Catchfence

HUNTERSVILLE, NC (10/5/10) – “Let’s Go Checkers. Let’s Go Checkers,” is what the crowd will hear second year ARCA standout Joey Coulter belting out, come the Charlotte Checkers home opener on Friday, October 15. To prepare for their historic opening game, as a newly chartered AHL (American Hockey League) team, the Checkers will sponsor Coulter in Saturday’s (10/9/10) American 200 at Rockingham Speedway. Coulter looks to pilot his No. 16 Charlotte Checkers Hockey Chevrolet to victory lane in ARCA’s 2010 season finale, while encouraging fans to enjoy “hockey night” in Charlotte.

“It is truly an honor for me to be associated with such an exceptional organization like the Charlotte Checkers,” commented Coulter. “I have had the opportunity to work with them all year on some heartfelt events (Lift Up Ellie) and I am excited they have entrusted me to represent their company at Rockingham, and through the 2010-2011 hockey season. My entire Coulter Motorsports team has worked very hard to make sure our Charlotte Checkers Hockey Chevrolet stays up front come Saturday.”

Playing in their first season in the AHL, the Checkers will be in the Eastern Conference, as the affiliate to the Carolina Hurricanes (NHL). The team will play all of their home games at the Time Warner Cable Arena in downtown Charlotte, NC. Leading into the upcoming season, the Checkers have participated in two pre-season games, winning the first against the Admirals 5-3, and losing the second 4-1 against Norfolk. The opener will be against the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins Friday, October 15, with the puck dropping at 7:00 P.M. ET.

“I am excited about the new marketing partnership that Coulter Motorsports has allowed the Checkers family to be a part of in Rockingham,” said Tera Black Charlotte Checkers COO. Incorporating two fast paced high intensity sports in one environment is thrilling. I cannot wait to see the Joey Coulter #16 Charlotte Checkers race car this weekend promoting the Checkers home opener on October 15th!”

Although Coulter’s past results at Rockingham don’t show it, the 20-year old Miami Springs, FL native hasn’t finished well, after racing incidents have taken him from contention. To better prepare for the upcoming event, Coulter Motorsports crew chief Harold Holly has entered his team in the ARCA open test Thursday, October 7. The team will be running chassis No. 014, which last ran at Pocono Raceway, where Coulter started seventh and ran in the top-ten all day before a late race run-in resulted in an 11th place finish. Coulter will also be running his LiftUpEllie.com custom painted helmet (Emsee Custom Paint), in memory of Ellie Potvin.

While most teams have their special paint schemes designed by graphic companies, Coulter had a different idea in mind for his No. 16 Charlotte Checkers Chevrolet. NASCAR Nationwide Series driver Justin Allgaier (No. 12 Penske Verizon Dodge), heard about the special paint scheme, and reached out to Coulter for the chance to design it. Not only did Allgaier design the car, he set up the files with decal supplier Motorsports Designs, and overlooked the instillation of the full car wrap.

“Being a hockey fan and having the number 16 being such an integral part of my career, made designing the Charlotte Checkers wrap that much more exciting,” commented Justin Allgaier. “I really enjoy creating new paint schemes and when this opportunity arose I could not pass it up. I will be excited to see the finished product hit the track, and look for Joey (Coulter) to run very well at Rockingham.”

The ARCA Racing series speeds into historic Rockingham Speedway for the 2010 season finale, the American 200 presented by Black’s Tire and Auto Service, Saturday, October 9th. Make sure to tune into LIVE coverage on SPEED beginning at 1:30 P.M ET to catch Joey Coulter and his No. 16 Charlotte Checkers Hockey Chevrolet.

- Coulter Motorsports Press Release