No. 44 Ansell / Menards Ford Fusion

This will be the second race in 2011 at Pocono Raceway for the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards. In June, Frank Kimmel qualified the Ansell-Menards Ford in the 3rd position for the Pocono ARCA 200 and ran most of the race in the top-five. Unfortunately, after a caution due to fog, one side of Frank’s window net came unfastened. He was forced to pit under green where he lost five positions on the track. Kimmel was only able to make up one position before the race was called due to fog which resulted in finishing eighth.

Last weekend, Kimmel qualified 10th for the Ansell Protective Gloves 200 at Lucas Oil Raceway in Indianapolis but had to start dead last after being involved in a practice incident. He finished 12th and is currently 2nd in the overall points standings for the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards.

This will also be Frank Kimmel’s 38th career start at Pocono Raceway for the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards. In 2010, Frank won the Menards Pole and lead four laps before finishing 7th. Frank’s hoping to make the most of this by picking up his first win of the season and fourth all-time at the Tricky Triangle.

Frank Kimmel

“I’m looking forward to this weekend. We had a rough outing at Lucas Oil Raceway, so I’m ready to make up for that. We had a fast Ansell-Menards Ford at Pocono in June and I think we’ll be a little better this weekend,” said Frank Kimmel.

This Saturday Frank Kimmel will attempt to tame the Tricky Triangle in Long Pond, Pennsylvania at the Pennsylvania ARCA 125 for the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards. Frank Kimmel currently ranks fourth in all-time career wins at Pocono Raceway for the ARCA Racing Series, and with any luck he will add one more to his name on August 6th.

Watch for Frank Kimmel as he goes for his fourth win at Pocono Raceway driving the No. 44 Ansell-Menards Ford on August 6th in the Pennsylvania ARCA 125 in the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards. Also, be sure to visit a Menards location to purchase your next pair of Ansell Gloves. More information can be found at www.frankkimmel.com, www.ansellracingus.com, www.menardsracing.com, and www.arcaracing.com.

Empire Racing LLC

Corr, the aspiring driver for Empire Racing plowed his way down the interstate Saturday night as the driver of the team’s 18-wheeler transporter arriving in the Sunshine State in the wee hours of early Sunday morning, officially become the first team to enter the track grounds for the first official test of the new year.

Corr will admit he’s not your average race car driver. Don’t let this humdrum New Yorker fool you though; he’s all about business when it comes to his duties behind the wheel of the No. 82 Empire Racing LLC Ford Fusion.

But, when the opportunity arises to sink in and get dirty or pull an all-nighter and drive to a test in hopes of potentially winning the biggest race of his racing career, look for Corr to strike his way through the crowd and flock to the front of the line.

Sean Corr

The Goshen, New York native whose been hopscotching from The Empire State to Race City USA, otherwise known as Mooresville, North Carolina during much of the winter is fired up for this week’s three-day test for more reasons than he can count. A new year, some fresh faces, a desirable attitude and an ever-growing outlook has this avid dirt driver ready to make his presence well known on the asphalt.

“I’m ready for Daytona, even though it’s just a test,” noted Corr, who intends to run the full ARCA Racing Series schedule this year. “The desire and “want” from this Empire Racing team is like a disease. A favorable one. We want it and we’re going for it. I have a good feeling about the car we’re bringing to the track and hope we can unload in a zone that we’re comfortable with and just improve as the week progresses.”

The Empire Racing team-led by new crew chief and former ARCA racer Richard Johns will bring a new Ford Fusion with Roush Yates horsepower to the “World Center of Speed” after losing last year’s Daytona automobile in a multi-car incident at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway.

“I hate to lose a car the way we did,” recalled Corr. “We were running comfortably in the top-seven and the big one unleashed with nowhere for us to go. It happens. It stinks, but it’s just part of the game. We’ve been working hard though on making sure that this car is as strong or even stronger than the one we had last February.

It was though on February 6, 2010, Corr gave an intuition of his ability to draft with the best of the best in the ARCA Racing Series. After being knocked sideways and cutting down a tire in the late stages of the Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200, Corr was able to wrestle his wounded but still strong blue oval from the back to a respectable 14th place finish after starting 26th.

