Eddie Sharp Racing Logo

The question now is, who will carry on the tradition?

23-year-old Lofton, in addition to his crew chief Mark Rette, who earned the Cometic Crew Chief of the Year award in 2009, will be moving to NASCAR Camping World Truck Series competition with Red Horse Racing in 2010, leaving the championship-winning ride vacant.

“As much as I hate to see either one of them go, it’s what we do. It’s what motivates me to not only take on the challenge of helping these drivers move on, but to put together an entire team worth of people. It’s motivating and it’s a positive thing. It shows the caliber of people that come here,” Sharp said.

Regardless of who has come and gone over the last few seasons, one thing has remained the same, the top competition bred from within the Eddie Sharp Racing race shop. Since its inception in 2005, the Denver, North Carolina-based ESR organization has set itself apart from the competition by becoming the place for up and coming talent.

Though he makes it looks easy these days as he leads his three-car stable, car owner Sharp’s rise within motorsports was at times daunting. Rather than taking on a four-wheeled speed demon for his introduction, Sharp took a different route, that by the way of water, racing hydroplane boats in his native Florida.

It wasn’t long however before Sharp ventured into the cockpit of a stock car and his career followed the familiar racing path into North Carolina. In 1993, Sharp made his NASCAR debut, running two races in what was then known as the Busch Series.

With Ken Schrader and Johnny Benson as mentors, Sharp then started his own team in the American Speed Association, a short track division that bred racers such as Benson, Mark Martin and Rusty Wallace.

After his stint in ASA, Sharp decided to climb out from behind the wheel and took on the role of crew chief. In 1999 Sharp called the shots for Bill Baird in the ARCA RE/MAX Series en route to the championship.

Over the next few seasons, Sharp reinstated his car owner title, only this time in ARCA. Simultaneously, he continued to crew chief, including a stint in the Sprint Cup Series.

In 2006 Sharp envisioned his long-term goals as a team owner and began the first steps in achieving them by building a 20,000 square foot race shop in Denver, N.C. And it wasn’t long before ESR grew a reputation for developing young talent. Over the last three years, Sharp has helped usher in the careers of Scott Lagasse, Chase Miller, T.J. Bell, Michael McDowell, and most recently, 2009 Champion Justin Lofton.

Over the last three seasons, the team has notched close to 20 race wins. In addition to the championship in 2009, ESR notched impressive stats across the board. Between its three teams, the company produced a whopping 33 top-10 finishes, with two drivers (Lofton and rookie Craig Goess) finishing within the top five in the point standings. After finishing second and third in the previous two seasons, the team also wrapped up the owner’s championship in 2009.

With not just one, but possibly three rides open for 2010, Sharp is on the lookout for the next young talent to carry on the winning tradition that his team has become synonymous for.

Additional 2009 Honors for Eddie Sharp Racing

- Justin Lofton, Aaron’s Lap Leader – led 1,005 laps spanning 15 races

- Justin Lofton, car owner Jessica Sharp, Hoosier Tire Superspeedway Challenge

- Justin Lofton, Jessica Sharp, Eddie Sharp Racing, car owner’s championship

- Mark Rette, Cometic Crew Chief of the Year

- Mark Rette, Klotz Engine Mechanic

- Rookie Craig Goess, fifth place points finish, 12 top-10 finishes

- First year stock car driver Tim George Jr., 11th place points finish, two top-10 finishes

For more on Eddie Sharp Racing, visit www.TeamESR.com

- Activ8 Communications Press Release

Win-Tron Racing Logo

For Win-Tron Racing, the task of working with a new driver is nothing new but the group led by Car Owner Kevin Cywinski and Crew Chief Mike Chaffee is hoping to bring Moffitt to ARCA stardom much like they’ve done with drivers James Buescher, Matt Merrell, Kelly Bires, Bradley Riethmeyer, Beau Slocumb and Justin Marks this year.

In his first full-season of NCWES competition, Moffitt shined. In 11 races, the Grimes, Iowa native boasted two wins, six top-fives and nine top-10 finishes. He also claimed one pole and finished third in the point standings driving a full season Andy Santerre Motorsports (ASM).

The former ASA Late Model Series driver now turns to the ARCA RE/MAX Series and is hoping for a similar one-race showing like he had in the NASCAR Camping World West Series (NCWWS) at Iowa Speedway where he wheeled the No. 4 Karl Chevrolet machine to a stout fourth place effort at his home track.

Rockingham Speedway can’t be compared to Iowa Speedway but many on the Win-Tron Racing team expect Moffitt to literally explode in his inaugural ARCA debut.

“This kid (Brett Moffitt) has a lot of talent,” said Win-Tron Racing Co-Owner and General Manager Nate Thiesse. “His resume in the NASCAR Camping World East Series this year has been absolutely impressive on a limited budget. We are just thrilled to have the opportunity to work with him this weekend at Rockingham.”

