Catchfence

Panama City, FL 9/28/09 - The 2009 season has been an odd year when it comes to racing for Ryan Crane. A driver who normally has competed in fifteen plus super late model races by this time every year has taken a step back to take a step forward in his racing career. Crane has made the transition to the ARCA RE/MAX series on a limited basis driving for NASCAR Nationwide and Sprint Cup series car owner James Finch. It’s an opportunity that will continue for Ryan as the series moves to the Kansas Speedway, a race in conjunction with Finch’s NASCAR Nationwide and Sprint Cup teams.

“I haven’t raced so few races since I was still in college at Florida State . But, I know the opportunity that James (Finch) has given me to get in these bigger and heavier cars is priceless when it comes to gaining the right type of experience for the next level of my racing career,” stated Crane. “Races where both ARCA and one of James’ NASCAR teams has been the type of races we’ve tried to target because it allows us to use the same personnel from both garages which is a big help.”

Kansas will mark just the third career ARCA RE/MAX series start for Crane, all of which have come this year driving the #51 Dodge out of the Phoenix Racing stable. So far a pair of top ten finishes (8th Rockingham/7th Michigan) has showed the fact that the transition has been a smooth one but the room for improvement is definitely there. Kansas Speedway will be no exception as this will be Crane’s first race on a 1.5 mile oval. With a track that produces multiple grooves of racing, quickly finding the fastest way around the fifteen degree banking corners as the track conditions change will be the key to success.

“Even though I’ve actually never seen the place, from what I’ve heard and the races I’ve seen on TV, it’s a track that has plenty of room to race and you have to really search around to find out which line through the turns is best for the way your car is handling at the time. That’s kind of the way Michigan was and I’m thinking that Kansas is the same way but there’s no way I’ll really know until I hit the track for that first practice. Lucky enough for me, I’ve got some really experienced personnel on my side in the Phoenix Racing team that know these cars and know what it takes to get around the place so I think we’ll be ok once I get some laps under my belt,” said Crane.

The Kansas Lottery 150 kicks off on Thursday October 1st with practice from 9AM-11AM followed by qualifying at 1PM . Then that afternoon at 4PM , live on Speed Channel, the green flag will drop for 100 laps of racing around the 1.5 mile Kansas Speedway in the Kansas Lottery 150. For more information including practice times, qualifying results, and official race results visit www.arcaracing.com.

Be sure to stay tuned to the Ryan Crane Racing website at www.ryancrane10.com for complete 2009 racing information

- Ryan Crane Racing Press Release