The Cherry Hill, NJ native looked strong in Thursday’s rain plagued practice posting 13th and 11th, respectively, on the speed charts in two of three weather segmented sessions. The Cherry Hill Classic Cars team opted not to make a run during the third half-hour segment on Thursday, instead choosing to focus on qualifying efforts before the 150-mile event. With one previous start on the 1.5-mile tri-oval in 2008 and a strong showing of fifth fastest overall at the Chicago test earlier this month, Hessert was confident and ready for Friday’s qualifying.

With clouds still in the sky and rain early Friday morning, final practice would be cancelled. However, by the time midday qualifying rolled around the rain had finally cleared out. Going out last of the competitors, Hessert made a fast lap of 172.977 mph (31.218 seconds), good enough for a starting spot of 14th just inside the top-15.

Weather troubles behind them, the 23-year-old Hessert and the Classic Cars team were looking forward to 100 laps of action-packed side-by-side racing. When the green flag flew at the start of the race, Hessert and the blue and white Classic Cars Ford would only get a few laps of racing in before trouble began. By lap four, Hessert had radioed a problem to Crew Chief Keith Hinkein. Hessert brought the No. 20 Classic Cars Ford down pit road where the pit crew worked hard to identify the problem.

Hessert reported that he could not get any speed down the straight-aways and he did not hear any differences in the motor. Each trip down pit road under caution the Classic Cars crew worked to change two spark plugs before sending Hessert back out. Hessert was able to run in the top 15 to 20 the entire race until a caution with 15 laps to go caught the No. 20 Class Cars Ford on pit road, forcing them to go a lap down.

After successful testing and practice at the Chicago track, the No. 20 Classic Cars team would not be in contention for the win at the end, coming home 24th, three laps down to race winner Justin Lofton. When the race ended the No. 20 Cherry Hill Classic Cars team finally got a chance to look underneath the hood where they found out the source of their problems was a cracked header.

With 15 events completed on the ARCA RE/MAX schedule, Hessert remains 9th in the driver standings with 2985 points; 190 markers behind 8th place Steve Arpin.

“I knew there was a problem as soon as the race started,” Hessert said. “All through practice we had a really good car and I was excited for the race. We qualified okay, not great, 14th wasn’t too bad. But once the race started and we figured out there was a problem we knew why we hadn’t qualified as well as we expected. The guys worked really hard, changing spark plugs trying to determine the problem throughout the race. We usually have a top-10 car so it was just a frustrating day for everyone.”

Next up for the No. 20 Classic Cars team is the ARCA RE/MAX 200 by Federated & Belle Tire at Toledo Speedway. Hessert, who is happy to make his way to the 0.5-mile Ohio short track after two less than stellar weeks in Illinois, has three previous starts on the Buckeye State track with three top-10 finishes, including two in the top-five and his best finish of third coming earlier this season.

“Toledo is one of my better tracks,” Hessert said. “I’ve always done well there in the past. Initially I wasn’t sure about short track racing there in a stock car, but the track has definitely grown on me. I raced there in midgets and sprint cars before ARCA so it’s always nice going back to a track you know and have raced well at. I’m looking forward to running there for the first time with RAB Racing this week.”

Catch all the action live from Toledo Speedway on Friday, September 4th at www.arcaracing.com via live timing and scoring section.

- RAB Racing with Ken Schrader Racing

Hessert’s hard-charging efforts allowed the No. 09 team to gain on 8th place Patrick Sheltra in the season-long championship point standings. The 23-year-old now sits just 35 markers behind 8th place with 2520 points.

Heavy showers over the Pocono’s region halted Friday’s ARCA RE/MAX Series Menards Pole Qualifying. The starting grid for Saturday’s 80-lap shootout would be set based on current car owner points and the No. 09 Cherry Hill Classic Cars Ford would start 28th.

Rolling off the starting grid on the outside of row 14 the Cherry Hill, NJ native wasted no time making a charge to the front of the field. However, on lap 18 the yellow flag would be displayed and crew chief Keith Hinkein would put his pit strategy into full swing and bring the blue and white machine down pit road with just one other car, Frank Kimmel, for four fresh Hoosier tires and fuel. The No. 09 machine would restart 21st.

A long green flag run would come into effect as Hessert worked his way through the 43-car field. Lead-lap cars began to pit for fuel and the Cherry Hill Classic Cars team would be able to stay out due to pitting on lap 18. When the afternoon’s second caution flag was displayed at lap 39 Hessert would be scored in the top-10.

