Category: Other Series Racing

MOORESVILLE, North Carolina (March 8, 2013) – – Officials from Win-Tron Racing announced today that DOC 360 will partner with NASCAR K&N Pro Series East (NKNPSE) rookie Matt Tifft (@matt89tifft) for the entire 2013 season beginning with next Saturday’s Bristol 125 at Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway.

Last month, Win-Tron Racing and the 2012 ARCA Midwest Tour Rookie of the Year, Matt Tifft, officially announced that they would unite and run for the championship with their No. 89 Chevrolet Impala under the leadership of Shane Tesch. The addition of DOC 360 completes the puzzle and allows the team to centrally focus on winning races and ultimately the championship.

“DOC 360 is very excited to partner with Matt Tifft and Win-Tron Racing,” said Tim
Preston, Director of Business Development for DOC 360. “Matt is a perfect fit for the DOC 360 brand as both are rising stars in their respective business. When you speak to individuals from the racing community, they all speak very highly of Matt as a young man and his future in racing. We feel he will connect well with our core demographics and be a great representative for the DOC 360 brand as we move toward national distribution. Most importantly, we feel the Win-Tron Racing and the DOC 360 partnership can help Matt reach his goal of a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship someday.”

Tifft, the Hinckley, Ohio native shows equal enthusiasm about the partnership.

“I’m very excited to be representing DOC 360 on the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East Tour this season,” he said. “It’s great to welcome a new sponsor into Motorsports and I feel the partnership will be very rewarding. We cannot wait to get the season started next weekend at Bristol.”

Learn more about DOC 360, by visit: drinkdoc360.com or Facebook/drinkdoc360.

For more on Matt Tifft, please visit MattTifftRacing.com or click on his Facebook page.

Tifft tweets too, follow him @matt89tifft.

 

About DOC 360:

DOC 360 is owned and manufactured by Wis-Pak, Inc. Wis-Pak is a manufacturer and distributor of Pepsi-Cola and other leading soft drinks. The company’s corporate office is located in Watertown, Wisconsin and production facilities are found throughout the Central and Southern United States. Wis-Pak is owned by 39 Shareholders, representing 63 independent Pepsi-Cola franchises. Wis-Pak is majority owner of WP Beverages, which is the seventh largest Pepsi-Cola franchisee in the United States with corporate headquarters in Madison, Wisconsin.

About Win-Tron Racing:

Located in Mooresville, North Carolina, Win-Tron Racing is the home of one the most potent ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards single-car operations. Owned by former racers Kevin Cywinski and Nate Thiesse, the team since has acquired the assets of County Joe Racing has become a favorable fixture on the circuit. Since Win-Tron Racing’s inception in 2007, the team has hosted a variety of drivers including leading drivers James Buescher, Blake Bjorklund, Justin Marks, Matt Merrell and Brandon McReynolds to their first career ARCA victories. In 2013, the team will begin its seventh year of competition with a presence in the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards, the NASCAR K&N Pro Series (East) and the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series.

“KOMA Unwind Relaxation 150 Set For March 23 at Southern National Motorsports Park”

STATESVILLE, North Carolina (March 7, 2013) – – In an effort to accelerate their marketing efforts around their vastly growing Bebida Beverage Company (BeBevCo.) brand, KOMA Unwind® (@KOMAUnwindNews) will carry the event sponsorship role for the upcoming NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour (NWSMT) race at Southern National (N.C.) Motorsports Park on Saturday, March 23.

Developed by BeBevCo., KOMA Unwind relaxes those who drink it. It also helps them improve both the duration and quality of their sleep with flair and favor. KOMA Unwind is formulated to relax the body, mind and soul. It is the perfect lifestyle beverage for those who can appreciate extreme relaxation.

The relaxation or “anti-energy” drink category is a new category to the beverage industry. This type of drink is dedicated to helping consumers achieve a level of relaxation without the use of pills or alcohol.

