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July 11, 2009 


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ARCA RE/MAX SERIES NEWS AND RUMORS

  • Larry Clement, Matt Carter returning at Iowa: Larry Clement and Matt Carter will be reuniting for the running of the Prairie Meadows 200 at Iowa Speedway July 11. The event will mark the return of both to ARCA RE/MAX Series competition since the season-opening ARCA 200 at Daytona. "I've been trying to put a package together for this race," said Clement. "This is my hometown, and the track is very important to me." (ARCARacing.com) (07-02-09)
  • Andy Belmont Racing and Tom Hessert part ways UPDATE to RAB Racing: RaceTalkRadio.com reported on Tuesday night that Andy Belmont Racing and Tom Hessert have parted ways.  Kevin Belmont will reportedly move to the No. 1 while the team looks for another driver for the No. 14. (06-25-09)
    UPDATE: Tom Hessert posted on his Twitter page that he has joined RAB Racing. (06-30-09)
    UPDATE 2: RaceTalkRadio.com reports that Ken Schrader Racing will support the No. 09 team in ARCA. 
    (07-01-09)
  • Venturini Motorsports tests Johanna Long at Iowa: Pensacola, Florida driver Johanna Long, in a Venturini Motorsports-prepared Chevrolet, made her first laps in an ARCA RE/MAX Series car Tuesday in the open test at Iowa Speedway. Long, 17, recently made headlines at Five Flags Speedway in Pensacola, Florida with a victory in the super late model Blizzard Series. (ARCARacing.com) (07-01-09)
  • Patrick Sheltra to compete in Daytona NASCAR Nationwide race:  Officials from MacDonald Motorsports and Sheltra Motorsports jointly announced today that ARCA veteran Patrick Sheltra has been tapped to drive the No. 81 D.H. Griffin-Quality Turf-Buffalo Wings & Rings Dodge Charger in Friday’s Subway Jalapeno 250 at Daytona International Speedway. “I would like to thank MacDonald Motorsports for this opportunity,” said Sheltra. “I wasn’t planning on running this race but all the components glued together and now we can focus on having a good race." (Sheltra Motorsports PR) (06-29-09)
  • ARCA finds sponsor for Most Popular Driver Award: Officials from ARCA announced today [June 26] that National Speed Sport News will sponsor the Most Popular Driver Award in the ARCA RE/MAX Series in 2009. Voting for the fan-based award takes place exclusively on ARCA's social networking website, ARCA Nation.com. (ARCARacing.com) (06-29-09)
  • Leslie Racing selling team: Leslie Racing has placed an advertisment on RacingJunk.com advertising a hauler, three cars, and three motors for $225,000.  Spare equipment is also included. (06-22-09)
  • Bill Griffith Racing forming ARCA team?:  Bill Griffith is looking to form an ARCA team for the 2010 season. (06-22-09)
  • Robb Brent released from hospital: Robb Brent is on his way home from Mansfield to his home in Shelby Township, Michigan.  Brent, who was involved in a lap 44 on-track incident, exited his No. 36 Dodge under his own power following the turn three incident. Alert and conscious, he was placed in an ambulance at the track for initial observation and later transported to a local hospital for further evaluation where he was observed and released last night. (ARCARacing.com) (06-22-09)
  • Buster Bennet to attempt Iowa:  Buster Bennet will attempt to make his ARCA RE/MAX series debut at Iowa driving a No. 98 Ford for Bennet Miles Racing.  The team is currently seeking sponsorship. (06-21-09)
  • Steve Arpin done after Iowa?:  Don Radebaugh reported during the Mansfield race that Steve Arpin may not compete after Iowa due to sponsorship issues. (06-20-09)
  • Jake Crum to make first start with Venturini: Venturini Motorsports [is] locked and loaded for [its] much anticipated Mansfield debut with UARA Stars Champion Jake Crum. The Tim Richmond Memorial ARCA RE/MAX 200 will mark Crum's first ARCA RE/MAX Series start and first with the famed team. "I am really excited for this great opportunity that I have been given," exclaimed Jake Crum. "Venturini Motorsports is without a doubt the best team in the ARCA Series and I am truly humbled at this great opportunity." (Venturini Motorsports PR) (06-20-09)
  • Hal Martin to make debut with Cunningham: The Tim Richmond Memorial will be Hal [Martin]’s first ARCA/REMAX event. He will drive the number 4 Cunningham Dodge.  He plans to participate in a few more ARCA/REMAX events this year and then focus on competing in the entire 2010 season. (Hal Martin PR) (06-17-09)
