facebook by clicking here.

    Tweet with Michael Dabney Jr. through Twitter at @MichaelDabneyJr.

  • Unfinished Short Track Business For Chad Hackenbracht; CGH Motorsports At Toledo

    TOLEDO, Ohio (May 12, 2011) – -If there is any team in the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards that deserves some redemption, many point fingers to Mooresville, North Carolina-based CGH Motorsports.

    In their first ARCA short track race at Salem (Ind.) Speedway, the team burst onto the scene with an extremely fast No. 58 CGH Motorsports Chevrolet Impala. Turning some of the quickest laps in practice and qualifying into the top-10, Hackenbracht was easily a pre-race favorite for the Kentuckiana Ford Dealers 200.

    Ultimately though while flexing their muscle on the race track during the 200-lap event, transmission problems ensued resulting in an early end of the race for the family-owned team while running in the top-five. Even with a 19th place finish, the team left the track frustrated but encouraged by the performance.

    The last words of the team when leaving Salem (Ind.) Speedway were quoted as “we’ll get ‘em in Toledo.” And delivering a strong finish is exactly what crew chief Rob Torrey and director of competition Kevin Reed and the rest of the team have on the radar screen for Sunday’s Menards 200 presented by Federated Car Care.

    The fourth race of the year is considered a home-track for the New Philadelphia, Ohio native and with several guests set to be on-hand for his inaugural Toledo debut, Hackenbracht would like nothing more than to finish what they started at Salem (Ind.) Speedway.

    “I’m fired up for Toledo this weekend,” said Hackenbracht, who is set to make his 13th career ARCA start Sunday afternoon. “I’m fired up in more ways than one. I want to prove to everyone that Salem was no fluke and I want to go out there and have a good finish for all of our CGH Motorsports supporters. Not to mention the guys have been going through the car with a fine tooth comb to make sure we’re not at risk for anything that could be prevented. We’re steadily making a climb in the point standings – we just need to finish the race in order to continue that trek.”

    While the team elected not to test at the half-mile oval prior to Sunday’s contest, the 19-year old is relying on the expertise of Torrey and Reed to steer him in the right direction. “Both Rob and Kevin know a lot when it comes to short tracks. They both have been around for a long time. I’m leaning heavily on them this weekend for constructive criticism that hopefully (will) guide us to a top-10 finish. The effort would be a nice way to sail off into a road course next weekend.”

    Currently, Hackenbracht, driver of the No. 58 Tastee Chocolate Apples Chevrolet Impala SS locks 18th in the championship standings, just 45 points from the top-15 and 135 markers from invading the top-10.

    Additionally, race fans will receive a bonus this weekend as at the concession stands,  a variety-mix of the smashing popular Tastee Apples will be available for purchase and consumption.

    In 12 prior ARCA events, Hackenbracht has maneuvered four top-20 finishes including a career-best 13th at Pocono (Pa.) Raceway in 2010. Two ninth place qualifying efforts at Kansas Speedway (2010) and Salem (Ind.) Speedway (2011) are his best time trials efforts to date.

    CGH Motorsports is actively seeking additional marketing partners for the full 2011 ARCA Racing Series schedule. Single, multi and full-season placements are available on the team’s No. 58 entries. Interested parties are urged to contact Jordan Dahl at 570.234.5449 or

  • Carolina 200 Fast Facts — Rockingham Speedway

    Carolina 200 Fast Facts

    Rockingham Speedway Hosts a Saturday Double-Header with Unique Storylines

    ROCKINGHAM, N.C. (May 11, 2011) – When the green flag waves for the Carolina 200 at Rockingham Speedway on Saturday afternoon, a multitude of up-and-coming drivers will take to the high banks of this one-mile race track, each hoping to etch their name into the famous “Winners’ Rock” which sits outside the track office.

    Rockingham Speedway is set to play host to the UARA Late Model and USAR Pro Cup series and there are a few drivers in each category with a unique storyline or two. Practice sessions begin on May 12th and general admission to the grandstands is free on Thursday. Friday, May 13th is pole qualifying day for both series and fans will be admitted to the grandstands for a $5 fee. The Carolina 200 gets underway Saturday at high noon, with the UARA Late Models rolling off the starting grid for a 75-lap race, immediately followed by the USAR Pro Cup race, which runs 150-laps. Tickets are $20 in advance and $30 on race day.

    The UARA Late Models will be competing in their fourth out of 16 total events for the 2011 season. The series will make a return to Rockingham Speedway on November 5th for their season finale. Brennan Poole holds the points lead in the series after three races with two victories and one second place finish. Poole will likely be a threat again as he sat on the pole for Rockingham Speedway’s American 200 last fall and placed third in the final rundown. Other notable names competing in the UARA event include Kyle Grissom, son of former NASCAR star, Steve Grissom. Steve made nine starts at Rockingham Speedway and won a Busch Series event in October of 1990, besting a venerable second place finisher that day-the late Dale Earnhardt, Sr. Robert Johnson, son of the legendary Junior Johnson, will also be looking for the checkered flag after finishing fifth in the final UARA standings last year. Robert’s father’s NASCAR teams won 13 races at Rockingham Speedway and three pole positions.