With plans to have a healthy presence in Motorsports this season, KOMA Unwind continues to fuel a “relaxation revolution” in a way to chill without a pill.

The KOMA Unwind Relaxation 150 will be the fourth event of the season at the Kenly, North Carolina-based racetrack. In addition to the NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour, the afternoon will also feature four other local racing divisions consisting of Limited Late Models, Street Stocks, Mini Modifieds and UCARS.

KOMA Unwind will also have brand ambassadors onsite to give out free samples to attendees. Following the event, Southern National Motorsports Park has agreed to carry the popular beverage for the remainder of the season, available at all concession stand locations.

Additionally, KOMA Unwind has invited members of the United States Marine Corps. from nearby Camp Lejeune to attend the day’s festivities.

“I cannot begin to explain how excited we are about partnering with Southern National Motorsports Park for the upcoming races,” said BeBevCo. CEO Brian Weber. “Being a NASCAR racer myself, it’s very humbling to bring something back to the sport and support everyone in a couple weeks. Not only will we be an event sponsor, but we’re also opening the door for 100 Marines to take a breather and enjoy the action for themselves. If not for them and the rest of our Armed Forces, we would not be able to do this.”

He added, “KOMA Unwind is becoming increasingly popular throughout the country and that’s something everyone from the company is very proud of. As we continue to grow and expand, you will see a growing presence in various forms of partnerships. However, our mission remains clear to offer a way to chill without a pill.”

The first-ever KOMA Unwind Relaxation 150 is set for Saturday, March 23. Gates are tentatively scheduled to open at 11:00 a.m., with an on-track autograph sessions etched in at 1:30 p.m. with pre-race ceremonies set to commence at 1:55 p.m. and racing lifting off at 2:00 p.m.

Unite with KOMA Unwind for its “relaxation revolution” by joining us on Facebook (Facebook.com/KOMAUnwind) and following us onTwitter @KOMAUnwindNews.

About BeBevCo:

BeBevCo (Bebida Beverage Company) develops manufactures and markets liquid relaxation products including KOMA Unwind “Liquid Relaxation” (TM), KOMA Unwind Sugar-free “Liquid Relaxation” (TM) and KOMA Unwind “Liquid Relaxation” Shot (TM) as well as POTENCIA Energy, POTENCIA “BLAST” energy shot, Relax 5 shots and Piranha Water.

Corporate websites accessible at BeBevCo.com, Relaxfive.com and KOMAUnwind.com.

New Castle, Ind.—March 8, 2013— Tracy Hines has had more than his fair share of success racing indoors in a midget over the years. He won the 2005 Chili Bowl Midget Nationals, as well as a preliminary feature that same year and has nine career top-10 finishes in the 12 Chili Bowl main events that he has qualified for. The veteran, who hails from New Castle, Ind., has a total of four-career indoor midget wins on his resume.

Hines will look to add to his indoor prowess this weekend as he heads to Wisconsin to compete in a pair of races with the Stark Automotive Group/Mid-State Badger Midget Auto Racing Association (BMARA). Hines will pilot the SpeedQuip Motorsports No. 75 Chevrolet-powered Phantom owned by Roger and Lara Miller.

“After having some winter weather at home in Indiana earlier this week, it will be good to race indoors,” said Hines. “It looks like the field is shaping up to be very strong, so the fans should see a couple of great races. Normally, we only get to race once a year indoors at the Chili Bowl, so this is a bonus this year and the perfect time for it as well.”

The Jack Link’s Sasquatch Indoor Nationals are set for Saturday, March 9 and Sunday, March 10 at the Cedar Lake Arena on the grounds of the historic Cedar Lake Speedway in New Richmond, Wisc. The event will be contested on a one-fifth mile clay oval, which will mark the first midget race at the 120,000 square-foot venue in nearly five years. The Jack Link’s Sasquatch Indoor Nationals will open with a practice sessions on Friday, March 8 and will serve as the season opener for the BMARA. A special bonus of $1,000 is on the line for any driver that can win both midget features.

