Category: Other Series Racing

[media-credit name=”www.worldofoutlaws.com” align=”alignright” width=”234″][/media-credit]The King ties Swindell for the World of Outlaws championship points lead

MIDDLETOWN, N.Y. – May 19, 2012 – Like they did in the ’70s and ’80s and ’90s, Steve Kinser and Sammy Swindell are battling for a World of Outlaws championship.

Swindell, who leads the series with four victories, has been in or around the points lead since the start of the season. Kinser has gotten hot recently and capitalized on the momentum.

He snapped a 27-race winless streak exactly a week ago and added to an impressive record on Saturday at Orange County Fair Speedway, where Kinser won for the sixth time in 22 features, claimed career Outlaws victory No. 572 and pulled into a tie atop the World of Outlaws championship standings with Swindell.

“It’s nothing that hasn’t happened many years before,” Kinser said of his renewed rivalry with Swindell.

Kinser led all 25 laps of the main event at the 5/8-mile oval, which has featured a different winner in the past six World of Outlaws events dating back to 1999. However, Kinser is a familiar face in Victory Lane.

He claimed the first race at Orange County Fair Speedway in 1983 and won five more within a decade. After starting on the pole on Saturday, it appeared that his sixth victory – which is twice as many as any other driver – was eminent.

Kinser rocketed to a 10-car advantage in front of son, Kraig Kinser, on the opening lap. The duo paced the field with Kraig beginning to close the gap on lap five. They entered traffic on the ninth lap and were side by side on the frontstretch of lap 10.

The elder maintained the lead and the preferred lane around the bottom. The race went cautionless until lap 21 when it became just the opposite.

There were eight cautions and a red flag for a fuel stop in the final five laps. In fact, only three drivers of the 24 starters weren’t involved in a caution or didn’t pull into the pits.

“I was up front where I could be a little bit easier on tires,” Kinser said. “I nursed mine as much as I could. We just barely made it ourselves.

“It’s a bad feeling when you’re sitting there leading the race and you’re seeing half the field change tires and put new tires on ….”

Kraig Kinser was one of the catastrophes as a tire issue on the final lap dropped him from the runner-up position to 15th. That allowed Swindell to gain a few positions in the final laps to salvage a second-place finish and keep himself tied for the points lead.

“When we took off I could see that guys were just slipping the tires way too much,” Swindell said. “This place is real abrasive, so I just sat back there and rode for half the race. I just wanted to make sure I had tires at the end.”

Frank Cozze earned the KSE Hard Charger Award after maneuvering from last – 24th – to place third.

“Well we got a little bit of luck out there with the guys with the tires,” he said. “Plus I’ve probably raced here about 35 or 36 years, so I kinda know the place. You’ve gotta kind of cool it at the beginning and get lucky. And we got lucky. If it had run straight through we would have run 15th.

“It feels pretty good to get a podium finish with anybody. I don’t care if it was Mickey Mouse at this point.”

Daryn Pittman rebounded from causing a caution on a restart of lap 22 because of a tire issue. He restarted 19th and finished fourth. David Gravel rounded out the top five after facing a similar fate because of a flat tire with three laps remaining.

Joey Saldana was sixth, Fred Rahmer seventh, Paul McMahan eighth, Craig Dollansky ninth and Lucas Wolfe placed 10th. All went to the work area at some point during those final five laps to fix a flat tire.

Logan Schuchart set fast time in qualifying with a lap of 17.336 seconds, which was more than four-tenths quicker than anyone else. Swindell outlasted Steve Kinser to win the first heat race and Kraig Kinser and McMahan also claimed a heat race. Davey Franek won the Last Chance Showdown.

The World of Outlaws head to Hagerstown Speedway in Hagerstown, Md., for the Ollie’s Bargain Outlet presents the Kasey Kahne Challenge brought to you by O’Neill Race Gear event on Sunday.

