Category: Other Series PR

Ricky Carmichael

No. 4 Monster Energy Chevrolet Impala

Event Preview Fact Sheet

Event/Date: Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 – Feb. 12, 2011

Venue: Daytona International Speedway – Daytona Beach, Fla.

Ricky Carmichael’s ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards Performance History at Daytona International Speedway

* Starting off on the Right Foot . Ricky Carmichael will pilot the No. 4 Monster Energy Chevrolet Impala, fielded by Turner Motorsports, in this Saturday’s season-opening Lucas Oil Slick Mist 250 ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards race at Daytona International Speedway (DIS). In two previous ARCA Series starts at the “World Center of Racing”, the 15-time American Motorcycle Association (AMA) National Champion boasts a seventh-place finish to call a career best. * Start of a new era for Turner Motorsports. This weekend will mark the start of a new era for Turner Motorsports. The team has expanded in 2011 from a two-truck operation in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) to become the largest stand-alone multi-series team in NASCAR’s top-tier touring series, fielding three entries in the NCWTS and four entries in the NASCAR Nationwide Series (NNS). * ARCA Racing at a Glance . Carmichael has six previous ARCA Series starts heading into the Lucas Oil Slick Mist 250. The 31-year-old driver started 14th last February at DIS and went on the notch a personal best seventh-place showing in ARCA competition. Over those same six events, Carmichael logged a 16.2 starting average, a 21.8 average finish and completed 566 of the 733 laps contested (77.2 percent).

* Tough Act to Follow . Carmichael has a proud heritage at DIS and is the winningest rider in motocross history at the fabled Daytona Beach race course with a total of six overall victories. The Tallahassee, Fla., resident notched his first win in 125cc competition in 1998 and followed that up two years later with his first career win in the AMA’s premier class, becoming the first rider to win both a 125cc and 250cc race at Daytona. He went on to record four consecutive Supercross wins (2000-2003) to tie Jeff Stanton for the most victories and set the record three years later with a win in 2006. Carmichael has been the architect of the Daytona Supercross track since 2008. Additionally, the Florida native hosts his own amateur Supercross race at Daytona along with the Ricky Carmichael University riding school. His likeness is also enshrined on hallowed ground – the entrance to Victory Lane. * Gearing up for a New Year . Mark Rette, crew chief for Carmichael’s No. 4 Monster Energy Chevrolet Silverado in the NCWTS, will call the shots for this weekend’s ARCA race. Additionally, Carmichael’s Turner Motorsports’ truck series team will prepare the car for the Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200. * Catch the Action . The Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 from Daytona International Speedway will be televised live on SPEED Sat., Feb. 12 beginning at 4:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. The race will be broadcast live on the Motor Racing Network. Qualifying for the first race on the 2011 Speedweeks calendar is scheduled to see the green flag Fri., Feb. 11 at 2 p.m. EST.

RICKY CARMICHAEL QUOTES

What would it mean for you to win at Daytona?

“I think about it every time I go down there. Personally, I’ve had a lot of success on two wheels at Daytona. I can’t even describe what I would mean to possibly be the first guy to win on two wheels and on four wheels at Daytona. There’s so much history at that race track. I want to win there and go to Victory Lane so bad. It’s not possible to put into words what that would mean to me.”

You’re a Florida native so would it be a little more special for you to win in your home state?

“It would be cool to win because it is in my home state but I think the cooler part would be because I’ve had so much success at Daytona on two wheels and obviously, with all the history that Daytona represents. I’ve had a really great career there. It’s a special place with a lot of great memories for me.”

Do you feel like the ARCA race is going to provide you with an opportunity to gel with your new crew chief Mark Rette?

“I’m looking forward to running the ARCA race and I’m thankful for the opportunity that Steve Turner has given me to do that. It’s going to be a great team building opportunity for me and Mark and the rest of our Camping World Truck Series team. This is going to be a key race to get the season started off on the right foot. We’ve got a great car and this will be a great opportunity to get geared up for the truck race the following weekend. That’s where our bread and butter is and that’s the one we want to win.”

How important is it for you to get some extra seat time on a superspeedway before the truck race next week?