In this year’s Chili Bowl, which drew nearly 275 entries, Hines finished fifth in a preliminary feature on the third of four qualifying nights. He also took to the track for the annual Race of Champions, where he finished eighth. Hines wrapped up the event with some bad luck in the B-main on the final night. Over the course of the week-long event, he also turned the wrenches for five younger drivers, offering his knowledge and experience of the always challenging and one-of-a-kind event.

“Indoor races are pretty unique and you have to approach them a lot different than you do a typical race outdoors,” explained Hines. “Having experience over the years indoors should help quite a bit. It sounds like it will be pretty tight confines, so you have to be a little extra aggressive and really pick and choose your spots when trying to pass cars.”

Hines had competed with the Badger Midget Auto Racing Association a number of times over the years. He recorded a total of seven wins during the 2001 and 2002 seasons with the series. All of those victories came at the famed Angell Park Speedway in Sun Prairie, Wisc., including winning the Fireman’s Nationals back-to-back in 2001 and 2002 at the third-mile.

“I’ve always enjoyed racing Badger events,” he noted. “There are some very passionate midget fans up that way and they don’t get to see midgets very often in the western part of Wisconsin or Minnesota. It’s going to be a fun weekend for sure and I’ll give it everything I got and hopefully be in contention for a couple of wins.”

Along with competing in the Chili Bowl in January, Hines raced a midget in the 2013 USAC National Midget Series opening two events last month at New Smyrna Speedway in Florida. He finished third in the opener and was eighth in the finale at the high-banked, half-mile paved oval. Hines picked up a pair of USAC Amsoil National Sprint Car Series wins as well in Florida last month on the dirt at Bubba Raceway Park in Ocala.

The 2000 USAC Traxxas Silver Crown Series and 2002 USAC Amsoil National Sprint Car Series champion finished second in the overall USAC National Midget Series standings last season. After the first two events this season, he sits seventh in the USAC National Pavement Midget Championship, as separate titles will be awarded in 2013 for pavement and dirt races. Hines is currently tied for third in the USAC Amsoil National Sprint Car Series standings, just seven markers out of the lead.

“We’ve had a pretty good start to the season and racing this weekend will help me stay in a rhythm,” Hines said. “When you are running strong, you never want to see a break in the schedule, so to race twice this weekend will be great and then it’s just a few more weeks and we get going here in the Midwest.”

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

Concord, NC (March 5, 2013) – Much of 17-year-old Taylor Ferns’ racing background is in open-wheel cars, which should come as no surprise considering her position as the all-time leading feature winner among women in United States Auto Club history.

That’s not stopping the Shelby Township, Mich. driver and high school honor student from feeling confident about her ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards debut with Venturini Motorsports, though. Ferns will drive the team’s No. 55 Motor City Auto Transport Toyota at Mobile International Speedway Saturday, and knows she has the resources to be a contender in the Mobile ARCA 200, her first ARCA race.

“I’m really excited and I’m really anxious to get into the car,” Ferns said. “I can’t wait for my first ARCA race. I know that I have a lot of good people looking out for me, people who have already been through this. I have a great support system behind me and I think we’re going to have a good race if everything pans out right. I’m just really excited.”

Ferns joined her Venturini teammates in testing at Mobile last weekend, her first appearance at the track. While racing an ARCA car is a strict departure from her time in dirt midget and winged sprint cars, among others, she feels comfortable making her first ARCA appearance at the high-banked, half-mile oval.

“I think the track is a lot of fun,” she said. “It’s definitely different from the tracks I’m used to racing on, and especially being in a stock car and my first race in an ARCA car, I think it’s a perfect track to have my first race on. We got a lot of laps in (while testing). My first run going out, I was trying to get used to it. The last session we did was our mock qualifying run with sticker tires.”

