Category: Other Series Racing

Puyallup, Wash. — Jan. 9, 2013 — Trey Starks is well aware of the history, prestige and aura of the famed Chili Bowl Nationals. After all, his father John competed in the Chili Bowl during its formative years, finishing a very solid sixth in the 1995 edition of the star-studded event, which draws drivers from a multitude of racing series and disciplines. Trey will follow in his dad’s footsteps this year, as he’ll open his 2013 racing campaign in the Chili Bowl, which will mark his first career start in a midget.

Starks will pilot a Spike with a Stanton Mopar engine, owned by Jim Ferns under the banner of Tracy Hines Racing. Hines, the 2005 Chili Bowl winner, will set the car up and serve as crew chief for Starks. Ferns’ daughter Taylor, who is the winningest female in USAC history, claimed the 2011 USAC D1 Midget Series championship driving for her father, and will also be competing in the Chili Bowl.

“The Chili Bowl is a pretty amazing event,” said Starks. “This is my first time out here and with all the cars and drivers it’s pretty overwhelming. It will be good to have a few days to see how the format and everything works before I go back on the track on Friday. It was good having some practice the other day and we got a few good laps in during that time.”

The Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals presented by General Tire opened last night and runs through Saturday, Jan. 12 at the Tulsa Expo Center in Tulsa, Okla. A field of well over 250 entrants is split into four qualifying nights. Starks will take to the track on Friday, Jan. 11 for Vacuworx Global Qualifying night, with the top-three finishes in each of the four preliminary features moving directly into the main event on Saturday, Jan. 12. The high school junior turned his first laps in a midget on Monday during practice day.

“My dad will be here this weekend and he will definitely have some good advice from the times he raced here,” noted the younger Starks. “Having Tracy (Hines) working on the car is a huge help as well, with all the laps and experience he has here. With my dad and Tracy working together, we should fare pretty well.”

Starks, who hails from Puyallup, Wash., competed in a variety of 410 and 360 winged sprint car events in 2012. He was victorious twice, winning at Kings Speedway in Hanford, Calif., in April, as well as his home track of Grays Harbor Raceway in Elma, Wash., in September. Starks raced at 18 different tracks last season in nine states with five series. He wrapped up the season with 17 top-10 finishes, of which 14 were top-five performances, including 12 podium finishes.

“The track here at the Chili Bowl is definitely different than any other track we ran on last year or will run on this year,” explained Starks. “This will be the first time I’m racing without a wing, so it will be different for sure. You really need to get some laps and get a feel for everything before you can really go into it. It’s great to be here and it’s going to be a fun week.”

The third-generation driver made his first appearance at both the famed Knoxville Raceway in Iowa and the legendary Eldora Speedway in Ohio in 2012. In his first trip to each of those half-miles he won a heat race to earn a spot in the World of Outlaws dash. Starks returned to Eldora in the summer for the Kings Royal and to Knoxville for the Knoxville Nationals and 360 Knoxville Nationals in August.

In a limited number of starts with the World of Outlaws last year, Starks earned the KSE Racing Hard Charger Award three times. That honor goes to the driver that passes the most cars in the A-Feature each night. The young driver recorded a pair of 12th-place finishes among the seven Top-15 performances he turned in with the series.

Trey Starks and Starks Racing would like to thank their valued partners: BR Motorsports, FX Signs, King Racing Products, Masco Petroleum, Northwest Powerdercoating & Sandblasting, Starks Timber Processing and T&C Concepts.

Keep Up-to-Date
For the latest news and information on Trey Starks and Starks Racing, visit www.TreystarksRacing.com . Also keep up with Trey on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TreyStarksRacing, and follow Trey on Twitter at: twitter.com/TreyStarks55.

University to Host Officials Training this Saturday

(TOLEDO, Ohio) – Officials from the Automobile Racing Club of America (ARCA) and The University of Northwestern Ohio (UNOH) have announced that the diverse Lima, Ohio-based school will extend its contract as the Official and Exclusive Educational University of the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards for 2013.

The program is highlighted by the UNOH/ARCA Race Club, an internship program designed to allow students to participate in real-world situations as crew members on ARCA Racing Series teams. Thirty-plus students annually participate in the ARCA Race Club, working with existing ARCA teams during the course of the full ARCA season.

