Category: Other Series Racing

Other series racing

  • Joe Sylvester Motorsports Announces 2013 Sponsorship Lineup

    Joe Sylvester Motorsports Announces 2013 Sponsorship Lineup

    Boardman OH, Jan 3rd 2013, Joe Sylvester Motorsports and his Bad Habit Monster Truck team officially announce their 2013 sponsorship lineup and plans for expansion.

    Enter Joe Sylvester and his Bad Habit Monster Truck Team, without a doubt one of the new breakout teams of the Monster jam Series boasting a number of top accolades. As one of the youngest Monster Truck owners and drivers in the Monster Jam Series his team has accomplished a staggering thirty five racing wins, ten final round racing victories, and an unsettling sixty two freestyle competition wins in its six year history.

    The team has signed on a number of new sponsors for 2013 including significant secondary sponsorship with KMC Wheels, Torchmate, Rigid Industries, Monster Hooks and Ripped Vinyl. The team is working on two major co-primary sponsors for 2013 and is set to announce in the coming weeks.

    The team has also announced the signing of sponsorships extensions with current associate and co-associate sponsors; Oakley, Lincoln Welders, GoPro Cameras, K&N Filters, Mahle, Clevite, Pyrotect Safety, Rock Racing Batteries, Abruzzi Transmissions, FK Rod Ends, B&M Racing, CCE Hydraulics, Beckett BodyWorks, Capital Powder Coating, Sylvester Construction and Komar Plumbing.

    The Joe Sylvester Motorsports team is also focusing in on future expansion plans with the addition of a second Monster Truck in the Monster Jam Series and a pro-lite entry in the TORC short course Off-Road Racing Series, current dialog with sponsors is ongoing.

    “We are very thankful for our new sponsors and our existing sponsors, without them we couldn’t be out there competing and we look forward to building the relationships for the long term. We are really looking forward to the future and the growth of our enterprise and our future announcements as well. We spent a lot of the off season restructuring our deliverables and activation plans to transcend motorsports, we put a major evolved effort into delivering major brand recognition and providing very attractive ROI packages for our partners“, says Joe Sylvester.

    Joe Sylvester is managed by Motorsports Marketing Agency, Drive Motorsports International.

    About Joe Sylvester Motorsports- Joe Sylvester Motorsports is powerhouse, multi- winning full service racing facility providing design, engineering, manufacturing and preparation for Monster Truck competition in the Monster Jam Series. This multiple winning team focuses on its Bad Habit Monster Truck enterprise since its inception in 2006. Joe Sylvester is a highly respected race team owner and competitor with professional wins in several categories of Monster Truck Racing, including a world record jump in 2010, recorded in the Guinness Book of World Records.

    For more info on Joe Sylvester Motorsports and the Bad Habit Monster Truck:

    www.joesylvestermotorsports.com

    http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bad-Habit-Monster-Truck-Racing/212362945222  

     https://twitter.com/badhabittruck

  • Irwindale Speedway Bringing Oval Racing Back For The 2013 Season

    Photo Credit: Sal Sigala Jr.
    Photo Credit: Sal Sigala Jr.

    For Southern California racers, it’s been a long 11 month hiatus from one of the premier short tracks in the Nation. After the company that managed the track, Irwindale Speedway LLC, filed Chapter 7 bankruptcy on February 13, 2012, Jim Cohans Team 211 Entertainment group has been working feverishly to bring racing back to Southern California.

    For those who were watching the live stream or attended the race this past weekend at Orange Show Stadium, it was more than evident with the big car count that racing in Southern California is not a thing of the past.

    Instead the drivers, who made the trek to this historic track, proved that short track racing is far from dead and is something that was very much missed. Not only did the drivers fill the pit area this past weekend, but the Bullring at Las Vegas Motor Speedway also had their fair share of exceptionally high car counts throughout the 2012 season with some great racing action on the track.

    With its new name, “Irwindale Event Center” CEO Jim Cohan said that, “We’re very pleased to announce that oval track racing will return to Irwindale for the 2013 season.” Cohan along with Bob Klein, who has been named the event center’s Vice President/Chief Operating Officer, will be working on putting together a schedule and rules package that will be published in the coming months.

    There were a few obstacles in the way that kept the group which also includes bringing back Doug Stokes as the Vice President of Communications, from making an announcement concerning the future of the oval track even though the 1/8 mile drag strip has been running since the beginning of the year.

