Category: Other Series Racing

No. 44 Ansell-Menards Ford Race Facts   Talladega Superspeedway – The 3 Amigos 250

Driver: Frank Kimmel Crew Chief: Bill Kimmel Jr. Car Chief: Eric Beyl                                                                                                       

Sponsor: Ansell; Menards Team: Kimmel Racing Chassis: 367 *This Chassis competed at Talladega on April 23, 2010 and finished 11th and at Daytona this past February finishing10th.

  Frank Kimmel Quotes:

You won at Talladega in 2006. Can you relive that race and tell us how you pulled off your first restrictor plate victory?

  “It was nice to get that first restrictor plate victory. We had a really great car that entire weekend. We were fast in all the practices, so we knew going into the race that we had an opportunity to win. We raced up front all day, and I remember close to the end receiving a push from Mike Wallace to the lead. Right after taking the lead the caution flew, and the race was called due to darkness.” There has been a lengthy layoff since Daytona. How eager are you to get back to racing?

  “I’m very eager to get back on the track. We usually have a race in between Daytona and Talladega, but this year they changed the schedule a bit. However, we’ve kept really busy getting our Ansell-Menards Ford’s ready for other races that are just around the corner.”   You had problem during the Talladega test session earlier this month. Have those issues been rectified?

  “Yea, we resolved the issue. I guess if anything came from a horrible day then finding the cause of the problem was it. Basically, we had a valve that was installed before the test that was not allowing the engines to cool properly. It was an unfortunate mistake on our part but we’ve fixed it and we’re now ready to race.”   What kind of racing do you expect to see at Talladega?   “I think it’s going to be similar to Daytona, though I do believe you’ll see larger packs running together, probably three deep at some points. Talladega is easier to get a grip on, compared to Daytona. It’s so smooth and there’s a ton of room to maneuver around.”   Quick Facts:

* Frank Kimmel has 18 starts at Talladega Superspeedway in the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards * Frank Kimmel’s best career finish at Talladega Superspeedway in the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards is 1st in 2006 * Frank Kimmel has 1 Win, 1 Pole, 8 top-five and 10 top-ten finishes at Talladega Superspeedway * Frank Kimmel is a 9 time ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards Champion (1998, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007) * In his career, Frank Kimmel has collected 74 wins, 42 poles, 232 top-five and 301 top-ten finishes in 411 starts Race Information:   What – The 3 Amigos 250; ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards                                     

When – Friday, April 15, 2011; 4:00 p.m. CDT Where – Talladega Superspeedway; 2.66 Mile Tri-Oval; 94 laps, 250 miles Broadcast – SPEED Channel   Frank Kimmel’s Handy Tips to Talladega presented by Ansell   1. Remain Patient: Talladega is a long race, and the only way to win is to be around at the end. 2. Be Smooth:  Use your head and make the right moves at the appropriate times. Jumping from lane to lane usually doesn’t get you to the front any quicker. 3. Show Respect: Respect the other drivers on the track. Getting in a disagreement at Talladega could cost half the field. 4. Follow the Rules: Remember to stay below the blend line coming on and off the track. 5. Know Your Car: Be sure to pump your brakes when coming off the track to pit.   Ansell Gloves can be purchased at any Menards location. Be sure to watch Frank Kimmel in the No. 44 Ansell-Menards Ford at Talladega Superspeedway for the 3 Amigos 250 in the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards. The race can be seen live on SPEED Channel on April 15, 2011 at 5:00 pm EDT. More information can be found at www.frankkimmel.com

Polk’s Meat Products signs on as associate sponsor

CORNELIUS, N.C. (April 13, 2011) – Josh Wise returns to Go Green Racing this weekend at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway and will compete for the Aaron’s 312 win in the No. 39 Cajun Industries Ford Mustang on Saturday, April 16.

Wise is currently in 13th-place in the NASCAR Nationwide Series point standings after scoring four top-20 finishes in six races this season with Go Green Racing and JR Motorsports.

“I am pumped to head to Talladega,” Wise said. “We had a good car at Daytona, but got caught up in a wreck, so I’m ready to head to another restrictor plate track and see what we can do.

Following exciting races at Daytona, Las Vegas, and Bristol, Cajun Industries continues its relationship with Wise and Go Green Racing at Talladega.

