CGS Imaging

CGS Imaging and ARCA announced today that the digital printing company would once again sponsor the year-end CGS Race for the Wrap award during the 2012 ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards season.

The season-long contingency program will provide a custom car or transporter graphics “wrap” to the 2012 champion car owner, provided the team’s cars have displayed CGS Imaging decals throughout the season.

In addition to the Race for the Wrap, CGS owner Chuck Stranc also announced that his company will renew its sponsorship of the CGS Imaging Hard Charger Award for each of the 20 races on this season’s schedule, as well as the CGS Imaging Hard Charger of the Year Award at season’s end.

CGS will offer teams a $200 per event product certificate, good toward any decals, banners, or graphic signage needs, to the team advancing the most positions during each event. In addition, the driver and team advancing the most positions during the year will be offered a complete custom wrap of their team’s car for the ARCA 200 at Daytona International Speedway in February 2013.

CGS Imaging offers all the latest expertise, materials, and equipment in the ever-changing world of digital printing. CGS specializes in super wide and oversized graphics, for stadiums, race tracks, and other sporting events, as well as being one of the largest wholesale banner suppliers in the Midwest. CGS Imaging has also released its Hot Wraps brand, and is a popular choice for providing custom race wraps and vehicle wraps for advertising and promotion.

CGS, as a graphics manufacturer, currently provides through its partners signage and graphics for many of the host tracks on the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards schedule, including Daytona, Talladega Superspeedway, and Michigan International Speedway. More information is available at CGSImaging.com.

2012 will be the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards’ 60th Anniversary Season, featuring 20 races at 18 tracks. The season begins with the Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 at Daytona International Speedway on Saturday, February 18. The event will air live on SPEED.

The complete 2012 event schedule is available at ARCARacing.com.

The ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards 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 has tested the abilities of drivers and race teams over the most diverse schedule of stock car racing events in the world, 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 in its most recent season. This year, the series will visit Alabama’s Mobile International Speedway and Minnesota’s Elko Speedway for the first time; ARCA’s first visit to Minnesota will give ARCA a race in a 29th state.

Founded by John and Mildred 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 three professional touring series and local weekly events.

- Automobile Racing Club of America Press Release

Carter-2-Motorsports Logo

After a brief sabbatical from racing, Carter-2-Motorsports returned to the Automobile Racing Club of America (ARCA) last year running a limited schedule with car owner Roger Carter stepping up to the role as the pilot of the No. 40 Dodge Charger. Amazingly through some diversity and setbacks, the team on a below-average budget was able to make three ARCA Racing Series starts at Michigan International Speedway, Iowa Speedway and Madison (Wisc.) International Speedway respectively.

While Michigan, where the team just had one car, one motor and a slim volunteer crew and Iowa didn’t exactly go as planned – C2M still was enjoying the scenes of the ARCA Racing Series circuit – knowing that they had a place to call home.

A gratifying 16th place finish at Madison, a career-best for Carter in the ARCA Racing Series had the team building momentum back in North Carolina at the team’s race shop where they poured long hours in hopes of raising their previous standards. For the season finale at Toledo Speedway, the team opted to bring two cars with Carter at the helm of his No. 40 and avid racecar driver Nick Tucker in a second entry, the No.04 Dodge Charger. Despite limited sponsorship for the event, the team managed to post respectable lap times in practice which led to optimism for qualifying. Ultimately, a cost-saving method for the team but a technicality from series’ officials regarding the use of tires bumped both drivers from the starting field after easily asserting themselves a berth into the 35-car field.

Ultimately unhappy with the eventual outcome at the Northern Ohio-race track, the team used the experience to sail into the off-season to step-up their operation and prepare for a much larger presence in the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards which begins with the Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway (DIS) on Saturday, February 18, 2012.

To prepare for the 60th year of competition for ARCA, the team under the guidance and leadership of Tucker participated in the open test at the 2.5-mile superspeedway in December with a variety of drivers. Based on the outcome of the three-day operation, C2M has casted it’s lineup for next Saturday afternoon’s anticipated thriller.

Leading the team in the No. 40 Ron Paul for President / El Caribe Dodge Charger will be veteran driver Donnie Neuenberger. Despite over 60 starts in three of NASCAR’s divisions, the Brandywine, Maryland native will look to make his inaugural ARCA Racing Series start at the “World Center of Speed.”

Carrying backing from Mariner Bank and Trauma Doc, veteran Late Model driver Larry Barford Jr. will lead the second entry for the Mooresville, North Carolina-based team. The Denton, Maryland native will also make his first start on the high-banks of Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway. The ARCA rookie who tested for the team in December will run a limited schedule for C2M in 2012.

The third and final entry for Carter-2-Motorsports in Central Florida will be piloted by Charlotte, North Carolina resident Michael Bockler. The word piloted is fitted for ARCA’s newest face as the driver of the No. 67 Ambucs Dodge Charger retired from a successful career as a pilot to build a presence on the race track. Bockler also tackled DIS two months ago to better equip him towards making the starting grid for the 43-car field.

“Obviously, we’ve made some major gains since Michigan last year,” said Carter who himself had planned to race in the Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 but opted to heed the role as car owner instead. “We could not be more proud of the three drivers we’re bringing to the track. Everyone knows Donnie; he’s a racecar driver whose passion speaks for itself. Larry and Michael are newcomers to the ARCA scene but they will fit in nicely.

With our team and the help of Del and Rich Markle, we’re antsy to get to Daytona and see what we can accomplish. It looks like there’s going to be a strong field of cars, but I feel we’re going to be able to comfortably get all of our Dodge Chargers into the show. That’s how hard we’ve worked.”

Carter, who’s been a fixture in the Motorsports community for nearly two decades continued, “We love being a part of the ARCA Series. We’ve faced some turmoil along the way, but it only gives you the motivation to get back on your feet and make everyone take you seriously. That’s our goal this season. We’ll have our regulars and we’ll have some new faces too, but that is what C2M strives on; giving chances and trying to do a lot with the resources we have to work with. I think when we unload our cars in Daytona; everyone will see just how devoted this team really is for 2012.”

Danny Esposito, a native of Loxahatchee, Florida will forgo his Daytona attempt to concentrate on future ARCA Racing Series events at Salem (Ind.) Speedway and Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway in April and May. He, will however be on-sight next week to support and gain priceless experience towards the fundamentals of not only C2M but restrictor plate racing as a whole.

The Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 at Daytona (80 laps / 200 miles) is the first of 20 events on the 2012 ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards schedule. The 49th ARCA race held at Daytona is a three-day show. Practice begins Thursday, February 16 with a four hour practice session planned from 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Menards pole qualifying presented by Ansell is set for Friday, February 17 slated to begin at 2:00 p.m. A forty-five minute final practice session is etched in on Saturday, February 18th from 10:00 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. The event will take the green flag later that day shortly after 4:30 p.m. The race will be televised live on SPEED with additional race coverage including live timing and scoring and radio broadcast through the ARCA Racing Network (ARN) online at arcaracing.com. All times are local. ARCA, celebrating its 60th season in 2012 is the preamble for the highly anticipated Budweiser Shootout for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (NSCS) set to ignite under the lights later that night.

The official website of Carter-2-Motorsports is in the process of a complete makeover for the official kickoff of the new season, but for the latest on the team, drivers and sponsors, please log onto RogerCarter2Racing.com.

- Carter-2-Motorsports Press Release

Max Gresham And His No. 9 Made In USA Brand Chevrolet Impala

Just over a year later, Gresham will be more involved at Daytona when he climbs behind the wheel of the No. 9 Made In USA Brand Chevrolet in the Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 ARCA classic on Saturday, February 18.

“It’s been a year since we were there last year, but I’ve waited a lifetime for this opportunity,” said Gresham, who will be making his first-ever start on the giant 2.5-mile Daytona oval. “Ever since I started driving racecars, I’ve always dreamed about racing at Daytona. To be down there and racing at Speedweeks in front of everybody is going to be really exciting. Daytona International Speedway is the biggest stage in all of motorsports and to finally be racing there is something I have dreamed about for a long time.”

Gresham’s inaugural Daytona appearance in the Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 will be his 13th career ARCA start. The 18-year-old Griffin, GA native left an immediate impression on the series in 2010 winning the pole at Salem (IN) Speedway in his first career ARCA start. In his third ARCA start later that season, Gresham took his family-owned stock car to victory lane winning the Tim Richmond Memorial at Mansfield (OH) Speedway.

Last year, Gresham wheeled a Venturini Motorsports entry to four top-10 finishes in just seven ARCA starts. Included in his 2011 ARCA highlights were pole positions at both Pocono (PA) Raceway and Kansas Speedway. His best finish was a second at Michigan International Speedway.

In all three cases, it was the first time Gresham had competed at those raceways.

Those positive, first-time out experiences in the ARCA Racing Series have Gresham confident he can post a top finish in his Daytona debut as well.

“I have a history of doing pretty well the first time I go to a racetrack,” stated Gresham. “I’m hoping that will be the case at Daytona. The biggest thing I may have to contend with will be tandem racing. If it’s going to be pack racing, then I think I will have some time to learn and adapt. But if it’s tandem-style racing, I’ll have to adapt right away because if you don’t you crash.”

The Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 ARCA Racing Series event will be the first of two events Gresham will compete in during Speedweeks at Daytona this year. Gresham will also pilot the No. 24 Made In USA Chevrolet in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series NextEra Energy Resources 250 on Friday, February 24.

Gresham will wheel a Joe Denette Motorsports prepared entry in both the ARCA and Truck Series Daytona events.

“I’m going to have two very strong vehicles thanks to Joe Denette Motorsports,” said Gresham. “They have given me every opportunity to run well at Daytona. As strong as our ARCA car is, I think our Truck will be even better. I’m really looking forward to getting to Daytona and racing the rest of the 2011 season with these guys.”

The Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 ARCA Racing Series event will roll off at 4:30 Eastern Time on Saturday, February 18. The race will be telecast live on SPEEDTV.

Meanwhile, SPEED will also telecast the NextEra Energy Resources 250 NCWTS race live on Friday, February 24. That event takes the green flag at 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time.

For more information about Max Gresham, please access www.MaxGresham.com. You can also follow Gresham on
Twitter @MaxGresham and on Facebook at Max Gresham Fan Page.

For more information on Joe Denette Motorsports please visit: www.JoeDenetteMotorsports.com.

Companies interested in securing the Made In USA Brand Certification Mark for their products are encouraged to log on to http://www.madeinusabrand.com.

Race fans interested in pledging along with Max to purchase made in USA manufactured goods can log on to http://www.PledgeForUSA.com.

- Max Gresham Motorsports Press Release

Michigan International Speedway Logo

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series tickets on sale for as low as $25 

BROOKLYN, Mich. (Feb. 1, 2012) ­— The wait is over! On the heels of one of NASCAR’s most amazing and exciting seasons, Michigan International Speedway tickets are finally on sale.

“Last year we celebrated an exciting NASCAR season. There’s so much buzz about NASCAR right now in the sports world so there’s never been a better time to be a part of it all at MIS,” track President Roger Curtis said.

The opening NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at MIS is on Father’s Day June 17; and Pure Michigan 400 is on August 19. Both feature some of the most affordable ticket prices in the country. In fact, the last time ticket prices at MIS were this low was in 1998 when Jeff Gordon won his third of four NASCAR championships and 13 races.

But more so, each race includes some of the best drivers in the world attempting to win in the backyard of Detroit’s Big Three auto manufacturers, a big win for any driver, indeed.

And on the heels of one of NASCAR’s most amazing seasons ever, including the closest, tightest championship battle between eventual champion Tony Stewart and Carl Edwards, five first-time winners and 18 different winners, Curtis said he can’t wait to see what this season produces.

MIS offers NASCAR Sprint Cup Series tickets for every budget. Tickets start at $25. Kids 12 and under are free in some sections, while junior pricing for 17 and under are half price in reserved seats.

Prices on other events such as the NASCAR Nationwide Series Alliance Truck Parts 250 on June 16 and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series VFW 200 on Aug. 18 have also remained low for 2012 at $25 and $20, respectively.

Lastly, the RainEater Wiper Blades 200 ARCA Racing Series event on June 15 and NASCAR Practice on Aug. 17 are $15 and $10, respectively.

Prices are subject to increase, so Curtis encourages anyone who wants to see some of the best stock car racing in the country to give MIS a try.