Moffitt expressed a similar feeling towards his ARCA debut in the season finale.

“This is a great opportunity for me,” said Moffitt. “Win-Tron Racing has a very respectable name in the ARCA RE/MAX Series and has some of the best equipment out there. I’m just thankful to have the opportunity to drive for them in probably one of the biggest races of the year.”

Thiesse explained what the team’s overall goals were for the weekend.

“We know Brett is capable of winning and while we strive to win on a weekly basis, if we can leave Rockingham with a good finish on the lead lap, then it’s been a good day. Brett doesn’t have any experience at Rockingham, so the odds are against him this weekend but I think with our success at the track in the past, we can erase that deficit.”

Indeed, Win-Tron Racing surged Matt Merrell to a then career-best third place finish at Rockingham Speedway in April securing the Portland, Texas native with his very first top-five run in ARCA. He went on to record back-to-back career best finishes of second at Berlin Raceway and Pocono Raceway respectively.

Entering Rockingham, Win-Tron Racing holds the fourth position in the ARCA RE/MAX Series owner’s standings after 20 races. Car owner Kevin Cywinski is 600 markers from moving back to the top spot held by fellow car owner Jessica Sharp (No. 6). 210 markers keep Cywinski from the third position controlled by car owner Frank Kimmel (No. 44). The team maintained their position after Beau Slocumb recorded his career best finish of fifth in the most recent ARS event at Kansas Speedway last week.

Further information and driving opportunities with Win-Tron Racing is available by visiting win-tronracing.com or contacting Nate Thiesse at 952.469.1839.

For more on Brett Moffitt please visit, BrettMoffitt.com.

The ARCA RE/MAX American 200 (200 laps / 200 miles) is the 21st of 21 events on the 2009 ARCA RE/MAX Series schedule. The fourth ARCA race held at Rockingham is a two-day show. Practice begins Saturday, October 10 with an hour and a half practice session planned from 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Menards Pole by Ansell qualifying is slated to begin at 2:00 p.m. The event will take the green flag on Sunday, October 11 shortly after 1:00 p.m. The race will be tape-delayed on SPEED. The event will be aired at 10:00 p.m. Sunday night. Live flag-to-flag weekend coverage will be available through the ARCA Racing Network (ARN) online at arcaracing.com. All times are local.

- Win-Tron Racing Press Release

ARCA RE/MAX Series Logo

The Superspeedway Challenge, which is a separate $75,000 point fund for races on speedway ovals greater than one mile in length, kicked off with the Lucas Oil Slick Mist ARCA 200 at Daytona on February 7. Other superspeedway challenge events on the 2009 schedule include Talladega Superspeedway (April 24), Kentucky Speedway (May 9 and July 18), Pocono Raceway (June 6 and August 1), Michigan Int’l Speedway (June 12), Chicagoland Speedway (August 28) and Kansas Speedway (October 1).

With the exception of a 30th-place finish at Michigan Int’l Speedway in June, Lofton has not finished worse than eighth on a speedway in 2009 ARCA RE/MAX Series competition. The superspeedway portion of his 2009 ARCA RE/MAX Series season included wins at Talladega and Chicagoland, second-place finishes at Kentucky and Pocono, a third place finish at Kentucky in July, a sixth-place finish at Pocono in August and an eighth-place finish at Daytona.

Superspeedway Challenge points are awarded to car owners based on race points, with the winner of a Superspeedway Challenge race earning 200 points and points decreasing in increments of five.

Heading into Thursday’s Kansas Lottery 150, the ninth and final race in the 2009 Hoosier Tire Superspeedway Challenge, Eddie Sharp Racing led the standings with driver Justin Lofton over Kimmel racing with driver Frank Kimmel and Win-Tron Racing, who has utilized drivers James Buescher, Kelly Bires, Matt Merrell, Brad Reithmeyer and Beau Slocum on speedway races in 2009.

Sharp and Lofton join an accomplished list of competitors who have earned the Hoosier Tire Superspeedway Challenge Championship. Last season, Eddie Sharp earned Hoosier Tire Superspeedway Challenge honors with driver Scott Speed. In 2007 ARCA RE/MAX Series car owner Ray Evernham and driver Erin Crocker earned Hoosier Tire Superspeedway Challenge honors, marking the first time that a female driver has earned the award. Car Owner Larry Clement is a five-time Superspeedway Challenge Champion with driver Frank Kimmel (1998, ’01, ’03, ’05, ’06). Other winners include Davey Allison (’84, ’85), Lee Raymond (’86), Bill Venturini (’87, ’91), Tracy Leslie (’88), Ben Hess (’89), Bob Brevak (’90), Bob Keselowski (’92), Jeff Purvis (’93, ’94), Mike Wallace (’95), Tim Steele (’96), Mark Gibson (’97), Chad Blount (’02), Bobby Gerhart (’04), Blake Feese (’04) and Kyle Krisiloff (’04).