    “Our master lease with the property owners, Nu-Way Industries, has been broadened and now includes all forms of racing activities on the 6,500-seat twin oval track. We are now working very hard to put all of the pieces together to be able to run a 2013 racing season,” said Cohan.

    In an earlier press release it was said that Cohan had already visited and talked with the owners of Kern County Raceway, about the possibility of working together on a rules and schedule package that could accommodate the drivers at both tracks.

    Kern County Raceway which is still in the construction phase and has a grand opening date in March of 2013, is working with Irwindale’s newest race director Mike Atkinson to allow racers in a number of divisions to compete fairly at both tracks.

    Cohan also added that, “Our company name has the word ‘TEAM’ in it. We need everyone to understand that name is not an affectation. It’s a statement of our commitment to the process of re-building the legacy of Irwindale Speedway.”

    “We know that we’re starting out a couple of laps behind,” Cohan candidly admitted. “But we also know that we have the support of a great number of former racers, sponsors, and most importantly, our fans who have stood by waiting for this track to come back on line again. We’ll really need everyone’s good will and support, and we’ll be trying very hard to return the favor by running a facility that always puts the customer first.”

  • Stewart Aims for Third Golden Driller in Chili Bowl Return

    Stewart Aims for Third Golden Driller in Chili Bowl Return

    BackinBlackTony Stewart Racing

    Three-Time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion Tony Stewart Enters No. 14 Chevy Performance Machine in Prestigious Chili Bowl Nationals

    INDIANAPOLIS (Dec. 24, 2012) – Tony Stewart Racing (TSR) announced today that three-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Tony Stewart has joined the star-studded field of entrants for the 27th annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals presented by General Tire at the Tulsa (Okla.) Expo Center, which kicks off Tuesday, Jan. 8 and concludes Saturday, Jan. 12.

    Stewart finished 10th in last year’s finale after not participating in the event for three consecutive seasons (2009-2011). This year, he returns to action in the TSR No. 14 Chevrolet Performance/Spike/Chevrolet in the most prestigious Midget race of the year.

    The annual Chili Bowl, which takes place inside the typically fan-packed confines of the QuikTrip Center’s Tulsa Expo Raceway, will see Stewart and more than 200 drivers attempt to qualify for one of the coveted spots in Saturday’s 50-lap A-Main finale. Each driver will participate in a qualifying program and accumulate points.  Tough races equal tough workout programs.

    Stewart is one of only five drivers to win the Chili Bowl more than once, one of 17 different drivers to win it since the inaugural event in 1987. He has a pair of Golden Drillers in his collection after scoring Chili Bowl victories in 2002 and 2007. Stewart earned Chevrolet its initial Chili Bowl triumph in 2007 and hopes to deliver a second in January.

    The three-time NASCAR titleist prepped for the upcoming Chili Bowl Saturday by leading all 40 laps of the POWRi Lucas Oil National Midget Series-sanctioned third annual Battle at the Center on the one-sixth mile Mini Magic Mile at the Southern Illinois Center in DuQuoin, Ill. He drove the special-edition black, carbon-fiber entry that has been dubbed the “Back in Black” machine that he’ll compete with in Tulsa.

    Tony Stewart, Owner and Driver of the No. 14 Chevrolet Performance/Curb Records/Bass Pro Shops/Mobil 1/Spike for TSR

    Are you more focused on bringing home the Golden Driller for a third time this year after finishing 10th in the 2012 Chili Bowl Midget Nationals 50-lap A-main finale following a three-year hiatus from the event?

    “Going back to the Chili Bowl for the first time several years in January of 2012 reminded me of just how tough of an event it really is. You typically have more than 200 competitors from all over the world battling it out on a quarter-mile dirt track – indoors. The excitement and atmosphere that is contained in the Expo Center is really something you can’t explain and it was great to be part of it again. I’m really looking forward to taking another shot at winning the Golden Driller for our partners, Chevrolet Performance and Curb Records, and I’d like nothing more than to win a third title for them and TSR.”

    You’re returning to the Chili Bowl Midget Nationals following a very convincing POWRi Lucas Oil National Midget Series victory in DuQuoin, Ill., in early December and you’re competing in the Rumble in Fort Wayne (Ind.) at the end of the month. How much preparation do these events give you for the Chili Bowl?