“Anytime I can get behind the wheel in a good piece and have a good shot at winning is going to help my situation. It’s key right now with where I’m at from an experience standpoint. That’s one thing I lack. Anytime I can get in an extra race every now and then is going to be priceless.”

Follow Ricky Carmichael at:

Rickycarmichael.com

Twitter.com/RickyCarmichael

Facebook.com/RickyCarmichael

About Turner Motorsports: Turner Motorsports, LLC, established in 1999, is in the midst of its sophomore season of NASCAR competition. Owned by Texas-native, Steve Turner, the organization has expanded in 2011 from a two-truck operation in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) to become the largest stand-alone multi-series team in NASCAR’s top-tier touring series. Turner Motorsports operates out of an 110,000 square-foot state-of-the art facility in Mooresville, N.C., and will house three entries in the Camping World Truck Series and four entries in the NASCAR Nationwide Series. The team boasts an all-star driver line-up that includes Kasey Kahne, Mark Martin, Jason Leffler, Reed Sorenson, Justin Allgaier, Ricky Carmichael, James Buescher and Brad Sweet. The Chevrolet-backed team has created alliances with General Motors’ powerhouse teams Hendrick Motorsports, which will provide engine support for both its NNS and NCWTS programs, Kevin Harvick Inc. for body and aero support, and Earnhardt Technology Group for drive train and suspension technology assistance. Turner Motorsports’ marketing partners include Dollar General, Great Clips, Monster Energy, BRANDT, Rexall, Exide, AccuDoc Solutions, Wolfpack Rentals, Fraternal Order of Eagles and ABF Freight. For more information on Turner Motorsports, visit www.turnermotorsportsllc.com.

DAYTONA BEACH, Florida (February 10, 2011) – – If you toured the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards garage this week at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway, it would be hard not to notice the hard-work and do diligence of Cornelius, North Carolina-based Performance Vehicle Works (PVW).

The professional racecar construction and fabrication company will have plenty of teams to cheer on when the green flag flies Saturday afternoon for the Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200. Since the open-ARCA test at the 2.5-mile superspeedway, the PVW train led by owner Timmy McKichan has been burning the midnight oil to ensure their clients pieces were well intact and prepared to do battle in the first of two restrictor plate races of the season.  

The teams of Allgaier Motorsports, CGH Motorsports, Jones Group International, Sheltra Motorsports, Steve Blackburn Motorsports and Tony Marks Racing all have utilized the experience and knowledge of the PVW team to massage their hotrods for the first of 19 ARCA events this season.

PVW will represent every manufacturer expect Ford and host two female drivers in a field of 43 Saturday afternoon.

“We are very proud of our work and excited to work with the caliber of teams that we are this weekend at Daytona,” said PVW owner Timmy McKichan. “We take a lot of pride in our superspeedway program and I know that when that green flag drops on Saturday afternoon, a PVW affiliated car will have a shot to win this year’s ARCA season-opener.”

McKichan, a former racer himself from Canada is hoping that their on-track performance could potentially generate additional cliental, but having been a competitor behind the wheel himself, the Mooresville, North Carolina resident is not dwelling on that factor but more of having a different approach in the garage.

“I see a lot of great talent in the ARCA garage,” added McKichan. “I’m here to help. I enjoy helping people and obviously it’s paid its dividends to me. You cannot describe the feeling when something you had sole control over or even just a thought turns into something positive for a team or driver. That is the acceleration that Performance Vehicle Works thrives on.”

For more information on PVW, please visit PerformanceVehicleWorks.com.   The Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 at Daytona (80 laps / 200 miles) is the first of 19 events on the 2011 ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards schedule. The 48th ARCA race held at Daytona is a three-day show.Practice begins Thursday, February 10 with a four hour practice session planned from 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Menards pole qualifying presented by Ansell is set for Friday, February 11 slated to begin at 2:00 p.m. A forty-five minute final practice session is etched in on Saturday, February 12th from 10:00 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. The event will take the green flag later that day shortly after 4:30 p.m. The race will be televised live on SPEED with additional race coverage including live timing and scoring and radio broadcast through the ARCA Racing Network (ARN) online at arcaracing.com.  All times are local.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Florida (February 10, 2011) – – Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of this week, Jared Marks found himself nose deep in the pressure of keeping a strong sophomore academic record alive at Napoleon High School. But starting Thursday and for nine additional nights, Marks will shift his focus to his passion of racing at New Smyrna (Fla.) Speedway for the 45th Annual World Series in the Super Late Model (SLM) and Crate Late Model (CLM) divisions respectively.  

