archives

Scroll down to view past ARCA Racing Series news and rumors.

june 2008

  • Crew chief changes at ESR: Another change following MIS was to move Crew Chief Wayne Carroll and his team from the No. 22 of Ken Butler III to the No. 20 of Justin Lofton and the No. 20 crew to the No. 22 team. Jonathan Davis joins the No. 22 Aaron’s Lucky Dog team as Crew Chief. Davis has been involved in racing nearly his entire life. racing quarter midgets as a child, Davis worked in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series beginning in 1997, and was most recently the Car Chief for the Test and Development program and Chip Ganassi Racing. (ESR PR) (06-30-08)
  • Kevin Trevellin helping Harmon: Kevin [Trevellin] will be at the Cayuga ARCA race June 28 and 29. He'll be praticing and qualifying the #24 car of Mike Harmon on Saturday while Mr. Harmon is competing in the Nationwide race in New Hampshire. Kevin will stick around for the race on Sunday to help out in the pits. (Trevellin Motorsports) (06-29-08)
  • Live audio from Cayuga: Officials from ARCA and ACME Branding Company have jointly announced that the Cayuga ARCA RE/MAX 250 will mark the first of seven events webcast on arcaracing.com. Live streaming audio coverage of the Cayuga ARCA RE/MAX 250 is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. Eastern on Sunday afternoon, June 29th. Content includes a 30 minute pre-race show followed by a live audio broadcast of the race. "We have decided to test live audio at the seven remaining events that will not be broadcast live on national television," said Mark Gundrum, VP of Marketing and Communications for ARCA. "We believe that the combination of live timing and scoring and an audio webcast will provide comprehensive coverage of ARCA Racing, second only to live TV." (ARCA Racing Series PR) (06-26-08)
  • Buescher to run Cayuga with Win-Tron: After spending time competing in the NASCAR Nationwide Series and NASCAR Camping World Series James Buescher returns to the ARCA RE/MAX Series with Win-Tron Racing looking for career win number two in Sunday's Cayuga ARCA RE/MAX 250 at Cayuga Motor Speedway. "It will be an interesting race," Buescher said. "This is a new track for me, a new track for this Win-Tron team, and it will definitely be a learning process the entire weekend. Mike [Chaffee, crew chief] is optimistic about our car, so it should be fun to come back to ARCA and see if we get ourselves a win." (Win-Tron Racing PR) (06-26-08)
  • Fischer back with Venturini Motorsports: [Ryan] Fischer, a 19-year-old rookie on the ARCA RE/MAX Series tour, has filed an entry in the no. 25 Venturini Motorsports Chevrolet for this Sunday's, June 29th inaugural Cayuga ARCA RE/MAX 250 at Cayuga Motor Speedway in Nelles Corners, Ontario. "I'm really looking forward to going back to Canada," said Fischer, who like many hopeful stock car racers, currently sets up shop in the Mooresville, North Carolina area, a Mecca for NASCAR. "And even though I'm not from this part of Canada, I really feel like I'm going to have a connection with the Canadian fans - at least I certainly hope I do." (Venturini Motorsports PR) (06-26-08)
  • TRG Motorsports signs development driver: Tim George Jr. has signed a multi-year driver developmental deal with TRG Motorsports. George will have some test sessions in ARCA Re/Max Series and late model rides this season in preparation for running full-time in the ARCA Re/Max series in 2009. The long-term goal is to run in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series in 2010. "We are really excited to bring Tim in as a development driver for TRG Motorsports," said Kevin Buckler, Team Principal. "Tim has shown incredible drive, determination, and marketability on the sports car side and we feel like he will be the perfect fit for our new ARCA and existing NASCAR program." George, 27, drives for Buckler under The Racer's Group banner in Grand-American Rolex. (TRG Motorsports) (06-24-08)
  • Sheltra adds a sponsor: Groupe Béton Brunet will sponsor Patrick Sheltra at Cayuga. (ARCA Thunder) (06-24-08)
  • Kelley to leave Hixson: Donny Kelley will compete in at least two more events for Hixson Motorsports this season. Brandon Kelley does not plan on returning to the team. (ARCA Thunder) (06-24-08)
  • K&K Racing to return at Kentucky?: Mike Koch and the K&K Racing team have taken time off to prepare for upcoming races. The team may return at Kentucky. (06-18-08)