    “We had a lot of fun racing in DuQuoin last week, but it was more than just having some fun. We used that event as an opportunity to shake the car down for the Chili Bowl in January. Last year, I didn’t have a chance to get some laps in the car before I ran my qualifying night in Tulsa. We were starting from scratch and spent some time getting the car where we wanted it. Having run the DuQuoin event before we get to the Chili Bowl this year is going to help us a lot. We’ve got a good baseline of where we’d like to start out for the week and I am completely confident the guys will give me a great car to drive.

    “Running the Munchkin in the Rumble in Fort Wayne is also a lot of fun for us. We won both nights last year and it’s never easy to win on such a tight, little track. The Rumble and the Chili Bowl are like night and day, as one is pavement and one is a dirt race.  But that’s what makes open-wheel racing so much fun. Competing on both surfaces, especially indoors, gives you the best of both worlds. I’m looking forward to both the Rumble in Fort Wayne and the Chili Bowl

  • OSCAAR Super Late Models and Modifieds to visit Sunset Speedway five times in 2013

    OSCAAR Super Late Models and Modifieds to visit Sunset Speedway five times in 2013

    Rob Poole OSCAARWhile we haven’t even entered the new year yet, drivers and fans are already planning what events they’ll be attending in 2013. On the heels of announcements about the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series coming to Canada and the 2013 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series, Sunset Speedway has made their first announcement of the new schedule.

    Part of the announcement revealed that the OSCAAR Super Late Models & Modifieds will have five races at Sunset Speedway, including a double header in June. The speed that they have and caliber of drivers always means a good show for the fans. Who could forget last year’s Velocity 250? Jeff Hanley and George Wilson made contact while battling for the lead with Wilson in the inside wall, with Hanley driving his way through the field to take the win.

    Sunset will play host to the OSCAAR season opener on May 19th, and will be joined by the Midgets.

    The next OSCAAR date is a double header at the end of June (29/30), known as Canada Day Weekend OSCAAR Thunder.  With Kawartha Speedway cutting back on their number of events in 2013, the series was in need of a new home for their annual Don Biederman Memorial race. Sunset will play host to the event, except under new rules.

    Instead of a one-night 75-lapper for the Super Lates, they will run a 50 lapper on Saturday and then a 50 lapper on Sunday, each having their own qualifying heats and counting for points seperately. They will combine the two days to crown a Don Biederman Memorial Champion.

    Pro Challenge will join the OSCAAR ranks on Saturday, with Lucas Oil Canadian Vintage Modifieds joining them on the Sunday.

    OSCAAR will return to Sunset on July 27th with both divisions, and be joined by CANADA-USA Pro 4 Modified Shootout.

    The final event for OSCAAR will be September 29th, as part of Sunset’s final event of the year – Velocity weekend. This event last year hosted six different divisions across two days, putting the best of the best against each other.

    Sunset Speedway track promotor Mark Dilley said that the weekend would be expanded out to three days – September 27th to 29th – with seven classes running this year, on top of both the OSCAAR Super Late Models and Modifieds.

    While 2012 was a successful season for Sunset, 2013 looks even more promising based on these announcements alone.

  • FIRESTONE TO REMAIN SOLE IZOD INDYCAR SERIES TIRE SUPPLIER THROUGH 2018

    FIRESTONE TO REMAIN SOLE IZOD INDYCAR SERIES TIRE SUPPLIER THROUGH 2018

    indycarlogoNASHVILLE, Tenn. (Friday, Dec. 21, 2012) — Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations and INDYCAR announced today that Bridgestone Americas’ Firestone brand will remain the sole tire supplier to the IZOD IndyCar Series through the 2018 race season.

    “Firestone performance and safety have been synonymous with Indy car racing for more than 100 years,” said Al Speyer, executive director, Firestone Racing. “We are excited about the opportunity to continue the ongoing success of this series by extending the Firestone brand’s history in the sport through the 2018 season. We treasure the relationships we have fostered with the league, drivers, owners and various other partners involved with the sport through the years, and look forward to continuing our legacy of high performance for which Firestone tires are known.”

    Firestone has supplied tires to the IZOD IndyCar Series since the league began in 1996, and this announcement confirms the Firestone brand’s participation in the 100th running of the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race in 2016. As part of the partnership extension, the Firestone brand will increase its commitment to and investments in the series to help maximize the growth potential of the series.