Though never having the opportunity to actual race at New Smyrna (Fla.) Speedway, Marks care of his Tony Marks Racing (TMR) team spent their off-season profusely getting the 16-year old development driver accustomed to the tricky short track’s demeanor. In addition to his Late Model, Marks even tested the heavier 3,400-pound ARCA stock car, gathering a feel for the heavier machine as he’ll take to the diverse tour later this season.

When the first green flag flies on Friday night, February 11th, Marks in his No. 5 Tony Marks Racing Dodge Charger looks for consistency and comfort to set the tone for the short track version of Speedweeks 2011 with crew chief Jamie Roulo on top of the box, calling the shots.

“Testing went well despite the rain we faced,” offered Marks, a second-generation racer. “We gained a lot of knowledge during the test that I think will be useful for all nine days of competition.”

  The youngster also commented on working alongside his newest friend, Roulo. “I’m looking forward to having Jamie on our side at New Smyrna. I’m counting on him to critique me all the way around. I want to know when I’m doing something right and I definitely want to know when I’m doing something wrong. His help will only make me a better driver.”

It’s a big week for the Marks family. While Jared Marks is hoping to nestle into a comfortable presence at New Smyrna (Fla.) Speedway, his father Tony Marks will be eyeing a successful season opener in the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway, approximately 15 miles southwest of New Smyrna with his TMR teammate Maryeve Dufault.

“I’m really proud of everything my dad has accomplished in such a short time with TMR,” continued the younger Marks, who himself tested competitively in an ARCA car at the 2.5-mile monster superspeedway last month. “He is a very busy guy, but he has really done a lot to not only support my racing career but help bring other drivers racing dreams come true. I hope it’s going to be a good couple weeks for TMR.”

Once the ARCA Racing Series season-opener is in the books, Jared Marks will have the solo support of his father at his side striving to make him proud by accomplishing his own personal goal.

“My goal is to survive all nine nights,” Marked offered. “I want to look at the whole nine nights as one big race in both divisions. If we can finish all the races, than I will be extremely satisfied with our effort. Without a doubt, we are capable of winning and that’s what I want to do for everyone at TMR, but I’m also trying to be realistic and not set the goals too high for myself. Focus is my determination and finishing will be my strength onto the next one (race).”

To further aid him in his trial and tribulations at New Smyrna, Jarit Johnson, brother of five-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Jimmie Johnson and an avid race car driver himself will be on-hand to critique and steer Marks in the right direction.

“Jarit is just like one of us,” Marks commented. “He’s a great guy who wants to race. I am very thankful to him for caring so much about my racing career and program. He’s definitely taught me some things over the last week or two and I know I will only continue to learn more as I converse with him.”

For Johnson, himself a competitive racer, his early intuition of Marks reminds him a lot of himself.

“Jared is a good kid,” said Johnson, who also hails starts in the NASCAR Nationwide Series and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. “I’m all about helping. Jared does a good job listening and asking questions and that is one of the necessities of being an up and coming driver. It should be a fun week at New Smyrna.” 

In addition to running a limited Late Model schedule this year across the Country, the Napoleon, Ohio native will also compete in a second part-time ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards entry for Tony Marks Racing tentatively set to liftoff from Salem (Ind.) Speedway on May 1, 2011.   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.

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

JEFFERSON, GA (February 10, 2011)– Gresham Motorsports Park announces today that 2011 Trackside Parking spots are now available for purchase until March 31. 

With a reduced cost of only $225 for an annual parking pass, there is no excuse not to be at GMP on race day!   The cost of the parking pass includes all scheduled races for 2011, plus any additional races that may be scheduled later in the year and all three days of the 28th-Annual World Crown Weekend. 

