“I’m excited to be competing in the ARCA race at Daytona with Venturini Motorsports. Daytona international Speedway is certainly the hallowed grounds of motorsports, and I’ve looked at the high banks there in awe for years. To have the opportunity to compete for the first time on those high banks, and to be doing it with this team, is extremely exciting for me.” Paulie Harraka.
Harraka, a former NASCAR Drive for Diversity driver will be a part of Venturini’s 5-team effort at Daytona piloting the No.55 Venturini Motorsports Toyota.
In addition to competing in the ARCA series opener at Daytona, Harraka has teamed with veteran NASCAR crew chief Richie Wauters and will compete for the Sunoco Rookie of the Year title with newly formed Wauters Motorsports in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series.
During his collegiate career, Harraka has won countless NASCAR races while juggling a full load of academic studies; focusing on engineering, sports psychology, leadership and business. He’s also interned at Joe Gibbs Racing in their research and development division as well as interning in Corporate Marketing at NASCAR’s New York office.
Harraka is a past champion in in NASCAR’s Whelen All-American Series, and has posted (2) different NASCAR Rookie of the Year titles: NASCAR Whelen All American Series and NASCAR Camping World Series West (Now K&N Pro Series West). Most recently, Harraka posted three victories in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West.
Beyond his racing and academic focus; Harraka is a Celebrity Ambassador for Childhelp, a national nonprofit that works with abused, neglected, and at risk children. No wonder Harraka has been featured on everything from ESPN and Sports Illustrated to Fox News and The New York Times.
Practice for the season-opening race starts on Thursday, Feb. 16, while qualifying is Friday, Feb. 17, at 2 p.m. The race, scheduled to be televised live by SPEED-TV, is Saturday at 4:30 p.m. ET.
Venturini Motorsports (VMS), fielding cars in the ARCA Racing Series, is one of the premier NASCAR driver development programs in the country. The 2012 season marks the teams 30th Anniversary of competition in the ARCA Series. Multiple team championships and consistent on-track success, VMS has evolved into one of the most recognizable names in motorsports.
Since 2007, VMS has assisted in the career development of notable NASCAR drivers such as Joey Logano, Justin Allgaier, Steve Arpin, Brian Scott, Max Gresham, Miguel Paludo, Josh Richards, Mikey Kile and Scott Lagasse, Jr.
For more information please visit:
www.PaulieHarraka.net / www.VenturiniMotorpsorts.com / www.ArcaRacing.com
Twitter @PaulieHarraka
Facebook Paul Harraka
- Venturini Motorsports Press Release