    “The Firestone brand’s significant contributions to IZOD IndyCar Series racing are the result of more than 100 years of experience competing in this sport, most recently as part of a continuous 22-year partnership,” said Jeff Belskus, interim president and CEO, INDYCAR. “The agreement expands our opportunity to continue working together to provide on-track excitement for our fans and grow the sport through coordinated and consistent off-track promotions. This is an important relationship for both Firestone and INDYCAR and we are very pleased to continue the association.”

    The expanded agreement begins in 2014, and includes tires and technical support, investments in advertising, event promotions, at-track signage, hospitality, race title sponsorships and other programs. Specific details of the agreement and relationship will be announced next year.

    The title sponsorship and official tire status of the Firestone Indy Lights series will run through 2013.

    “Our partnership with the IZOD IndyCar Series is based on mutual respect and benefit to all parties. Our agreement to move forward together is a manifestation of the business value we both realize from this partnership as well as the legacy of safety and performance that we have built together over a century of experience,” said Speyer.

    “We are proud to continue our tradition of exceptional support for the IndyCar Series. One of our future aims is to help grow interest, so we look forward to welcoming a new generation of fans to the sport while at the same time energizing the existing loyal fan base. Fans are the true end customer for both INDYCAR and Firestone, and their engagement is fundamental to our mutual future success.”

    The IZOD IndyCar Series 2013 schedule includes 16 tracks with doubleheader race weekends at Belle Isle Park in Detroit; in Toronto, Canada; and at Reliant Park in Houston, Texas.

    In addition to the partnership with the IZOD IndyCar Series, the Firestone brand will be the official tire of the race season kickoff — the Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg in St. Petersburg, Fla., and the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach in Long Beach, Calif.

    In keeping with tradition, Firestone will remain the Official Tire of the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race. Firestone also will continue as the title sponsor of the Firestone 550 at Texas Motor Speedway in June.

  • Bowen Announces Partial Season with Cunningham

    Bowen Announces Partial Season with Cunningham

    [media-credit name=”Cunningham Motorsports” align=”alignright” width=”345″]andersonbowencandid345[/media-credit]MOORESVILLE, N.C. – December 20, 2012) – Anderson Bowen, a 15-year-old rookie from Suwanee, Georgia, has announced plans to run three ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards short track races in 2013 with Cunningham Motorsports.

    Cunningham will also be fielding Bowen in two NASCAR K&N Pro Series East races. In addition, he will compete in a full Super Late Model racing schedule with his family’s Anderson Bowen Racing team.

    During his 2012 JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour season, he was awarded the 2012 Rookie of the Year honors.  Bowen’s path to the ARCA Racing Series has included the 2010 Southern Pro Challenge Series Championship, the 2010 AMS (Atlanta Motor Speedway) Winter Series and Winter Flurry Championship, and the 2009 QMA (Quarter Midget Association) National Championship.

    Bowen completed his 2012 season at the 45th annual Snowball Derby weekend at Pensacola, Florida’s Five Flags Speedway on December 1.  With a lot of the nation’s top short track racers and many NASCAR drivers in attendance, Bowen achieved a great accomplishment when he qualified for the Snowflake 100, one of the two main features.  Momentum from his team’s JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour Rookie of the Year award and a victory in Georgia at Watermelon Capital Speedway a few weeks prior to his season finale, gave Bowen the confidence to earn a 12th place finish in the Snowflake 100.

    Bowen’s first ARCA race with Cunningham Motorsports will be the second race of the season at Mobile Int’l Speedway on March 9.  He’ll follow that up with the next event on tour at Salem Speedway, and wrap up his ARCA schedule at Madison Int’l Speedway in late August. Bowen also plans to run both NASCAR K&N Pro Series East races at Iowa Speedway with the Cunningham organization. Bowen will have guidance from veteran NASCAR champion crew chief, Paul Andrews, for his ARCA Racing Series races.  Andrews was the crew chief for Alan Kulwicki’s 1992 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship season.