The annual parking pass does not include any other special events hosted by GMP.  

There are a limited number of parking spaces and they are filling up in a hurry!  The deadline to purchase an annual trackside pass is March 31, 2011. 

Please contact us by phone at (706) 367-WIN1 or email GBarron@GreshamMotorsportsPark.comto reserve a spot today.  

Parking space prices do not include admission to GMP; each person in the vehicle will still need to purchase a general admission ticket for the event. 

GMP trackside parking is limited exclusively to cars, regular size pick-up trucks and regular size vans only- no oversize vehicles. 

Coolers (no glass) and grills (no fire pits) are permitted in trackside parking.  No ATV’s or golf carts permitted in trackside parking.  

Please visit our website, www.GreshamMotorsportsPark.com, for information and updates. Also, join the GMP fan page on facebook or follow GMP on Twitter.

“Upcoming Driver Has Shot At Becoming ARCA’s First Female Winner”

DAYTONA BEACH, Florida (February 9, 2011) – – It was evident when the three-day open test for the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards concluded at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway last month that the series’ newest team and driver were bound and determined to be contenders.

Tony Marks Racing (TMR) and Rookie of the Year candidate Maryeve (pronounced Mary-EV) Dufault (pronounced DU-FAU) will look to keep their momentum train rolling and put their No. 12 Tony Marks Racing Dodge Charger on the map when the ARCA Racing Series kicks off their season on Saturday afternoon with the running of the Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200.

Armed with the ageless Larry Moore as their crew chief, Dufault and the TMR team head to the newly re-paved superspeedway looking to kick off their inaugural season on the right foot but also gain the Canadian some attention and experience at one of the series’ most prestigious race tracks.

“This is an incredible opportunity and I surely want to make the best of it,” said Dufault, who joins the ARCA Racing Series tour after a stint in the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series presented by Mobil 1 and a successful and impressive career in Formula cars. “We had a very productive test and I’m extremely optimistic about the race.”

Even though Dufault, a native of Sorel, Quebec, and TMR realize that they have a fast Dodge nameplate with horsepower from Illmor Engineering, the yellow stripe indicating rookie status on the back bumper of Dufault’s Charger could be her biggest downfall. Still, the team is hoping to show in practice on Thursday afternoon and Saturday morning that even though she may be a rookie, she has a feel and a sense for what is going on around her.

“Daytona will be my first restrictor plate race,” offered Dufault, who currently resides in Redondo Beach, California. “That’s pretty intense for any rookie, but I have a strong team centered on giving me the best they can and in return I’m going to give them 150 percent behind the wheel.”

For car owner and Ohio entrepreneur Tony Marks, the realization of having his own team competing on the high banks of Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway is a dream come true.

“I tested a few years ago in the ARCA Racing Series at Daytona and was anticipating racing myself,” recalled Marks. “However, I decided to take a step back from my own racing career and help launch the racing careers of my son and daughter. I don’t take any of that back for a second. The timing was right for us to be here now, so here we are. This weekend is going to be a proud moment for me, my family, our marketing partners and everyone else who makes Tony Marks Racing possible.”

He added, “Maryeve is the real deal. We’ve tested the heck out of her the last month or so and she’s done a tremendous job. Her throttle response is impressive and her feedback is that of a veteran. She is so determined. You can see in her the desire and passion for racing in all that she does and you know that she is building every day in her quest to reach her ultimate goal of racing in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (NSCS). I’m very delighted to have her behind the wheel of the No. 12 Tony Marks Racing Dodge Charger.”

To help develop a new fan-base and center some attentiveness on their new marketing partners, Tony Marks Racing will carry an on-board camera for Saturday’s anticipated thriller. The Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 will mark the second consecutive year that a female has hosted an on-board camera.

“I’m very appreciative to carry an on-board camera not only to represent our marketing partners and team but the ARCA Racing Series as well,” Dufault sounded. “Hopefully we’ll be able to provide some excellent video for the race fans and supporters who are watching at the track and at home.”