The ARCA RE/MAX Series has recognized a superspeedway challenge champion each consecutive year since 1984. Sharp and Lofton will formally accept the 2009 Hoosier Tire Superspeedway Challenge Championship at the ARCA RE/MAX Series Championship Awards Banquet at the Northern Kentucky Convention Center in December.

Lofton currently leads the ARCA RE/MAX Series point standings by 15 points over Parker Kligerman with one race remaining in the 2009 ARCA RE/MAX Series-the American 200 at Rockingham Speedway on Sunday, October, 11. The race rolls off at 1 p.m. and airs on SPEED at 10 p.m.

- Rockingham Speedway Press Release

Win-Tron Racing Logo

In his three previous ARCA RE/MAX Series starts, Slocumb has been impressive with two top-10 qualifying efforts including a career-best fifth in the most recent ARCA event at the DuQuoin State Fairgrounds. Additionally, his finishes have been noteworthy as well. His career-best finish in the Win-Tron Racing entry occurred at Toledo Speedway earlier this month where he captured a ninth place finish after starting sixth.

Now, Slocumb, the Macon, Georgia native will return to a mile-and-a-half track and look to better his 12th place finish from Chicagoland Speedway in his inaugural ARCA debut last month.

“We’re glad to have Beau back behind the wheel of our Win-Tron Racing entry at Kansas,” said Win-Tron Racing General Manager and Co-Owner Nate Thiesse. “He really has done a phenomenal job in his races this year despite his lack of experience in these heavier cars. I think he has a better understanding what to expect this week.”

Experience is something that isn’t on Slocumb’s side but the ASA Southeast Asphalt Tour standout has certainly put an effort to try and cross-reference the inexperience.

“Beau’s feedback has been better than we expected,” added Thiesse. “His first race at Chicagoland we weren’t really sure what to expect. We wanted him to be comfortable and try not to put himself in any daunting situations. He excelled past our expectations by putting our No. 32 in the top-10 during the race.”

Thiesse continued, “Beau went to Toledo Speedway the next week where he qualified and finished inside the top-10 at a track that he had never seen before. It was pretty amazing. From there, we took him to the dirt where again he stepped up to the challenge and qualifed very well, but unfortunately, we had a little bit of bad luck during the race, so we didn’t get the finish we wanted but his effort was commendable nonetheless.”

“He’s back for Kansas and we have a feeling that he is going to gel well with this track. It’s very similar to Chicagoland Speedway so our setups are going to be very comparable. Without a doubt, he should be able to keep his string of top-20 finishes intact on Thursday.”

Entering Kansas, Win-Tron Racing holds the fourth position in the ARCA RE/MAX Series owner’s standings after 19 races. Car owner Kevin Cywinski is 600 markers from moving back to the top spot held by fellow car owner Jessica Sharp (No. 6). 210 markers keep Cywinski from the third position controlled by car owner Frank Kimmel (No. 44). The team maintained their position after Matt Merrell recorded a 13th place finish in the most ARS event at Salem Speedway two weeks ago.

Further information and driving opportunities with Win-Tron Racing is available by visiting win-tronracing.com or contacting Nate Thiesse at 952.469.1839.

For more on Beau Slocumb please visit, BeauSlocumb.com.

The Kansas Lottery 150 (100 laps/150 miles) is the 20th of 21 events on the 2009 ARCA RE/MAX Series schedule. The ninth ARCA race held at Kansas is a one-day show. Practice begins Thursday, October 1 with a two hour practice session planned from 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Menards Pole by Ansell qualifying is slated to begin at 1:00 p.m. The event will take the green flag shortly after 4:00 p.m. The race will be broadcasted live on SPEED and through the ARCA Racing Network (ARN) online at arcaracing.com. All times are local.

- Win-Tron Racing Press Release

Rockingham Speedway Logo

They can also become a sheer necessity for two young drivers battling for a championship. In this case, we’re talking about point leader Justin Lofton and rookie Parker Kligerman whose separation in points is a mere 25 markers with just two events remaining in 2009 – the Kansas Lottery 150 at Kansas Speedway (Oct. 1) and the ARCA RE/MAX American 200 at Rockingham Speedway (Oct. 11).

That’s why both are entered in Wednesday’s (Sept. 23) open test at Rockingham Speedway. Each driver has taken the series by storm in 2009. While Lofton leads in points, Kligerman leads with a season-high seven wins to Lofton’s six. The most recent battle between the two title contenders came under the lights last Saturday night at Salem Speedway where they engaged race fans in the stands and at ARCAracing.com with a thrilling side-by-side duel for the lead over the final 15 laps resulting in Lofton edging Kligerman for the win at the final stripe. As a testament to both, they never touched during the exchange, which came down right to the checkered flag.