    Follow Cunningham Motorsports on twitter @cunningham_race

  • Let’s Make a Deal; Entries Already In for 50th Annual Daytona Race; Tidbits From the Early Days

    Let’s Make a Deal; Entries Already In for 50th Annual Daytona Race; Tidbits From the Early Days

    [media-credit name=”ARCARacing.com” align=”alignright” width=”345″]arca_daytona50[/media-credit](TOLEDO, Ohio – December 21, 2012) – So who wants to put their name in the record books as the winner of the 50th annual Daytona ARCA 200? Apparently, lots of people do. Just a week after the annual three-day ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards open test from Daytona Int’l Speedway, series officials have assembled the first look at the official entry list.

    Already ARCA’s biggest prize, this year’s Daytona event will carry even more meaning as the 50th anniversary race for the ARCA Racing Series at Daytona.

    ARCA’s history at Daytona reaches back to 1964 when Bill France, Sr. invited John Marcum’s Midwest Association for Race Cars (MARC) to race on the 2.5-mile superspeedway in Daytona Beach, Florida. The event would mark the very first superspeedway race for the expanding Midwestern-based tour.

    France also made a suggestion to Marcum regarding his MARC tour now that the “World Center of Racing” would be on the schedule. It was France’s opinion that Marcum should consider changing the name from MARC to something that would reflect a series more national scope. Together, they came up with, ‘Automobile Racing Club of America’ (ARCA), and the rest is history.

    Daytona, as history would show, would pave the way for many more superspeedway events, including one at Charlotte Motor Speedway (Curtis Turner/winner) that served as the season finale for the ’64 season.

    Nelson Stacy won the inaugural Daytona ARCA race, which debuted as a 250-miler. However, Stacy was not officially the first ARCA winner at Daytona. That distinction would go to Earl Balmer, who won a 50-mile qualifying race the day before the big show.

    There were actually two 50-mile qualifying races that led to the ultimate 250-mile big prize event, won by Balmer and Jack Bowsher. Much like NASCAR utilizes the 125-mile qualifiers to help determine the starting grid for the Daytona 500, ARCA, back then, staged twin qualifers to set the starting line-up.

    So, technically, Balmer won the first ARCA race at Daytona on February 7, 1964, and Bowsher won the second 50-mile qualifier that immediately followed. However, it would be Stacy who would etch his name in the record books as winner of the inaugural ‘Daytona ARCA 250′ on February 8.

    ARCA’s qualifying races were reduced to just 25-mile sprints in 1965, and remained that way through the 1967 season. In 1968, France and Marcum decided to eliminate the qualifying races altogether, and as a result, increased the race distance to 300 miles. The race distance remained at 300 miles up until 1974, when it was reduced to 200 miles, which it’s been ever since.

    While Bowsher would eventually go on to win the ‘big race’ at Daytona, Balmer, Neil Castles (1967), Les Snow (1967) and Jack Lawrence (1966) could still rightfully call themselves Daytona winners as victors of ARCA’s qualifying races in the early days. And that’s still worth bragging about.

     