Orange County Fair Speedway Notebook

NOTES – E. Tetz & Sons put up a $5,000 bonus to the winner if he or she wasn’t a regular on the World of Outlaws circuit. … Sammy Swindell won his eighth World of Outlaws heat race, which is twice as many as any other driver. … Davey Franek became the 19th different Last Chance Showdown winner in 20 events this season. … This was the first World of Outlaws race at Orange County Fair Speedway since 2008.

CONTINGENCY WINNERS – Penske Shocks ($100 certificate): Danny Lasoski; MSD Ignitions ($50 cash): Steve Kinser; Comp Cams ($50 certificate): Steve Kinser; Armor All (case of product): Daryn Pittman; STP ($50 cash): Sammy Swindell; UNOH ($50 cash): David Gravel; Gravely Tractors ($50 cash): Paul McMahan; VP Racing Fuel ($50 cash): Craig Dollansky; Comp Cams ($50 cash): Lucas Wolfe; JE Pistons (set of rings): Chad Kemenah; Cometic Gasket ($50 cash): Donny Schatz; Wix Filters ($50 cash): Bill Rose; Superflow ($50 cash): Kraig Kinser; JE Pistons ($50 cash): Cody Darrah; JE Pistons (set of rings): Jac Haudenschild; MSD Ignitions ($25 cash): Jac Haudenschild; Klotz Synthetic Lubricants ($50 cash): Davey Franek.

WINNERS – Sammy Swindell – 4 (Eldora Speedway on May 5, Knoxville Raceway on April 28, Missouri State Fair Speedway on April 20 and Merced Speedway on March 30); Donny Schatz – 3 (Farmer City Raceway on April 25, Silver Dollar Speedway on March 23 and Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 19); Craig Dollansky – 2 (Tri-State Speedway on April 21 and Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 19); Tim Kaeding – 2 (Thunderbowl Raceway on March 16 and The Dirt Track at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 8); Steve Kinser – 2 (Orange County Fair Speedway on May 19 and Williams Grove Speedway on May 12); Joey Saldana – 2 (Paducah International Raceway on April 13 and Perris Auto Speedway on March 10); Danny Dietrich – 1 (Lincoln Speedway on May 10); Chad Kemenah – 1 (Eldora Speedway on May 4); Danny Lasoski – 1 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 18); Paul McMahan – 1 (Rolling Wheels Raceway Park on May 16); Fred Rahmer – 1 (Williams Grove Speedway on May 11).

TIME TRIALS – Logan Schuchart was the fastest qualifier around the 5/8-mile oval with a time of 17.336 seconds to earn five championship points. Also earning points were Craig Dollansky (4 points), Cody Darrah (3), Kerry Madsen (2) and Daryn Pittman (1).

WE’RE ONLINE – Make sure to check out WorldofOutlaws.com for the latest news and results, plus exclusive driver interviews, video and pictures. Also listen to every event live at DIRTVision.com .

Orange County Fair Speedway Statistical Report; Middletown, N.Y.; May 19, 2012

A-Main – (25 Laps) – 1. 11-Steve Kinser [1] [$10,000]; 2. 1-Sammy Swindell [8] [$5,500]; 3. 44-Frank Cozze [24] [$3,200]; 4. 27-Daryn Pittman [11] [$2,800]; 5. 89G-David Gravel [13] [$2,500]; 6. 9-Joey Saldana [14] [$2,300]; 7. 51-Fred Rahmer [20] [$2,200]; 8. 13-Paul McMahan [10] [$2,100]; 9. 7-Craig Dollansky [5] [$2,050]; 10. 5W-Lucas Wolfe [18] [$2,000]; 11. 63-Chad Kemenah [16] [$1,500]; 12. 15-Donny Schatz [15] [$1,200]; 13. 6-Bill Rose [21] [$1,100]; 14. 1S-Logan Schuchart [6] [$1,050]; 15. 11K-Kraig Kinser [2] [$1,000]; 16. 4-Cody Darrah [4] [$900]; 17. 28F-Davey Franek [19] [$800]; 18. 29-Kerry Madsen [3] [$800]; 19. 33-Danny Lasoski [12] [$800]; 20. 5B-Justin Barger [17] [$800]; 21. 21-Shane Stewart [9] [$800]; 22. 25-Michael Parent [22] [$800]; 23. 5-Jac Haudenschild [7] [$800]; 24. 1Z-Jessica Zemken [23] [$800]. Lap Leaders: Steve Kinser 1-25. KSE Hard Charger Award: 44-Frank Cozze [+21].