Additionally, MIS has been repaved, so fans will see sparks from the NASCAR drivers – including Danica Patrick in the Alliance Truck Parts 250 on June 16 – as they try to figure out the best way around the 2-mile oval.

Additionally, MIS’ continuous commitment to its fans in the form of improved fan amenities, like larger seats, paved tram routes and exclusive MISCamping.com APEX, the speedway’s new campground, are more of the improvements the speedway has on tap for 2012.

Parking is always free at MIS, and guests can bring in approved coolers. Check website for www.MISpeedway.com for size details.

Nestled in the lush Irish Hills of Southeastern Michigan, Michigan International Speedway is the Great Escape, a venerable NASCAR national park where fans can get away and enjoy the very best in racing and camaraderie. It’s the love of racing and the thrill of a great time for race fans and drivers alike.

Michigan International Speedway’s 2012 Schedule

Saturday, May 19        Great Lakes Wine Fest presented by Jackson County CVB

Friday, June 15            ARCA Racing Series RainEater Wiper Blades 200
Saturday, June 16        NASCAR Nationwide Series Alliance Truck Parts 250 and Gatorade Pole
Sunday, June 17          NASCAR Sprint Cup Series
Friday, Aug. 17            NASCAR Sprint Cup Practice
Saturday, Aug. 18        NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and Gatorade Pole
Sunday, Aug. 19          NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Pure Michigan 400
Tuesday, Sept. 11        Spirit of America Blood Drive

Source: Michigan International Speedway, Press Release

January 15, 2012 – Forsyth, GA -

“I’ve been a guest on a lot of hunting shows and have always had a burning desire to do more within outdoor entertainment. I’m excited about turning the page to a new chapter of my career. Aside from being behind the wheel of a race car, I can’t think of any other place I’d rather be than in the wide open spaces of the outdoors,” says Earnhardt. “I’m good friends with Haley and her husband G.O. and have always enjoyed watching their show. We share the same family values and that was important to me coming on board.”

The Heaths’ feel that, “in 2012 you will get to see a glimpse of what Family Traditions has in-store for the 2013 season. Kerry is an intense hunter and true outdoorsman. We are looking forward to bringing Kerry in as a Co-Host and know that the viewers will enjoy spending time with him as well.”

About Kerry Earnhardt

Kerry Earnhardt has been racing since the early 1990’s. Son of the legendary, 7-time NASCAR Champion Dale Earnhardt, Kerry claimed the Rookie of the Year title driving the Late Model Stock ranks before he started running select Bush Series races in 1998 / 1999. Earnhardt moved to the Automobile Racing Club of America (ARCA) Series in 2000. In six starts, he posted four top five finishes and a first victory celebrated at Pocono Speedway in the Winner’s Circle with his proud father. During the same season, Kerry made his debut in NASCAR’s Winston Cup Series when he raced at Michigan International Speedway competing against both his father and his brother. Kerry claimed three ARCA victories in 2001 including a win at Lowes Motor Speedway and then went on to compete within all three divisions of NASCAR.

Kerry’s same passion for racing is reflected in his commitment to the great outdoors. Today he has swapped the driver’s seat for the tree stand. He is an avid outdoor enthusiast committed to supporting and educating the importance of land and animal preservation and conservation.

To find out more information about Kerry Earnhardt please contact Earnhardt Outdoors Public Relations at info@earnhardtoutdoors.com [mailto:info@earnhardtoutdoors.com]

About Family Traditions with Haley Heath

Family Traditions with Haley Heath is as much about family as it is the pursuit of big game. This show takes an inside glimpse into the life of successful outdoorswoman Haley Heath and her family of avid hunters. Lessons learned in the show extend beyond hunting tips and delve into the importance of family traditions. In a crazy world where spending time with family takes a back seat to providing for one, this program showcases how accomplishing both at the same time is possible.

Let this entertaining, All-American family take you on a journey into the wild and introduce you to a new family tradition…

Family Traditions with Haley Heath airs exclusively on the Sportsman Channel Wednesday at 10 p.m., Thursdays at 1:00 a.m., and Thursdays at 1:00 p.m., EDT.

To learn more about Family Traditions with Haley Heath, please visit www.FamilyTraditionsTV.com

About Haley Heath

At first glance, Haley Heath is a striking young woman with a friendly smile and obvious warmth. She is the dedicated mother of two young children and wife of her 1st grade sweetheart, G.O. She is a devoted daughter and dependable sister and the kind of person you quickly call friend.

This All-American girl-next-door is also a fifth- generation avid outdoorsman with a passion for the pursuit of wild game. Her love of hunting was honed at her father’s knee as he patiently introduced her to the outdoors. Her first claim to fame was when, at the age of 6, she shot her first deer, a basket-rack, seven-pointer that still hangs proudly on her wall today. Since those early days, the size of her trophies has increased along with her fame.

What began in 2006 with Haley’s participation in a ‘Survivor-like’ competition on the ESPN television show, “ESPN’s Ultimate Outdoorsmen Search,” evolved into the popular television show, Family Traditions with Haley Heath.

Since the show began, Haley has earned much-deserved recognition. In 2008, she was the first woman to receive the “Viewer Favorite Personality” Sportsman Award. In 2009, she was appointed as the Ambassador for The Sportsman Channel’s organization Hunt Fish Feed, which works to feed needy families. In 2009, Haley was highlighted in USA Today, The Wall Street Journal and ABC Nightly World News.

Today, Haley is the host of Family Traditions with Haley Heath and earns the respect of hunting enthusiasts around the world.

- Earnhardt Outdoors Public Relations Press Release

Pure Michigan 400

DETROIT (Jan. 11, 2012) –

The three-year partnership was announced today at the North American International Auto Show with two of NASCAR’s most popular and successful drivers, Ryan Newman and Sam Hornish Jr.

The three-year partnership between MIS and Pure Michigan is a continuation of what started in 2011, and the first time a state’s branding agency sponsored NASCAR’s premier stock car series. The inaugural Pure Michigan 400 in 2011 received overwhelmingly positive feedback from fans and tourists alike.

“As we began expanding the Pure Michigan brand beyond travel in 2011, our public and private partners quickly found the power of Pure Michigan to help all of us market Michigan and grow our economy,’’ said MEDC President and CEO Michael A. Finney. “Pure Michigan tells the story of the people, places and treasures that are uniquely Michigan and MIS is part of that story.’’