    Entry List

      2013 ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards Event #1  
      Daytona Int’l Speedway, Daytona Beach Florida, 2-16-13  
      Official Entry List, Lucas Oil 200 presented by MAVTV American Real
    As of 12-21-12, 8:04 AM ET
    NO DRIVER/HOMETOWN TEAM & CAR TEAM OWNER
    2 Thomas Praytor/Mobile AL ARCA Mobile 200 Ford Wayne Hixson
    3 Drew Charlson/New Bremen OH Charlson Racing Chevrolet Wayne Hixson
    5 Bobby Gerhart/Lebanon PA Lucas Oil Chevrolet Bill Gerhart
    6 Julian Jousse/St. Tropez France Eddie Sharp Racing Chevrolet Jessica Sharp
    7 Brent Cross/Cortland NY Cross Racing Chevrolet Bill Gerhart
    13 George Cushman/Waterville NY Cushman Truck Repair Dodge David Cushman
    15 TBA Venturini Motorsports Toyota Bill Venturini
    16 Ricky Ehrgott/New York NY Coulter Motorsports Chevrolet Joe Coulter
    17 TBA Roulo Brothers Racing Ford Russ Roulo
    19 Donnie Neuenberger/Edgewater MD Eagle Convenience Stores Chevrolet Donnie Neuenberger
    22 Tom Hessert/Cherry Hill NJ Cunningham Motorsports Dodge Kerry Scherer
    23 Spencer Gallagher/Las Vegas NV Allegiant Air Chevrolet Maury Gallagher
    25 Justin Boston/Baltimore MD Venturini Motorsports Toyota Cathy Venturini
    30 Terry Jones/Amherstburg Ontario Jones Group Ltd Dodge Terry Jones
    32 Mason Mingus/Brentwood TN 811 Call Before You Dig Toyota Kevin Cywinski
    38 Andrew Gresel/Hepworth ON Sauble Falls Tent & Trailer Park & Camping Ford Wes Gonder
    40 Galen Hassler/Columbia MO Carter 2 Motorsports Dodge Roger Carter
    42 Bo Lemastus/Louisville KY Crosley Radio Dodge Bo Lemastus
    54 Matt Kurzejewski/Mansfield PA Costy’s Used Truck Parts & Auto Parts Dodge Dan Kurzejewski
    55 TBA Venturini Motorsports Toyota Billy Venturini
    58 Chad Hackenbracht/New Philadelphia OH Tastee Apple Chevrolet Greg Hackenbracht
    69 Steve Kemp/Justin TX Kimmel Racing Ford Bill Kimmel
    75 TBA Bob Schacht Motorsports Chevrolet Bob Schacht
    77 Michel Disdier/Nice France auto-us.com Dodge Briggs Cunningham
    88 Buster Graham/Lafayette LA Don Mashburn Inc Ford Howard Bixman
    92 Brennan Newberry/Kernersville NC Newberry Racing Chevrolet Bob Newberry
    94 Milka Duno/Caracas Venezuela Dave Leiner Racing Toyota Darrell Basham
    97 Roger Carter/Sunfield MI Carter 2 Motorsports Dodge Dana Carter
    99 TBA Roulo Brothers Racing Ford Gary Roulo
    08 Clay Campbell/Martinsville VA Spraker Racing Ford Jeff Spraker
    09 TBA BCR Ford Howard Bixman
  • “Road To Daytona” Big Success at Open Test; Hillenburg’s Fast Track, Roush Yates Step Up

    “Road To Daytona” Big Success at Open Test; Hillenburg’s Fast Track, Roush Yates Step Up

    [media-credit name=”ARCARacing.com” align=”alignright” width=”345″]ARCA Road to Daytona Hood[/media-credit](TOLEDO, Ohio – December 18, 2012) – To see Daytona from the sidelines is one thing. To see it from the driver’s chair is quite another, and one thing the 2012 ARCA Touring Series champions will never forget.

    “The Road to Daytona”, an ARCA initiative that offers champions from the ARCA CRA Super Series, the ARCA Midwest Tour, and the ARCA Allegiant Air Gold Cup Series the chance to test during ARCA’s open test at Daytona Int’l Speedway was an overwhelming success this past weekend.

    And it was helped made possible by ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards champion Andy Hillenburg, whose Fast Track High Performance Driving School provided the cars while Roush Yates provided the engines.

    “All I can say is wow,” said ARCA CRA Super Series champ Johnny VanDoorn.

    “I don’t think anyone can explain the rush until you feel it yourself. I’m just grateful for all that has transpired this weekend and I really have a great appreciation for what ARCA is trying to do to build short track racing for these two

    tours and the drivers within them. I’m honored to be a part of all of this and this pretty much tops off my Christmas.”

    Jonathan Eilen, the 2012 ARCA Midwest Series champion, had a similar reaction.

    “From the minute we drove through the tunnel I thought, how can this be happening?” Look at this place, I mean, how many people actually get to experience this opportunity in their racing career, Eilen said.

    “All the years that our family has been coming down here and now it’s reality. The experience of this whole thing is amazing and I never envisioned being able to go this fast; it’s a new step in my career.”

    Andy Hillenburg, a two-time ARCA Daytona winner and the 1995 Series champion, spearheaded the Road to Daytona experience for each ARCA touring series champion. His Fast Track High Performance Driving School, ARCA’s Official Driving School, provided the cars and support for the test.

    “This new relationship with ARCA and the Midwest tour is going to be special,” added Eilen. “I can’t thank all of the parties involved enough for what they have done in such little time. I can’t wait to see all of the good things about to come in the future, this will give us something to talk about during the off season.”

    Roush Yates, in full support of ARCA’s Road to Daytona, supplied the ARCA spec restrictor plate engine lease for the weekend.

    “We commend ARCA for taking the initiative to develop their upcoming drivers,” said Doug Yates, CEO of Roush Yates. “Roush Yates is proud to power these standout racers as they compete to run on ARCA’s most prominent track.”