Hinkein would bring the No. 09 machine down pit road for the final stop of the afternoon. Four tires, fuel, an air pressure and trackbar adjustment were in order. Hessert would return to the 2.5-mile triangle 10th.

Hessert would make a final charge forward before settling in for his career best finish of sixth following a green-white-checker finish at Pocono Raceway. Justin Lofton would go on to earn his second consecutive ARCA RE/MAX Series victory.

“Sixth was a great finish for the Cherry Hill Classic Cars team,” stated Hessert. “In my first three ARCA RE/MAX Series starts at Pocono I have never had a top-30. It was a great confidence builder for me and proves what a great team I have behind me.”

“The team did a great job all weekend after starting 28th”, continued Hessert. “Excellent pit strategy got us track position, but the car was just spot on all day.”

Next up for the No. 09 Cherry Hill Classic Cars team is the Allen Crowe 100 at Illinois State Fairgrounds on August 23rd. Hessert hopes to improve on his seventh place finish from 2008 at the 1-mile clay oval.

“Next up is Springfield and I can’t wait to get back on the dirt”, said Hessert. “I had a solid finish there last year and I can’t wait to get back, have some fun and bring home a solid finish for everyone at RAB Racing.”

For more information on RAB Racing please visit: www.teamrab.com

For more information on Tom Hessert please visit: www.tomhessert.com

For more information on Cherry Hill Classic Cars please visit: www.cherryhillclassiccars.com

- RAB Racing with Brack Maggard Racing Press Release

No. 09 Zaxbys Ford Fusion

Event: U.S. Cellular 250 presented by Northland Oil and TMC Trucking

Date/Time: Saturday, August 1st/4:30 p.m. ET

TV: ESPN, 4:00 p.m. ET

Radio: MRN, 4:30 p.m. ET

Distance: 250 laps/218.75-miles

Track: 0.875-mile tri-oval

Fast & Fun Facts:

· The NASCAR Nationwide Series will make its debut at Iowa Speedway this weekend. The .875-mile tri-oval opened in September 2006.

· This is the third of four “Dash 4 Cash” races that Nationwide Insurance sponsors. The bonus is up to $75,000 at Iowa for a series-only regular, partial or limited schedule NNS driver or full-time double-duty driver.

· Townley took some time following ORP last weekend to vacation with his family in the Bahamas.

· Keeton Hanks will pilot the No. 09 Zaxby’s Ford in Sunday’s Nashville Music City 200 ASA Late Model Series Challenge event.

This Week’s No. 09 Zaxby’s Ford: Townley will pilot chassis No. 027 in this weekend’s event at Iowa Speedway. This chassis was built new for the 2009 season and was last seen at Kentucky Speedway in June where the Raybestos Rookie contender started the 300-mile event 14th and due to a mid-race accident brought home a 32nd place finish in the Meijer 300.

John Wes Townley at Iowa: Townley has one prior start at Iowa Speedway. The 19-year-old rookie started fifth and finished 12th in the ARCA RE/MAX Series Prairie Meadows 250 on April 19th, 2008.

Testing, One, Two, Three Testing: Due to the track being so new to members of the NNS garage, NASCAR is holding a test session on Thursday, July 30th prior to race weekend activities for all teams from 12:30-6:30 p.m. Central. Although, Townley will be participating in the test, David Green will jump in the seat as well to further help Townley on and off the track.

Season Review: After 20 of the scheduled 35 events on the 2009 NASCAR Nationwide Series Schedule, Townley has three top-20 and seven top-25 finishes.

Last Time Around-ORP: Townley attempted to make his debut at the .686-mile short track last weekend. However, his lap of 30.07 seconds was not good enough to lock the No. 09 Zaxby’s Ford into the 43-car field. Townley was one of five other drivers that failed to qualify for the Kroger 200 benefiting Riley Hospital for Children. This was the fourth race in 2009 that John Wes Townley and RAB Racing missed.

Points Check: John Wes Townley currently sits 29th in the 2009 NASCAR Nationwide Series Driver point standings. Owner, Jay Robinson dropped one spot to 35th in the 2009 championship owner’s standings following the events at ORP. The No. 09 entry currently has 1233 points; 316 points outside the top-30.