In addition, Polk’s Meat Products joins Wise and Go Green Racing as an associate sponsor for the event. This will be the first NASCAR partnership for the family-owned company based in Magee, Miss.

“We are so excited to become a part of the NASCAR family,” said third-generation Polk’s Meat Products vice president Julie Polk Breazeale. “This is our first time getting involved in NASCAR and we are looking forward to the race. Our customer base is full of NASCAR fans, so we hope this gets them excited too.”

For more information on Polk’s Meat Products, and for some favorite tailgating recipes to use on race day, visit www.polksmeats.com

Wise will take to the track for practice on Thursday, qualify on Friday, and will compete in the Aaron’s 312 at Talladega on Saturday, April 16. Live coverage of the race will begin at 2 pm EDT on ESPN2.

For more information on Wise, please visit joshwiseracing.com, for more information on the team, please visit www.gogreenracing.net and for more information on Cajun Industries, please visit CajunUSA.com.

TALLADEGA, Ala., (April 13, 2011) – – Chad McCumbee, driver of the No. 1 ModSpace Ford, and his Andy Belmont Racing (ABR) team line up Friday at Talladega Superspeedway for the longest race on the 2011 ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards schedule.  Although superspeedway racing is unpredictable, the team brings plenty of experience to the 2.66-mile paved oval, including a top-10 superspeedway finish at Daytona International Speedway in February.  

“Racing at Talladega is as exciting as it is unpredictable,” stated McCumbee.  “Restrictor plate racing is a mental game – – a high speed chess match, as some have said.  The most rewarding, but biggest task we’re facing this race is staying out of trouble on the track.”  

The No. 1 ModSpace team will have superspeedway racing experience on their side when the green flag waves on Friday for the 94-lap event.  The team participated in a test at Talladega prior to the ARCA Racing Series season opener at Daytona. 

In addition to testing, McCumbee has led 48 laps in six superspeedway ARCA races, raced at the venue in ARCA V-8 powered stock cars, NASCAR Sprint Cup entries as well as NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series events and ABR owns a pole and outside pole in the last three events at Talladega.  

“Having superspeedway experience should be a plus,” stated McCumbee.  “I have raced on this track in Trucks, ARCA cars and Cup cars.  Last year, Talladega seemed to be pivotal for me because I ran my first ARCA race for ModSpace and later in the season ran my first Cup race for them.  This experience should help make us race contenders on Friday.”  

Race strategy will be the team’s key focus, and team manager Andy Belmont expects to spend the majority of the 250-mile event making adjustments based on track position since superspeedway racing is a gamble.  

“We are racing for points at Talladega,” stated Belmont.  “Superspeedway racing is a crap shoot at best, but our strategy is to lay low early and race for track position late in the race.  I expect Chad to have a methodical approach to the race and we plan to work with our corporate Ford teammates to get to the front.”

  In McCumbee’s two ARCA career starts, he started 31st and finish 41st in 2005 and in 2010, his first ARCA race for ABR under the ModSpace banner, he started 17th but exited the race on Lap 40 as a result of rear-end damage resulting in a 33rd-place finish.  

“Hopefully we can position ourselves to be up front at the end of the race and get what we can in the last few laps,” stated McCumbee.  “Daytona turned out good and I intend to approach Talladega the same way.”   The team will line up Friday with the car nicknamed Bodacious, named after the Professional Bull Riders (PBR) Association bull that no one could ride for the full eight seconds.  This car sat on the pole the first time out at Talladega at a speed of 186.520 mph.  

“ModSpace Motorsports is very excited about Talladega,” stated William Mann, Director of ModSpace Motorsports.  “Chad, Andy and the entire ABR team have worked diligently on preparing for this event and have experience that should help them be up front at the end of the race.”  

The second event on the 2011 ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards schedule gets started this Friday, April 15, with the 3 Amigos 250 at Talladega Superspeedway in Talladega, Ala.  Watch the race live on SPEED TV at 5 p.m. EST with additional coverage on ARCARacing.com.  

________________________________

About ModSpace: Modular Space Corporation (ModSpace), based in Berwyn, Pa., is a leading provider of modular buildings, portable storage and services for temporary and permanent space needs. With more than 40 years of experience, ModSpace serves a diverse set of customers and markets through a network of 80 branches throughout the United States and Canada.  