Qualifying – 1. 1S-Logan Schuchart, 17.336; 2. 7-Craig Dollansky, 17.749; 3. 4-Cody Darrah, 17.756; 4. 29-Kerry Madsen, 17.789; 5. 27-Daryn Pittman, 17.791; 6. 33-Danny Lasoski, 17.807; 7. 11-Steve Kinser, 17.922; 8. 11K-Kraig Kinser, 17.935; 9. 21-Shane Stewart, 17.994; 10. 1-Sammy Swindell, 18.067; 11. 5-Jac Haudenschild, 18.077; 12. 13-Paul McMahan, 18.092; 13. 89G-David Gravel, 18.160; 14. 9-Joey Saldana, 18.179; 15. 15-Donny Schatz, 18.189; 16. 63-Chad Kemenah, 18.233; 17. 5B-Justin Barger, 18.271; 18. 5W-Lucas Wolfe, 18.305; 19. 28F-Davey Franek, 18.380; 20. 51-Fred Rahmer, 18.476; 21. 44-Frank Cozze, 18.577; 22. 6-Bill Rose, 18.589; 23. 1Z-Jessica Zemken, 18.603; 24. 25-Michael Parent, 18.621; 25. 89-Robbie Stillwaggon, 19.333; 26. 56-Randy West, 19.570; 27. 37-Scott Flammer, 21.006.

Heat 1 – (8 Laps – Top 6 finishers transfer to the A-feature) – 1. 1-Sammy Swindell [1]; 2. 11-Steve Kinser [2]; 3. 1S-Logan Schuchart [4]; 4. 29-Kerry Madsen [3]; 5. 63-Chad Kemenah [6]; 6. 89G-David Gravel [5]; 7. 6-Bill Rose [8]; 8. 89-Robbie Stillwaggon [9]; 9. 28F-Davey Franek [7].

Heat 2 – (8 Laps – Top 6 finishers transfer to the A-feature) – 1. 11K-Kraig Kinser [2]; 2. 5-Jac Haudenschild [1]; 3. 7-Craig Dollansky [4]; 4. 27-Daryn Pittman [3]; 5. 5B-Justin Barger [6]; 6. 9-Joey Saldana [5]; 7. 51-Fred Rahmer [7]; 8. 1Z-Jessica Zemken [8]; 9. 56-Randy West [9].

Heat 3 – (8 Laps – Top 6 finishers transfer to the A-feature) – 1. 13-Paul McMahan [1]; 2. 21-Shane Stewart [2]; 3. 4-Cody Darrah [4]; 4. 33-Danny Lasoski [3]; 5. 15-Donny Schatz [5]; 6. 5W-Lucas Wolfe [6]; 7. 25-Michael Parent [8]; 8. 44-Frank Cozze [7]; 9. 37-Scott Flammer [9].

Dash – (6 Laps, finishing order determined first 10 starting positions of A-feature) – 1. 11-Steve Kinser [2]; 2. 11K-Kraig Kinser [1]; 3. 29-Kerry Madsen [3]; 4. 4-Cody Darrah [4]; 5. 7-Craig Dollansky [5]; 6. 1S-Logan Schuchart [6]; 7. 5-Jac Haudenschild [9]; 8. 1-Sammy Swindell [8]; 9. 21-Shane Stewart [7]; 10. 13-Paul McMahan [10].