    The USAR Pro Cup series comes to Rockingham Speedway for their fourth race of the year as well. And, like the UARA series, they will also hold their season finale at the Rock on November 5th of this year. The big news of the week in this class was the entry of Chase Elliott into the field, son of NASCAR Champion, Bill Elliott. There already seems to be much parity in the USAR series this year, with three different winners in the first three races. Competitors Brad Rogers, Caleb Holman and J.P. Morgan each have one win and one pole position heading into this weekend’s race.

    To order advance tickets for the Carolina 200 presented by Black’s Tire and Auto Service, contact the Rockingham Speedway ticket office at (910) 205-8800 or visit the track’s official website at: www.rockinghamracewaypark.com.

  • Double Duty Weekend Poses Trust; Faith And Fun For Bryan Silas

    TOLEDO, Ohio (May 11, 2011) – – This weekend will be quite busy for Stuart, Florida native Bryan Silas. Still thriving on matching a career-best finish of fourth at Salem (Ind.) Speedway nearly two weeks ago, Silas will return to the track he initially notched his career-best finish at Rockingham (N.C.) Speedway to participate in the American 200 USARacing Pro Cup Series contest on Saturday.  

    That, though is just the start of a double-header weekend for the 23-year old after immediately following the American 200 in his No. 11 Rockingham Speedway Ford Fusion for Bryan Silas Racing (BSR), the popular driver will board a plane and head north to compete in round four for the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards at Toledo Speedway on Sunday afternoon in the Menards 200 presented by Federated Car Care.  

    No doubt the momentum building from his recent efforts in both series, plus the thrill of returning to a track that has offered the Fast Track Racing (FTR) driver success in the past – Silas is undoubtedly expected to be a contender in both races this weekend.  

    “It will surely be a busy weekend but I’m really looking forward to it,” offered Silas. “Our run at Salem gave our team some much needed confidence and while some may think our double duty efforts may be a challenge, I feel we’ll conquer the expectations and succeed in the results that we are looking for.”  

    At Rockingham, Silas will reunite with former ARCA crew chief Cal Boprey who will call the shots for the rising star in USARacing Pro Cup Series competition.  

    Up in Toledo, Dave McClure, another familiar icon for Silas will continue to call the shots for the Fast Track Racing team. With Silas focused on Rockingham, the team has called upon ARCA veteran and Ohio native Todd Bowsher to practice and qualify their blue oval Saturday afternoon.  

    “Working with two people I sincerely trust like Cal and Dave is a sigh of relief,” admitted Silas. “Both have been great crew chiefs for me during my career and this weekend I’ll be able to work with both of them on the same page and same teams. Hopefully, the results will speak for themselves.”   Overall, Silas will make his fourth career USAR start at Rockingham (N.C.) Speedway this weekend while searching for his third consecutive top-10 finish after producing eighth and ninth place finishes respectively in 2009 and 2010.  

    Entering Toledo, Silas has 94 career ARCA Racing Series starts to his credit with a career best finish of fourth at Rockingham (N.C.) Speedway (2009) and Salem (Ind.) Speedway in 2011.  

    The Menards 200 presented by Federated Car Care (200 laps / 100 miles) is the fourth of 19 events on the 2011 ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards schedule. The 69th ARCA race at Toledo Speedway is a two-day show. Practice begins Saturday, May 14th with an hour and a half practice session planned from 12:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. Menards pole qualifying presented by Ansell is set for later in the day slated to begin at 3:30 p.m. An hour and 15 minute on-track autograph session has been etched in from 12:00 p.m. – 1:15 p.m. on race day (Sunday). The contest will take the green flag shortly after 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 15. The race will not be televised nationally but event coverage including live timing and scoring throughout the weekend will be available through the BAS Racing Network in conjunction with the ARCA Racing Network (ARN) online at arcaracing.com presented by ARCANation.com.  For the second consecutive race at Toledo Speedway, the anticipated thriller will be available locally on television through the Buckeye CableSystem Sports Network (BCSN) Sunday night at 9:00 p.m. All times are local.   For more on Bryan Silas please visit, BryanSilasRacing.com.

  • Johnny VanDoorn Makes Statement At Anderson Despite Outcome

    WINCHESTER, Indiana (May 11, 2011) – – Two-time and defending Champion Racing Association (CRA) champion Johnny VanDoorn didn’t win the Seal Wrap 125 at Anderson (Ind.) Speedway this past weekend. However, one thing is for certain, the competition knew he was there.  