About Andy Belmont Racing (ABR): Andy Belmont Racing is a competitive and respected motorsports operation who fields race cars in the ARCA Racing Series, NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, the NASCAR K&N East Series and the USARacing Pro Cup Series. ABR has been serving the motorsports community and winning for nearly 25 years. AndyBelmont.com

TALLADEGA, Alabama (April 12, 2011) – – For Owensboro, Kentucky native Brett Hudson, the opportunity to compete at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway was a dream come true. Unfortunately, his dream turned into a nightmare as on lap four of the 80-lap season opener saw a tire disintegrate on the No. 94 Hudson Performance Drivelines Dodge Charger and slam into the outside turn three wall.

Disheartened with a 43rd place finish – the future was unknown for the Brett Hudson Motorsports team. Damage control upon their return from the “World Center of Racing” seemed like a trip to Talladega (Ala.) Speedway for Friday’s 3 Amigos 250 was next to impossible but it was a trip to Charlotte, North Carolina that re-ignited the team’s hope.

While the Brett Hudson Motorsports (BHM) was examining their motor with officials from Race Engines Plus (REP), it was determined that their most valuable piece of equipment was salvageable – thus giving Hudson’s dream another shot.

With hard work and dedication from crew chief John Hayden and the expertise of race car body specialist Gene Patient of Gene Patient Fabrication, the No. 94 Dodge Charger was back into one piece in no time.

With the help of several friends and local sponsors, Hudson heads to the 2.66-mile superspeedway looking for some redemption and prove that he can get it done on more than just short tracks.

“I’m just grateful to be going to Talladega,” said Hudson, who will make his 23rd career start Friday afternoon. “Daytona had the intentions of being a great day. But, it was over within a blink of an eye. I guess that’s racing. Thankfully, we were able to piece our car back together and our Dodge motor is still raceable, so here we are; heading to Talladega with a mission.”

That mission is simple. Qualify well, much like he did in Daytona and hopefully complete all 94 laps.

“Daytona a little longer race, but also has the tendency to put on more exciting racing. It’s a little wide track which allows the competition to get a little braver. Our goal though is to bring our No. 94 Hudson Performance Drivelines Dodge Charger in one piece with a good finish.”

He added, “I want to thank John (Hayden), Jared (Bartlett), Gene (Patient) and his staff and all of the volunteers at Brett Hudson Motorsports for their help in getting our car back together. I’ll never be able to repay them like I want to; hopefully a strong run will be satisfying enough. I also want to thank DNJ Auto Parts and Body Shop and DMC Graphics for all that they’ve done too.”

The Hudson Motorsports team will also bring awareness to a big fan of theirs, Harlie Bryant. Her parents were supposed to attend the ARCA race this weekend with the BHM team, but their daughter Harlie was recently diagnosed with brain cancer and is scheduled for surgery on May 12th. Now, the team will race with the family in their thoughts and prayers and carry “Hope for Harlie” on their No. 94 Dodge Charger.

“Our minds will be in Talladega, but our hearts are definitely with Harlie and her family back in Owensboro,” said Hudson. “She is such a vibrant, strong and adorable little girl. There are no words to describe what she is going through; let alone her family. All we can do is pray and let her family know that our entire team will be there anytime they need us.”

In addition to Hudson Performance Drivelines, Double H Hydraulics, Race Engines Plus (REP), G&A Trucking, Gene Patient Fabrication (GPF) and Warricktubing.com http://www.warricktubing.com/ join the team as associate marketing partners in the second of 19 ARCA races this season.

In his prior 22 ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards starts, Hudson has produced two top-fives including a career best of fourth at Salem (Ind.) Speedway in 2007 and 10 top-10 finishes overall. Hudson has one career ARCA pole also coming at Salem (Ind.) Speedway in 2005 driving the No. 62 Hudson Machine Shop Chevrolet Monte Carlo.

Additional sponsorship opportunities are still available for this weekend’s activities. Interested parties are encouraged to contact Lisa Hudson of Brett Hudson Motorsports at 270.929.2160 or hudson00@adelphia.net.