    ARCA Allegiant Air Gold Cup Series champion Dakota Carlson opened up the three-day test among the three drivers on Friday, opening day.

    “It was a little hairy at first, but after the first run it was awesome,” Carlson said.

    “I have a whole new respect for how busy those guys are in the car to run in the draft. We had a great family vacation and it’s been a great experience. Andy (Hillenburg) was awesome to work with. Makes me want to win the ARCA Allegiant Air Gold Cup Late Model Series championship again in 2013 so I can come back.”

  • Bobby Gerhart goes for ninth win at Daytona come February

    Bobby Gerhart goes for ninth win at Daytona come February

    [media-credit name=”ARCARacing.com” align=”alignright” width=”345″]gerhartbobbycandiddaytona20[/media-credit]When the ARCA Racing Series hits Daytona International Speedway in February for its season opener, Bobby Gerhart will be after his ninth Daytona victory.

    The 54-year-old took part of the test last weekend, ending up 23rd on the final speed chart. It may seem that Gerhart is out of the picture, however, that is where he typically tests. For his team, it’s not about speed; it’s about how well the car drafts.

    “Testing for Daytona, in my opinion, is paramount to winning the race,” the Pennsylvania native said. “It’s very difficult to win there without testing, so if you want to win, you’ve got to get serious about testing.

    “We do not utilize the test to promote ourselves. I’m not suggesting that it would be wrong to do so; I’m just saying we don’t concern ourselves with topping the charts at the test. All we do is all we’ve ever done – to try and make gains on a legitimate basis. We don’t feel the need or desire to get on top of the charts for promotional purposes.”

    Gerhart says that they typically bring three cars to the test, testing different things and finding what works the best to run on the car that they’ve chosen. It’s all about research and development.

    “We were fairly pleased at what we had at the test, but we never leave completely happy,” he said. “We used every inch of the test to learn. We got on the track as early as we could Friday morning and ran right up to late Sunday afternoon.”

    Throughout the years, it’s become widely known that Gerhart places Daytona as the most important part of his racing program and that’s becuase Daytona is special to him.

    “I was very vocal at a very young age that I would one day race here,” he said of when he was a kid. “In the back of my head, I kept telling myself I would win here too. It is such a privilege to race here, and I’ve never lost sight of that fact.

    “We build cars exclusively for Daytona; they don’t go anywhere else. Everything else is off the plate. Even though Talladega is very similar to Daytona, we don’t mix the cars between the tracks. For me, there is Daytona, and then there is everywhere else.”

    It’s no secret that it’s proven to be successful with his track record at Daytona while those teams that have just simply top the charts find themselves finishing behind the No. 5 Lucas Oil Chevrolet on race day.

    Experience also plays a key role as the series’ 50th ARCA 200 presents Gerhart’s 26th consecutive start at Daytona.

    “I came to this series at this track in 1988 to learn how to race,” he said. I keep coming back for the same thing, to learn how to race. You either keep learning, or lose. It’s always a step by step process for us. We do what makes me comfortable in the car; then we try and get the speed. From there, I drive by the seat of my pants. We never stop working on our car. You point the car in the right direction and let the car do most of the work. If it means coming up a lane, then you go where the car wants to go. You’ve got to get creative behind the wheel.”

    There have been some rule changes going into this year, but Gerhart adds that it’s still Daytona and some things still apply so they can add that to their book.

    While he’ll race the car on track, he will also drive the transporter to the track and back home.

    “I love driving the rig to and from Daytona,” he said. “It takes me out of the office and puts me in a different environment. I get a lot of time to think. In those moments I put together my mental agenda to help prep for the race. And if you’re fortunate enough to win the race, the ride back is even more enjoyable. It’s too difficult to capture the moment in victory lane. It takes a while to download and process the enormity of that just happened. It usually starts sinking in on the ride home.”

    Most recently, Lucas Oil asked Gerhart to showcase his winning racecar in their display booth at the recent IMIS trade show at the Indiana Convention Center.

    “When you consider all the options that Lucas Oil has for IMIS, or any other show for that matter, this is truly an honor, not only for Bobby Gerhart Racing, but for ARCA as well,” Gerhart said. “This is what Daytona can do for you. It has always been the biggest prize, the biggest exposure, the biggest jewel this series has.”