Ferns, the USAC Mopar D1 midget champion in 2011, spent a week at Daytona International Speedway last month getting more familiar with the Venturini team. That week, Venturini driver John Wes Townley won the Lucas Oil 200 for the team’s first win at the track in over three decades. Ferns found herself enjoying the Venturini camaraderie and looking forward to driving for the team. She also tested for the team at Daytona back in December, finishing in the top five overall for the weekend and leading a session on the second day.

“(General manager) Billy (Venturini) and the whole Venturini team have always been there,” Ferns said. “We always work together and reflect off of each other. It’s teamwork, and it helps that you have a really big support system.”

Specifically among drivers, Ferns said Brennan Poole – a four-time ARCA winner for Venturini – has been helpful in her transition.

“He’s been through the motions before; he’s been to a lot of the tracks,” Ferns said of Poole. “He ran the full season last year, so he’s helped me out a lot. (Current teammate) Justin Boston and I go back and forth about how our cars are working and how we can adapt better. Since this is his first season in an ARCA car, we can learn together and grow together as drivers.”

In all, Ferns plans to make seven starts in the ARCA Racing Series this year, following her Mobile effort with entries at Toledo, Elko, and Iowa Speedways. She will also race at larger tracks such as Pocono Raceway and Kentucky Speedway, and compete in the Labor Day dirt race at the DuQuoin State Fairgrounds. First things are first, though, and Ferns is completely focused on delivering more success for Venturini Motorsports in Mobile, Ala.

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

About Venturini Motorsports
Venturini Motorsports (VMS), fielding cars for over 30 years in the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards, is one of the premier NASCAR driver development programs in the country. With multiple team championships and consistent on-track success, VMS has evolved into one of the most recognizable names in motorsports. Since 2007, VMS has assisted in the career development of notable NASCAR drivers such as Joey Logano, Justin Allgaier, Ryan Blaney, Alex Bowman, Brian Scott, Kevin Swindell, Miguel Paludo, John Wes Townley, Josh Richards, and Ryan Reed. In 2012, VMS was inducted into the National Italian Sports Hall of Fame, and 2013 will highlight the team’s debut in the NASCAR Nationwide Series.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

About Venturini Motorsports
Venturini Motorsports (VMS), fielding cars for over 30 years in the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards, is one of the premier NASCAR driver development programs in the country. With multiple team championships and consistent on-track success, VMS has evolved into one of the most recognizable names in motorsports. Since 2007, VMS has assisted in the career development of notable NASCAR drivers such as Joey Logano, Justin Allgaier, Ryan Blaney, Alex Bowman, Brian Scott, Kevin Swindell, Miguel Paludo, John Wes Townley, Josh Richards, and Ryan Reed. In 2012, VMS was inducted into the National Italian Sports Hall of Fame, and 2013 will highlight the team’s debut in the NASCAR Nationwide Series.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

About Venturini Motorsports
Venturini Motorsports (VMS), fielding cars for over 30 years in the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards, is one of the premier NASCAR driver development programs in the country. With multiple team championships and consistent on-track success, VMS has evolved into one of the most recognizable names in motorsports. Since 2007, VMS has assisted in the career development of notable NASCAR drivers such as Joey Logano, Justin Allgaier, Ryan Blaney, Alex Bowman, Brian Scott, Kevin Swindell, Miguel Paludo, John Wes Townley, Josh Richards, and Ryan Reed. In 2012, VMS was inducted into the National Italian Sports Hall of Fame, and 2013 will highlight the team’s debut in the NASCAR Nationwide Series.

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

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

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

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

Broadcast Information:

ARCARacing.com for Live Timing & Scoring

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

ABOUT MENARDS:

With 271 stores in 14 Midwestern states, Menards has the tools, materials and supplies for all your home improvement needs whether just needing a light bulb or can of paint to building a deck or new home.  Menards is known throughout the home improvement industry as the low price leader; it’s no wonder their famous slogan – “SAVE BIG MONEY” – is so widely known and easy to remember.  Menards does things right – the company’s strength and success can be seen in the well-stocked and maintained stores, the lowest prices in town and the way guests are always treated like family in a hometown hardware store atmosphere.

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