Veteran NASCAR spotter Mike Calinoff will help guide the avid open-wheeler in her ARCA Racing Series debut. And despite being one of six females to test in January at the “World Center of Racing”, Dufault will be joined by one other female for the first of two restrictor plate events this season.

The first official week of February will be a busy one for TMR. In addition to competition at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway, Jared Marks, the son of car owner Tony Marks, will be competing at New Smyrna (Fla.) International Speedway in his No. 5 Dodge-backed Super Late Model (SLM) and Crate Late Model (CLM) divisions beginning on Friday, February 11, 2011.

The Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 at Daytona (80 laps / 200 miles) is the first of 19 events on the 2011 ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards schedule. The 48th ARCA race held at Daytona is a three-day show. Practice begins Thursday, February 10 with a four hour practice session planned from 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Menards pole qualifying presented by Ansell is set for Friday, February 11 slated to begin at 2:00 p.m. A forty-five minute final practice session is etched in on Saturday, February 12th from 10:00 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. The event will take the green flag later that day shortly after 4:30 p.m. The race will be televised live on SPEED with additional race coverage including live timing and scoring and radio broadcast through the ARCA Racing Network (ARN) online at http://www.arcaracing.com/ arcaracing.com. All times are local.

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.

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

LAKE BALBOA, CALIF.(February 9, 2011)– Joey Licata, Jr. has announced that WRONG Clothing will sponsor his #77 Cunningham Motorsports Dodge in his ARCA Racing Series debut at Daytona International Speedway on February 12th.  

W.R.O.N.G. (World Riders on New Ground) is a company embedded in the surf, skate, and MX markets for those who “go big and invent new challenges.”  Licata’s debut at Daytona will be his chance to go big as he looks to challenge for the win as a rookie.  

The ARCA Racing Series cars travel at speeds nearing 200 miles per hour at the newly repaved Daytona International Speedway.  Licata ran the sixth fastest lap in the Daytona testing sessions, with an average speed of 185.670 around the 2.5 mile “world center of speed.”  

“I am excited to begin this new relationship with W.R.O.N.G. Clothing,” Licata said.  “This is a great fit for me and I am proud to represent them in the world of stock car racing.”  

Race fans can tune in to SPEED live on Saturday at 1 p.m.Pacific time for the “Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200” to see Licata driving the W.R.O.N.G. Dodge.  

“I am hoping that the ARCA and NASCAR fans will get behind W.R.O.N.G. as they help support our awesome sport!” Licata said.   Licata, 19, is a member of the Ron Sutton’s Winner’s Circle driver development program based in Sacramento, CA.  Ron Sutton’s Winner’s Circle is a NASCAR-oriented program that works with an international roster of talented drivers who have the commitment and potential to succeed in NASCAR racing.  

Licata is a six-time IKF Grand National champion and two-time ASA TRUCK SERIES champion.  Throughout his career he has accumulated 90+ wins.  

Joey Licata, Jr. Racing and Ron Sutton’s Winner’s Circle thank partners: W.R.O.N.G. Clothing, K&N Filters, Scribner Plastics, Allstar Performance, Sunoco Race Fuels, and Star Racing Supply.  Licata would also like to thank supporters Jordan Kidushim and Luke Forstmann.  

Joey Licata, Jr. Racing is online at www.joeylicata.com   For more information on Ron Sutton’s Winner’s Circle, log on to www.winners-circle-racing.com

