Catchfence

(BROOKLYN, Mich.) – Calling themselves “fortunate” and “blessed,” numerous ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards drivers connected with the fans that drive racing – as well as a group from a local children’s hospital – in several events before Friday’s RainEater Wiper Blades 200 at Michigan International Speedway.

Thirteen drivers appeared Thursday night at an autograph session held during the Brooklyn/Irish Hills Race Fest, just several miles north of the speedway, and had the chance to interact with a steady line of passionate race followers over the course of one hour.

From Friday’s starting lineup, Robb Brent, Benny Chastain, Sean Corr, Joey Coulter, Maryeve Dufault, Tim George Jr., Chad Hackenbracht, Hal Martin, Chad McCumbee, Josh Richards, and Bryan Silas all posed for pictures and signed hero cards and other memorabilia for fans. Additionally, Salem race winner Brennan Poole and rookie driver Jared Marks showed at the session to do the same, even though neither entered Friday’s race.

“That’s what drives our sport, and we’re all very blessed to be in the position we’re in,” said McCumbee. “Any time we can give back and take care of the sport, and use our sport to bring joy to people, that’s what it’s about. That’s the number one goal.”

McCumbee’s No. 1 ModSpace Ford from the Andy Belmont Racing stable was on display, giving fans in Brooklyn’s village square a sharp visual next to local classic cars and a festive array of hometown displays.

Friday afternoon, many of the same drivers joined some others – including eventual race winner Ty Dillon and runner-up Max Gresham, as well as nine-time ARCA champion Frank Kimmel – in a suite above the MIS pit road to greet a group of children from the Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital in Grand Rapids, a Michigan city located approximately 125 miles northwest of MIS. The event took place as part of the annual “MIS Cares” program, a track community initiative.

MRN Radio turn announcer Jeff Striegle, a West Michigan native, acted as the master of ceremonies, introducing the ARCA drivers to a full room before the drivers posed for pictures and walked table-to-table to sign autographs and take pictures with ill children, many of whom were enjoying their first trip to a major sporting event.

“We need to count our blessings as race car drivers,” said McCumbee. “To be able to influence and to be able to make a difference in people’s lives, we can’t take that for granted.”

Tom Hessert, Grant Enfinger, and Matt Merrell, all top-10 drivers in the series standings, appeared for the children.

“It’s awesome, and anywhere we go we try to do stuff like this,” said Enfinger. “It’s always nice. I think they’re having the time of their lives just watching, and to have guys who are as privileged as we are to actually race talk to them is always a cool thing.”

“It’s a lot of fun to come up here and see the kids,” Hessert said. “Like Grant said, we’re really fortunate to do what we’re able to do every weekend. It’s fun to take a little time out of the day and hang with the kids. They really enjoy it and it’s nice to come up and meet some people.”

“It takes a lot for them to be able to come out here and do this stuff,” said Merrell. “You can tell they’re enjoying it. Their eyes light up and it’s really neat.”

The ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards returns to action Saturday, June 25 in the Winchester ARCA 200 presented by Federated Auto Parts at Winchester Speedway in Indiana. The event is scheduled as the ninth of 19 on the 2011 ARCA Racing Series schedule; the ARCA Truck Series will join the ARCA Racing Series at the track.

ARCA Racing Series practice begins at 1:45 p.m., and will last for 90 minutes. Menards Pole Qualifying presented by Ansell begins at 4:45 p.m., and the 200-lap, 100-mile race will take place at 8 p.m. ARCARacing.com will feature live timing and scoring coverage of all events.

The ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards features 19 events at 16 tracks on its 2011 schedule. The series has crowned an ARCA national champion each year since its inaugural season in 1953, and has toured over 200 race tracks in 28 states since its inception. The series tests the abilities of drivers and race teams over the most diverse schedule of stock car racing events in the world, annually visiting tracks ranging from 0.4 mile to 2.66 miles in length, on both paved and dirt surfaces as well as a left- and right-turn road course.

Founded by John Marcum in 1953 in Toledo, Ohio, the Automobile Racing Club of America (ARCA) is recognized among the leading sanctioning bodies in the country. Closing in on completing its sixth decade after hundreds of thousands of miles of racing, ARCA administers over 100 race events each season in two professional touring series and local weekly events.

- Automobile Racing Club of America Press Release