“We worked that day as a team. We came from the back to the front and vice-versa all race long. I learned a lot and no doubt the experience will help me next month. Though, we’re talking about a whole new game with the track being re-paved. The track will be so smooth; your 3400-pound stock car will feel like a Cadillac. Nonetheless, our intentions are to go have a strong test and come back and have an even worthier performance in the race.”

Former Empire Racing crew chief John Bellesfield who will take the reins as team manager for the Mooresville, North Carolina-based operation this year is extremely optimistic about the approaching test.

“We’ve put a lot of endless man hours into putting this car together,” explained Bellesfield. “I think we’re going to have a real slick piece for the test and the race. The team is excited to see Sean so enthusiastic about getting behind the wheel. That energy from the driver only gives us, the team the motivation to give him nothing but the best.”

Following the test scheduled for this Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, Empire Racing will trek back to North Carolina and begin their final check-in list for the running of the Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 set for Saturday, February 12, 2011 live on SPEED.

The team still enters the 58th year of ARCA competition without the foundation of a primary marketing partner. However, the team feels they are close to making some announcements in-time for the first of 19 ARCA races this season.

For more on Sean Corr, Empire Racing and marketing opportunities for the 2011 racing season, please visit empireracingllc.com.

About Empire Racing:

Established in 2009, Empire Racing LLC. (empireracingllc.com) is a two-tier professional Motorsports organization consisting of dirt and asphalt competition. Sean Corr, a 26-year old hailing from Goshen, New York pilots the team’s automobiles in the DIRTcar Series and Automobile Racing Club of America (ARCA). In 2011, the team will attempt to run for a championship in the ARCA Racing Series with aspirations of moving into the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR). The team is headquartered in Goshen, New York with an additional operation in Mooresville, North Carolina.

- Empire Racing Press Release

Josh Richards

The West Virginia native’s car will feature the Will Kinzer Foundation for Autism Research and Roush Yates Performance Products for his first race with Howard Bixman’s team.

Owner and crew chief for the No. 99 entry, Bixman said, “I’m excited about going to MIS with the Will Kinzer Foundation for Autism Research / Roush Yates Performance Products Ford Fusion this weekend. We had a great test back in May working on race runs and getting Josh comfortable with the track, crew and the car. He did a great job and also got some good track time. MIS is a track that requires good horsepower and we have that with Roush Yates Engines.”

Richards notes, “I’m looking forward to going to Michigan with Howard and BCR Racing with a Roush Yates Engine under the hood. I have a lot of confidence in the Roush Yates engine program, and I’ve been successful this year running with their engines in my dirt late model. I’m really looking forward to competing at Michigan in the ARCA Racing Series with Roush Yates horsepower.”

In Richards’ first outing with a Roush Yates engine, he scored a victory in Hagerstown Speedway’s dirt late model race.

“Josh is a great driver and is a champion in others series,” said Bixman referring to Richards’ 2009 championship in the World of Outlaw’s Late Model Series. “Making the transformation to asphalt is a big step, and he has done a great job with it. I look forward to being in a position at the end of the race to compete for a great finish.”

Piloting the No. 99 Will Kinzer Foundation for Autism Research/Roush Yates Performance Products Ford this weekend, Richards hopes to bring awareness to the foundation, named in honor of a fellow racer’s son, while increasing donations to help the cause.

The son of dirt late model driver Brandon Kinzer, Will Kinzer is the namesake of the foundation. The Kinzer family set up the foundation to help fund research and assist families with the cost of therapy and education for children with autism. Donations made to the foundation provide funding to children to attend the Highlands Center for Autism in Prestonsburg, Kentucky. The Highlands Center is a year-round therapy program for children on the autism spectrum, and the cost per child is $60,000 per year.

To support the foundation with their mission, donations can be sent to the Will Kinzer Foundation for Autism Research, PO Box 162, 87 Ball Park St., Allen, KY 41601. The foundation is a Non-Profit 501(c)(3) organization.

The green flag will wave for the Racing for Wildlife 200 at Michigan International Speedway at 5 p.m. on Friday. The race will be broadcast live on SPEED. Practice for the 200 mile race will he held on Thursday at 10 a.m. and qualifying will be held at 3 p.m. All times are ET.