The No. 63 CITGO Dodge is looking for a strong start to kick-off 2011 racing season DAYTONA BEACH, FL  (February 8, 2011) – Milka Duno may be an ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards rookie, but she is certainly no ordinary rookie driver. As a record-setting, winning driver in the American Le Mans Series and Rolex Sports Car Series, as well as an IndyCar Series competitor, the Venezuelan-native has proven she has what it takes to get to the front of the field. Duno comes to Daytona with a championship team, championship crew chief and the 2010 ARCA Racing Series champion, Patrick Sheltra, as team owner.  Combined, Duno and the Sheltra Motorsports team will be ones to watch when the green flag drops on the Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 Saturday, February 12th at Daytona International Speedway. In 2007, with a 2nd-place overall result, Duno earned the highest finish ever by a female driver in the history of the legendary 24 Hours of Daytona.   Duno took to Daytona International Speedway’s high-banks during the ARCA Racing Series test in January making a strong showing with the Sheltra Motorsports team.  While much of the three-day test session was devoted to single car runs and getting Duno reacquainted to a stockcar, she ended the test session 13th on the speed charts in a field of 58 drivers.  “I’m very excited to get to Daytona,” said Duno. “The team has worked very hard since the test in preparation for the race.  We are looking forward to a good result this weekend at the Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200.”   With only one previous start in the ARCA Racing Series (Daytona, 2010), Duno will be sure to rely on advice from team owner, 2010 champion Patrick Sheltra, to help get her No. 63 Dodge to the front of the pack.  “Daytona is tricky,” said the current champion, Sheltra. “I enjoy the superspeedways and will be there to give Milka all the help I can give to get her to the finish line first.  Jon Wolfe (crew chief) is one of the best at what he does, and we have the same crew we won the championship with last year. Milka will have a great opportunity to bring home a good finish.”   Milka Duno and the No. 63 CITGO Dodge Fast Facts: Duno at Daytona:  Duno made her ARCA Racing Series debut at Daytona’s 2.5-mile Superspeedway in 2010.  Luck was not on Duno’s side as she was the victim of a lap six wreck that relegated her to a 43rd-place finish. This Week’s Dodge:  Milka Duno will be piloting chassis No. SM. 001 at Daytona International Speedway. This chassis came from Richard Childress Racing and was converted to a Dodge.  Patrick Sheltra last used this car to score a fifth-place finish at Daytona and a second-place finish at Talladega Superspeedway in 2010. CITGO Did You Know?: CITGO is more than just your friendly neighborhood gas station providing a good deal on good fuel. CITGO is also major supplier and refining giant with a directly owned or operated refining capacity of 750,000 barrels per day. For more information about CITGO logon to www.citgo.com. Autographs:  Fans will have the chance to meet Milka Duno and all of their favorite ARCA Racing Series drivers on Saturday, February 12 from 12:30 – 2:00 p.m. EST during an all-access open garage. Keep Up With Milka: Want to learn more about Milka Duno?  Logon to her official website at www.milkaduno.com.    Tune In: The green flag will drop for the start of the Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 at 4:30 p.m. EST. ARCARacing.com will have live audio and timing and scoring coverage with SPEED carrying the live race broadcast beginning at 4:30 p.m. EST. Crew Chief Jon Wolfe on Daytona Expectations: “I am looking forward to helping Milka gain valuable rookie experience in the ARCA season opener at Daytona.  A top-10 finish would be a really good, realistic goal for us. With the new track surface and the different strategies that will play out now, really anything is possible. I was encouraged with Milka’s progress during the test, and I’m looking forward to a great weekend.”  ###

About Sheltra Motorsports: Sheltra Motorsports, established in 2007, is in the midst of its fifth season of ARCA Racing Series competition.  Owned by Florida-native, Patrick Sheltra, the owner-driver team captured the 2010 ARCA Racing Series driver and owner’s championship titles on the strength of two wins, 12 top-fives and 17 top-10 finishes in 20 events.  Sheltra Motorsports is headquartered in Mooresville, N.C., with additional operations in Indiana and Florida.  For more information, visit www.sheltramotorsports.com.  About CITGO: CITGO, based in Houston, is a refiner, transporter and marketer of transportation fuels, lubricants, petrochemicals and other industrial products.  The CITGO familiar orange and blue triangle has been an enduring American success story since 1910.  Today CITGO operates nearly 7000 gas stations owned by a loyal group of 800 local business men and women.  CITGO has given back to the communities of the USA and the world through its Simón Bolívar Foundation.   For more information visit www.citgo.com

DAYTONA BEACH, Florida (February 9, 2011) – – The Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 is the Automobile Racing Club of America’s (ARCA) version of the Daytona 500, the Super Bowl of Stock Car Racing and with Stuart, Florida native nestled just two and a half hours away from the 2.5-mile superspeedway, it’s no wonder he has already been tapped as a pre-race favorite for the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards season opener at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway.  

