Catchfence

NEWTON, IA (7/17/11) – While many racers’ goal for their debut at a new track is a good clean finish, Empire Racing’s Sean Corr had his sights set higher. Corr, in his rookie season on the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards tour, was determined to conquer the .875-mile oval in his first foray and come out on top with a top-ten finish. Piloting the No. 82 Roush Yates Engines, LIVE United Ford Fusion, Corr did just that, finishing ninth in Saturday’s (7/16/11) Prairie Meadows 200.

On track racing activity started early, as the ARCA Racing Series held two practice sessions on Friday, which Corr used solely to figure out the track and preferred line. Corr posted the 19th fastest time in first practice, at 25.283 seconds at 124.590 MPH. The Empire Racing crew, led by John Bellesfield, worked on several adjustments during the break, which would allow Corr to grasp a better handling of the track. He would post the 17th fastest time in final practice, at 24.670 seconds at 127.685 MPH. Menards Pole Qualifying presented by Ansell followed Saturday morning, where extreme temperatures would cause Corr to pilot a tight race car, relegating him to a 23rd starting position at 24.643 seconds at 127.825 MPH.

With the Prairie Meadows 200 field locked in and the green flag waving, Corr immediately set sight of his original goal and began working his way meticulously through traffic. During the day’s second caution on lap 51, Shaver brought Corr to pit road for four tires, fuel and a tire pressure adjustment to aid in the tight handling car. He would rejoin the field in the 11th position one lap down, until earning the ‘Lucky Dog’ award when the caution waved on lap 61. Corr, working through lapped traffic, radioed on lap 78 that he was “free off the corners.” Shaver would use the lap 90 ‘quickie’ caution period to bring Corr back down pit road for fuel and a wedge adjustment, and shortly thereafter on lap 111 for four tires.

Corr, record high temperatures and a slick racetrack, kept his cool, slowly maneuvering through traffic, keeping his eyes set on the elusive top-ten finish. After a close encounter with a lapped down car, the crew brought Corr back down pit road on lap 160, one final time, to fix the right front fender damage sustained in the run-in. As the field resumed green flag racing, the Goshen, NY native saw his first top-ten ARCA Racing Series finish in-sight and began an intense battle for track position. Corr, having learned the preferred line, spent the final ten laps side-by-side for position, until ultimately clearing the car with his No. 82 Roush Yates Engines, LIVE United Ford Fusion, en route to a ninth place finish in the Prairie Meadows 200.

“It’s really a great feeling to be able to go into a brand new racetrack with a goal in mind, and come out on top at the end of the race,” commented Corr.

“My Empire Racing guys have been working so hard to provide me with the best car week in and week out, and this week was no different. Being able to come from 23rd and finish ninth is a true testament to the cars they provide.”

Empire Racing and Sean Corr return to racing action in two weeks at the Lucas Oil Raceway in Clermont, IN. Sean Corr will be piloting his No. 82 Roush Yates Engines, LIVE United Ford Fusion. The Ansell Protective Gloves 200 will air LIVE on SPEED at 7:00 pm ET Thursday, July 28, 2011.

For more on Sean Corr, Empire Racing and marketing partnership opportunities for the 2011 racing season, please visit empireracingllc.com.

For more on LIVE UNITED, you can find additional information on United Way Worldwide’s web site, www.LiveUnited.org

Are you FORD tough? Connect with Roush Yates Performance Products and Roush Yates Engines through their official web site at roushyatesparts.com.

Connect with Sean Corr and Empire Racing through Facebook by clicking here. Tweet with Sean Corr through Twitter @EmpireRacingLLC.

About Empire Racing:

Established in 2009, Empire Racing LLC. (empireracingllc.com) is a two-tier professional Motorsports organization consisting of dirt and asphalt competition. Sean Corr, a 26-year old hailing from Goshen, New York pilots the team’s automobiles in the DIRTcar Series and Automobile Racing Club of America (ARCA). In 2011, the team will attempt to run for a championship in the ARCA Racing Series with aspirations of moving into the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR). The team is headquartered in Goshen, New York with an additional operation in Mooresville, North Carolina.

- Empire Racing Press Release