“More than 40 UNOH students have applied for the ARCA Race Club Program,” Jeff Jarvis, UNOH President said. “It’s a great program, and one that provides real-life training for kids who aspire to work in motorsports.”

The 2013 season marks the 10th that UHOH has served in this official capacity with the ARCA sanction. The program also offers cash contingency awards to those teams actively utilizing students as part of the internship program.

“The ARCA/UNOH partnership is one of the most gratifying of any I’m involved in,” commented Mark Gundrum, VP Business Development and Corporate Partnerships for ARCA. “The program helps the students; it helps the teams, and it helps individuals who seek to continue their education through the scholarship. It’s a great program.”

In addition, UNOH will continue to offer $10,000 in scholarship funding annually to eligible ARCA members, or their immediate family members.

UNOH Hosting ARCA Officials Tech Training Seminar Saturday

The University of Northwest Ohio will be hosting the annual ARCA Racing Series officials technical training session in the High Performance Motorsports Complex at UNOH Saturday, January 12.

Series officials, in preparation for the 2013 season, will learn technical measures regarding race, qualifying, impound and pit road procedures.

The UNOH complex features a wide-array of educational tools for automotive enthusiasts, including a 500-foot launching pad for drag racing classes, an eighth-mile asphalt oval for testing, and an obstacle course for testing off-road technology.

The ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards has crowned 30 ARCA national champions in 60 seasons since 1953, and has toured over 200 race tracks in 26 states since its inception. The series has tested the abilities of drivers and race teams over the most diverse schedule of stock car racing events in the world, visiting tracks ranging from 0.375 mile to 2.66 miles in length on both paved and dirt surfaces as well as a left- and right-turn road course in its most recent season.

Founded by John and Mildred Marcum in 1953 in Toledo, Ohio, the Automobile Racing Club of America (ARCA) is recognized among the leading sanctioning bodies in the country. Having completed its sixth decade after hundreds of thousands of miles of racing, ARCA administers over 100 race events each season in four professional touring series – the ARCA Racing Series, the ARCA CRA Super Series, the ARCA Truck Series, and new in 2013, the ARCA Midwest Tour – in addition to local weekly events at Ohio’s Toledo Speedway and Michigan’s Flat Rock Speedway.

Concord, NC (January 7, 2013) — Seventeen-year old driver Taylor Ferns from Shelby Township, Michigan made headlines last month toping the speed charts with Venturini Motorsports (VMS) during the 3-day ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards open testing session at Daytona International Speedway.

Coming off the heels of her debut trip to the World Center of Speed, Taylor Ferns has signed a seven-race deal with Venturini Motorsports in the ARCA Series for 2013.

“This is an exciting chapter in my life. I’ve been thinking about the day I would move up to drive in the ARCA Series for a long time, and now that I’m pairing up with the Venturinis’ it gives me a lot of confidence and high expectations going into the season,” says Taylor Ferns.

Representing the millennial generation, Ferns continues her climb up the motorsports ladder in pursuit of her ultimate goal, reaching the ranks of NASCAR.

The highly touted high school junior honor student is considered one of the top female driver prospects in the country and will make her ARCA debut on March 9th at Mobile International Speedway. She’s also slated for short track events at Toledo Speedway, Elko Speedway, Iowa Speedway, DuQuoin and speedway events at Pocono Raceway in August and Kentucky Speedway in September. Events at Iowa, Pocono and Kentucky will be nationally televised on FOX Sports Media Group’s SPEED Channel.

Taylor’s selective ARCA schedule will compliment and coincide with her full-time duties driving midgets and Silver Crown cars in the United States Auto Club (USAC) Series.

With over 10-years of racing experience Taylor is ready to write the next chapter in her already impressive career.

Already the WINNINGEST female driver in the famed USAC Series, Taylor made history at Toledo Speedway claiming her first National USAC MOPAR D1 Regional Midget Championship in 2011.

In 2010, Taylor received USAC’s prestigious KARA HENDRICK SPIRIT AWARD. This award is bestowed annually to the USAC female racer who best displays character, determination and driving ability within the series. Established in 2003, this award honors the memory of one of USAC’s most accomplished female drivers, Kara Hendrick, who tragically lost her life during a USAC Western (California) Midget event in 1991.

As Taylor’s rise to fame in the motorsports world continues she is an active participant in Lyn St. James’ “Women in the Winner’s Circle Foundation”.