Lofton, according to his quote, seemed to be looking toward the future in regards to how things shook down during the Salem race.

“Me and Parker are going to be racing each other for a long time to come so there is no reason to get off on a bad note early in our careers,” said Lofton. “I barely lifted during those last 20 laps. It was unbelievable but that’s what it’s about. When you can get a win like that running this close it just means that much more to you then if you were to just run away with it.”

Kligerman, on the hand, felt he let his team down and issued some thoughts of his own regarding the future. The difference being, Lofton was referring to the years ahead while Kligerman seemed to be talking about the next ARCA RE/MAX Series event on tour.

“I think I kind of let my team down there at that last run,” said Kligerman. “I should have gotten by Justin Lofton but we’re racing for a championship here and I don’t want to get into the situation that you saw those two (Ricky Stenhouse and Scott Speed) get into running for the Championship last year. Hopefully Justin Lofton will remember that the next two races going into the end of the season.”

Kligerman had several opportunities to move the eventual winner in the closing laps but chose otherwise.

“I was running right behind him [Justin Lofton] and I could have moved him a bunch of times,” added Kligerman. “He was all over the place and I thought ‘I’ll just get by him, I’ll get by him clean and we’ll go on to the next race and we don’t need to get into a pushing match for a Championship. Maybe I’m a little bit too nice but hopefully he will remember that next week.”

ell, it’s now next week and the next order of business for the two title contenders is tomorrow’s test at Rockingham.

And, depending on what happens in the race at Kansas, it’s looking more likely that the battle for the ARCA RE/MAX Series title will come down to the championship weekend at Rockingham Speedway October 10th and 11th.

Interestingly enough, while both drivers have dominated the win column in 2009 with 13 victories between them, both drivers did not fare well at Rockingham in the spring.

Kligerman spun early on off turn two before Lofton bounced off the wall in turn four. Both drivers were able to finish the race, but neither driver was a threat to win against the veteran Ken Schrader, who dominated the race, and/or eventual winner Sean Caisse, driving a Venturini Motorsports-prepared Chevrolet.

ARCA RE/MAX Series testing at Rockingham is scheduled for Wednesday, September 23rd with on-track activities slated from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Media is welcome to attend. Admission is free for grandstand seating for the test session. ARCAracing.com will be featuring live timing and scoring of all the on-track activity.

For more information about the ARCA RE/MAX American 200 or the accompanying USARAaron’s 150acing October 9-11 or to order tickets, please contact the Rockingham Speedway at (910) 205-8800 or visit our website at www.rockinghamspeedway.com. Tickets begin at $20 for single-day reserved seating with $5 back-to-school special pricing for students. Weekend and pit passes are also available.

2009 ARCA RE/MAX Series

NO DRIVER/HOMETOWN TEAM & CAR OWNER

2 Tim George Jr./New York NY Toyota Eddie Sharp

6 Justin Lofton/Westmorland CA Toyota Jessica Sharp

15 Justin Marks/Rocklin CA Toyota Bill Venturini

19 Johanna Long/Pensacola FL Toyota Eddie D’Hondt

20 Tom Hessert/Cherry Hill NJ Ford Robby Benton

25 Steve Arpin/Fort Frances ON Toyota Cathy Venturini

28 Jeff Buice/Charlotte NC Chevrolet Wayne Hixson

31 Austin Dillon/Welcome NC Chevrolet Richard Childress

51 Casey Roderick

70 Tony Palumbo/Frankfort IL Ford Tony Palumbo

70 Mike Holt

77 Parker Kligerman/Westport CT Dodge Mark Gibson

81 Craig Goess/Woodbury NJ Toyota Eddie Sharp

Clay Rogers/Troutman NC Chevrolet

- ARCA Press Release

Win-Tron Racing Logo

Merrell will have another shot at tackling one of the most demanding tracks on the ARCA RE/MAX Series circuit as Win-Tron Racing will put the Portland, Texas native behind the wheel of the No. 32 Red Line Oil Dodge Charger for Saturday night’s Kentuckiana Ford Dealers ARCA Fall Classic.

The 24-year old has never had any problems finding his groove at Salem, but circumstances out of his control have kept him from finishing well. And with three top-10s including two straight runner-up finishes in his last three ARCA starts, Merrell will look to put the Win-Tron Racing team back in victory lane for the third time this year.

Nate Thiesse, co-owner and general manager of Lakeville Minnesota’s Win-Tron Racing is excited to have Merrell back at the controls.