  • Parker Kligerman to race at Mansfield: The victory [at Michigan] earned Kligerman at least one more race in the 77. The team will compete in the Tim Richmond Memorial Saturday at Mansfield Motorsports Park in Mansfield, OH. (TheHour.com) (06-15-09)
  • Justin Lofton announces new sponsor: [Justin] Lofton will be sporting the red-white-and-blue colors of Valvoline [at Michigan].  "The Valvoline Instant Oil Change Team is excited to partner with Justin and the Eddie Sharp Racing team this week at Michigan," said Kevin Mueller, Regional Manager for VIOC.  "Just like the season Justin is having, VIOC is a cut above our competition, and this race gives us the opportunity to show our customers that on and off the track Valvoline Instant Oil Change is about quality and speed. Justin Lofton is a driver to watch now and in the future, and so is VIOC." Lofton's #6 Eddie Sharp Racing Toyota will carry a unique paint scheme designed by CGS Imaging of Maumee, OH. (ARCARacing.com) (06-11-09)
  • Kyle Martel attempting four races: [Kyle Martel] is tentatively scheduled to race four races in the [ARCA] series this season, two at Rockingham and two at Pocono. (PennLive.com) (06-09-09)
  • Justin Marks returning with Venturini: Justin Marks will make a return to stock car racing for the first time since the ARCA Talladega race in 2008 this weekend at Michigan Int'l Speedway. Marks will be competing in the ARCA RE/MAX Series this weekend for Venturini Motorsports. He also plans to compete for Venturini Motorsports at Kansas Speedway on October 1. (ARCARacing.com) (06-09-09)
  • Ken Weaver out at Cunningham UPDATE:  Ken Weaver is no longer on the Pocono ARCA 200 entry list.  Chase Miller is listed as the driver of the No. 4 Landmark Dodge. (06-04-09)
    UPDATE: "We had already been talking to Chase (Miller) about running [Pocono]," said Mark Gibson, General Manager for Cunningham Motorsports. "At that time, we were going to field three cars. But when Ken (Weaver) decided he didn't want to do this anymore, the opportunity presented itself for Chase to get in the 4 car. Good chance Chase will be in the car at Michigan too." (ARCARacing.com) (06-05-09)
  • Peterson Motorsports to field three entries at Pocono:  Peterson Motorsports will field three entries at Pocono Raceway.  Barry Fitzgerald will return to the No. 06, Zachary Gibson will drive the No. 0 Chevrolet Monte Carlo, and Wayne Peterson will drive a 2008 Ford Fusion. (06-01-09)
  • Patrick Sheltra denies blame for Toledo last lap crash: Two days following [Toledo], ARCA officials handed down [Patrick Sheltra's penalty]: fined $500 and placed on probation for the remainder of the 2009 season for retaliatory driving. "Five-hundred dollar fine and probation for the rest of the year. I was not happy about that, and I certainly don't agree with it. As I've said all along, there was nothing intentional up there. My left-front tire was flat; and I was doing all I could to stay with it. The last thing on my mind was wrecking someone" [said Sheltra]. (ARCARacing.com) (05-31-09)
  • Cayuga race cancelled: Officials of the Automobile Racing Club of America (ARCA) and Cayuga Motor Speedway today announced that the ARCA RE/MAX Series race scheduled for June 28 at Cayuga, has been cancelled and will not be rescheduled. "We at Cayuga Motor Speedway accept responsibility for this unfortunate circumstance," said track President Jerry Santucci. "ARCA is a first class racing organization and we regret the inconvenience this causes the series, its teams, sponsors and fans. We worked diligently, but as deadlines approached it became increasingly apparent we would not be able to promote and conduct the event successfully due to issues within our ownership group." (ARCARacing.com) (05-27-09)
  • Chad Beahr to attempt Pocono UPDATE Herd Racing: USAR ProCup driver Chad Beahr will attempt Pocono with Faith Motorsports.  He will drive a No. 89 Dodge. (05-18-09)
    UPDATE: Herd Racing will attempt the June 6 ARCA Re/Max Series event at Pocono Raceway, fielding veteran driver Chad Beahr in the #89 Racing With Jesus Dodge, the team announced May 27. Herd Racing's usual car number, 75, is being used by another team in the ARCA Series. The #89 ARCA entry will bear associate sponsorship from Smith's Construction, a West Virginia-based residential and remodeling contractor, as well as associate sponsorship from ECO-FIRST and Fidelity Printing. (Herd Racing) (05-27-09)