Taylor will become one of the youngest teenage drivers in ARCA history to compete at Pocono and Kentucky speedways. During the off-season ARCA announced they’ve lowered the age requirements for drivers competing on race tracks larger than 1-mile from 18 to 17-years old. This does not include Superspeedways such as Daytona or Talladega.

Taylor, representing Mopar and Taylor Ferns Racing is currently preparing this week for her second appearance at the 27th Annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals presented by General Tire at the Tulsa (Okla.) Expo Center.

Official: www.TaylorFerns.com  |  Twitter: @TaylorFerns  |  Facebook: Taylor Ferns

About Venturini Motorsports

Venturini Motorsports (VMS), fielding cars in the ARCA Racing Series, is one of the premier NASCAR driver development programs in the country. The 2012 season marks the team’s 30th Anniversary of competition in the ARCA Series. 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, Steve Arpin, Brian Scott, Max Gresham, Miguel Paludo, Josh Richards, Ryan Blaney, John Wes Townley, Scott Lagasse, Jr., and Kevin Swindell.

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

Concord, NC (January 8, 2013) — Fifteen-year old racing prodigy Kyle Benjamin from Easley, South Carolina has committed to taking his career to the next level by choosing the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards and Venturini Motorsports as the next step in his driver development process.

Armed with heaps of talent and self-possessed goals of one day becoming a NASCAR Sprint Cup driver, Benjamin has signed on with Venturini Motorsports for a partial season deal which will include visits to Mobile International Speedway, Toledo Speedway, Winchester Speedway and a nationally televised race on FOX Sports Media Group’s SPEED Channel in September at Iowa Raceway.

“I’m excited to announce our plans with Venturini Motorsports this upcoming season. They’ve got a great history of success with young drivers and it gives me a great opportunity to gain experience and add more seat time to my 2013 racing schedule,” says, Benjamin.

Despite his seemingly brief career Benjamin has excelled in everything he’s driven helping him showcase his talent and cast a spotlight which is currently shining bright on his budding career.

Benjamin, a first generation driver is no stranger to the racing community. Since the early age of 6 he’s been honing his skills and calculating his career path competing and winning championships in everything from Quarter Midgets, Bandoleros to the Pro and Super Late Model divisions around the Southeast.

During a career trending one break-out season after another, Benjamin once again found himself re-writing the record books by capturing the 2012 ARCA/CRA Super Series Southern Championship becoming the youngest champion in the series’ history.

Already with an impressive racing resume Benjamin’s most recent championship adds to a growing list of accomplishments including the 2009 Pro Challenge Southern Division Champion, 2008 Bandolero Winternationals Champion, 2008 Battle of Bristol Champion, 2008 Speedway Champion at Atlanta Motorspeedway and the 2006 & 2007 South Carolina State Bandolero Championship.

In 2012 Benjamin captured more national headlines by beating out Kyle Larson and scoring three-straight wins during “Speedweeks” at New Smyrna becoming the youngest Super Late Model Champion in the 46-year history of the New Smyrna World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing event.

Adding to his list of notable accomplishments in 2012 Benjamin captured the checkered flag in Indianapolis during the Fatheadz Eyewear 100 at Lucas Oil Raceway securing his place in history as the youngest winner in the ARCA/CRA Super Series.

Benjamin also found himself center stage following the late summer ARCA/CRA Super Series Winchester 400 making a dramatic last lap pass – 100 feet from the stripe on Ross Kenseth to seemingly win the all-star event but was later disqualified for a technical infraction.

Completing his season Benjamin finished seventh in his debut at the 45th annual Snowball Derby at Five Flags Speedway in Pensacola, Florida and scored a third place finish in the preceding Snowflake 100.

Benjamin’s impending Mobile Int’l Speedway debut (March 2013) in the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards will make him the youngest driver ever to compete in the series. This record is currently held by VMS driver, Erik Jones, who entered the record books as “ARCA’s youngest competitor” at the very same track during the spring of 2012.

In addition to Benjamin’s 2013 ARCA racing schedule he will concentrate on running selective “big” late model and super late model events which include trips to the RedBud 300, World Crown 300, Winchester 400 and Kyle Busch’s Rowdy 250 at Berlin Raceway.