“Matt is such a talented driver. Everyone at Win-Tron Racing knows that his first win is around the corner, hopefully this weekend. Our team has steered drivers to their first career ARCA victory at Salem in the past and that’s what we are hoping to do Saturday with Matt. I know he is pushing himself for a serious rebound from April’s run, so hopefully we’ll have a good night mixed in with celebration.”

Entering Salem, Win-Tron Racing holds the fourth position in the ARCA RE/MAX Series owner’s standings after 18 races. Car owner Kevin Cywinski is 520 markers from moving back to the top spot held by fellow car owner Jessica Sharp (No. 6). Just 165 markers keep Cywinski from the third position controlled by car owner Frank Kimmel (No. 44). The team maintains their position after Justin Marks recorded a 21st place finish in the most ARS event at New Jersey Motorsports Park last Sunday.

In three years of ARCA competition, Merrell has 12 starts, five top-fives and six top-10s. His career-best finish of second occurred twice at Berlin Raceway (July 2009) and Pocono Raceway (August 2009).

Further information and driving opportunities with Win-Tron Racing is available by visiting win-tronracing.com or contacting Nate Thiesse at 952.469.1839.
For more on Matt Merrell please visit, MattMerrellRacing.com.

The Kentuckiana Ford Dealers ARCA Fall Classic (200 laps/111 miles) is the 19th of 21 events on the 2009 ARCA RE/MAX Series schedule. The 83rd ARCA race held at Salem is a one-day show. Practice begins Saturday, September 19 with an hour and a half practice session planned from 1:05 p.m. – 2:35 p.m. Menards Pole by Ansell qualifying is set for later in the day slated to begin at 4:00 p.m. The event will take the green flag shortly after 7:15 p.m. Saturday night. The race will be broadcasted live through the ARCA Racing Network (ARN) online at arcaracing.com. All times are local.

- Win-Tron Racing Press Release

ARCA RE/MAX Series Logo

Not only is the 2009 championship coming right down to the wire with a good old-fashioned “chase”, ARCA, in its 57th consecutive season of competition, will crown its Hoosier Tire Superspeedway Challenge Champion following the 150-mile race at Kansas.

Currently, the Eddie Sharp Racing no. 6 Lofton Cattle Toyota team (car owner Jessica Sharp/driver Justin Lofton) is leading the superspeedway points headed into Kansas by 60 points over Kimmel Racing (car owner & driver Frank Kimmel). Car owner Kevin Cywinski trails in third, 110 points out of first with car owner Mark Gibson (driver Parker Kligerman) in fourth, 120 points from first.

The Hoosier Tire Superspeedway Challenge Championship is a separate points title combining all the superspeedway events on the annual ARCA RE/MAX Series schedule. This year’s superspeedway schedule was made up of events at Daytona, Talladega, Kentucky, Pocono, Michigan, Chicagoland and Kansas. The award officially goes to the car owner and is officially awarded in December at the annual championship awards banquet.

The late Davey Allison was the first recipient of ARCA’s superspeedway championship in 1984. Since then, the list of past winners is tall and mighty. Past Hoosier Tire Superspeedway Challenge Champions include Ray Evernham (driver Erin Crocker), Larry Clement (driver Frank Kimmel), Ken Schrader (driver Bill Baird), Harold Steele (driver Tim Steele), Kerry Scherer (driver Mark Gibson), Barry Owen (driver Mike Wallace), James Finch (driver Jeff Purvis), Ron Keselowski (driver Bob Keselowski), Cathy Venturini (driver Bill Venturini) and Don Biederman (driver Tracy Leslie) to name a few.

Overall Championship Down to the Wire at Kansas

In addition to determining ARCA’s superspeedway champion at Kansas, the overall championship could not be closer. With just three events remaining in 2009 (Salem Sept. 19; Kansas Oct. 1; Rockingham Oct. 11), Justin Lofton and rookie Parker Kligerman are tied at the top. Kligerman, a Penske Development driver who drives the Cunningham Motorsports Dodge, leads in the win column with a season-high seven wins to Lofton’s five. “Winning races is our main goal,” said Kligerman. “We come to win. If we accomplish that, the championship will take care of itself.”

Round 4 of Bill France Four Crown Comes Down to Kansas

Kansas marks the 4th leg of the 2009 Bill France Four Crown, a separate point fund within the 21-race ARCA RE/MAX Series schedule that tests drivers on a challenging combination of venues, including a dirt track (The Southern Illinois 100 at the DuQuoin State Fairgrounds, September 7), a road course (The South Jersey Building Trades 150 at New Jersey Motorsports Park, September 13), a short track (The Kentuckiana Ford Dealers ARCA Fall Classic at Salem Speedway, September 19) and a speedway (The Kansas Lottery 150 at Kansas Speedway, October 1). Kligerman, after a victory at DuQuoin and a second place finish at New Jersey Motorsports Park, currently leads the Bill France Four Crown points (pre Salem). Former Bill France Four Crown winners include Davey Allison, Frank Kimmel, Tim Steele, Bob Keselowski, Jason Jarrett and Bill Venturini to name a few.