    After mounting some of the fastest laps in practice, the Coopersville, Michigan native lined up his No. 61 Paragon Corvette Reproductions / Baker Engineering / JEGS.com Chevrolet qualified second but was inverted to seventh on the starting grid. Quickly making work of his competition early into the 125-lap event, VanDoorn, the Kaos Motorsports pilot found himself in contention for win number one of the season.  

    Daunted by sputtering from underneath the hood of his Chevrolet bow-tie on lap 107, VanDoorn was forced to bring his automobile to pit where the team deemed the problem to be terminal forcing the ARCA-hopeful pilot to retire from the event in the 15th position.  

    “We had a bad to the bone fast new race car,” offered VanDoorn following the event. “But, in order to finish first, you must first finish. It wasn’t our night to head to victory lane but I’m proud of the hard work of this Kaos Motorsports team. I honestly feel we had one of the cars to beat.”   He added, “Butch (VanDoorn) did an excellent job from atop of the pit box with calls and race strategy. My new spotter Brandon (Lines) kept his composure and guided me through the traffic brilliantly. Almost everything went right, just sometimes in racing, things like that happen.”  

    Baker Engineering, Earth Service and Supply, Jegs.com, Magic Transportation, Paragon Corvette Reproductions, Port City Racecars and R and R Wire Loom all held placement on the team’s General Motors machine this weekend.  

    “Everyone including myself at Kaos Motorsports is extremely thankful to all of our sponsors for helping out at Anderson. It stinks that we weren’t able to bring them home a trophy but I’m anxious to get back in the gas in a couple weeks and we’ll try again.”  

    Additionally, the 2007 CRA Series Rookie of the Year was also tapped 11th in the short track draft by the official online home of “short track racing” at Speed51.com.  

    Next up for the Champion Racing Association Series is a stop at Baer Field (Ind.) Speedway for the Asphalt Wars 100 set for Sunday, May 22.  

    In 65 races, VanDoorn has posted six poles, eight wins, 25 top-fives and 47 top-10 finishes including back-to-back CRA championships in 2009 and 2010.    

    For more information on Johnny VanDoorn, please visit JohnnyVanDoorn.com.   For more information on the Champion Racing Association Super Series, please click on CRARacing.net.

  • Toyota Tests at GMP

    JEFFERSON, GA (May 10, 2011) – Toyota cars and trucks everywhere! For the past two days Toyota race teams have kept the track hot at Gresham Motorsports Park.

    NASCAR Nationwide Drivers, Steve Wallace and Michael Annett tested at GMP mainly to make adjustments to the cars.

    “This is a great track and it’s so smooth,” said Nationwide driver, Michael Annett. “We can’t really test for a certain track here but it is a good place for us to ‘A and B’ a lot of things.”

    NASCAR Camping World Truck Series driver, Travis Kvapil, was impressed with GMP and compared it to Martinsville. Kvapil was the Truck Series Champion in 2003 and he is out to claim his second Truck Series Championship in 2011 with Randy Moss Motorsports.

    Coleman Pressley, Matt DiBenedetto, Alex Bowman, Ryan Reed and Dylan Presnell were among the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East drivers that showed up for testing at GMP. Presnell will just be turning 16 before his first K&N race at GMP on June 11th, so he will not get to take advantage of NASCAR’s new age limit in the K&N series.

    “I’ve raced on this track before and I love it,” said Presnell. “I am excited that today is my first time in a K&N car and my first race will be here, at GMP, for the K&N race in June.”

    Brian Ickler returned to GMP to make some laps with Ryan Reed in a NASCAR K&N Pro Series car.

    GMP looks forward to seeing all of these drivers back throughout the 2011 race season.

    The next event at GMP will be June 11th as NASCAR K&N Pro Series East returns for the Slack Auto Parts 150. Fans will be able to meet drivers and get autographs before a full night of action-packed racing! Tickets are only $20 and GMP is honoring all fathers for Father’s Day- Buy one adult general admission and get your dad in FREE!

    Friday night before the race, June 10th, fans can meet some of their favorite drivers and compete against them in the arcade and on the go-kart track at Funopolis Family Fun Center in Commerce, GA (only 15 minutes from GMP) from 6-9pm.

    Please visit our website, http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=qwttrvcab&et=1105066763727&s=414&e=001__SxDZm ioVi-3fzH6xn9oAZnGR0ofHBCJU5HuwFh5A7Nfzmpij7mdFS3IDnHgeq8Ba08FXf3vVjCGTPcUPW xVzPeUhqMCASrpys_9B7s9vW-rOQ3WkZbnJXuuH6a2MvT> www.GreshamMotorsportsPark.com, for information and details about the upcoming year at GMP. Also, join the GMP fan page on facebook or follow GMP on Twitter @ GreshamMP.