For more information about Josh Richards click www.joshrichards.com. Follow Josh on Twitter @Josh_Richards1.

For more information about BCR Racing please go to www.TeamBCR.com.

About Roush Yates

Roush Yates Engines designs, engineers and crafts high performance racing engines with the power to perform and the horsepower and durability you’d expect from legendary NASCAR pioneers Jack Roush and Robert Yates. The partnership of power and precision has come from merging the knowledge and experience of two legendary engine builders, both with a passion for winning today and powering up for tomorrow.

Roush Yates CEO, Doug Yates, leads a staff of 170 engineers and technicians who design, assemble, test, and service racing engines at two separate state-of-the-art facilities in Mooresville, North Carolina. Here, the best minds and latest technology are hard at work producing nearly 1,500 racing engines each year for teams in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, NASCAR Nationwide Series, NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, ARCA, Grand-Am, FIA GT3, Dirt Late Model, Sprint cars, and NHRA Pro Stock.

For more information about Roush Yates Engines please go to www.roushyates.com and for Roush Yates Performance Parts visit www.roushyatesparts.com.

- Rising Star Management Group Press Release

Andy Belmont Racing

ARCA Series car owner Andy Belmont has become a fixture in the Series and has built a great reputation for giving many young racing talents a boost as they grow their auto racing careers.

At present Belmont has Nick Igdalsky, a rookie on the ARCA circuit, assigned to the season in his ModSpace sponsored Ford. Igdalsky, Sr. Vice President at Pocono Raceway, will drive the No. 1 Ford powered by Roush Yates motors through the entire 2010 schedule of events.

The team just completed a very positive three day test session at Daytona International Speedway along with more than 50 other ARCA Series racers.

“We came to the test with specific goals and accomplished them all. We know we have a couple of good cars for the race,” said Belmont. “It will be great working with Nick. Our driving experience in all levels of racing from dirt to Daytona has helped us with out coaching abilities.”

The team left Daytona with high confidence that they can put together a winning season for primary sponsor ModSpace and long time supporter Continental.

Continental Fire & Safety will be part of that effort with Igdalsky and other young talents that gain the opportunity to race Belmont provided equipment.

The Trenton, NJ based company provides proper safety products from fire trucks to pumps to ladders, fire extinguishers, hoses, apparel, first aid equipment and other apparatus.

Continental Fire & Safety provides equipment to fire departments and EMS squads throughout the nation. Their territory stretches from New Jersey through Eastern Pennsylvania.

In the past Continental has had relationships with former NASCAR Cup racers Dick Trickle and Dave Marcus.

Continental owner/partner Greg Gore has pointed out in the past that they associate themselves with racing not only because the motor sports industry uses the equipment they sell and service. In addition they do it because the fire and safety industry people are fans of the sport so it makes a great fit.

Through their sister company, Fire Apparatus Repair, Inc., they are able to service everything they sell and the employees go that extra mile to guarantee that personal contact.

Belmont continues to be sought after by many young racers seeking to gain his advice and to have him share his many years of experience in NASCAR and ARCA racing.

Several well known names in the sport have passed through the Andy Belmont racing program.

The ModSpace sponsored Andy Belmont Racing Ford, driven by Nick Igdalsky, will kick off their 2010 season in the Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 at Daytona International Speedway on Saturday, February 6th, 2010. Continental Fire & Safety will be an important part of the effort and throughout the season.

- Andy Belmont Racing Press Release

Jim Allen, CEO and founder of ApplianceZone.com, says the race team will be more polished and competitive in 2010 as a result of a new short-track car, strong intermediate track cars, and a respectable superspeedway restrictor-plate car. Roush-Yates powerplants will be added to the intermediate track cars and a professional toterhome-trailer unit is being purchased.

“Motorsports sponsorship is a ‘family friendly’ activity that enables our family-owned business to attract, reward and interact with the hundreds of thousands of households relying on the ApplianceZone.com for quality products and service at a ‘family friendly’ cost,” said ApplianceZone.com’s CEO and founder, Jim Allen. “Brad Smith and his team share our competitive spirit, family values and enthusiasm for racing. We’re looking forward to building on what we’ve already accomplished together and hope ApplianceZone.com customers and friends will get involved in our mission to win lots of exciting races in the year ahead.”