For more on “Hope for Harlie”, please click here http://www.facebook.com/hopeforharlie?sk=info to visit their official Facebook page.

The 3 Amigos 250 (94 laps / 250 miles) is the second of 19 events on the 2011 ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards schedule. The 49th ever ARCA race at Talladega Superspeedway is a two-day show. Practice begins Thursday, April 14 with a three hour practice session planned from 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Menards pole qualifying presented by Ansell is set for later in the day slated to begin at 5:05 p.m. Coverage of time trials is available online through the ARCA Racing Network (ARN) online at http://www.arcaracing.com/ arcaracing.com in collaboration with Alabama’s local WTDR Thunder 92.7 FM. A 45-minute final practice has been etched in on Friday, April 15 from 10:00 a.m. – 10:55 a.m. The event will take the green flag that afternoon shortly after 4:00 p.m. The race will be televised live on SPEED with additional live broadcasting available through the ARCA Racing Network (ARN) online at http://www.arcaracing.com/ arcaracing.com in collaboration with Alabama’s local WTDR Thunder 92.7 FM. All times are local (Central).

“WVR To Have Special Fan On Sidelines For 3 Amigos 250”

TALLADEGA, Ala. (April 12, 2011) – – Known as one of the best dirt racers in the Midwest, Will Vaught will take a break from slipping and swinging on the clay and return to stock car territory as the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards resumes their 2011 season at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway for Friday afternoon’s 3 Amigos 250.

Vaught, the Crane, Missouri native has several agendas heading into the second of 19 ARCA Racing Series races this season. After just missing the season-opener at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway, Vaught and his Will Vaught Racing (WVR) team have spent nearly two months bettering their equipment and forming an alliance with Phoenix Racing and owner James Finch, as Will “The Thrill” Vaught will attempt to make his third career ARCA start at the 2.66-mile superspeedway.

Vaught, 24 will not only be racing for a good finish on Friday afternoon but he’ll be racing for a bigger cause as Cureduchenne.org http://www.cureduchenne.org/ has leaped aboard his No. 51 Chevrolet Impala for his restrictor plate debut.

Cureduchenne.org http://www.cureduchenne.org/ was founded by Paul and Debra Miller whose son was diagnosed with DMD (Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy) in November 2002. Paul Miller is a vice-president of a food company and Debra Miller was in advertising sales before giving up her career to become a stay-at-home mom. Today, the Millers effectively use Cureduchenne.org http://www.cureduchenne.org/ as a way of communication to bring further attentiveness and funding for DMD.

“It’s really important to me to spread the word about Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy,” said Vaught who last competed in the ARCA Racing Series in 2006. “It’s a tough thing to deal with for anyone; not to mention parents. Hopefully we can put our No. 51 Cureduchenne.org http://www.cureduchenne.org/ Chevrolet up front and in contention not only for a good finish but to bring further attention towards this illness.”

WVR will welcome David Carter McClain who currently suffers from DMD to Talladega along with members of his family. Vaught’s automobile will also feature a picture of McClain on the hood of his No. 51 Chevrolet bowtie as part of the campaign to grow support and research of DMD. “David is a strong kid,” offered Vaught. “He is coming with his family and we are thrilled to have them as our special guests. It will be a day of excitement, tons of smiles and hopefully a memorable trip to victory lane.”

Despite not participating in the open-test at Talladega last month, Vaught and his team are confident in their car’s capability; especially since the significant detail that the team has finessed in order to give Vaught a shot at stardom in one of the biggest races of the season.

“I’m anxious to get to Talladega, because I’ve never been there,” sounded Vaught. “I love restrictor plate racing. It’s fits into the racing family, because it’s intense racing; which reminds me of some of my dirt races. We’ve also been fortunate enough to work with Phoenix Racing for this race and they obviously have had some great success on these bigger tracks, so we’re hoping that their assistance will help us with a finish we’ll all be proud of.”

At the tender age of 19, Vaught made his ARCA Racing Series debut at Kansas Speedway in a car fielded by Vision Racing and Johnny Leonard Racing. Vaught also made one more start that season at Gateway (Ill.) International Raceway.

In 2011, his family-owned team will participate in a limited ARCA Racing Series schedule with engines supplied by long-time ARCA supplier and winner Clements Automotive.