Another example of a new Pure Michigan partnership announced earlier today: a collaboration with the state Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and Holland, Mich.-based Hudsonville Creamery & Ice Cream Co. to develop a Pure Michigan ice cream flavor and take it across Michigan this summer in a Pure Michigan RV that will share the flavor and help DNR promote its parks and recreation programs including its Recreation 101 program and the Recreation Passport.

“The Pure Michigan 400 has proven to be an effective way to bring the Pure Michigan message to 75 million NASCAR fans nationwide,’’ said George Zimmermann, Vice President for Travel Michigan at MEDC. “We encourage NASCAR fans from all over the U.S. to join us in Michigan for great racing at an outstanding track this summer.’’

One of Pure Michigan’s main goals is to attract visitors and investments to Michigan. The title sponsorship of the Pure Michigan 400 in 2011 introduced the Pure Michigan branding message to 75 million NASCAR fans nationwide. This followed the $11.5 million Pure Michigan national cable television advertising buy on the air from March 14, 2011, through early July.

“The key to the success of our partnership in 2011 was Pure Michigan and MIS had, and still has to this day, similar goals: We both want people to come to this state and see all the wonderful things it has to offer – beautiful landscapes, fun activities year-round and awesome NASCAR racing,” said MIS President Roger Curtis. “That has always been our brand and that message resonated with all our guests that MIS IS Michigan. We just fit.”

Travel Michigan, part of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, is the State of Michigan’s official agency for the promotion of tourism. Travel Michigan markets the state’s tourism industry and provides valuable visitor information services. For Michigan travel news and updates, go to michigan.org.

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation, a public-private partnership serving as the state’s marketing arm and lead agency for business, talent and jobs, focuses on helping grow Michigan’s economy. For more on the MEDC and its initiatives, visit: MichiganAdvantage.org.

For more on Michigan travel ideas, visit: michigan.org

Nestled in the lush Irish Hills of Southeastern Michigan, Michigan International Speedway is the Great Escape, a venerable NASCAR national park where fans can get away and enjoy the very best in racing and camaraderie. It’s the love of racing and the thrill of a great time for race fans and drivers alike.

Keep up with Michigan International Speedway via Twitter @MISpeedway or on Facebook atwww.facebook.com/MISpeedway. Join our Mobile Fan Club by texting MISCLUB on a Sprint Handheld or other mobile device to 69050 on a Sprint Smartphone or other mobile device. Standard text message rates may apply.

The best, guaranteed lowest prices in 2012 will go to customers who make a $10 goodwill deposit. New customers can log onto http://www.MISpeedway.com or call 800-354-1010 to leave a deposit by Jan. 31. That deposit ensures race fans get the best pricing for 2012.

All other tickets go on sale Feb. 1.

- Michigan International Speedway, Press Release

ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards Thumbnail

Teams will be permitted to test at Mobile International Speedway on Friday, January 13. The first race at Mobile will take place Saturday, March 10.

Talladega Superspeedway, which will hold its 50th ARCA race this season, will open to testers on Tuesday, April 17 and Wednesday, April 18. The race at Talladega is scheduled for Friday, May 4.

Michigan International Speedway will host testing Tuesday, May 22, weeks ahead of the Friday, June 15 race.

Testing at Chicagoland Speedway will take place Monday, June 18, just days after the series’ event at Michigan. ARCA will race at Chicagoland on Saturday, July 21.

Kansas Speedway will host ARCA’s season finale for the first time this year, and testing at the track will occur Tuesday, October 2. The season finale is slated for Friday, October 19.

Daytona International Speedway will host open testing for its 2013 race Friday, December 14, Saturday, December 15, and Sunday, December 16.

All drivers must be pre-approved by the ARCA competition committee, and have a 2012 physical and drug screen on file with ARCA. More testing information is available by contacting Joe Wells, vice president of competition for ARCA, at (734) 847-6726 or jwells@arcaracing.com.

The full test schedule is as follows:

Friday, January 13 – Mobile International Speedway

Tuesday, April 17 – Talladega Superspeedway

Wednesday, April 18 – Talladega Superspeedway

Tuesday, May 22 – Michigan International Speedway

Monday, June 18 – Chicagoland Speedway

Tuesday, October 2 – Kansas Speedway

Friday, December 14 – Daytona International Speedway

Saturday, December 15 – Daytona International Speedway

Sunday, December 16 – Daytona International Speedway

2012 will be the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards’ 60th Anniversary Season, featuring 20 races at 18 tracks. The season begins with the Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 at Daytona International Speedway on Saturday, February 18. The event will air live on SPEED.

The complete 2012 event schedule is available at ARCARacing.com.

The ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards 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 has tested the abilities of drivers and race teams over the most diverse schedule of stock car racing events in the world, 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 in its most recent season. This year, the series will visit Alabama’s Mobile International Speedway and Minnesota’s Elko Speedway for the first time; ARCA’s first visit to Minnesota will give ARCA a race in a 29th state.

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

Ty Dillon (L) and car owner and grandather Richard Childress (R) celebrate the ARCA Racing Series championship during the annual awards banquet at the Northern Kentucky Convention Center (Photo Credit: ARCA)

Dillon and his No. 41 Chevrolet team were officially crowned ARCA champions at the series’ annual Championship Awards Banquet at the Northern Kentucky Convention Center. The 19-year-old from Lewisville, N.C. was among 15 drivers from the top 20 in the final point standings to be honored on stage, and left with more than $100,000 in point fund and special award earnings, as awarded by the numerous series partners at the ceremony.

To honor Dillon’s position as the 29th ARCA Racing Series champion in 59 seasons, ARCA president Ron Drager presented the driver a letter signed by North Carolina Governor Beverly Perdue, as well as a series championship ring and a leather championship jacket featuring the series logo.

As is the custom, a video tribute featured photographs from the champion’s youth and ascent to championship status; special additions to this season’s video included special messages from Richard Childress Racing drivers Kevin Harvick and Jeff Burton, as well as a collection of footage showcasing Dillon’s use of the word “awesome” in Victory Lane interviews.

Joining Dillon on stage were his grandfather and team owner, Richard Childress, grandmother Judy Childress, and crew chief Scott “Flash” Naset, who was joined by his wife Stephanie.