Brad Smith, CEO of Brad Smith Motorsports Inc., is equally enthusiastic about the year ahead.

“It feels great to have our many years of hard work result in this partnership with ApplianceZone.com,” he said. “Landing them as our primary sponsor is a strong indicator that this team is moving in the right direction. It’s a huge step up for our program and a real opportunity to turn this team into a consistent top-10 competitor. We’re committed to doing a great job for the ApplianceZone family and distributors, customers and race fans, and will surprise a few people in 2010.”

The ApplianceZone.com / Brad Smith Motorsports team plans to participate in the full ARCA (Automobile Racing Club of America) Racing Series schedule in 2010. The series, now going into its 58th season, is comprised of twenty events including a diverse combination of superspeedways, short tracks, dirt tracks and road courses.

Daytona Int’l Speedway will host the season opener for the 47th consecutive season. The Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 will follow pole qualifying for the Daytona 500, and serve as the preamble for the same-day NASCAR Sprint Cup Budweiser Shootout on Saturday, February 6th. The 2010 tour will conclude with championship weekend at Rockingham Speedway on October 9th.

In between, the series will appear at a wide variety of venues making up the most versatile mix in all of motorsports.

For more information, visit the ApplianceZone.com web site.

About ApplianceZone.com

Incorporated in 2008, ApplianceZone.com is a leading online retailer of appliance parts and accessories to do-it-yourself homeowners. It was created by CEO, Jim Allen, an experienced appliance repair technician and appliance retailer, and his family (including wife and children, all of whom are personally involved in the day-to-day operation of the business). ApplianceZone.com offers over 485,000 products and is the only online appliance parts retailer to include a price checker feature that instantly checks ApplianceZone.com pricing versus competitors. ApplianceZone served nearly 200,000 different households in 2009 and has enjoyed significant growth during every year of operation.

About Brad Smith Motorsports

Based in Romeo, Michigan, was founded in 1999 by CEO/driver Brad Smith. Smith raced in the ARCA (Automobile Racing Club of America) series for other teams beginning in 1988. He’s had nearly 250 ARCA career starts, has been a consistent top-20 driver in ARCA since 2001, and was voted ARCA’s “Sportsman of the Year” in 2006. Having accomplished numerous lead-lap & top-15 finishes at prestigious tracks such as Daytona, Talladega, Pocono, Chicago, Kansas, Springfield & DuQuoin, he is now approved for approved for NASCAR competition in 2010.

- Brad Smith Motorsports Press Release

Mallory CT Pro Ignition System

Mallory Ignition’s Sponsorship Program reached an important milestone in the ARCA RE/MAX Series last weekend at Iowa Speedway-100 consecutive races and a flawless track record for the entire length of the sponsorship program. Since the ARCA RE/MAX Series mandated the use of the Mallory CT Pro Ignition System for all competitors in 2005, the Series has seen unprecedented levels of competition, with tighter point battles, closer race finishes and more Series winners than previously seen.

During the 100 races that Mallory has been involved with the ARCA RE/MAX Series, the Series has reached several competition milestones; Highlights include a Series’ high 17 different race winners in 23 events in 2006 (an all-time record), 15 different pole award winners in 2006 (tying a 1991 record), and a slim, 50-point spread for 2008 ARCA RE/MAX Series Champion Justin Allgaier over second-place points finisher Frank Kimmel in a battle that didn’t end until the final race of the season last year.

Mallory Ignition Products have also provided an important cost-containment measure within the ARCA RE/MAX Series, eliminating the advantage of high rpm, high maintenance and higher cost engines.

ARCA RE/MAX Series Officials, Drivers, Car Owners, Crew Chiefs and Engine Builders agree-the Mallory CT Pro Ignition System is a product that works.

Joe Wells, Vice President of Competition, ARCA: “Obviously it’s a great program, from a Series standpoint and from a competitor standpoint, too. Mallory Ignitions have had a perfect record during their time in the ARCA RE/MAX Series-the product has been flawless throughout all 100 races so it’s one of those parts that you don’t have to have concern over. It’s just a good product.

