Saturday

Second in Texas ARCA Test Just Fine with Brandon McReynolds

“Youngster Still Looking for Sponsorship Help to Run Event with Eddie Sharp Racing in April”

Brandon McReynolds

McReynolds was the second-quickest of the 21 cars in attendance at the ARCA Racing Series open test session. McReynolds’ time of 29.071 seconds (185.752 mph) was less than 0.04 of a second off the fastest time turned in during the one-day test.

“I didn’t know what to expect when I pulled out onto the track for the first time,” said McReynolds, who has been to the track before as a spectator, but never driven on the ultra-fast speedway in Fort Worth. “But right away, the car was fast. We were on top of the charts after the early runs, then got pushed down the list as cars were bolting on new tires. When we put on new tires, we got right back up there on top of the list.

“At the end of the day, we were second fastest on the speed charts. I really think we were the best on old tires as well, which is where we wanted to be. So overall, I think it was a very productive day.”

McReynolds is hoping to find sponsorship that will allow him to compete in the Rattlesnake 150 on April 16th at Texas Motor Speedway with Eddie Sharp Racing. The Friday event is scheduled to follow both NASCAR Sprint Cup and Nationwide Series practice as well as Sprint Cup qualifying, which will bring a potential sponsor added attention. In addition to the live audience at the track, the race will be aired on SPEED TV as well.

“We are working a lot of angles and trying to put something together,” said Larry McReynolds, Brandon’s father. “There is a lot of interest out there, but putting everything together is the hardest part. We’re working on giving a potential sponsor not just their name on a racecar, but a competitive package with a championship-winning team. And after Brandon’s test at Texas, I think we are on our way to that. I’m really proud of what Brandon did down there never turning a lap on that track before. It was quite different from his ARCA test at Daytona and he adapted to it rather well.”

Larry joined son Brandon at the test, which helped Brandon get a feel for the track a little faster than most.

“Obviously, with Dad over here, it is amazing the things he can tell you even though he didn’t drive the race car; he really knows what he’s doing,” added Brandon. “There were a lot of good cars down here; a lot of cars that had some sort of Cup affiliation. The RCR guys had Scott Wimmer at the track helping one of their drivers and that turned out to be a lot of help to me too. I watched Scott closely and learned from what he was doing.

“I came out of there with a new respect for Texas. That place is really fast. I thought Daytona was wicked, but this place is just unreal. I thought coming into it that you would use more throttle than you did, but you have to let out and get the car set. It was a lot of fun and I learned a lot.

“If we get the chance to come back for the race, I think we will be a favorite to run up front.”

Brandon is coming off the most successful season in his young racing career. Brandon piloted his #28 Team McReynolds Dodge to three wins and three poles in 16 UARA-Stars Series starts, coming home third in the final point standings. He also had seven top-five finishes and 10 top-10 finishes along the way. In addition to his UARA accomplishments, McReynolds finished second in the annual Bailey’s 300 at Martinsville Speedway in early October.

Team McReynolds hopes to move to the ARCA Racing Series, NASCAR K&N Pro Series or USA Racing Pro Cup Series for the 2010 season, along with continuing to run a handful of UARA events. Brandon also has it on his schedule to compete in a 250 lap NASCAR Late Model event at Southside Speedway in VA. This race is sponsored by NASCAR Sprint Cup driver Denny Hamlin and will run on the Thursday night prior to the Sprint Cup Weekend at the Richmond International Raceway in late April.

The biggest challenge to accomplish any of this is to secure sponsorship. With the package of a talented young driver, a championship caliber race team and the likes of Larry McReynolds, any company would benefit in a relationship with Team McReynolds to help promote their product or company. Please contact the shop office at 704-799-9170 to discuss the opportunities available.

As always, check out Brandon McReynolds’ official website, www.brandonmcreynolds.com, for all the most recent news and information on Brandon and the entire team.

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