And, if he isn’t a pre-race favorite because of his notoriety of being a native of the Sunshine State, his team’s announcement of hoisting the historic National Speed Sport News (NSSN), America’s Motorsports Authority as the primary sponsor on the team’s No. 11 Ford Fusion in Saturday afternoon’s race is bound to draw some attention which equals waives of new fan support.

Silas, always known for being one of the series’ most popular drivers will help spread the word of Andy Hillenburg’s Fast Track Blue Collar Hero Driver Challenge presented by Speed Sport News.

Andy Hillenburg’s Fast Track Blue Collar Hero Driver Challenge presented by Speed Sport News is the newest creation in an effort to find racing’s next future star. Set to begin in March and conclude in June at the track known as “The Little Rock” in Rockingham, North Carolina, the challenge is out to breed the next up-and-comers, who will have one shot during the three month contest (25 days of competition will be held during the three month run) and advance from a Fast Track High Performance Driving School car to a full-executed ARCA Racing Series stock car against one of racing’s finest stars all in one day. The overall winner will be approved to compete in ARCA’s return to Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis for the running of the Ansell Protective Gloves 200 on Thursday, July 28, 2011 live on SPEED. The best part is, it’s affordable!  

“What an honor it is to be associated with a respectable and award-winning organization like National Speed Sport News,” said Silas, who will make his fifth career start at the 2.5-mile superspeedway Saturday. “Also, what a neat idea Andy (Hillenburg) has created with the Fast Track Blue Collar Hero Driver Challenge. It’s an affordable contest with unimaginable results. Andy has always been on the racer’s side and this challenge fits right into his platform. I’m just thrilled to be associated with it.”

The ARCA pro knows that in order to put his owner’s newest conception into the spotlight, he must have an equal performance from last February. After qualifying a stout and superspeedway career-best of fifth, the Fast Track Racing pilot survived the chaos of the 80-lap event to notch a ninth place finish, his best ever on the 2.5-mile oval.

Silas speaks out freely about last year and how important it would be to kick off his fifth season of ARCA competition again in the right direction. “Last year was a lot of fun,” added Silas, who will make his 92^nd ARCA start this weekend. “We had a good car and were able to capitalize on a strong weekend with a top-10 finish. This year, I’m looking for a little bit more as far as our finishing position is concerned. I’m hoping we can sneak in a top-five or maybe even earn that first win!”

Should Silas be able to pull off the biggest win in his racing career by capturing the checkered flag in the Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200, the splashing of Gatorade and cheers and celebration from victory lane would be nothing new to the Fast Track Racing team as two-time DIS winner and former ARCA champion Andy Hillenburg will return to his duties as the primary spotter for the 23-year old sensation.

“It’s always refreshing to have Andy spot,” Silas mentioned. “He brings a sense of calmness over the radio, especially in a very intense and demanding type of race like Daytona. Dave (McClure) will crew chief the car this weekend, so it’s going to feel like old times again. I’m looking forward to having some fun and hopefully kick off the 2011 race season in S-T-Y-L-E!”

Rockingham (N.C) Speedway join National Speed Sport News as an additional sponsor of Silas’s Ford Fusion.

The Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 at Daytona (80 laps / 200 miles) is the first of 19 events on the 2011 ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards schedule. The 48^th ARCA race held at Daytona is a three-day show. Practice begins Thursday, February 10 with a four hour practice session planned from 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Menards pole qualifying presented by Ansell is set for Friday, February 11 slated to begin at 2:00 p.m. A forty-five minute final practice session is etched in on Saturday, February 12^th from 10:00 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. The event will take the green flag later that day shortly after 4:30 p.m. The race will be televised live on SPEED with additional race coverage including live timing and scoring and radio broadcast through the ARCA Racing Network (ARN) online at arcaracing.com.  All times are local.

For more on Bryan Silas please visit, BryanSilasRacing.com.

For additional information on Andy Hillenburg’s Fast Track Blue Collar Hero Driver Challenge presented by Speed Sport News, please visit FastTrackRacing.com or call 704.455.1700. Hurry fast, because space is limited for this opportunity of a lifetime!