  • Andy Belmont Racing signs development driver: Tyler Shoemaker is proud to announce that he has signed a driver development contract with Andy Belmont Racing (ABR). Shoemaker comes to ABR as an established midget & 410 sprint car driver. “I am very excited about teaming up with Andy & his team in the ARCA RE/MAX series,” said Tyler. “Andy Belmont Racing is a strong team and I am looking forward to working them. I’ll be looking for the seat time and experience to learn the tracks.” (TylerShoemaker.com) (05-22-09)
  • Patrick Sheltra fined for retaliatory driving: Driver Patrick Sheltra has been fined $500 and placed on probation for the remainder of the 2009 season for retaliatory driving. (ARCARacing.com) (05-21-09)
  • Andy Hillenburg fined: Car owner Andy Hillenburg has been fined $250 for unauthorized distribution of audio content from the [Menards 200 at Toledo]. (ARCARacing.com) (05-21-09)
  • Paul Menard returning to ARCA at Toledo: NASCAR driver Paul Menard gives credit to the ARCA RE/MAX Series for helping him develop as a driver on the way up to the Sprint Cup Series. So, when the opportunity to revisit his short track roots in the series' visit to Toledo Speedway came his way, Menard jumped at the chance to enter Sunday's Menards 200. "I love short track racing and I'm looking forward to getting back behind the wheel of an ARCA car," said Menard. "From what I've seen, this year has proved to be one of the most competitive seasons in ARCA RE/MAX Series history, so the Menards 200 should be a great race to take part in. My thanks goes out to Frank Kimmel and the entire Kimmel Racing team for preparing the car that I'm going to drive on Sunday." [Matt] Crafton will practice and qualify the No. 98 Johns Manville Ford on Saturday before turning the wheel over to Menard. (ARCARacing.com) (05-12-09)
  • Peterson Motorsports adds new driver for Toledo: Zach Gibson from Richwood, Ohio will make his ARCA RE/MAX debut in the No. 0 '05 Monte Carlo.  Zach clinched the 2008 Buckeye Super Sprint Series Championship by August 23rd at Sandusky Speedway, in the series inaugural season. (PetersonMotorsports.net) (05-11-09)
  • Norm Benning selling team:  Norm Benning Racing is for sale.  The team has five cars and owner points from the No. 84. (ARCA Classifieds) (05-11-09)
  • Chad Finley running partial schedule: [Chad Finley] will make five appearances on the ARCA circuit with his debut set for May 16-17. 2009 at the series home base of Toledo Speedway in Toledo, Ohio! Finley will also make appearances at Iowa Speedway, Berlin Raceway, back to Toledo in September, and the season finale at Rockingham Speedway. (ChadFinley.com) (05-10-09)
  • Dakoda Armstrong to make ARCA debut at Toledo:  17 year-old USAC Sprint Car veteran Dakoda Armstrong will make his ARCA debut at Toledo driving for Venturini Motorsports-Schrader Racing.  He will drive a No. 15 Chevrolet. (05-10-09)
  • Ruby Tuesday extends sponsorship with George Jr: Ruby Tuesday, Inc. has announced a long-term partnership agreement with ARCA RE/MAX Series driver Tim George Jr.  "A great partnership starts with a great Driver and a great Team," said Mark Young, Ruby Tuesday SVP/Chief Marketing Officer. "Both Tim George Jr. and Eddie Sharp Racing represent what we believe in as a brand. They are passionate about what they do, committed to always doing it the right way, and strive to be the best in all aspects of their business." (TimGeorgeJr.com) (05-10-09)
  • Bobby Gerhart Racing looking for funded driver for car #5: Bobby Gerhart Racing #5 Car Available for single or multiple events from Kentucky Speedway on. Includes New Jersey Motorsports Park, all short tracks and speedways. For funded drivers only looking for excellent equipment. (ARCA Classifieds) (05-07-09)
  • Kevin Belmont takes over #14 for remainder of the season: After a seven year hiatus, Kevin Belmont will be back in the driver's seat for the Drive Smart Buckle-Up Kentucky 150 at Kentucky Speedway this Saturday, May 9. Additionally, Belmont plans to compete in the remainder of the 2009 ARCA RE/MAX Series season.  Brothers Andy & Kevin Belmont are not strangers to working as a team in the ARCA RE/MAX Series. Not only did Kevin drive for Andy Belmont Racing, but he served as Andy's crew chief during the 2001 season with Andy finishing third in driver's points. "I'm really happy to be back with Andy Belmont Racing & the ARCA RE/MAX Series," Kevin said. Marketing partner announcements for ABR & Kevin Belmont are forthcoming. (ABR PR) (05-07-09)