“It doesn’t really hit you, how special it is to do something like this, until you’re up on the stage like this and all these people you’ve worked so hard against all year are staring up at you and you’re getting crowned the champion,” said Dillon, who finished the season with seven wins, 13 top-fives, and 16 top-10 finishes. “It hit me pretty hard, and I’m just proud to be with the group of guys I’m with. It’s almost just surreal, to finally take it in. This experience right here has changed me a lot.”

Among the top awards Dillon and his team received were: $10,000 for winning the Menards Pole Award presented by Ansell after securing seven poles in 2011; $6,000 from Sunoco Race Fuel; $5,000 for winning the Aaron’s Lap Leader of the Year Award; $5,000 from Messina Wildlife Management; $5,000 from Hoosier for most wins by a car owner; $2,500 from the University of Northwestern Ohio; and the Fast Track High Performance Driving School Award. Jeff Abbott of Menards presented Dillon a check representing his winnings from the series points fund.

Naset also visited the stage on his own to accept the Cometic Crew Chief of the Year Award.

David Ragan, a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and ARCA Racing Series race winner, served as the Guest of Honor. SPEED television analyst Phil Parsons acted as the banquet host for the third consecutive year.

Chris Buescher, who drove to second place in the final standings for Roulo Brothers Racing, received the $10,000 ARCA Rookie of the Year Award, as well as $2,500 in cash and product certificates from Print Resources and $500 from JRI. Buescher also accepted the $15,000 Hoosier Tire Superspeedway Challenge Award and the R.E. Lightning Challenge Award, among other prizes.

Buescher won three of the season’s last four races, and the team’s Russell Roulo won the Klotz Engine Mechanic of the Year Award. Gary Roulo joined Buescher on stage when he was introduced for finishing in second place.

The team left with more than $100,000 in point fund and special award earnings after a season in which Buescher drove to three wins, 14 top-fives, and 16 top-10s.

Frank Kimmel was recognized on stage for finishing third in the series standings, as well as for winning the CGS Imaging Hard Charger of the Year Award and the S&S Volvo Laps Completed Award. He was joined for a final time on stage by brother and crew chief Bill Kimmel; the two will separate for the 2012 season with Frank Kimmel moving to ThorSport Racing.

Chad McCumbee, who finished fifth in the final series standings, joined owner Jennifer Belmont on stage to accept the Bill France Four Crown Award for his combined performances at New Jersey, Michigan, Springfield, and Salem.

Fourth-place driver Grant Enfinger and owner Mike Allgaier were introduced, as were fellow pairs from the top 10 in the final standings: Tom Hessert and team owner Ken Schrader (sixth); Tim George Jr. and crew chief Gere Kennon (seventh); Chad Hackenbracht and team owner Greg Hackenbracht (eighth); Sean Corr and team owner John Corr (ninth); and Darrell Basham (10th).

The top-10 honor – Basham’s first since 1976 – turned out to be the second recognition of the night for Basham. Earlier, he was honored with his second Spirit Award, following the same honor in 2003. The Spirit Award is given to a person for dedication and support of ARCA, uplifting spirit by way of example, perseverance, and positive attitude. Despite a late 2010 garage fire that destroyed nearly all his race equipment, Basham displayed all of those characteristics in driving to his best season finish in 35 years.

Nick Ramey accepted the Crane Cams Engine Builder of the Year Award on behalf of Roush Yates Engines, and Ramey himself was presented the H.G. Adcox Sportsman of the Year Award for his consistent willingness to assist any team in the garage.

In addition to stepping to the stage with Hessert, Schrader appeared to accept the Marcum Award, annually presented to an individual or entity whose positive efforts have elevated ARCA’s motorsports stature to the benefit of all associated. Schrader is a 15-time winner in the ARCA Racing Series, and continues to promote the series today as a team owner and television broadcaster.

Cathy Venturini and Nate Thiesse, the fourth and 10th-place owners, respectively, both spoke on stage.

To complete the honoring of the top 20 drivers, James Hylton (11th), Brad Smith (12th), Levi Youster (14th), Will Kimmel (15th), and Maryeve Dufault (16th) visited the stage to receive congratulations.

Jeff Kettman accepted the Manufacturer Championship on behalf of Chevrolet.

Andy O’Neal, dean of the College of Technology of the University of Northwestern Ohio – ARCA’s Official High Performance Education University – awarded a group of ARCA scholarships on behalf of the university.

Likewise, Parsons announced the winners of the Bob Loga Memorial ARCA Scholarships. Brianna Peterson – granddaughter of ARCA competitor Wayne Peterson – won $1,500. Peterson, of Hoover, Ala., holds a 4.23 grade point average as a sophomore veterinary student at Auburn University. Brittany Gaddis of Romulus, Mich. won $500. She is the daughter of ARCA Figure 8 driver Danny Gaddis, attends Romulus High School, and plans to study nursing at Wayne State University in Detroit.

The ceremony concluded just after 10 p.m. with a special video featuring an interview with Mildred Marcum, known widely as an ARCA founder. The interview led into a short mention of ARCA’s 60th Anniversary Season and the surrounding celebrations that will occur throughout 2012. A press conference in the afternoon included major series and team announcements.

The ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards featured 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. In 2011, the series has tested the abilities of drivers and race teams over the most diverse schedule of stock car racing events in the world, 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.

The 2012 ARCA Racing Series schedule is currently available at ARCARacing.com. Testing for ARCA’s 60th Anniversary Season will begin Friday, December 16 at Daytona International Speedway. The season’s first race is scheduled for Saturday, February 18 at Daytona.

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

Andy Belmont Racing (ABR)

Kile, a Westlake, La.-native, began his career racing go-karts at local racetracks throughout his home state of Louisiana. He progressed through the Modifieds and late-models ranks, capturing numerous wins and awards along the way.

He made his NASCAR debut in 2009, driving a partial schedule in the Camping World Series for Brad Keselowski Racing. In six starts he accumulated three top-15 finishes.

Mikey Kile

“I had a good year in 2010, but I believe that we have the pieces in place to compete for the 2012 ARCA championship”, stated Kile. “Andy has done a great job in putting together a quality team and I am really looking forward to the season opener in Daytona”.

Andy Belmont Racing is coming off a strong year in 2011 winning on the dirt at Springfield, finishing fifth in ARCA points as well as capturing the prestigious Bill France 4 Crown Award. The Langhorne PA native believes that Mikey Kile may be the last piece to the championship puzzle.