Official: www.KyleBenjamin.com  |  Twitter: @KyleBenjamin71  |  Facebook: Kyle Benjamin #71

About Venturini Motorsports 
Venturini Motorsports (VMS), fielding cars in the ARCA Racing Series, is one of the premier NASCAR driver development programs in the country. The 2012 season marks the team’s 30th Anniversary of competition in the ARCA Series. 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, Steve Arpin, Brian Scott, Max Gresham, Miguel Paludo, Josh Richards, Ryan Blaney, John Wes Townley, Scott Lagasse, Jr., and Kevin Swindell.

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

By Ferns Racing PR

Shelby Township, Mich.—Jan. 7, 2013 — Taylor Ferns got her first taste of the Chili Bowl Midget Nationals from behind the wheel in 2012, after attending the race three straight years as a spectator, as she waited to be of-age to compete in the famed indoor event. After getting her feet wet in last year’s Chili Bowl, the 17-year-old will return to Tulsa, Okla., again this year to race against over 250 competitors in what has become the biggest midget event of the year, drawing drivers from coast-to-coast and across the world, from a wide array of racing disciples.

Ferns, the 2011 USAC D1 Midget Series champion, will pilot her family-owned No. 55 Dea Eyewear Spike with a Stanton Mopar engine under the hood. She will take to the track for the first of four qualifying nights on Tuesday, Jan. 8. The top-three finishes in each of the preliminary features from the four qualifying nights will transfer directly into the main event on Saturday, Jan. 12. A practice session that Ferns will take part in is scheduled for Monday, Jan. 7.

“The Chili Bowl is one of my favorite events of the year,” said Ferns. “The whole week is centered around racing and is always a great time. I’m really looking forward to getting out to Tulsa and back in the midget and starting the 2013 season.”

Last year in the Chili Bowl, Ferns competed on the first qualifying night. She found herself in the second heat race. The winningest female driver in USAC history lined up seventh in that eight-lap contest and quickly charged to the front, and was running third and about to make a two-car pass for the lead when the first and second-place running drivers got together, leaving her nowhere to go.

Ferns next hit the track during the first of four 10-lap A-Qualifiers, where she finished eighth, which put her in the first of two 15-lap B-mains, where she started eighth. She would get as high as fourth, before finishing fifth, coming up just one spot short of transferring to the preliminary feature on the opening night of the Chili Bowl. On the final day of the 2012 Chili Bowl, Ferns finished fourth in the first E-main to transfer to the first D-main.

“It always helps having experience at a track and in an event, especially one like the Chili Bowl, which is so unique,” she shared. “The Chili Bowl is an experience-based type of race, so knowing how the race format works and how things go will be a big help this year. Hopefully we can have a good second showing at the Chili Bowl.”

The 2012 season saw Ferns race three different types of race cars, as she spent the majority of the season on the dirt in a midget, while also competing with the USAC Traxxas Silver Crown Series in three pavement events, as well as making four starts in an asphalt late model with the JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour. She finished among the top-10 in her debut in both the Silver Crown car and the late model. Ferns recorded her best-career finish with the USAC National Midget Series last July at Plymouth Speedway in Indiana, coming home tenth, after qualifying third-fastest, which also marked a career-best with the series.

“At the Chili Bowl you have to have a good car, but you also have to have luck on your side,” explained Ferns. “Last year I had a good car and could run where I wanted to on the track. There are always a lot of cars there, but as a driver you try not to really look at that. The main thing is to focus on your race and what you have to do.”

Prior to the holiday season, Ferns tested a stock car with the ARCA Series at the famed Daytona International Speedway in Florida. Driving a Toyota for Venturini Motorsports, she was fastest in two of the sessions over the course of the three-day test, and was near the top of the speed charts in the other four as well. The test at Daytona marked the largest track that Ferns had ever driven on, and also were her first laps on a superspeedway.

“Knowing that the last time I was in a race car I was fast and doing well definitely boosts the confidence going into the Chili Bowl,” said Ferns. “Knock on wood, I’ve had pretty good luck at the Chili Bowl, so hopefully that continues this year. I know that Tracy (Hines) will give me a good car and we’ll be prepared.”

Taylor Ferns and Ferns Racing would like to thank their valued partners: Dea Eyewear, FK Rod Ends, Lucas Oil, K&N Filters, Lansing Sanitary Supply (LSS), Simpson Race Products, Indy Race Parts, ButlerBuilt, Allstar Performance, Stanton Racing Engines, Lyn St. James Women in the Winner’s Circle Foundation, Race4Girls and Racing2Cure.