B-Main – (8 Laps – Top 6 finishers transfer to the A-feature) – 1. 28F-Davey Franek [1] [-]; 2. 51-Fred Rahmer [2] [-]; 3. 6-Bill Rose [4] [-]; 4. 25-Michael Parent [6] [-]; 5. 1Z-Jessica Zemken [5] [-]; 6. 44-Frank Cozze [3] [-]; 7. 89-Robbie Stillwaggon [7] [$200]; 8. 37-Scott Flammer [9] [$180]; 9. 56-Randy West [8] [$175].

World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series Top 20 Championship Standings

Pos.

Driver

Total

Diff

Wins

T5

T10

QT

1

Sammy Swindell

2735

0

4

10

15

3

2

Steve Kinser

2735

0

2

10

15

0

3

Donny Schatz

2701

-34

3

7

15

0

4

Joey Saldana

2672

-63

2

7

14

2

5

Craig Dollansky

2631

-104

2

8

12

2

6

Kraig Kinser

2584

-151

0

4

12

2

7

Chad Kemenah

2476

-259

1

3

7

2

8

Cody Darrah

2435

-300

0

3

6

1

9

Kerry Madsen

2334

-401

0

2

3

0

10

Lucas Wolfe

2324

-411

0

1

6

0

11

Jason Sides

2159

-576

0

5

9

0

12

Bill Rose

1927

-808

0

0

1

0

13

Jac Haudenschild

1655

-1080

0

0

1

0

14

Paul McMahan

1433

-1302

1

1

2

0

15

Danny Lasoski

1410

-1325

1

5

6

0

16

Daryn Pittman

1371

-1364

0

4

6

1

17

David Gravel

1290

-1445

0

3

5

2

18

Terry McCarl

1236

-1499

0

1

3

0

19

Austen Wheatley

1096

-1639

0

0

2

0

20

Sam Hafertepe Jr.

1070

-1665

0

1

4

0

The World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series is brought to fans across the country by many important sponsors and partners, including: Armor All (Official Car Care Products), STP (Official Fuel Treatment), Goodyear Tires (Official Tire), Gravely Tractors (Official Lawn Equipment), University of Northwestern Ohio, VP Racing Fuel (Official Racing Fuel), Vicci (Official Apparel); in addition to contingency sponsors, including: Cometic Gasket, Comp Cams, JE Pistons, Klotz Synthetic Lubricants, KSE Racing Products, MSD Ignitions, Penske Shocks, Superflow Dynos and Wix Filters; along with manufacturer sponsors, including: Astro Titanium, ButlerBuilt, Fuel Safe, Intercomp, J&J Auto Racing, Jake’s Carts, Racing Electronics, S&S Volvo and TNT Rescue.

[media-credit name=”ryanreedracing.com” align=”alignright” width=”154″][/media-credit]Concord, NC (May 18, 2012) — The ARCA Racing Series is known for its diverse tracks from Superspeedways to road courses to short tracks. As an 18-year-old rookie, Ryan Reed is seeing this all first hand as he makes the transition from a successful run at Talladega Superspeedway to the half-mile short track of Toledo Speedway (Toledo, OH) for the Menards 200 presented by Federated Car Care on Sunday, May 20th.

Aiding Ryan Reed and Venturini Motorsports efforts at Toledo Speedway will be primary sponsor, RaceHard.com with a new scheme on the hood of the well-known no. 15 JDRF car kicking off the Ryan’s Mission Wristband Drive. RaceHard.com has been involved with Ryan’s racing career and off-track efforts through Ryan’s Mission and continues to capitalize on the momentum by joining PacificHealth Labs and Accelerade for the wristband drive.

The Ryan’s Mission Wristband Drive will start at Toledo Speedway on May 20th and run through December 31st, 2012. The goal is to raise $150,000 by the end of the year to benefit JDRF with the help of all Ryan’s Mission partners.

“We have developed some great partnerships within the past month with companies like PacificHealth Labs, Accelerade, Logitech, RaceHard.com, PlaySeat, iRacing, and IRP,” said Ryan. “This entire drive really relies on all of the commitment that they have given me and Ryan’s Mission.”