The 3 Amigos 250 (94 laps / 250 miles) is the second of 19 events on the 2011 ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards schedule. The 49th ever ARCA race at Talladega Superspeedway is a two-day show. Practice begins Thursday, April 14 with a three hour practice session planned from 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Menards pole qualifying presented by Ansell is set for later in the day slated to begin at 5:05 p.m. Coverage of time trials is available online through the ARCA Racing Network (ARN) online at http://www.arcaracing.com/ arcaracing.com in collaboration with Alabama’s local WTDR Thunder 92.7 FM. A 45-minute final practice has been etched in on Friday, April 15 from 10:00 a.m. – 10:55 a.m. The event will take the green flag that afternoon shortly after 4:00 p.m. The race will be televised live on SPEED with additional live broadcasting available through the ARCA Racing Network (ARN) online at http://www.arcaracing.com/ arcaracing.com in collaboration with Alabama’s local WTDR Thunder 92.7 FM. All times are local (Central).

For more information on Will Vaught, please visit willvaughtracing.com.

For additional input on Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD), please click over to cureduchenne.org. http://www.cureduchenne.org/

“ARCA Rookie More Than Ready For ‘Dega Debut”

TALLADEGA, Ala. (April 12, 2011) – – After what some called a jaw-dropping performance in the open-test at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway late last month, Maryeve (pronounced Mary-EV) Dufault (pronounced DU-FAU) and her Tony Marks Racing (TMR) crew return to the 2.66-mile superspeedway looking to prove that their effort wasn’t a fluke and their rookie team is more than ready to contend in Friday’s 3 Amigos 250.

Led by crew chief Larry Moore and car chief Darren Wolfe, the duo have put together a strong No. 12 VR-12 / Dodge Motorsports Dodge Charger that should put Dufault, the Sorel, Quebec Canada native as a serious sleeper in the second of 19 ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards events this season.

“I’m anxiously awaiting Talladega this week,” said Dufault. “We had a great test with Tony Marks Racing, VR-12 and Dodge. The car was strong right off the trailer. I know that a lot of teams weren’t there and I’m sure that others weren’t showing all of their cards, but we weren’t either. I want to go to Talladega and do the same thing I did at Daytona just minus the outcome.”

When Dufault refers to Daytona in February, the resident of Redondo Beach, California rewinds back to when she found herself in-line for a solid finish before being collected in the “big one” just 16 laps from the finish. Dufault did an excellent job maneuvering through the incident but at the last second, another competitor clipped her No. 12 Dodge Charger which ultimately sent her to the garage for the remainder of the Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 which resulted in a 28th place finish.

“I felt like as a team, we preformed very well at Daytona, despite the finish,” she added. “I was just learning and preparing myself to make the move when I needed to then the big accident broke out in front of me. I thought we escaped but I was turned at the last second and it did some damage to our tailpipes. Nonetheless, I still learned a lot about the cars and the draft; which will again be important this weekend at Talladega.”

The former NASCAR Canadian Tire Series presented by Mobil 1 competitor was initially overwhelmed with the size and presence of Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway, but she is looking forward to completing all 94 laps on Friday afternoon.

“Talladega has some similarities to Daytona and I think we’ll see an exciting race,” Dufault sounded. “I’ve talked to a couple of the other drivers and they’ve been very helpful in telling me what to expect, what to watch out for and what not to do. That’s important for me being a rookie. Once the race starts on Friday, I have to keep our No. 12 VR-12 / Dodge Motorsports Dodge Charger out of trouble but inside the lead draft and take the checkered flag. We need a boost in the point standings, so a good run will pay a two-for-one special.

Tony Marks, owner of Tony Marks Racing, the newest multi-car operation in the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards is equally energerized about Friday’s contest.

“Quickly, Tony Marks Racing is showing that while we still may be young, we know how to go fast. The team has done an incredible job putting this superspeedway program back in tip-top shape following our misfortunate at Daytona. Maryeve is incredibly focused and determined to do a good job not only for the team, but for our sponsors too. As an owner, that’s all I can ask for. I’m looking forward to seeing what Friday afternoon delivers.”