Tight One-Day Show at Kansas

To add more intensity, the Kansas Lottery 150 will be a one-day show for the ARCA RE/MAX Series with practice scheduled from 9:00 to 11:00 AM local time followed by Menards Pole Qualifying presented by Ansell at 1:00 PM. The Kansas Lottery 150 is live on SPEED at 5:00 PM Eastern.

- ARCA Press Release

ARCA RE/MAX Series Logo

The Sharp Racing Enterprises #6 team of owner Jessica Sharp and driver Justin Lofton, and the Sharp Racing Enterprises #81 team of owner Eddie Sharp and driver Craig Goess have each been fined $1500 and penalized with the loss of 25 championship points. Both teams were penalized for violation of 2009 ARCA Rulebook carburetor throttle bore maximum venturi size.

By virtue of the victory and leading the most laps at Pocono, Lofton would have been the point leader by five points over Parker Kligerman, who finished 21st after crashing in the closing laps.

However, as a result of the penalties issued, Kligerman remains first with a 20-point margin over Lofton heading into the next event on tour – the Allen Crowe 100 at the Illinois State Fairgrounds mile-dirt Sunday, August 23rd.

“All of us at Eddie Sharp Racing hold ourselves to the highest standards and take pride in doing things by the book,” said Eddie Sharp. “This infraction was an oversight on our engine supplier’s part; which is surprising because they do an excellent job and we value our relationship with them. This was an instance in which two brand new carburetors were sent to the racetrack without being tested first. It was a manufacturer’s miscue and not necessarily a performance advantage. We’ll take our lumps and move on with the goal of working hard the rest of the season so that we can earn those championship points back.”

Car owner Jessica Sharp remains the leader in car owner points, 135 ahead of Mark Gibson, car owner for Kligerman.

The penalties also affect the Hoosier Superspeedway Challenge Championship points. Car owner Jessica Sharp remains the leader; however, she falls from 1200 to 1175. Sharp is still 40 points in front of car owners Frank Kimmel and Mark Gibson, who are tied for second in the Superspeedway Challenge points.

- ARCA Press Release

Win-Tron Racing Logo

One of those rough races occurred at Iowa Speedway two weeks ago where Matt Merrell was denied a top-five finish after a late race shove from the No. 51 of Brian Ickler wiped the team from potentially another win and instead delivered a top-20 finish.

For Merrell, he’s using the race for redemption but thankfully won’t have to worry about Ickler. Still, he’ll have to worry about the other boys of the ARCA RE/MAX Series camp who will try and keep the No. 32 Colin’s Hope Dodge Charger out of victory lane for the third time this season.

“I’ve never been to Berlin but I’m looking forward to this weekend,” said Merrell. “Win-Tron Racing finished 11th there last year, so we’re going to see if we can drop one of those numbers and celebrate big time on Saturday night.”

While Merrell has been thrown into several speedway races this season and answered with strong runs, the short tracks have been Merrell’s highlight which included a career best run of third at Rockingham Speedway in April. While he was just two positions away from popping the cork, Merrell feels like he has unfinished business on the podium and hopes to cap it off Saturday night.

Matt Merrell

While his goal for the weekend is feasible, Merrell knows that he’ll have to be realistic about relying on his Mike Chaffee led team to find his niche around the .4-mile short track.

“We didn’t have the opportunity to test or anything at Berlin, so I’m pretty much going in blindsided,” added Merrell. “I’ve been in this predicament before and emerged on the positive end. Mike (Chaffee, crew chief) I know will have a good setup underneath me, so it will take me talking to my crew and maybe some of the drivers who have raced at Berlin before to make sure I’m on the right path.”

For the seventh time this season, the Win-Tron Racing / Matt Merrell combo is utilizing the 12th race of the season to bring awareness to an even bigger picture off the race track.

The team will continue to recognize and help bring further attentiveness to Colin’s Hope.

Colin’s Hope is a nonprofit organization that creates and supports programs that aid in preventing children from drowning. Despite numerous sources for water safety, the number of children who drown per year is staggering. Colin’s Hope of saving children from drowning is being achieved through improved water safety awareness and standards throughout communities.

“Man, I want to win for myself, my team and my sponsors but winning for Colin’s Hope would be the icing on the cake,” sounded Merrell. “There hasn’t been one race this year where we haven’t had the opportunity to do so. We just haven’t been able to close the deal for one reason or another. No mistaking, we’re going to give it our all Saturday night to give Colin’s Hope something to really be proud about.”