“This is definitely an exciting time for ABR”, added Andy Belmont. “I have watched Mikey progress each season as a driver and am confident that we will be in the hunt all year. I am also proud that he will be driving our No.14 Ford this season. The tradition of that number goes back to my days as a Modified driver in Pennsylvania”.

- Andy Belmont Racing Press Release

ARCA's 60th Anniversary Season Logo

Officials from ARCA and SPEED jointly announced the 2012 SPEED television schedule for the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards, comprised of 10 events to be televised live or same-day delayed on the popular network. SPEED in-race analyst Phil Parsons, host for this evening’s banquet, was on hand for the announcement.

SPEED will kick off its live flag-to-flag ARCA coverage at Daytona International Speedway with the 49th running of the Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 at 4 p.m. Eastern on Saturday, February 18.

In addition to Daytona, other events scheduled for live and/or same-day coverage in 2012 include Talladega Superspeedway on May 4, Toledo Speedway on May 20, events at Pocono Raceway on June 9 and August 4, Michigan International Speedway on June 15, Iowa Speedway on July 13, Chicagoland Speedway on July 21, and the season finale at Kansas Speedway on October 19. The late July race at Lucas Oil Raceway will also be televised; series and track officials have not yet determined the race’s exact date.

ARCA’s relationship with SPEED dates back to April 20, 1997, when the network (then Speedvision) covered the ARCA race at Salem (Ind.) Speedway. Since then, SPEED has aired a total of 188 ARCA races, making the 2012 opener at Daytona the 189th.

Before the SPEED announcement, Drager opened the afternoon by providing a short “state of ARCA” address, recognizing series presenting sponsor Menards, and unveiling the logo for ARCA’s 60th Anniversary Season celebration. Drager then introduced Rick Crawford of Mobile International Speedway, which will host the ARCA Racing Series for the first time on March 10. Crawford announced that infield camping for ARCA’s first visit to Mobile has already sold out.

Also speaking was Bob Sargent of Track Enterprises; Sargent’s company will promote the June 2 race at Elko Speedway.

The press conference also served as a weekend welcome to series champion Ty Dillon, who spoke briefly after Drager.

Key series marketing partners and Menards vendor program participants Ansell, Herr’s, and Messina Wildlife Management were recognized. Several teams, including ThorSport Racing, Team BCR Racing, Andy Belmont Racing, and Venturini Motorsports, took the podium to announce new drivers and sponsors for 2012.

The ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards featured 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. In 2011, the series has tested the abilities of drivers and race teams over the most diverse schedule of stock car racing events in the world, 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.

The 2012 ARCA Racing Series schedule is currently available at ARCARacing.com.

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

Scott Naset

Naset will accept the honor Saturday evening at the series’ annual Championship Awards Banquet at the Northern Kentucky Convention Center in Covington, Ky. The banquet will close the 59th season of ARCA competition.

A native of Bloomer, Wis., the 40-year-old Naset has worked at Richard Childress Racing since 1999, notably serving as the car chief for Kevin Harvick’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series entry from 2002 to 2009 and as the truck chief for Austin Dillon’s NASCAR Camping World Truck Series entry in 2010, among other roles.

Naset finished with 6850 points in the crew chief division, which awards $3000 at year’s end and tabulates points from qualifying and race action. The crew chief of the fastest-qualifying car earns 200 points, with descending positions earning five fewer points per position. The same scoring system is in place for race finishes. Competing crew chiefs must register at the beginning of the season and carry the decal of Cometic Gasket, Inc. on the car to be eligible to score. A maximum of 400 points is possible in each event weekend.

Naset and the No. 41 team started quickly, as Dillon won the pole and finished 11th in the season opener at Daytona and swept the pole and race wins at Talladega in the next race. The team captured seven wins and seven Menards Pole Awards presented by Ansell in 19 events this year. Naset won Cometic Crew Chief of the Race honors 10 times in 19 races, earning $250 for his team’s performances at Talladega, Salem (May), Chicagoland, Michigan, Iowa, Indianapolis, Pocono (August), and DuQuoin, and in two races at Toledo.

Cometic Gasket, Inc., a Concord, Ohio company, creates the Official Gasket of the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards and also contributes $3500 to the year-end championship point fund.

Gary Roulo of the No. 17 Roulo Brothers Racing team finished second in the competition with 6485 points and four race awards. Billy Venturini (No. 25 Venturini Motorsports) was third with 6135 points and one race award. Gere Kennon (No. 31 Richard Childress Racing; 5655 points and one race award) and Bill Kimmel (No. 44 Kimmel Racing; 5650 points) rounded out the top five.

Other $250 Cometic Crew Chief of the Race winners included: John Monsam (No. 52 Schrader Racing, two) and Bill Gerhart (No. 5 Bobby Gerhart Racing).

Other Cometic Crew Chief of the Race winners included: Mike Chaffee (No. 32 Win-Tron Racing, three); Paul Andrews (No. 22 Cunningham Motorsports, two); and Tony Liberati (No. 55 Venturini Motorsports, two).

Series champion Ty Dillon, Rookie of the Year Chris Buescher, other drivers from the top 20, and the top 10 car owners will be honored in Saturday’s program, which also features special award winners.

Additional special award presentations include the Bill France Four Crown, the Rookie of the Year, the H.G. Adcox Sportsmanship Award, the Manufacturer Championship, the Hoosier Tire Superspeedway Challenge Award, the Crane Cams Engine Builder of the Year Award, the Marcum Award, the Spirit Award, the Klotz Engine Mechanic Award, and the CGS Imaging Hard Charger Award. In addition, scholarship recipients will be announced, compliments of the University of Northwestern Ohio and the Bob Loga Memorial Scholarship Foundation.

While open to teams, series and track officials, and sponsors, the annual formal gala is also open to ARCA Racing Series fans. Ticket information is available at ARCARacing.com.

The public schedule of events for Saturday, December 10 is as follows:

9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Redline Racing Ministry Silent Auction

2 p.m. ARCA Racing Series Press Conference

3 p.m. Redline Racing Ministry Live Auction

4:30 p.m. – 6 p.m. Formal Portrait Photo Session

5:15 p.m. – 6:15 p.m. Guest Reception

6:30 p.m. – 10 p.m. Awards Dinner and Program

The ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards featured 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. In 2011, the series has tested the abilities of drivers and race teams over the most diverse schedule of stock car racing events in the world, 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.