The 3 Amigos 250 (94 laps / 250 miles) is the second of 19 events on the 2011 ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards schedule. The 49th ever ARCA race at Talladega Superspeedway is a two-day show. Practice begins Thursday, April 14 with a three hour practice session planned from 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Menards pole qualifying presented by Ansell is set for later in the day slated to begin at 5:05 p.m. Coverage of time trials is available online through the ARCA Racing Network (ARN) online at http://www.arcaracing.com/ arcaracing.com in collaboration with Alabama’s local WTDR Thunder 92.7 FM. A 45-minute final practice has been etched in on Friday, April 15 from 10:00 a.m. – 10:55 a.m. The event will take the green flag that afternoon shortly after 4:00 p.m. The race will be televised live on SPEED with additional live broadcasting available through the ARCA Racing Network (ARN) online at http://www.arcaracing.com/ arcaracing.com in collaboration with Alabama’s local WTDR Thunder 92.7 FM. All times are local (Central).

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

For more on Maryeve Dufault, please log onto Maryeveracing.com

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

TALLADEGA, Ala. (April 12, 2011) – – After dabbling in the USARacing Pro Cup Series over the course of the last two months, Stuart, Florida native Bryan Silas will return to his normal surroundings this week when the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards makes their annual stop at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway for the running of the 3 Amigos 250.

There will be something incredibly different about Silas’s sixth start at the 2.66-mile superspeedway when the green flag flies on Friday afternoon. He won’t be driving the familiar No. 11 Ford Fusion for Fast Track Racing. Earlier this week, Eddie Sharp Racing (ESR) and Bryan Silas Racing (BSR) jointly announced that the 23-year ARCA pro will drive the No. 98 Vietnam Veterans of America / Rockingham Speedway Toyota Camry in the second of 19 ARCA events this season.

“I’m very appreciative of the opportunity to drive for Eddie Sharp Racing this weekend,” said Silas, who is gunning for his first career ARCA victory. “I also have to graciously thank Andy (Hillenburg), my mentor and owner of Fast Track Racing for being so encouraging and helping me with this event. Even though I won’t be in his car; he’s been so accommodating and willing to do anything he can to help with the transition.”

While Silas has enjoyed 88 career starts with the 1995 ARCA champion, the opportunity to drive for Denver, North Carolina-based ESR team quite possibly could be a switch that is talked about for a long time to come.

An enthusiastic Silas continued, “without any question, I think we’ll have a shot at running up front and finding ourselves in contention for the win in the No. 98 Vietnam Veterans of America / Rockingham Speedway Toyota Camry. I’m looking forward to getting to Talladega and working with the ESR team. I’m anxious to experience the Toyota buzz for myself; not to mention drive for another organization that has won an ARCA championship.”

No matter what the outcome on Friday afternoon, Silas’s busy week won’t stop there as he plans to make the trek to Dillon, South Carolina for the third race of the season in the USARacing Pro Cup Series. After two outings which include one top-five and two top-10s, Silas finds himself fourth in points just 29 markers behind leader Brad Rogers.

“It will be a busy weekend for sure,” sounded Silas. “I’ve enjoyed running in the USARacing Pro Cup Series this season. We are having a lot of fun and I hope to keep our momentum growing over there at Dillon (S.C.) Motor Speedway on Saturday night.

Entering Talladega, Silas has 92 career ARCA Racing Series starts to his credit with a career best finish of fourth at Rockingham (N.C.) Speedway in 2009. He also holds 27 top-10 finishes to his credit. In his previous five Talladega contests, Silas has a best start of 16th (2006) and scored a top-finish of 12th in 2009.

The 3 Amigos 250 (94 laps / 250 miles) is the second of 19 events on the 2011 ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards schedule. The 49th ever ARCA race at Talladega Superspeedway is a two-day show. Practice begins Thursday, April 14 with a three hour practice session planned from 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Menards pole qualifying presented by Ansell is set for later in the day slated to begin at 5:05 p.m. Coverage of time trials is available online through the ARCA Racing Network (ARN) online at http://www.arcaracing.com/ arcaracing.com in collaboration with Alabama’s local WTDR Thunder 92.7 FM. A 45-minute final practice has been etched in on Friday, April 15 from 10:00 a.m. – 10:55 a.m. The event will take the green flag that afternoon shortly after 4:00 p.m. The race will be televised live on SPEED with additional live broadcasting available through the ARCA Racing Network (ARN) online at http://www.arcaracing.com/ arcaracing.com in collaboration with Alabama’s local WTDR Thunder 92.7 FM. All times are local (Central).