Rookie Race: Townley remains 6th in the 2009 Raybestos Rookie of the Year standings with 102 points.

We Are Guessing He Signs His Name Fast Too: Townley will join fellow Nationwide Series drivers for an autograph session on Saturday, August 1st from 10:00-11:00 a.m. Central under the Manatt Grandstands (north end of the concourse).

Said In At The Glen: RAB Racing announced Monday that road course specialist, Boris Said will pilot the No. 09 Zaxby’s Ford Fusion in the upcoming Zippo 200 at Watkins Glen International on August 8th. Said, who has six NASCAR Nationwide Series starts at The Glen including one top-5, two top-10’s and one pole to his credit will be making his debut for RAB Racing at the 2.45-mile road course filling in for rookie John Wes Townley.

A Proven Champion: David Green, the 1994 NASCAR Nationwide Series Champion has been working with John Wes since Dover (May, 2009) as his driver coach and spotter. Green has worked with other rookie drivers such as Stephen Leicht and Landon Cassill.

And The Voting Begins: You can now log onto www.teamrab.com and vote for your favorite NASCAR Nationwide Series driver. Only one vote per day but you are encouraged to vote throughout the remainder of the season. Results of the voting will be announced at the awards banquet at the end of the year.

News from the ARCA RE/MAX Series Garage: Tom Hessert fought an ill-handling race car for most of the Wolverine Power Systems 200 but perseverance to get the car right paid off with a 10th-place finish for the No. 09 Cherry Hill Classic Cars team at Berlin Raceway on Saturday.

The “never give-up” attitude allowed Hessert and Company to maintain their 9th-place spot in the ARCA RE/MAX Series Championship point Standings, just 60 points behind 8th place Patrick Sheltra.

John Wes Townley

Do you feel like you have an advantage against some of the other series competitors in regards to having a prior start here at Iowa?

“Well I certainly feel like we are a step ahead of the game by having a prior start at Iowa, but with the six hour test session that NASCAR is giving all the teams on Thursday I think it will put most everyone on an even playing field. The entry list is extensive with 50 cars expected this weekend so we will have to be on our A-game. I have no doubt in my mind we can get the monkey off our backs from ORP and qualify well and bring home a solid finish this weekend.”

- RAB Racing Press Release

No. 09 Zaxbys Ford Fusion

Event: Kroger 200 benefiting Riley Hospital for Children

Date/Time: Saturday, July 25th/8:00 p.m. ET

TV: ESPN, 7:30 p.m. ET

Radio: MRN, 7:30 p.m. ET

Distance: 200 laps/137.2 miles

Track: 0.686-mile oval

2008 Winner: Kyle Busch

Fast & Fun Facts:

· John Wes Townley will be making his debut at O’Reilly Raceway Park this weekend in the Kroger 200 benefiting Riley Hospital for Children.

· David Green, Townley’s driver coach and spotter currently holds the NASCAR Nationwide Series qualifying record at ORP (113.461 mph, 1994).

· Keeton Hanks finished 2nd in the No. 09 Zaxby’s Late Model in Saturday’s nights Georgia Asphalt Series race in Cordele, GA.

This Week’s No. 09 Zaxby’s Ford: Townley will pilot chassis No. 025 in this weekend’s event at ORP. This is a previous Roush Fenway Racing chassis and was last seen at Gateway Int’l Raceway where the Watkinsville, GA native brought home his seventh top-25 finish; finishing 21st in the Missouri-Illinois Dodge Dealers 250.

Moving Forward: Townley tied for his best finish in eight starts last weekend at Gateway; finishing 21st. The Raybestos Rookie contender also took the checkered flag for the fourth consecutive week in last weekend’s Missouri-Illinois Dodge Dealers 250 at Gateway; Townley has seven DNF’s to his credit in 2009.

Season Review: After 19 of the scheduled 35 events on the 2009 NASCAR Nationwide Series schedule, Townley has three top-20 and seven top-25 finishes. The 19-year-old rookie has an average starting position of 25.31 and average finish of 28.81 and has completed 75.22% of all laps attempted (2337 out of 3107).

Last Time Around-Gateway: Despite setbacks including a wreck on lap 74 and a broken sway bar link, John Wes Townley held on for a 21st place finish in the Missouri-Illinois Dodge Dealers 250 last weekend at Gateway Int’l Raceway.