It’s helpful that Mr. Gasket, the parent company of Mallory Ignitions, has thrown in their support by allowing company representatives like Shawn [Umphries] and Tim [Musiek] to come to each race. The at-track support that they provide our race teams and the sanctioning body is what is really propelling this program forward. The use of the Mallory CT Pro Ignition System is increasing the level of competition in our Series because it’s helping some guys become better drivers and is improving lap times and consistency among drivers in the Series.”

Tom Hessert, Driver of the No. 09 Cherry Hill Classic Cars Ford for RAB Racing: “I think Mallory does an excellent job of providing ignition systems that are equal and reliable. I cannot remember hearing about anyone complaining about an ignition system during my time in the ARCA RE/MAX Series. The 8,800 RPM limit that Mallory and ARCA have put into place levels the engine competition, also the RPM Limit plays a large role in our gear selection heading into race events.”

Nick Ramey, Roush Yates Engine Builder in the ARCA RE/MAX Series: “It’s a perfect system. It equalizes the playing field. Shawn Umphries from Mallory has been an excellent spokesperson and a good person to make the program work because on occasions he has actually found wiring on our side that was installed wrong or not up to par and he has been able to find those issues and advise us on how to fix it.

We have motors that we build for different people in different series and I have referred them to the Mallory Ignition Systems for use in those series because the product works so well. I think the program that ARCA has in place is great. It takes the worry out of building motors when you have someone like Shawn on-site and the 8,800 rpm limit makes the engines a lot more reliable; you can make an engine in the ARCA RE/MAX Series last a lot longer now.”

Parker Kligerman, Driver of the No. 77 Cunningham Motorsports Dodge and Penske Development Driver: “I think the Mallory CT Pro Ignition is a great cost saving tool because it limits the ability of teams to develop engines with high rpm’s that cost more money while helping less funded teams stay on par. Also it separates ARCA cars from other stock cars out there, which is always good.”

Frank Kimmel, Nine-Time ARCA RE/MAX Series Champion: “Since Mallory’s involvement in the ARCA RE/MAX Series, ignition problems have become a thing of the past. The reliability and durability of the Mallory CT Pro Ignition system is second to none. The RPM limiting capabilities of this system has really leveled the playing field in our races. With Mallory’s tech support at the race tracks, it has raised our awareness of the entire electrical system of our race cars. With their help, our entire electrical has practically become fool-proof. The Mallory system works so well, my brother Bill and I have installed them in our son’s race cars to compete at the local short tracks.”

Mark Rette, Crew Chief of the No. 6 Lofton Cattle Toyota for Eddie Sharp Racing: “The Mallory CT Pro Ignition System provides rock solid performance that hasn’t failed at all. I haven’t seen a failure yet and I don’t think anyone in the ARCA RE/MAX Series has. To be perfectly honest with you I don’t even think about it because I know I don’t have to worry about having any issues with this product.”

For more information on Mallory Ignition products, visit www.malloryracing.com.

- ARCA Press Release

“I am excited to get back to the USAR Series to race with many of the guys I have competed with for the past six years,” said Benny. “We have had good success at this track and I think we can be competitive even though we have only raced one USAR event this year. We will be returning with proven equipment and the added benefit of strong power plants from Roush Yates Race Engines.”

Benny won the race last year competing in the USAR North Division. In seven starts at the speedway, Benny has one pole, six top five’s, seven top ten finishes and has won the race four times. Benny has the second highest number of USAR starts at the speedway behind Jeff Agnew, who has 13 starts.

This will not be the last USAR race for Benny this year. “We plan to race several other selected races that fit into the schedule of USAR and Nationwide events that we have planned for this year,” said Benny. “We are planning to race at least South Boston and Iowa.”

Come join Gordon and the rest of the Pro Cup drivers on July 18th at Motor Mile Speedway in Radford, VA. Gates open at 3:00pm. Qualifying starts at 4:30pm, on-track autograph session begins at 5:30pm and the green flag waves at 7:00pm. For ticket information, contact Motor Mile Speedway at 540.639.1700.

- USARacing Pro Cup Series Press Release