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February 2008

  • ARCA Thunder: ARCA Thunder who is celebrating their one month anniversary for the 2008 season tonight is clearly proving that even though the ARCA RE/MAX Series is enjoying a break, the show is alive and well.  The crew will open up tonight’s show by discussing ARCA alumni. Several former ARCA RE/MAX Series drivers competed in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and NASCAR Nationwide Series season openers at Daytona International Speedway this past weekend. Also on the agenda before the first break is the discussion of ARCA’s new website and their ARCA Nation program. Good, bad, in-different, the group will expose it all.  After the first break, the ARCA Thunder team will welcome ARCA 200 at Daytona runner-up Justin Allgaier. Allgaier, known as “Little Gator” in the RE/MAX Series garage will talk about his superb run in the season opener for the 56-year old series while also looking ahead towards the remaining 20 events on the calendar behind the wheel of his No. 16 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS.  To connect with ARCA Thunder, visit RaceTalkRadio.com and click the “Listen Live” button. Show starts at 8:00pm with a scheduled-end time of 10:00pm Eastern Time. To catch last week’s show, please visit the archive page. (ARCA Thunder PR) (02-19-08)
  • Sheltra Motorsports hiring: Sheltra Motorsports, a full-time competitor in the ARCA RE/MAX Series is seeking a full-time employee with experience as a tire carrier to join the team in their Whitesville, Kentucky shop. General mechanic duties will be primary responsibility in the shop. Candidate must be willing to relocate to Whitesville, Kentucky area. Competitive salary and benefits are available. (Sheltra Motorsports PR) (02-18-08)
  • Crane Cams becomes an official sponsor: Officials from the Automobile Racing Club of America and Crane Cams® have announced a marketing sponsorship within the ARCA Performance Partners Program, positioning Crane Cams® as an official sponsor of the ARCA RE/MAX Series. “Crane Cams® has been committed to the performance industry for 55 years,” said Lance Harris, CEO of Crane Cams. “We are very excited about our partnership with ARCA and look forward to a long relationship.” The three year agreement includes a per-race contingency award, point fund sponsorship and year-end special award. (ARCARacing.com) (02-16-08)
  • Car owner's wife passes away: Sarah Peterson, 67, of Pulaski, Tennessee, wife of long-time ARCA RE/MAX Series car owner Wayne Peterson, died Saturday, February 9th, 2008. Peterson’s husband, Wayne, has been a car owner and driver in the ARCA RE/MAX Series since 1983, most recently finishing 23rd in final car owner's points in 2007. He fielded the No. 06 Star Wheels Skate Center Chevrolet for veteran driver Tim Mitchell during Saturday’s ARCA 200 at Daytona Int’l Speedway. Sarah Peterson is survived by her husband Wayne Peterson; sons Michael, Brian and Kevin Peterson; five grandchildren; and brothers Bob, Bill, Roger and Danny Greene. (ARCA RE/MAX Racing Insider) (02-16-08)
  • South waiting for another opportunity: Justin South is driving a forklift instead of a race car these days, but figures the job change is only temporary. The 19-year-old from Gardendale is without a ride this season despite finishing eighth in the ARCA series points standings last year and posting nine top 10 finishes in 23 races. "It's just a shame because we exceeded expectations with the funding we had last year," said South, who started out racing bandoleros at Atlanta Motor Speedway. South drove for Cunningham Motorsports last year and posted a third-place finish at Toledo Speedway. He said the parting was amicable. "We didn't end on bad terms," South said. "It never really clicked with them. They're great people. The chemistry just wasn't there." While waiting for funding to materialize, South is working for his father's brick company in Pell City, driving a forklift and handling other duties. Jeff South, who owns Alabama Brick, estimated it takes about $1.5 million a year to run competitively in ARCA. He provided much of the funding for his son's racing career. "The reason were not running is lack of funding," Jeff South said. South knew his father couldn't keep the funding up indefinitely. "I knew someday it was all going to come to and end," he said. They hope to be able to run some races this year, including the ARCA race at Talladega in October. South, meanwhile, is waiting for a full-time ride. (The Birmingham News) (02-12-08)