  • Michel Disdier signs 10 race contract UPDATE: Michel Disdier has signed a contract for ten races this season with [Bowsher Racing].  Disdier’s objective is to garner as much experience as possible to achieve his goal of racing in NASCAR in 2010. (Disdier PR) (04-30-09)
    UPDATE: Michel's new sponsor is the French brake pad maker Carbone Lorraine whose brake pads require no break-in period.  The immediate grip of the Carbone Lorraine brake pads which are made exclusively for racing cars, insure tremendous performance stability. (Disdier PR) (05-07-09)
  • Sheltra finds Talladega sponsorship: Sheltra Motorsports announced today that Buffalo Wings & Rings has joined the team as the primary marketing partner for Friday's ARCA RE/MAX 250 at Talladega Superspeedway.  Talladega marks the third straight event where Buffalo Wings & Rings has been aligned with the Whitesville, Kentucky based Sheltra Motorsports team. Friday's event however signifies the first ARCA RE/MAX Series event where the growing restaurant chain has tackled the Motorsports environment as a primary marketing partner. (Sheltra Motorsports PR) (04-23-09)
  • Kelly Bires to drive for Win-Tron at Talladega: Win-Tron Racing officials announced the signing of [Kelly] Bires as the driver of the No. 32 Wolfpack Rentals Toyota Camry in Friday's ARCA RE/MAX 250. "We're going there to win," Bires said on Monday afternoon. "The Win-Tron team is proven with fast equipment. It's a great group of guys, and this is a great opportunity for me to work with everyone at Win-Tron Racing. (Win-Tron Racing PR) (04-23-09)
  • Ryan Crane to make debut driving for Phoenix Racing: Ryan Crane has announced that he has teamed up with James Finch's Phoenix Racing team [for the Carolina 200". To be partnering up with Phoenix Racing, a team with both Nationwide and Sprint Cup Series ties, for the Carolina 200 is about as good as it gets," said Crane. "Racing in the ARCA RE/MAX Series will be something new for me especially being behind the wheel of the heavier cars, but I know with all the guys from Phoenix Racing and crew chief Mike Garvey on my side it should make my transition pretty smooth." (ARCARacing.com) (04-15-09)
  • Jeremy Petty joins Hixson Motorsports for the season: Hixson Motorsports is currently seeking marketing partners and sponsors for the #23 Chevrolets and Dodges driven by Smolan, Kansas native Jeremy Petty, who is making a bid for ARCA's 2009 Rookie of the Year. [Hixson Motorsports] also seeking marketing partners and sponsors for Ron Cox who will run a limited schedule in 2009 in the #28 and #57 Chevrolets. (Hixson Motorsports) (04-11-09)
  • Ryan Crane running limited season: Ryan Crane plans on competing in four ARCA races in 2009.  He will compete at both Rockingham races, Chicagoland, and Kansas. (04-11-09)
  • Matt Carter, Clement Racing done in ARCA?:  Matt Carter and Clement Racing will not compete at Salem.  Sponsorship could not be found to run the full season.  Carter and team hope to compete in NASCAR with Stine Seed as a sponsor. (04-01-09)
  • Brad Smith finds sponsorship for the season: Brad Smith Motorsports and ApplianceZone.com announced today a marketing partnership under which ApplianceZone.com will be the primary sponsor on Smith's no. 26 Fords for the remainder of the 2009 ARCA RE/MAX Series season. The Indiana-based company will kick off the new partnership in its home state in this Sunday's Kentuckiana Ford Dealers 200 presented by Federated Car Care at Salem Speedway. "We're glad to welcome ApplianceZone.com aboard for the 2009 season," said Smith, who will make his 193rd career ARCA RE/MAX Series start at Salem. "ApplianceZone.com is coming aboard at a time when we really need a marketing partner. We look forward to representing them this year and well into the future. They strike me as a "blue-collar" type business and we are a blue-collar race team. It's a great match." (Brad Smith Racing PR) (04-01-09)
  • Fischer done at Venturini Motorsports? UPDATE: Ryan Fischer may not compete full time for Venturini Motorsports.  Funding has not been secured. (Thunder Crew) (03-28-09)
    UPDATE: Ryan Fischer is listed on the Salem entry list. (04-01-09)