  • Cunningham partners with Penske Racing: Penske Racing announced on Friday during a press conference at Michigan Int'l Speedway an official developmental partnership with Cunningham Motorsports. Through this partnership, Penske Racing will work with the Cunningham Motorsports teams racing in USAC Midget, ARCA RE/MAX Series and NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series competition. Penske Racing will also help develop the talented young drivers in the Cunningham Motorsports program as well as identify potential crew and team members to add to its staff in the future. In addition, the partnership will provide Penske Racing another source for testing as well as engine and chassis development as it continues to enhance its program. "While we're certainly focused on the task at hand in 2008, Penske Racing is always looking to the future to figure out ways to improve the team and continue to raise the bar," said Tim Cindric, President of Penske Racing. "We're excited to partner with Cunningham Motorsports because they've got a proven track record competing across a wide range of racing series and we believe they'll be a great resource for Penske Racing as we look down the road." "This partnership provides a great opportunity for Cunningham Motorsports," said Kerry Scherer, team Managing Partner. "We pride ourselves on our ability to cultivate promising young drivers and produce top-notch team members. Being associated with Penske Racing will only help attract more talent to our teams and it's our goal to develop that talent and be a part of the future success of Penske Racing for years to come." (Penske Racing PR) (06-14-08)
  • Wimmer to attempt Michigan with Win-Tron: Win-Tron Racing has tapped ASA Midwest Tour Series standout Chris Wimmer to pilot the team’s No. 32 Dodge Charger in Friday’s Racing for Wildlife 200 at Michigan International Speedway. Returning to the ARCA RE/MAX Series exactly one year later, Wimmer, the younger brother of NASCAR Nationwide Series driver Scott Wimmer returns to Michigan International Speedway looking to finish what he started. “I’m glad to be back with Win-Tron Racing,” said Wimmer, a native of Wausau, Wisconsin. “We had a good run at Michigan last year; we unfortunately just couldn’t seal the finish we wanted. I’m coming back on a mission and hoping to deliver Win-Tron Racing with their fourth consecutive top-10 effort.” (Win-Tron Racing PR) (06-11-08)
  • Allgaier penalized: Based on post-race technical inspection after Saturday's Pocono 200 ARCA RE/MAX Series race event at Pocono Raceway, the Justin Allgaier Motorsports #16 team has been fined $1500 and team owner Mike Allgaier and driver Justin Allgaier have been penalized with the loss of 25 championship points. The penalties were issued for violation of the minimum roof height rule per the 2008 ARCA Rulebook. (ARCARacing.com) (06-10-08)
  • Graham to run Michigan with ABR: Fresh off a solid top-25 finish in his ARCA RE/MAX Series (ARS) debut at Pocono Raceway last weekend, John Graham is ready to move up the ladder and collect a career best finish in Friday's Racing for Wildlife 200 at Michigan International Speedway. Graham, a talented road course ringer looks to make his Michigan International Speedway (MIS) debut behind the wheel of the No. 14 Kickbutt Amped Energy Ballz Ford Fusion in a second Andy Belmont Racing (ABR) entry. "I learned an awful lot last weekend at Pocono Raceway and I'm ready to move forward and conquer Michigan on Friday," offered Graham. "I'm really proud of what our team accomplished and despite our hiccups during the race with flat tires, we had a good car and we expect the same this weekend." (Andy Belmont Racing PR) (06-10-08)
  • Jerry Churchill passes away: Jerry Churchill, whose ARCA driving career spanned over the course of four decades, died Saturday June 7 after a brief hospitalization. He was 69. Churchill's ARCA career, which began in 1970, included 133 starts in the ARCA RE/MAX Series. Churchill semi-retired from RE/MAX Series racing at the end of the 1994 season before returning to record a 9th place finish at the Watkins Glen Int'l road course in 2001. He ran a full season in the ARCA Lincoln Welders Truck Series in 2005, finishing 5th in points with a best finish of sixth at Toledo Speedway. He had planned to compete in 2008 RE/MAX Series events including the Illinois State Fairgrounds mile dirt tracks and the New Jersey Motorsports Park road course. (ARCARacing.com) (06-10-08)