Points Check: Due to Townley’s top-25 efforts at Gateway the Raybestos Rookie gained two spots from 27th 25th in the 2009 driver point standings. Jay Robinson, owner of the No. 09 Zaxby’s Ford remains 34th in the season long championship point standings with 1,211 points; 271 points outside the top-30.

Rookie Race: Townley remains 6th in the 2009 Raybestos Rookie of the Year standings with 101 points.

Said In At The Glen: RAB Racing announced Monday that road course specialist, Boris Said will pilot the No. 09 Zaxby’s Ford Fusion in the upcoming Zippo 200 at Watkins Glen International on August 8th. Said, who has six NASCAR Nationwide Series starts at The Glen including one top-5, two top-10’s and one pole to his credit will be making his debut for RAB Racing at the 2.45-mile road course filling in for rookie John Wes Townley.

Testing One, Two, Three Testing: John Wes Townley turned laps in a passenger vehicle with Boris Said on Tuesday morning at Road Atlanta. Townley has one start at a road course to his resume; finishing 18th in the ARCA RE/MAX Series Loud Energy Drink 250 at New Jersey Motorsports Park in 2008.

A Proven Champion: David Green, the 1994 NASCAR Nationwide Series Champion has been working with John Wes since Dover (May, 2009) as his driver coach and spotter. Green has worked with other rookie drivers such as Stephen Leicht and Landon Cassill.

And The Voting Begins: You can now log onto www.nascar.com and vote for your favorite NASCAR Nationwide Series driver. Only one vote per day but you are encouraged to vote throughout the remainder of the season. Results of the voting will be announced at the awards banquet at the end of the year.

News from the ARCA RE/MAX Series Garage: ARCA RE/MAX Series driver Tom Hessert III brought the No. 09 Cherry Hill Classic Cars Ford home with a 10th place finish after Saturday night’s Click It or Ticket Buckle-Up Kentucky 150 at Kentucky Speedway. Hessert, who ran in the top-five for much of the night, restarted 12th following the evening’s final caution before battling for his first top-10 finish with RAB Racing.

John Wes Townley

You have never been to ORP, what have you been doing to prepare yourself for the short track?

“Brad (Parrott) gave me an in-car camera video from last year when he was at ORP with Bryan Clauson so I have been watching that. David Green will take me around the track when we get to the track on Friday and I also plan to stay Friday night and watch the truck race. The ban on testing sure makes it hard for rookies like myself that have never been to these tracks, but between the two practice sessions we have on Friday and the great Zaxby’s team I have beside me I know that we can qualify well and bring the Zaxby’s Ford home with a good finish and continue our march forward.”

- RAB Racing Press Release

No. 09 Zaxbys Ford Fusion

Event: Missouri-Illinois Dodge Dealers 250

Date/Time: Saturday, July 18th/9:30 p.m. ET

TV: ESPN2, 9:00 p.m. ET

Radio: MRN and Sirius, 9:00 p.m. ET

Distance: 200 Laps/250 Miles

Track: 1.25-mile Oval

2008 Winner: Carl Edwards

Fast & Fun Facts:

· John Wes Townley will be making his debut at Gateway International Raceway this weekend in the Missouri-Illinois Dodge Dealers 250.

· Ashley Parlett, the chassis/brake specialist on the No.09 Zaxby’s Ford has been selected as one of NASCAR’s 50 most beautiful people.

RAB Racing at Gateway: In just two starts at the 1.25-mile oval, RAB Racing has one top-10 finish (8th, Justin Marks, 2007) in the ARCA RE/MAX Series Gateway ARCA 150.

This Week’s No. 09 Zaxby’s Ford: Townley will pilot chassis No. 025 in this weekend’s event at GIR. This is a previous Roush Fenway Racing chassis and was last seen at New Hampshire Motor Speedway where the Watkinsville, GA native finished 28th.

After 18: After 18 of the scheduled 35 events on the 2009 NASCAR Nationwide Series schedule, Townley has three top-20 and six top-25 finishes. The 19-year-old rookie has an average starting position of 25.33 an average finish of 29.06 and has completed 73.61% of all laps attempted (2140 out of 2907).

Last Time Around-Chicagoland: A sound pit strategy and patience were key components to John Wes Townley’s 21st place finish in the Dollar General 300 presented by Coca-Cola at Chicagoland Speedway.

