Catchfence

LAKEVILLE, Minnesota (September 28, 2011) – - NASCAR Whelen-All American Series (NWAAS) veteran driver Ryan Wilson will close out the 2011 ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards season driving the No. 32 Champion Brands Toyota Camry for Win-Tron Racing beginning with next Friday night’s Kansas Lottery 98.9 at Kansas Speedway.

Wilson, a native of Randleman, North Carolina will make his third start of the 2011 ARCA season and fourth of his career but first at Kansas Speedway. Earlier this summer, the rising star controlled the No. 32 Champion Brands Toyota Camry at Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis and Pocono (Pa.) Raceway respectively.

His efforts in his Win-Tron debut for the Lakeville, Minnesota-based team were commendable at Lucas Oil. After qualifying exceptionally well in sixth, Wilson hovered well inside the top-10 before a flat tire under green flag conditions took the team off their detailed agenda resulting in a 21st place finish. The following week, Wilson rebounded on the 2.5-mile triangle of Pocono (Pa.) Raceway where he qualified fifth and finished ninth in the 50-lap shootout.

Returning back to the ARCA Racing Series at a track that is known for speed and handling, Wilson returns to the cockpit of one of the most respected organizations in the garage with idealistic goals.

With Chris Windom, Joey Miller and Mason Mingus keeping the seat warm for the driver of the No. 12 Randolph Bank Toyota Camry at Caraway (N.C.) Speedway, the controls will be solely his when practice resumes for the series on Friday, October 7.

“I’m looking forward to Kansas,” offered Wilson, the winner of last Fall’s Richard Petty Driver Search II. “I feel like our test was productive. The track style was something I had never experienced before, so there was a lot for me to embrace and manage. Coming away from the test we made some big gains from start to finish and I think we can return to the track next week and put our No. 32 Champion Brands Toyota Camry somewhere in the top-10.”

Wilson added, “Win-Tron has really given me some great cars to drive this year. I wasn’t sure what to really expect at Lucas Oil Raceway, but the car was bad fast. We went to Pocono the next week and picked up the pace even more. I know the team is familiar and capable of running upfront at these mile-and-a-half tracks, so I’m going to do everything in my power to keep that tradition going next Friday night.”

Nate Thiesse, co-car owner of Win-Tron Racing is hyped about having the 19-year back at the team’s controls.

“We have really liked what we’ve saw in Ryan all year long,” Thiesse sounded. “When we met with him in February, we were immediately drawn to him and over the course of the year, our intuitions have proven to be right on. We’re thrilled to have him in our car for Kansas and Toledo. As a team, we considered the Kanas test a huge success and we were very pleased with the effort that Ryan gave all day long. We’ve set realistic goals for ourselves and with Ryan’s short track experience, we feel that he can go to Toledo and fit nicely in with the field. If everything plays out the way we’re hoping, we should have a couple good finishes to boast about.”

Thiesse added, “We’re working hard on our 2012 plans and Ryan is definitely in the cards. We would love to see him run for the championship next year if we can put everything together. His devotion and talent are beyond his years and I feel he can really represent not only our team and marketing partners well but the series too. Hopefully we can make it a reality.”

As for Wilson, the opportunity to run full-time for Win-Tron Racing would be a dream come true. “It’s been my dream to run at tracks like Daytona and Talladega,” Wilson explained. “I have a lot of people that believe in me and want to see that happen. We’re (hopefully) not going to stop until we make that happen. Hopefully, what we’re working on will materialize into something grand for 2012.”

The Kansas Lottery 98.9 (100 laps / 150 miles) is the 18th of 19 events on the 2011 ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards schedule. The 11th ARCA event held at Kansas Speedway is a one-day show. Practice begins Friday, October 7 with a two hour and 15 minute practice session planned from 9:00 a.m. -11:15 a.m. Menards Pole by Ansell qualifying is slated to begin later in the day at 5:35 p.m. The field will take the green flag approximately two hours later at 7:30 p.m. The event will be televised live on SPEED with additional race coverage including live timing and scoring throughout the 1,330th race for the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards since it was formed in 1953 will be available through the ARCA Racing Network (ARN) online at arcaracing.com presented by ARCANation.com. All times are local.

Further information including driver opportunities with Win-Tron Racing is available by visiting win-tronracing.com or contacting Nate Thiesse at 612.306.1641

For more on Champion Brands LLC and their extensive line of products, please log on to championbrands.com or championsusechampion.com.

Additional input on Ryan Wilson is available by logging on the web at RyanWilsonMotorsports.com.

- Win-Tron Racing Press Release