CONCORD, NORTH CAROLINA (June 22, 2016) – As a race car driver Tom Hessert knows a thing or two about the importance of staying focused behind the wheel.
This weekend, Hessert, a five-time winner in the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards, will carry that message onboard his Venturini Motorsports’ backed No.25 People Against Distracted Driving (PADD®) Toyota in Sunday’s Herr’s Potato Chip 200 at Winchester Speedway.
“It’s an honor to partner with ‘People Against Distracted Driving’. If we can help educate one fan on the dangers of distracted driving and possibly save one life, we’ve done our job,” said Hessert.
”Distracted driving is quickly becoming an epidemic. With literally almost everyone connected to social media through some sort of personal electronic device it’s no wonder why distracted driving car accidents and fatalities are on the rise.”
Hessert, a nine year veteran of the ARCA Series, enters the weekend coming off a fifth-place finish at Madison. Currently fourth in the series point standings, Hessert is optimistic about returning to the “World’s Fastest Half-Mile”.
“Winchester has always been a good track for me and one of my favorites on the schedule. There’s just a tremendous amount of speed generated around the track – it’s demanding on the driver and always delivers some of the best short track racing of the season. You’ve got to stay up on the wheel and keep your focus every lap to have success. It’s a great track – I don’t know any driver who doesn’t enjoy racing at Winchester,” added Hessert.
What is Distracted Driving?
Distracted driving is driving while performing any other activity that takes your attention away, for any period of time, from the task of driving. All distractions endanger driver, passenger, and bystander safety. PADD® exists to heighten awareness of the dangers of distracted driving and to encourage people to remain focused and attentive while driving.
Distracted driving behaviors can be divided into three categories.
Visual: Distractions that take your eyes off the road
Manual: Distractions that take your hands off the wheel
Cognitive: Distractions that take your mind off the task of driving
Distracted Driving Facts!
According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, cellphones are involved in 1.6 million auto crashes each year that cause a half million injuries and take 6,000 lives. Texting while driving has replaced drinking and driving as the leading cause of teen vehicular death, responsible for 20 percent of all teen highway fatalities in the U.S. A car moving 55 mph will travel 100 yards (the length of a football field) in approximately 4 seconds.
Winchester Weekend Schedule
The ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards returns to the high banks of Winchester Speedway for Sunday’s running of the Herr’s Potato Chip 200. The two day event will feature two practice sessions Saturday afternoon (12:00 p.m. – 12:45 p.m. & 2:20 p.m. – 3:05 p.m.) along with Menards Pole Qualifying at 6:00 p.m. The green flag will wave at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, June 26. Follow ARCARACING.com for full weekend coverage.
Winchester Media Coverage
The Herr’s Potato Chips 200 at Winchester Speedway is also live on the American Sports Network (ASN) at 2 p.m. ET., Sunday, June 26. Aracracing.com will also feature live timing and scoring and live chat of all on-track activities Saturday and Sunday.
About People Against Distracted Driving (PADD®):
People Against Distracted Driving (PADD®), a 501(c)3, has been a passionate voice urging mindfulness among drivers and passengers since 2012. PADD® began as a grassroots effort in New Jersey and has expanded to include all 50 states, Canada and countries abroad. For more information visit: www.PADD.org.
ABOUT VENTURINI MOTORSPORTS:
Venturini Motorsports (VMS), fielding cars for over 30-years in the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards, is one of the premier NASCAR driver development programs in the country. 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, Erik Jones, William Byron, Justin Allgaier, Alex Bowman, Brian Scott, Ryan Blaney, Brennan Poole, Daniel Suarez, Brandon Jones and John Wes Townley. Over the years the Venturini name has become synonymous with modern-day racing in America. In 2012, the Venturini family was inducted into the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame (www.NIASHF.org) and now find themselves enshrined with such sports icons as Joe DiMaggio, Mario Andretti, Vince Lombardi, Tommy Lasorda and Rocky Marciano.