Be sure to get in the groove with NSSN and click online at NationalSpeedSportNews.com.

PHOTO CAPTION: Bryan Silas, driver of the No. 11 National Speed Sport News / Visit NSSN Online / Rockingham Speedway Ford Fusion.

DRIVER CONTACT:

NAME: Chris Knight, Knight Motorsports Management  

PHONE: 239.834.9797

EMAIL:  chris@chrisknightpr.com

FAST TRACK HIGH PERFORMANCE DRIVING SCHOOL CONTACT:

NAME: Christa Bowsher, Fast Track High Performance Driving School

PHONE: 704.907.4631

EMAIL:  Christabowsher21@aol.com

Jason Bowles will take to the track for his ARCA Racing Series debut this week at Daytona International Speedway. The Ontario, Calif., native will pilot the No. 6 Rusty Wallace Racing Experience Toyota Camry for Eddie Sharp Racing.
 

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Toyota All-Star Showdown Champion: Bowles started the 2011 racing season with a win in the Toyota All-Star Showdown at Irwindale Speedway.  The race for the victory came down to the last restart, where Bowles lined up second with seven laps remaining in the 225-lap race. Holding off NASCAR Canadian Tire Series Champion DJ Kennington, Bowles had a great jump on the restart and took the checkered flag for the championship victory.
 
ARCA Racing Series Debut: Bowles will make his entrance into the ARCA Racing Series at DIS. The event, which will also be Bowles’ first event at DIS, will not be his first time on the newly-paved track. Bowles and the ESR team tested at the 2.5-mile speedway in January to prepare for the event.
 
Team ESR: Bowles will reunite with Eddie Sharp Racing for the ARCA Racing Series event. Last season, Bowles piloted the No. 46 ESR Toyota Tundra at Texas Motor Speedway in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series event.
 
Experience: Bowles is coming off a busy 2010 season. He competed in the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and NASCAR K&N West Series. The driver competed in the K&N West Series full-time from 2007-2009 with nine wins, 10 poles, 26 top-fives, 32 top-10s, 2007 NASCAR K&N Pro Series West Sunoco Rookie of the Year and the 2009 Championship. Bowles also made history in 2009 with an average finish of 4.2, the best in series history since 1995 for drivers with 13 or more starts. Bowles began racing go-karts in 1994 and gained experience driving in the Cooper Tires Zetec Championship and Grand-Am Cup ST class. Bowles soon transitioned from open-wheel racing to stock cars and competed in late models and the NASCAR K&N West Series.
 
Rusty Wallace Racing Experience: The Rusty Wallace Racing Experience operates a one-of-a-kind racing school at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, Calif. The school utilizes NASCAR COT Sprint Cup cars and Triad Racing Technologies Sprint Cup engines incorporates a spotter-driver system instead of the traditional lead-follow format of other schools. The authentic racing experience takes the driver to his or her limits at speeds over 175 mph. For more information, check out www.racewithrusty.com
 
Follow the Action:  Get live updates from the track throughout the weekend at www.facebook.com/teamesrand www.twitter.com/TeamESR. Follow Jason at www.twitter.com/bowlesjason.
 
Tune-In: The Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 will be broadcast live on SPEED at 4:30 p.m. EST on Feb. 12, 2011. Fans can also catch the audio broadcast locally on WNDB 1150 AM in Daytona Beach, Fla. Live scoring, timing and audio will also be available on ARCARacing.com throughout the week.
 

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Bowles on Racing at Daytona:
“I’m really looking forward to carrying momentum from the Toyota All-Star Showdown victory to Daytona with Eddie Sharp Racing and the No. 6 team. The test went really well in Daytona and gave me the chance to test out the draft, which I hadn’t experienced at a superspeedway.”
 
On the Biggest Challenge of Racing at Daytona;
“The biggest challenge is going to be the draft – getting someone you work really well with out there and making sure that you are in the right place at the right time, especially at the end of the race. Superspeedway racing is like a chess match, and I’m really looking forward to it.”