Entering Berlin, Win-Tron Racing holds the fourth position in the ARCA RE/MAX Series owner’s standings after 11 races. Car owner Kevin Cywinski is 200 markers from moving back to the top spot held by fellow car owner Jessica Sharp (No. 6). The team fell to the fourth spot after Bradley Riethmeyer was tangled up in a mid-race accident that resulted in a 31st place finish at Kentucky Speedway last weekend.

Merrell Lease Service will join Colin’s Hope as the primary sponsors of Merrell’s No. 32 Dodge Charger in his inaugural Berlin Raceway debut this weekend.

Further information on Win-Tron Racing is available by visiting win-tronracing.com or contacting Nate Thiesse at 952.469.1839.
For more on Matt Merrell please visit, MattMerrellRacing.com.

The Wolverine Power Systems 200 presented by Generac (200 laps / 88 miles) is the 12th of 21 events on the 2009 ARCA RE/MAX Series schedule. The Marne, Michigan event is a one-day show. Practice begins Saturday, July 25 with an hour and half practice session planned from 2:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Menards Pole by Ansell qualifying is slated to begin at 5:00 p.m. The event will take the green flag that evening shortly after 8:30 p.m. The event will not be televised but broadcast coverage will be available live through the ARCA Racing Network (ARN) online at arcaracing.com. All times are local.

- Win-Tron Racing Press Release

Matt Merrell

Merrell, set to make his sixth run of the year is also searching for his first career ARCA win. And if there’s a team that competes on the ARCA RE/MAX Series circuit that has been known to spawn first-time winners on short tracks, Win-Tron Racing ranks near or more appropriately at the top.

With the big goal looking to be etched into stone, the Lakeville, Minnesota team joined a slew of fellow ARCA RE/MAX Series teams for the open test at Iowa Speedway last week where Merrell spent time testing at the .875-mile paved oval with co-driver James Buescher both trying to give Win-Tron Racing an advantage for the 10th race of the 2009 ARCA season.

“As a team we learned a lot at the test and I learned a lot about the track,” said Merrell, who best finish occurred at Rockingham Speedway where he recorded a career-best third. “I spent all day testing two cars, trying different setups and such hoping to give us that extra pull for Saturday’s race.”

Buescher and Merrell ranked seventh and eighth respectively but the Portland, Texas native cautioned that his team was not showing their full strength.

“We’re going to unload faster this week for the race than we did for the test,” Merrell explained. “We always come back with a little extra muscle which pays off for us on race day. Mike (Chaffee, crew chief) is so smart about setting up these cars for the short track and with several years of experience at Iowa, he knows what to do and want not to do. I’m stoked about the weekend.”

With a third place finish at the Iowa Speedway in 2007, Merrell knows that putting the Win-Tron Racing team in victory lane for the third time this season would be big.

“Our team is running for a championship; it may not be the driver’s championship but the owner’s championship is just as important. A win at Iowa would be able to shove us forward towards that big goal.”

For the sixth time this season, the Win-Tron Racing / Matt Merrell combo is utilizing the 10th race of the season to bring awareness to an even bigger picture off the race track.

The team will continue to recognize and help bring further attentiveness to Colin’s Hope.

Colin’s Hope is a nonprofit organization that creates and supports programs that aid in preventing children from drowning. Despite numerous sources for water safety, the number of children who drown per year is staggering. Colin’s Hope of saving children from drowning is being achieved through improved water safety awareness and standards throughout communities.

“We’re going out West so I’m looking forward to spreading our word through the great state of Iowa. I know the fans are going to come in droves this weekend, so hopefully we can gain some more support for Colin’s Hope. We’re going to get them a win before the end of the season, hopefully it will come Saturday night.”

Entering Iowa, Win-Tron Racing holds the second position in the ARCA RE/MAX Series owner’s standings after nine races. Car owner Kevin Cywinski is 25 markers from moving back to the top spot held by fellow car owner Jessica Sharp (No. 6). The team fell to the second spot after Matt Merrell posted a 20th place run at Mansfield Motorsports Park nearly three weeks ago.

Merrell Lease Service will join Colin’s Hope as the primary sponsors of Merrell’s No. 32 Dodge Charger in his inaugural Iowa Speedway debut this weekend.

James Buescher, the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series standout will be competing in a second entry for Win-Tron Racing at Iowa Speedway this weekend behind the wheel of the No. 9 Wolfpack Rentals Toyota Camry. Buescher will be gunning for his third ARCA win of the season after taking Win-Tron Racing to victory circle in the season opener at Daytona International Speedway in February and in his second start of the season at Kentucky Speedway in May.

Further information on Win-Tron Racing is available by visiting win-tronracing.com or contacting Nate Thiesse at 952.469.1839.

For more on Matt Merrell please visit, MattMerrellRacing.com.