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

TALLADEGA, Alabama (April 12, 2011) – – After delivering an electrifying third place performance at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway, Win-Tron Racing has once again called upon Portland, Texas native Matt Merrell to drive the team’s No. 32 Toyota Camry in Friday afternoon’s 3 Amigos 250 at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway.

Given Merrell delivered a champion-like performance at Daytona is fitting for the second of 19 ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards races this season as Win-Tron Racing announced last week that Champion Brands has signed on as the primary marketing partner of the team’s No. 32 Toyota Camry for Merrell’s inaugural debut at the 2.66-mile superspeedway.

“To have another shot at victory at a superspeedway in the No. 32 Champion Brands Toyota Camry is a blessing for sure,” said Merrell, a former competitor in the USARacing Pro Cup Series. “We had such a strong race car at Daytona and we’re bringing that same car back to Talladega hoping for the same results.”

Merrell added, “It’s very humbling to represent a great company like Champion Brands. Win-Tron Racing, I know is one of the best in the ARCA Racing Series and I know Champion has found a great home with them. It’s my goal to go out there in the race and prove to them why it’s such a great home.”

Much like Daytona, Merrell, the 26-year old has never tested nor raced at the 2.66-mile superspeedway but the lack of track time isn’t a worry for him because of the faith that he has in his Lakeville, Minnesota-based team led by Win-Tron’s wizard crew chief Mike Chafee.

“To go to a place like Daytona or Talladega can be intimidating for sure, but I’m not worried,” Merrell sounded. “Mike (Chafee) and Mike (Resop) and the entire Win-Tron Racing team know what they are doing when it boils down to this restrictor plate racing, so I’m just going to Talladega this weekend and do exactly what I did in Daytona and hope we leave with the same or even a better result.

If we’re able to pull off a win at Talladega at Friday, I can’t even begin to explain the emotions and happiness it will bring to not only me and my family but for this Win-Tron Racing team. They’ve had a lot of faith in me over the years and have always put me in first class equipment; I would like to thank them with a win in the worst way.”

Nate Thiesse, co-owner of Win-Tron Racing is equally upbeat about having Merrell back at the controls for the 3 Amigos 250. “Matt did a magnificent job at Daytona and there’s no hesitation to think that he cannot do the same again on Friday. He showed at Daytona that despite very little experience in the draft, he tackled the finesse of the draft like a veteran. We know that he’ll race smart and put our No. 32 Champion Brands Toyota in contention when it really counts!”

The team’s No. 32 Toyota Camry is also aiming for its third consecutive top-10 finish on a superspeedway. Last April, Justin Marks delivered a ninth place performance after a late-race shuffle in the draft. In February, Merrell piloted the same automobile to a podium third place finish in the Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200.

Merrell will make his 15th career start and first at Talladega in the ARCA Racing Series presented Menards this week. In his previous 14 outings, Merrell has six top-fives including runner-up finishes of second at Berlin (Mich.) Raceway and Pocono (Pa.) Raceway (August) in 2009 and seven 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 http://www.collinshope.org/ Dodge Charger second in June of 2009.

The 3 Amigos 250 (94 laps / 250 miles) is the second of 19 events on the 2011 ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards schedule. The 49th ever ARCA race at Talladega Superspeedway is a two-day show. Practice begins Thursday, April 14 with a three hour practice session planned from 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Menards pole qualifying presented by Ansell is set for later in the day slated to begin at 5:05 p.m. Coverage of time trials is available online through the ARCA Racing Network (ARN) online at http://www.arcaracing.com/ arcaracing.com in collaboration with Alabama’s local WTDR Thunder 92.7 FM. A 45-minute final practice has been etched in on Friday, April 15 from 10:00 a.m. – 10:55 a.m. The event will take the green flag that afternoon shortly after 4:00 p.m. The race will be televised live on SPEED with additional live broadcasting available through the ARCA Racing Network (ARN) online at http://www.arcaracing.com/ arcaracing.com in collaboration with Alabama’s local WTDR Thunder 92.7 FM. All times are local (Central).

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