The 2012 ARCA Racing Series schedule is currently available at ARCARacing.com.

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

ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards Thumbnail

“Each of the venues on the 2012 schedule is very important to the identity and industry position of the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards,” said ARCA president Ron Drager. “The geographic coverage represented by the markets we’ll be racing in and the overall number of races are good fits for the series.”

In the ARCA Racing Series’ 49th consecutive February Speedweeks appearance, Daytona International Speedway will host the season-opening Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 on Saturday, February 18. The race will precede that evening’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Budweiser Shootout at the 2.5-mile superspeedway.

The 2012 ARCA Racing Series schedule will conclude with the series’ championship event at Kansas Speedway on Friday, October 19. In between, the series will appear in 18 other races at a wide variety of venues, setting the most versatile schedule in motorsports.

ARCA’s first visit to Mobile International Speedway in Alabama will be the season’s second race on Saturday, March 10. Another new track – Minnesota’s Elko Speedway – appears on the ARCA schedule for the first time, with a race on Saturday, June 2. The ARCA Racing Series has never raced in Minnesota, adding significance to the June visit to Elko and establishing the North Star State as the 29th visited by ARCA’s premier national tour since 1953.

Toledo Speedway – ARCA’s home track – will host the series on Sunday, May 20.

ARCA Racing Series teams will compete in July at Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis over the Brickyard 400 weekend, following ARCA’s 2011 return to the track for the first time in 26 years. The exact date of the race will be determined shortly.

Additional short tracks returning to the ARCA Racing Series schedule include Salem (Ind.) Speedway on two weekends, Winchester (Ind.) Speedway, Iowa Speedway, Berlin (Mich.) Raceway, and Madison (Wis.) International Speedway.

Talladega Superspeedway will host its 50th ARCA Racing Series race on Friday, May 4, and Pocono Raceway will host two race dates for the 25th consecutive year, in June and August. Additional speedway events scheduled to return in 2012 include races at Michigan International Speedway and Chicagoland Speedway.

Contributing to the long-recognized diversity of the ARCA schedule will be the traditional mile dirt races in August at the Illinois State Fairgrounds and in September at the DuQuoin (Ill.) State Fairgrounds. Road course racing is in the plan for the fifth consecutive year, as the 2.25-mile Thunderbolt Raceway at New Jersey Motorsports Park will host ARCA on the first day of July.

Companion events in 2012 include race weekends with the NASCAR Sprint Cup, Nationwide, and Camping World Truck Series, as well as the USAC Silver Crown Series, the ARCA CRA Super Series, and the ARCA Truck Series.

The full 2012 ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards schedule is as follows:

Saturday, February 18 – Daytona International Speedway

Saturday, March 10 – Mobile International Speedway

Sunday, April 29 – Salem Speedway

Friday, May 4 – Talladega Superspeedway

Sunday, May 20 – Toledo Speedway

Saturday, June 2 – Elko Speedway

Saturday, June 9 – Pocono Raceway

Friday, June 15 – Michigan International Speedway

Sunday, June 24 – Winchester Speedway

Sunday, July 1 – New Jersey Motorsports Park

Friday, July 13 – Iowa Speedway

Saturday, July 21 – Chicagoland Speedway

To be determined – Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis

Saturday, August 4 – Pocono Raceway

Saturday, August 11 – Berlin Raceway

Sunday, August 19 – Illinois State Fairgrounds

Sunday, August 26 – Madison International Speedway

Monday, September 3 – DuQuoin State Fairgrounds

Saturday, September 15 – Salem Speedway

Friday, October 19 – Kansas Speedway

The ARCA Racing Series will wrap up the 2011 season with the Championship Awards Banquet at the Northern Kentucky Convention Center in Covington, Ky., near Cincinnati, on Saturday, December 10.

The ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards featured 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. In 2011, the series has tested the abilities of drivers and race teams over the most diverse schedule of stock car racing events in the world, 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

ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards Thumbnail

Two events are scheduled at the demanding, high-banked 0.555-mile oval between Indianapolis and Louisville, Ky. The 91st Salem race in ARCA history will take place Sunday, April 29, with the 92nd following on Saturday, September 15.

Salem Speedway first hosted ARCA in 1955, the third season of ARCA competition.

“ARCA’s history at Salem Speedway stretches back to the MARC era and our earliest decade,” said Ron Drager, president of ARCA. “The fans in southern Indiana and northern Kentucky turn out with great support year after year. We look forward to providing them with the traditional Sunday afternoon show in the spring and our classic Saturday night race in the fall.”

Indiana native Frank Kimmel is the all-time leading winner at Salem, with nine victories. Jack Bowsher is second in history with seven wins. Brennan Poole won at Salem in his first career start in May, and Chris Buescher won in September as part of his charge to the 2011 ARCA Racing Series Rookie of the Year Award.

“We are once again honored to have Salem Speedway represented with two dates on the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards schedule,” said Salem Speedway general manager Richard Deaton. “ARCA has played a very prominent role in the storied history of the famed high banks and we are excited to carry on that tradition in 2012.”

More detailed schedule information for the season will be available shortly. The following race dates for the 2012 ARCA Racing Series schedule have been announced:

February 18 – Daytona International Speedway

March 10 – Mobile International Speedway

April 29 – Salem Speedway

May 4 – Talladega Superspeedway

June 9 – Pocono Raceway

June 15 – Michigan International Speedway

June 24 – Winchester Speedway

July 1 – New Jersey Motorsports Park

July 13 – Iowa Speedway

July 21 – Chicagoland Speedway

August 4 – Pocono Raceway

August 11 – Berlin Raceway

August 19 – Illinois State Fairgrounds

August 26 – Madison International Speedway

September 3 – DuQuoin State Fairgrounds

September 15 – Salem Speedway

October 19 – Kansas Speedway

The ARCA Racing Series will wrap up the 2011 season with the Championship Awards Banquet at the Northern Kentucky Convention Center in Covington, Ky., near Cincinnati, on Saturday, December 10.

The ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards featured 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. In 2011, the series has tested the abilities of drivers and race teams over the most diverse schedule of stock car racing events in the world, 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

ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards Thumbnail

Adding to 11 races previously announced for next year’s schedule, ARCA officials released four more event dates as the unveiling of 2012′s entire race slate approaches.

The series will return to Winchester Speedway, the “World’s Fastest Half-Mile,” on Sunday, June 24. The race will be the 22nd for ARCA at the track 75 miles northeast of Indianapolis; the first ARCA race at Winchester took place in 1957, just the fifth season of ARCA competition. Dakoda Armstrong lifted Cunningham Motorsports to victory at Winchester in June.

“Winchester is exactly the type of Midwestern facility where the ARCA brand is well-known and has the chance to be successful,” said ARCA president Ron Drager. “Winchester is big enough and fast enough to play to the very nature of our cars.”

ARCA will make its seventh visit to the 0.875-mile Iowa Speedway on Friday, July 13 – one day before a NASCAR Camping World Truck Series at the track. Ty Dillon and Richard Childress Racing earned a dominating win at Iowa in July on his way to the 2011 series championship.

“Racing at Iowa Speedway is important from a market and venue perspective, as we reach a number of fans from several major areas there,” Drager said. “Being as recently built as it is, Iowa Speedway is one of those tracks that has the luxury of incorporating so many amenities – sightlines and facilities among them – to be fan-friendly and competitor-friendly. Iowa Speedway fans have strongly supported ARCA.”

The 25th appearance for the ARCA Racing Series at Berlin Raceway will occur on Saturday, August 11. The 0.4375-mile oval near Grand Rapids, Mich. hosted ARCA for the first time in 1958, and Matt Merrell won this July to take his first victory with Win-Tron Racing.

“Berlin Raceway is unlike any of the short tracks we go to in terms of its unique layout and pit road,” said Drager. “It’s been a staple of the tour for a number of years, and it seems that everyone from local guys like 2002 winner Fred Campbell to multi-time champions like three-time winner Frank Kimmel has a chance to be successful.”

Madison International Speedway will host ARCA for the second consecutive year and the fifth time since 1970 on Sunday, August 26. Alex Bowman drove Venturini Motorsports to the winner’s circle on the half-mile this season. The race is the year’s only event in Wisconsin, home to series presenting sponsor Menards. After taking place as a one-day Friday event in 2011, on-track activities will spread over two days – a Saturday and Sunday combination.

“The state of Wisconsin is renowned for the quality of its racing – teams and facilities – so it’s an important state from that perspective,” said Drager. “In addition, Wisconsin race fans are well-educated about the sport, and Terry Kunes and his staff at Madison provide a great venue at which our series can perform and compete.

“We consider every one of these race tracks important challenges to our racers, and there is a true advantage to racing within the Menards footprint. As Menards continues as our highest-profile marketing partner, racing in these Midwestern and Central states takes on added significance.”

More detailed schedule information for the season will be available shortly. The following race dates for the 2012 ARCA Racing Series schedule have been announced:

February 18 – Daytona International Speedway

March 10 – Mobile International Speedway

May 4 – Talladega Superspeedway

June 9 – Pocono Raceway

June 15 – Michigan International Speedway

June 24 – Winchester Speedway

July 1 – New Jersey Motorsports Park

July 13 – Iowa Speedway

July 21 – Chicagoland Speedway

August 4 – Pocono Raceway

August 11 – Berlin Raceway

August 19 – Illinois State Fairgrounds

August 26 – Madison International Speedway

September 3 – DuQuoin State Fairgrounds

October 19 – Kansas Speedway

The ARCA Racing Series will wrap up the 2011 season with the Championship Awards Banquet at the Northern Kentucky Convention Center in Covington, Ky., near Cincinnati, on Saturday, December 10.

The ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards featured 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. In 2011, the series has tested the abilities of drivers and race teams over the most diverse schedule of stock car racing events in the world, 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

No. 88 Menards / Tarkett Chevrolet Silverado

Hoping to end the season on a high note, Crafton took the green flag from the 11th position after rain canceled qualifying. He fought his way through the pack into the top five by the time the competition yellow waved on lap 20. Relaying to crew chief Bud Haefele that the No. 88 was bouncing off the splitter, he brought his truck down pit road for four tires, fuel and an air-pressure adjustment.

Crafton took the green flag from the eighth spot after a quick stop, and muscled back into the top five once more. However, the Menards/Tarkett Silverado was now snapping loose center off, causing him to lose track position. A caution on lap 31 gave Crafton the opportunity to bring his truck down pit road, and the team adjusted the front springs and topped the No. 88 off with fuel. Making a second stop under yellow to further top-off on fuel in the event of a long green-flag run, Crafton returned to the track 27th for the restart.

As expected, a long green-flag run followed, but the adjustments to the truck only hurt its handling. Crafton said that his truck was “wrecking loose,” claiming it was a 15 out of 10 loose. With enough fuel to run a little longer than his competitors, Crafton led two laps as green-flag pit stops cycled through before bringing his truck down pit road for four tires, fuel, a wedge adjustment and an air-pressure adjustment on lap 76.

Crafton was 14th when the next yellow flag waved on lap 98, and the driver was baffled by how incredibly loose his truck was. The team took one final swing at the truck under caution, providing Crafton with four tires, fuel and another wedge adjustment. Unfortunately, another truck bumped Crafton while exiting the pits, so Crafton made a second stop to pull out the left-rear fender to ensure it wouldn’t cause a tire rub. When the field went green on lap 101, Crafton restarted in 21st. Although Crafton’s laps were now as fast as the leaders, he was only able to improve to 19th before rain began to fall, bringing out the yellow flag, followed by the red flag. With no end to the rain in sight, the race was called, ultimately scoring Crafton in 19th.

Matt Crafton

Crafton finishes the season eighth in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series point standings after leading the championship standings for three weeks (after races two, three and six). Crafton ultimately scored one win (Iowa Speedway), two pole awards (Michigan International Speedway and Martinsville Speedway II), five top-five and 13 top-10 finishes. He led 90 laps , had an average start of 9.8 and an average finish of 13.0.

Race Recap:

Date: November 18, 2011

Track: Homestead-Miami Speedway

Race: 25 of 25

Started: 11th

Finished: 19th

Driver’s Point Standings: 8th

- ThorSport Racing Press Release