  • Codemasters sponsoring Kimmel at Pocono: On the verge of missing his first race in 12 years, nine-time ARCA RE/MAX Series champion Frank Kimmel pulled a rabbit out of his hat. The Clarksville, Indiana driver signed a one-race sponsorship with Codemasters' Grid for this Saturday's Pocono 200 at Pocono Raceway. "We're very grateful for Codemasters," said Kimmel. "Had it not been for them, we would not be at Pocono." Kimmel, who won nine national titles with longtime car owner Larry Clement, left the Clement-owned 46 car at the end of the 2007 season to start his own Kimmel Racing team with the number 44. However, sponsorship didn't pan out and Kimmel found himself in the struggle mode. "We've been very fortunate. Ford has stepped up and provided some equipment and help, but we still need a sponsor to get us down the road. We've got some super nice equipment and we're more prepared than ever; we just need a title sponsor to see our season through." (Kimmel PR) (06-06-08)
  • Bill Davis Racing seeking development driver: Bill Davis Racing (BDR) has an Open Seat available in its race proven ARCA RE/MAX Series Toyota Camry.  The team seeks a talented, funded/sponsored driver who would like an opportunity to win races in the ARCA RE/MAX Series.  The ARCA ride became available when rookie sensation Michael Annett vacated the ride when he moved to BDR's NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series team. (Bill Davis Racing PR) (06-06-08)
  • Kevin Hamlin to run ARCA?: [Kevin] Hamlin said he has a line on driving in an upcoming ARCA race, on either Aug. 9 at Nashville or Oct. 3 at Talladega. Although he couldn’t be more specific, Hamlin did say “This is with a team that has won races, and runs up front every week.” The only hold up? Money. The team wants Hamlin to come up with $50,000 in cash or sponsorship money to run the race. Those familiar with upper-level racing know such a request is not unusual. Hamlin said he will be looking for sponsorship opportunities, and he stressed no one company has to foot the bill. Hamlin added both races are scheduled to be broadcast live on SPEED, giving a further incentive to potential sponsors. (HeraldNet) (06-05-08)
  • Con-way Freight sponsoring Stenhouse Jr: After a two-week break, Roush Fenway Racing up-and-comer Ricky Stenhouse Jr. will return to action in the ARCA RE/MAX Series this Saturday at Pocono Raceway. The series point’s leader hopes to continue his string of top-10 finishes (four in his last four starts) with the Con-way Freight logo on the hood of the No. 99 Ford at Pocono. "I’m really looking forward to getting back in the race car after a two week break," said Stenhouse. "It’s an honor to have Con-way Freight on the car this week. They’ve been a great partner to Roush Fenway and I’m glad I’m able to go out and represent them in the ARCA Series at Pocono. We’re going to work hard to give them a good run and a shot at victory lane." (Roush Fenway Racing PR) (06-05-08)
  • Graham to drive for ABR at Pocono: [John] Graham returns to the United States steering towards Pocono Raceway this weekend for the running of the Pocono ARCA 200. Aiming towards his fifth career ARCA start Saturday afternoon, Graham knows that many challenges are facing him but with determination, any obstacles can be squashed. "Realistically, I want to finish the race and finish in the top-15," Graham stated. "Saturday’s race will be very demanding. The ARCA RE/MAX Series is 10 times tougher this year than it was at this point last year. However, the Andy Belmont Racing team is enjoying their success as well. As a driver, I’m excited to be returning with them and hope for a strong run," offered the former NASCAR Nationwide driver. With a stout entry list set for the first Pocono Race of the season, Graham may be carrying the most unique sponsor in the Pocono 200. His sponsor, Kick Butt Amped Energy Ballz is continuing to enjoy a taste of firm Motorsports marketing and Graham would like to continue his sponsor’s awareness this weekend. (Andy Belmont Racing PR) (06-05-08)
  • Casola returns to Win-Tron: With two straight top-10 finishes in a row for Win-Tron Racing, the team welcomes back sophomore driver Dominick Casola back in time for Saturday’s Pocono ARCA 200. “Pocono is huge for me,” said Casola. “It’s almost a home town race. I’ll have a lot of friends and family at Pocono Raceway this weekend and I know that as a team we have a shot to be in contention for a strong finish.” Following Pocono, Casola will give-way as the driver of the No. 32 Dodge Charger to allow focus on preparing for the second-half of the season which for Casola begins with Berlin Raceway on July 26th. “It was extremely hard for me to climb out of the seat for Toledo and it will be incredibly hard to do it for Michigan, Cayuga and Kentucky. However, we’re working hard to try and increase my current ARCA schedule with Win-Tron Racing. This is where I want to be. It’s a great team surrounded by knowledgeable people but we need to acquire the proper sponsorship in order to make that happen. We’re working around the clock to try and make it a reality.” (Win-Tron Racing PR) (06-05-08)