“It’s a really neat idea – each wristband will have Ryan’s Mission on it along with the participating partner’s logo. So if you are a big advocate of Accelerade drinks like I am, then you can sport it with a Ryan’s Mission/Accelerade wristband and all for a good cause. Win Win.”

The wristbands can currently be purchased for a $5.00 donation through:
– Ryan’s Mission (www.ryansmission.org)
– RaceHard.com (www.racehard.com/jdrf)
– PacificHealth Labs / Accelerade (www.pacifichealthlabs.com)

“Sometimes I just have to stop and think about where I am today. I’m 18-years-old, running ARCA with Venturini Motorsports even though I was told my racing career was over from my diabetes, yet I’m fourth in championship point standings, and I have all of these great people and companies that are standing behind me,” continued Reed. “I really have to thank my parents for creating the infrastructure of my team that makes all of this happen. From offices in California to offices in North Carolina; I’m not really sure how they make all of this come together – but they do. It’s pretty amazing.” Come support RaceHard.com, Ryan Reed, and Venturini Motorsports as they take on ARCA’s home track of Toledo Speedway for the Menards 200 presented by Federated Car Care.

“I’m really looking forward to the short-track race at Toledo. I know with Venturini Motorsport’s history as a team at the track we will be in a great spot when we hit the track for practice,” said Reed. “I’ve been talking to Brennan Poole and Clint King a lot since they both raced there last season.”

On-track activity begins with two 45-minute practice sessions at 11:45am and 1:00pm ET on Saturday, May 19 and continues with Menards Pole Qualifying presented by Ansell at 3:30pm ET.

The 200-lap, 100-mile Menards 200 presented by Federated Car Care will begin at 2:00pm ET on Sunday, May 20. The ARCA short-track event will be aired on SPEED TV with same day coverage at 5:00pm ET. Live timing and scoring of all on-track activity will be presented by ARCA Nation at ARCARacing.com.

ABOUT RACEHARD.COM
RaceHard.com, “where racers shop,” outfits serious racers, professional pit crews and diehard fans, from head to toe. They have a huge selection of pit crew apparel, pit equipment and auto racing safety equipment.

ABOUT RYAN REED & RYAN’S MISSION 
Ryan Reed is a NASCAR development driver racing under the Venturini Motorsports banner in the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards.

Ryan was diagnosed with T1D in February 2011 and initially told by doctors his “racing career” was over. Armed with the passion and determination to fulfill his dreams, Reed shifted his focus and poured all his energy into managing his health and educating himself on the disease. He uses his racing platform and personal story to inspire others living with T1D to continue living life to its fullest through Ryan’s Mission.

Reed’s off-track goodwill has made him a National Celebrity Advocate of JDRF, the world’s largest funder of research towards curing, treating and preventing T1D and its complications. Today, Reed is only one of three professional racecar drivers in the world to compete at the highest levels of racing with T1D.

Official: www.RyansMission.org  |  Twitter @driverRyanReed  |  Facebook: Ryan Reed

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, and Scott Lagasse, Jr.

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

(TOLEDO, Ohio) – Joey Miller, a five-time winner in the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards, will compete in the series’ first trip to Elko Speedway on Saturday, June 2. The 27-year-old driver from Lakeville, Minn. is among the first group of entries for the Akona 200 presented by Federated Car Care.

Prior to this season, the ARCA Racing Series had raced in 28 states. The Akona 200 is not only ARCA’s first trip to Elko, but its first trip to Minnesota – a 29th state for the national stock car tour as it celebrates its 60th Anniversary Season. Along for the ride will be Miller, who last raced in the series at Madison International Speedway in Wisconsin last August, finishing eighth.

“Elko’s a great little track, and it’s 10 minutes from my house, so I definitely consider it my home track,” said Miller.

