Catchfence

“ARCA Rookie Almost Completes Full-Field Lap Before Contact with Turn Four Wall Sideline No. 16 Team”

SALEM, Indiana (9-19-2009) – ARCA RE/MAX Series rookie Joey Coulter had a phenomenal car for Saturday’s Kentuckiana Ford Dealers ARCA Fall Classic. However, late race contac t with the turn four wall hindered the Miami Springs, Florida driver from capturing what would have been his first career win in the ARCA RE/MAX Series competition.

In the only practice session Saturday, Coulter rounded the half-mile in a time of 17.603 or 113.503 miles per hour. That speed carried over into Menards Pole Qualifying as Coulter maneuvered his No. 16 Darrell Gwynn Foundation-Tempest Cycles Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS around the quirky short track for a time of 17.169 or 116.373 miles per hour to put him fourth on the starting grid.

As the green flag flew starting the 200 lap Kentuckiana Ford Dealers ARCA Fall Classic, Coulter quickly advanced two positions and settled into second, behind the No. 6 of Justin Lofton. Coulter remained in second until scheduled pit stops came on lap 62. As Coulter took on four tires and fuel, the No. 44, 77, 25 and 4 took on only two tires. This shuffled Coulter back to sixth when the field restarted on lap 67.

By a mere 50 laps, Coulter had maneuvered his No. 16 machine back to second and began closing in on leader Justin Lofton. As Coulter and Lofton approached lap traffic on lap 136, Coulter took the lead and continually pulled away to extend his lead.

Coulter, at a blistering pace, lapped the entire field up to third place runner and championship point contender Parker Kligerman. Coulter came to pit road under caution on lap 169 for right side tires and a splash of fuel and remained in the lead as the field restarted on lap 173.

On lap 176 Coulter entered turn one and slid high, which allowed Lofton to get underneath for the lead on lap 177. As Coulter slipped to second, he looked to g ain ground on Lofton in hopes to regain the lead and continue on to his first career win of 2009. However, on lap 179 Coulter entered turns three and four high, and again, slid up the track and slammed the turn four wall. The damage was significant enough that Coulter was not able to return to racing action and was forced to settle for 15th position, with 180 laps completed.

“Our No. 16 Darrell Darrell Gwynn Foundation-Tempest Cycles Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS was great tonight. I hate it for this team because we work so hard, and the guys want a win just as bad as I do,” stated Coulter. “On lap 176 I locked the brakes up in turn one which allowed Justin Lofton to get by for the lead, but I honestly don’t know what happened in three and four. It was just very disappointing to have our evening cut short.”

Coulter, who led a total of 39 laps in the Kentuckiana Ford Dealers ARCA Fall Classic, was the biggest challenger and only driver in the 29-car field to pass eventual race winner Justin Lofton.

The ARCA RE/MAX Series has a break from series competition before traveling to Kansas Speedway on October 1. The Kansas Lottery 150 will air LIVE on SPEED at 5 p.m. Eastern.

ARCA is now on Twitter. Follow the racing action at www.twitter.com/ARCA_Racing.

For additional information about this promising young driver, visit www.JoeyCoulter.com.

Vote for Joey Coulter as your most popular driver at www.ARCANation.com.

To learn more about associate sponsor, Tempest Cycles, visit www.TempestCycles.com.

About the Darrell Gwynn Foundation:

The Darrell Gwynn Foundation (DGF) is a certified non-profit 501(c) 3 agency. DGF exists to prevent, provide for and ultimately cure spinal cord injuries and other debilitating illnesses. To expedite specific cures, the Foundation assists in the funding of targeted research. DGF is also dedicated to injury prevention, with special emphasis on programs targeting children. The Foundation helps improve the quality of life for those already afflicted with injury or illness, by providing necessary equipment or special services. DGF is an official charity of the Barrett-Jackson Auto Auction, National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) and has a close affiliation with NASCAR and the NASCAR Foundation. Additional information about DGF can be found at www.DarrellGwynnFoundation.org.

- Coulter Motorsports Press Release