  • Bowsher looking for sponsorship; hopes to race at Salem: ARCA driver Todd Bowsher and his wife, Alfie, are expecting their first child in May. Otherwise, it's been a tough winter for the Harmony Twp. resident. "It's really the only positive thing that's happened in the last few months," Bowsher said. Due to a lack of sponsorship, Bowsher was forced to miss Saturday's ARCA 200 at Daytona International Speedway. "We've worked pretty hard to try and secure (sponsorship)," Bowsher said, "but it hasn't materialized yet. "We just couldn't afford to spend the money it takes to compete at a speedway like Daytona. We can't compete with those folks. A marketing partner is what we need to make that happen." Bowsher is still targeting the ARCA's next race at Salem Speedway in Indiana on April 13, but needs sponsorship help. "We can work with any sponsor of any size," Bowsher said. "There are all kinds of avenues we can take." (Springfield News Sun) (02-11-08)
  • Reutimann Racing to focus on later events: Zephyrhills' David Reutimann doesn't aspire to team ownership. Not even if it's for cousin, Wayne Jr. Not even in the ARCA series, where expenses can still quickly overrun the budget of a second-year Sprint Cup driver. Reutimann had planned to field a car for his cousin, a successful Silver Crown driver, for today's ARCA race before withdrawing to focus on later dates. "We knew we only had a certain amount of races to make an impact on the ARCA side," Reutimann said, "and knew I wasn't going to be able to come down here and do that the way were going to do it." (St Petersburg Times) (02-10-08)
  • Riverside Auto Parts to sponsor Kimmel: After announcing Prestolite Wire would sponsor a portion of Frank Kimmel's car on raceday, the nine-time ARCA RE/MAX Series champion picked up another big supporter for Saturday's 45th running of the ARCA 200 at Daytona. Riverside Auto Parts will occupy a big chunk of Kimmel's quarters in the race. Riverside Auto Parts owner Jim Coyle's series history dates well back into the 1970s when the famous #1 Riverside Auto Parts car earned championships with Marvin Smith at the helm in '78 and '79. Coyle, and his Riverside Auto Parts car, also won back-to-back national titles with Lee Raymond in '85 and '86. (ARCARacing.com) (02-09-08)
  • Brian Conz joins Stott Classic Racing; Shriners on the car: The Shriners of North America, have granted BCM Racing permission to form a Shriners themed race team, which includes use of logos and related merchandise rights. The shriners are not funding this endeavor, and therefore BCM is seeking sponsorships from the private sector, companies interested in being associated with the Shrine fraternity, which of course supports what has become known as "The Worlds Greatest Philanthropy". The racing team will race with number 86 in honor of this being the 86th year of the Shriner's Hospitals for Children, and the team plans to participate in a combination of ARCA and Nationwide Series events in 2008. (BrianConz.com) (02-07-08)
  • SunTrust to sponsor ROTY award: Officials from the Automobile Racing Club of America have announced that SunTrust Banks, Inc., will join the ARCA family of corporate sponsors in 2008 as title sponsor of the ARCA RE/MAX Series Rookie of the Year Award Program. SunTrust will post a $10,000 bonus to the end-of-season Rookie of the Year award winner. In addition, the company will post a $250 cash award to the highest finishing registered rookie at each ARCA RE/MAX Series event and a $100 cash bonus to the highest finishing non-rookie in each event. "It's exciting for everyone at SunTrust to venture into new territory as part of the ARCA RE/MAX Series, which has long been one of the top rungs on the ladder that leads promising driving talent to the highest levels of stock car racing in the world," said Craig Kelly, corporate executive vice president, chief marketing officer, SunTrust Banks, Inc. "We are certainly proud of our diverse portfolio of sponsorships and support of major series, teams, events, venues and organizations throughout the racing world. Becoming a sponsor of the ARCA RE/MAX Series Rookie of the Year program is a thrilling addition to the lineup as we continue to build on our reputation as the Official Bank of Motorsports." (ARCA PR) (02-07-08)
  • Eddie Sharp Racing announces associate sponsors:  Z-line Designs and the Arena Football League join Eddie Sharp Racing and the No. 22 Toyota Camry as Associate Sponsors for the 2008 ARCA RE/MAX Series season. “I’m really excited to have Z-Line and the AFL on the car this year,” said Ken Butler, III, driver of the No. 22 Toyota Camry. “We’re ready to have a great season in the ARCA RE/MAX Series and take Z-Line and the AFL to victory lane!” (Eddie Sharp Racing PR) (02-06-08)
  • Boudreaux's Butt Paste returns with Jeremy Clements: Blairex Laboratories’ Boudreaux’s Butt Paste has returned as primary sponsor on the #3 for the 2008 ARCA RE/MAX Series’ launch.  The honest simplicity of the “Boudreaux’s Butt Paste” name may produce a chuckle but the skin cream has earned a lot of notoriety because of the humorous moniker and garnered a strong following because of the product’s therapeutic relief. (Jeremy Clements Racing PR) (02-06-08)
  • Germain Racing to attempt Daytona UPDATE:  Germain Racing will field an ARCA
    RE/MAX Series car for [Justin] Marks to give him some extra Daytona experience.