“I’ve got more laps there than anywhere else, that’s for sure. The track isn’t the widest track I’ve ever been on, but what’s great about it is that it’s a two-groove track, so a guy’s going to have the ability to come from the back and move forward if he needs to. It’s a tight, racy, little track, and with these big heavy ARCA cars on it, it’s going to make it even tighter. I think the fans are in for one heck of a show.”

Miller will appear with his car, the No. 20 Country Joe Homes/Aspen Electric/Installed Building Dodge, Sunday at the St. Paul Saints baseball game at Midway Stadium. The game will begin at 1 p.m.

Miller has 20 top-10 finishes among 31 prior starts in ARCA competition, and the first of his five wins came in his series debut at Nashville Superspeedway in 2004. He later won at Berlin Raceway in Michigan, Gateway International Raceway near St. Louis, Nashville again, and Salem Speedway in Indiana. In 2005, his only full season in the series, he finished second in points to nine-time ARCA champion Frank Kimmel, who is also entered for June 2’s race.

Miller’s crew from that time – including crew chief Mike Chaffee and car chief Mike Resop – will work with the driver at the Akona 200. Miller said the volunteer crew gets together twice a week to prepare the car.

The ARCA Racing Series will hold two practices on June 2, from 2-2:45 p.m. and 3:15-4. Menards Pole Qualifying presented by Ansell will follow at 5, and every driver in the starting field will sign autographs for fans on the track from 6:30-7:30. The 200-lap, 75-mile race will begin at 8. All times are Central.

The ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards has crowned an ARCA national champion each year since its inaugural season in 1953, and has toured over 200 race tracks in 28 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 0.4 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. This year, the series visited Alabama’s Mobile International Speedway for the first time. In June, the first event at Minnesota’s Elko Speedway will give ARCA a race in a 29th state.

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. Closing in on completing its sixth decade after hundreds of thousands of miles of racing, ARCA administers over 100 race events each season in three professional touring series and local weekly events.

May 18, 2012.  There is an exciting new team set to begin competition in the 2012 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series.  At a media briefing earlier this week it was officially announced that Martin Roy would compete for the 2012 rookie of the year title in the #90 Veloce/Gamache Truck Centre Dodge.  In addition; the runner up for the rookie award last season Isabelle Tremblay will join Roy as a teammate for select events this season in the #07 Frank Lyman Design Dodge.

The team has been extremely busy during the off season acquiring new equipment and has brought in NASCAR veteran Mario Gosselin to act as Crew Chief.  Roy competed in four events last season with a best finishing position of 13th at the Grand Prix of Trois Rivieres and with the experience of Gosselin is hopeful of greater success in 2012 as he competes for the full season.  “We have a good group of people we’ve put together for this year” said Roy.  “Mario brings a lot of knowledge and Isabelle is a tough competitor and great with fans and gaining our team exposure” he added.

Tremblay participated in 11 of the 12 events last season just missing out on the rookie title.  While only confirmed in four events so far this season Tremblay is optimistic that more partners can be brought on board to allow her to participate in more events.  “This new partnership with Martin Roy is going to be very good for both us” said Tremblay.  “He is very professional, has great experience in racing and I’m confident we’re going to work very well together” she added.

Tremblay is very excited to be starting the season at the very challenging road course at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park (formerly Mosport International Raceway).  Tremblay scored her best career series finish with at 8th place result last season.

Action at Canadian Motorsports Park for the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series begins Saturday with practice and qualifying.  The first event of the 2012 season begins at 1:30PM on Sunday afternoon.  Race fans can also see the race on television.  Race #1 of the season will be shown on TSN Sunday May 27th at 4:30PM Eastern and on RDS2 on Wednesday June 13th at 10PM.

 

[media-credit name=”ARCA Racing Network” align=”alignright” width=”300″][/media-credit]TOLEDO, Ohio (May 16, 2012) – – Fresh off tying his career-best finish (15^th) in the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards race at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway earlier this month, Buster Graham and Team BCR Racing turn their attention towards Sunday’s Menards 200 presented by Federated Car Care at Toledo Speedway looking for more.