  • JEFF BURTON AUTOSPORTS, ROBBIE STANLEY RACING PARTNER

    JEFF BURTON AUTOSPORTS, ROBBIE STANLEY RACING PARTNER

    Cup Driver Burton Joins Forces With Respected Quarter Midget Organization

    CONCORD, NC (December 19, 2012) – Jeff Burton Autosports, Inc., and Robbie Stanley Racing, Inc., announced today that the two entities have partnered to create an easier way for families to get started in the sport of quarter midget racing.

    The new alliance brings together Jeff Burton, a noted successful NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver who has been a part of many technological advances in NASCAR, and Ryan and Ron Stanley, respected leaders in innovation and supporters in the quarter midget world since 1977.

    The goal of the new “Robbie Stanley Racing” joint venture is to provide youngsters a simple, easy and effortless way to compete in quarter midget racing, and to provide easy access to state-of-the-art quarter midget race cars and the very best, ground-breaking products at affordable pricing.

    “I have a huge passion for quarter midget racing,” said Burton, whose 12-year-old son Harrison has competed in the open-wheel series since he was five. “We want to expose the sport to families and let them try it out. We are going to have the best original parts, the best service, the best pricing, and we will make it easier for beginners to get started in the sport, and help the ones at the top of their game become better.

    “Ryan and Ron have the best reputation of anyone in the sport. Ask any family who has ever needed help at the track, and they will tell you that the Stanleys are always willing to lend a hand. We all want to educate people about a sport that is a ‘best kept secret.’”

    Quarter midget racing has been around for more than 50 years. Both USAC (United States Auto Club) and QMA (Quarter Midgets of America) sanction many race tracks (1/20 mile ovals) across the country. The series allows families to spend time together, and the young drivers (5 to 16 years old) help work on the race cars (1/4 the size of full-size midget cars) and see what it takes to be successful. They learn skills and sportsmanship, providing lessons in life.

    “That is why we are going to make it easy for racers to find whatever parts and pieces they need. We want the sport to continue to grow nationwide, and for other families to see what they are missing,” said Ryan Stanley, ” of RSR, which is based in Concord, NC. “We will completely upgrade to a state-of-the-art website (www.robbiestanleyracing.com) to make it simple for customers to get the items they need quickly and in an efficient way. We also have dealers across the country who will carry our products as well (check website for locations).

    “Jeff has seen motorsports from pretty much every aspect. He built race cars as a youngster and has driven for nearly 40 years. His knowledge of technology used at the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series level only helps us. We will be able to learn from his experience, his expertise, vision and desire to be the best. This partnership will help take us to the next level.”

    The website is being revamped so that anyone can easily maneuver their way on the site to find the items they are in need of. In addition to showcasing hard-to-find products, the web will also showcase tutorials to educate the novice on the specifics of quarter midget race cars. There will also be additional education videos to assist each customer.

    The new Robbie Stanley Racing will be the number one outlet – anything quarter midgets – and will offer “exclusive” items that won’t be able to be purchased anywhere else. Inventory will be large, offering more parts and pieces with the best prices.

    “We want to see the sport grow,” said Ron Stanley, Ryan’s father, who started the business. “Seems like we have been in business forever and we have always tried to do the right thing with our customers. We certainly have good intentions with this endeavor.

    “Jeff has some great ideas, and knows a lot of people throughout all forms of motorsports. He will be able to help us get in new doors to ultimately help make our sport better. He knows and understands what families need to be in quarter midget racing. He brings a technological savvy to our organization. We have some great things coming down the pipe.”

    Many recognizable names in motorsports today got their start in quarter midget racing. Some include: NASCAR Champions’ Jeff Gordon, Terry and Bobby Labonte, and this year’s titlist Brad Keselowski, along with legendary, four-time Indy 500 winner A. J. Foyt and 1996 Indy Car Series Champion Jimmy Vasser.

    A quarter midget car is a scaled-down version of an actual midget racer, approximately ¼ scale. The cars are built around a tubular frame and are fully suspended with springs or torsion bars and shocks. The bodies are fiberglass and the driver is surrounded by roll cage and nerf bars.

    To learn more about how to get involved in quarter midget racing, contact the new Robbie Stanley Racing via website at www.robbiestanleyracing.com, or by phone at (704)-STANLEY (782-6539).