Points Check: Due to Townley’s efforts at Chicagoland Speedway the Raybestos Rookie contender sits 27th in the 2009 Driver Point standings; up two markers from Daytona. Jay Robinson, owner of the No. 09 Zaxby’s Ford advanced one position from 35th to 34th in the season long championship point standings with 1,111 points; 286 points outside the top-30.

Rookie Race: Townley remains 6th in the 2009 Raybestos Rookie of the Year standings with 93 points.

A Proven Champion:David Green, the 1994 NASCAR Nationwide Series Champion has been working with John Wes since Dover (May, 2009) as his driver coach and spotter. Green has worked with other rookie drivers such as Stephen Leicht and Landon Cassill.

Calling All Press:

· John Wes Townley will participate in the “Up and Comer’s” press conference at Gateway International Raceway on Friday, July 17th at 3:15 p.m. Central Time.

· Townley will also take part in the annual balloon toss on Saturday, July 18th at 1:45 p.m. CT. Each driver that participates will be paired up with a member of the media for a little “summer fun”.

We’re Guessing He Signs His Name Fast Too: Townley will join fellow NASCAR Nationwide Series drivers in an annual autograph session on pit road from 4:30-5:30 p.m. Central on Friday, July 17th.

And The Voting Begins: You can now log onto www.nascar.com and vote for your favorite NASCAR Nationwide Series driver. Only one vote per day but you are encouraged to vote throughout the remainder of the season. Results of the voting will be announced at the awards banquet at the end of the year.

News from the ARCA RE/MAX Series Garage: Tom Hessert made his debut in the No.09 Cherry Hill Classic Cars Ford Fusion for RAB Racing at Iowa Speedway on Saturday, July 18th. After leading 11 laps the 23-year-old NJ native cut a tire on lap 134 of 200 and was unable to get back out. Hessert would be scored 29th 66 laps down to race winner Parker Klingerman.

John Wes Townley

You have never been to Gateway International Raceway. How have you prepared yourself for this weekend?

“I was in the shop two days this week working with all the guys. Brad (Parrott) has given me video of past races at Gateway so I have been studying those. David (Green) was in the shop Tuesday teaching me everything he could. He explained that Gateway is a non-traditional track with different banking and different shape in both turns; it’s more or less a speedway with a short-track feel. Just having knowledge of the track and knowing what to expect before I get out there will be beneficial. I will take it easy at the beginning of the practice on Friday and work my way up to 100 percent before we go full throttle. I know that no matter what I will have a great car and we will do our best to get a good starting spot and finish this weekend.”

- RAB Racing with Brack Maggard Press Release

RAB Racing with Brack Maggard Logo

“I am very excited about the opportunity to drive for RAB Racing,” stated Hessert. “The reputation and dedication to excellence that this team has is something that I look forward to becoming a part of. Just spending some time at the shop over the last two weeks and watching the team prepare the cars that I’m going to drive makes me very confident before I even hit the track.”

Hessert, a veteran of the USAR Racing Series, USAC Sprints and USAC Midgets completed his first full season of ARCA RE/MAX Series racing in 2008; finishing eighth in the overall driver point standings. The 23-year-old Cherry Hill, NJ native has competed in each of the first nine ARCA RE/MAX Series events of 2009 and currently sits ninth in the driver point standings with one top-5 and three top-10 finishes.

“Currently I sit 9th in the series standings, 495 points outside the lead but it is not impossible,” continued Hessert. “We are going to fight hard to make up as much ground as we can. It is a realistic goal to get back into the top five before the end of the season, and my main focus will be on winning a race or two before the end of the 09’ season.”

Before heading to the Hawkeye State for the Prairie Meadows 200, Hessert and his No. 09 team are taking part in the open ARCA test at Kentucky Speedway today in preparation for the July 18th Click It Or Ticket Buckle-Up Kentucky 150.

“I feel like this Kentucky test is a great opportunity for the program to show how competitive we can be,” said Tom. As a team we are looking for competitive finishes right out of the box.”

On track activity at Kentucky Speedway is scheduled from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. local time today.

The Prairie Meadows 200 from Iowa Speedway is the 10th of 21 events on the 2009 ARCA RE/MAX Series schedule. Hessert finished 11th at the .875-mile oval in 2008.

For more information on RAB Racing please visit: www.teamrab.com

For more information on Tom Hessert please visit: www.tomhessert.com

For more information on Cherry Hill Classic Cars please visit: www.cherryhillclassiccars.com

- RAB Racing Press Release