More – meaning the thoughts of putting their No. 88 Batter’s Dreams / RoushYatesParts.com Ford Fusion into the top-10 in Graham’s eighth career ARCA start. For the third time this year, the Lafayette, Louisiana native will tackle a track he’s never competed on before.

From superspeedways to short tracks, Graham has embraced it all. This weekend, the former Hydroplane driver will have the opportunity to strengthen his resume once again when the green flag waives at the Northern Ohio racetrack.

 

“We’re looking for a good strong weekend,” said Graham. “I’ve never been to Toledo, but I’ve talked to some of the other drivers and I think I’m going to (really) like the place. The team had a strong run there last Fall, so I hoping we’re able to put all of the pieces together to make it happen again for them.”

He added, “Jim (Pearce, crew chief) and I have really started developing a strong relationship and trust for one another. We’re able to communicate and make changes to our No. 88 Batter’s Dreams / RoushYatesParts.com Ford Fusion and it keeps getting better with every run and race. Talladega was a clear indicator of that. We had an awesome car, just didn’t have enough laps to push our way into the top-10. This weekend, we have 200 laps to do that. I think it’s going to be a long race where patience could be the key to success – we’ll just have to wait and see how it all pans out.”

Team BCR Racing team manager Howard Bixman is energetic about the potential of his driver’s ability on Sunday afternoon. “Buster has really impressed us all at Team BCR,” he said. “From Daytona to Mobile and even at Talladega, he’s done a great job keeping us all informed on what the car is doing and staying on top of the wheel – getting better and better with every lap he turns. There’s not much more we can ask of him.”

For his Toledo debut, Batter’s Dream returns to the role as the primary marketing role of Graham’s No. 88 entry this weekend.

Batter’s Dream is an automated ball feeding system (pitching machine) that allows baseball hitters and softball hitters to maximize time in the batting cage by getting more quality cuts without fixing a tee. One of the key benefits of the Batter’s Dream batting machines is that it allows batters the freedom to focus on rhythm, stance, and timing and swing speed without the need for a second person. Simply put, Batter’s Dream is the most effective, simple and easy-to-use soft toss system ever invented to help improve a hitter’s mechanics and increase their batting average.

“Batter’s Dream has been a great partner and I continue to be appreciative of their support of my racing career. While I’m fighting a goal on the racetrack, I’m equally fighting another role off the race track and making people aware of its great betterment.”

For the second time this season, Graham will have a teammate in the field as friend and colleague Charles “CJ” Evans Jr. is entered in the No. 09 Elevator Transportation Services / / Bay Area Meat Market / RoushYatesParts.com Ford Fusion.

“Definitely having a teammate is a good thing,” added Graham. “CJ is a great dude. He has a lot of talent and it’s a nice feeling that I can climb out of my car and go over and talk to him and see how his is doing and converse back and forth to see what we can do to get both of our Team BCR Fords near the front. I’m looking forward to racing with him on Sunday.”

The Menards 200 presented by Federated Car Care (200 laps / 100 miles) is the fifth of 20 events on the 2012 ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards schedule. The 71^st ARCA race at Toledo Speedway is a two-day show. Practice begins Saturday, May 19 with a forty-five practice session planned from 11:45 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. A final practice is scheduled from 1:00 p.m. – 1:45 p.m. Menards pole qualifying presented by Ansell is set for later in the day slated to begin at 3:30 p.m. The event will take the green flag Sunday, May 20 shortly after 2:00 p.m. The race will be televised live on SPEED with additional coverage including timing and scoring available through the ARCA Racing Network (ARN) online at arcaracing.com. All times are local (Eastern).

For more information including marketing partnerships for the 2012 ARCA Racing Series season for Team BCR Racing and Buster Graham, please log on to teambcr.com.

Buster Graham has joined the Twitter crave. Follow and connect with him @bustergraham88.

For more on Batter’s Dream, please visit Battersdream.com.

Connect with RoushYates Performance Products and RoushYates Engines through their official web site at roushyat

esparts.com.