The Prairie Meadows 200 (200 laps / 175 miles) is the 10th of 21 events on the 2009 ARCA RE/MAX Series schedule. The fourth ever ARCA race at Iowa Speedway is a two-day show. Practice begins Friday July 10 with an hour and half practice session planned from 4:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Menards Pole by Ansell qualifying is set for Saturday, July 11 slated to begin at 4:00 p.m. The event will take the green flag shortly after 8:00 p.m. The event will not be televised however flag-to-flag coverage will be broadcasted live through the ARCA Racing Network (ARN) online at arcaracing.com. All times are local.

- Win-Tron Racing Press Release

Matt Merrell

One of those drivers helping him get there is Portland, Texas’s Matt Merrell, who’s looking forward to getting back to familiar territory at Iowa. Merrell ran a Pro-Cup race at Iowa in 2008 and got to know the layout of the .875-mile D-shaped oval.

“We ran very well,” said Merrell. “We started on the front row, had a really good car, but we dropped a cylinder in the race and ran on seven cylinders most of the way. Still finished 10th.”

Merrell was also in strong contention for the win at Mansfield Motorsports Park with the ARCA RE/MAX Series in mid-June, leading 16 laps before the alternator stopped charging the battery.

“Felt like that one (Mansfield) slipped away from us. Felt like we could definitely have won that one. But overall, we’re pretty pleased with our season this year, especially after all the bad luck we had last year.”

For the most part, Merrell is sharing the no. 32 Win-Tron Racing entry this year with James Buescher. With the exception of Kelly Bires, who sat in at Talladega while Buescher ran the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race in Texas, it’s been the Merrell-Buescher tandem in 2009. Merrell has been in the seat for most of the short-track races while Buescher has occupied the Win-Tron chair for most of the superspeedways with the exception of Pocono and Talladega.

“If you’re looking for big track experience, the ARCA RE/MAX Series is it,” added Merrell, who finished an impressive fifth at Pocono.

“Knowing how the car should feel at higher speeds on the big tracks is important, and there’s a lot to learn.”

Despite Merrell’s 20th place finish at Mansfield, he’s been rock-solid everywhere else earning a career-best third place finish at Rockingham Speedway, a pair of fifths at Pocono and Toledo Speedway, and an 11th place finish at Salem. That, combined with a pair of wins from Buescher at Daytona and Kentucky, has the Win-Tron team in the hunt for the car owner championship. Both Buescher and Merrell are entered in Win-Tron cars for Iowa.

“We’re going to have two teams at Iowa, so we’ll see how that plays out.”

Outside of keeping his nose clean and the car out of harm’s way, Merrell, based on his past experience at Iowa, has an understanding of what it takes to run up front on the Newton, Iowa short track.

“I really think the high line is going to be what it’s going to take (at Iowa). We usually run the high line anyway everywhere we go. There are less people up there, and you can’t pass cars by following them on the bottom. That, and keeping the car free enough so you can get the most speed down the straightaways, I think, will be key.

“We’re still not sure which car will be our primary car for the race. We tested two in the Iowa test, but ran out of time on the one, so the guys will take ‘em back to the shop, put ‘em on the pull-down rig and go from there. The second car we tested could have been better; we just ran out of time.

“Either way, we know Win-Tron will have a top-notch car for the race. I know they sat on the pole (at Iowa) a couple years ago and finished third in the race.”

Looking down the road in 2009, Merrell is scheduled to drive the Win-Tron car at Berlin and again at Pocono.

“We want to run Rockingham at the end of the season too and the dirt tracks. If we get sponsorship fulfilled we can do all that.”

Merrell, when he’s not racing, works in the family business with his father.

“Working with my dad back home today – in the oil construction business. We’re checking on sites, looking for new jobs, whatever it takes. We lay pipeline, hook up wells, pretty much everything in the oil business except drill.”

After a little oil exploration back home, it’s up to Iowa Speedway for another ARCA RE/MAX Series adventure.

The Prairie Meadows 200 at Iowa Speedway is scheduled to go off Saturday, July 11 at 8:00 PM local time. Menards Pole Qualifying presented by Ansell precedes the race at 4:00 PM. The ARCA Lincoln Welders Truck Series will join the ARCA RE/MAX Series for an ARCA double-header with the IMTA 50 scheduled to go at 6:00 PM. The first on-track activity for the ARCA RE/MAX Series is a practice session on Friday, July 10 from 4:30 – 6:00 PM. The Star Mazda Series will join the race card on Friday with practice, qualifying and a race at 8:30 PM.

All on-track activity for the ARCA RE/MAX Series and the ARCA Lincoln Welders Truck Series will feature live streaming audio and video on the ARCA Racing Network at ARCAracing.com

- ARCA Press Release