    (TruckSeries.com) (01-06-08)
    UPDATE: Germain Racing, 2006 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Champions, will enter the ranks of the ARCA RE/MAX Series this weekend when they field the number 65 Toyota Camry in the season opener at Daytona. Justin Marks, who finished 5th in ARCA RE/MAX Series points in 2007, will be behind the wheel of the #65 Camry carrying the bold logo of Voodoo Ride, a new automotive lifestyle and appearance products company co-founded by NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt, Jr. Mike Abner will serve as crew chief after a successful run in 2007 which saw him orchestrate an impressive victory for Ted Musgrave in the NCTS race at Texas Motor Speedway. Associate sponsorship on the number 65 Camry will come from Real Deal Merchandise, Kartel Motorsports, Germain Motor Company, Construct Corps and Crocs. (Germain Racing PR via Jayski) (02-06-08)
  • Feese to attempt Daytona with Baker-Curb: Former Rick Hendrick NASCAR driver, Blake Feese will be behind the wheel of the #8 FPC/DeMolay/NCompass Baker-Curb Ford for this Saturday's Daytona opening ARCA race on February 9th, aired Live on Speed TV at 4:00PM ESDT. The #8 Ford will be sponsored FPC (Fuel Performance Catalyst) FPC is a high quality fuel additive that increases mileage and produces a cleaner, greener burn inside all internal combustion engines. (NCompass PR) (02-04-08)
  • Possible name change at Country Joe; Casola and Buescher to drive UPDATE: Country Joe Racing, who is expected to change their team name before the start of the season opener next month, will host at least two different drivers in their No. 32 this season. Dominick Casola and James Buescher will co-drive the team's primary entry in 2008. Casola will take the nod at Daytona and hopes to repeat his career-best performance of third which he placed at Talladega Superspeedway with Andy Belmont Racing. Casola is expected to run a minimum of seven races for the Minnesota based team. Additional, James Buescher who etched his name into the record books last season by becoming the youngest winner in ARCA RE/MAX Series history will run a majority of the events in the No. 32 and very likely could bring back the No. 9 in ARCA competition should Casola increase his schedule. (Catchfence.com) (01-23-08)
    UPDATE:  With the 2008 racing season quickly approaching one of the most respected ARCA RE/MAX Series organizations announced that effectively immediately that the operation formally known as Country Joe Racing will become Win-Tron Racing (WTR).  Win-Tron Racing will take on its second full year of ownership in the ARCA RE/MAX Series under the ownership of business partners Kevin Cywinski and Nate Thiesse. “Win” comes from three letters of Cywinski’s last name with “Tron” unveiling under Thiesse’s nickname of “Natron.” The combination of the two entities forms Win-Tron Racing.  The team will return to ARCA with drivers Dominick Casola and James Buescher. Casola will lead the team beginning in Daytona. Win-Tron Racing also expects a second team (No. 9 Dodge Charger) to invade the 56-year old tour at some point during the year.(Win-Tron Racing PR) (02-02-08)
  • Mike Harmon splits with Richardson-Netzloff Racing UPDATE:  Mike Harmon is no longer associated with Richardson-Netzloff Racing.  A new partnership with Elite 2 Racing is expected. (01-24-08)
    UPDATE:  Mike Harmon and Elite 2 Sports and Entertainment have joined forces to become Elite 2 Racing and have filed an official entry for the ARCA 200, at the Daytona International Speedway on Saturday, February 9th. Harmon will pilot the #24 D.A.B. Constructors, Inc. Chevrolet in the season-opening race for the ARCA Re/Max Series in 2008. "I'm certainly looking forward to the start of the 2008 season and the ARCA 200," Harmon stated. "I have a new 2007 Chevrolet Monte Carlo that will be powered by Rhyne Competition Engines for this race. I'm also grateful to D.A.B. Constructors, Inc., RedHotFranchises.com, The Daily Buzz, and the Nick Jones Foundation for their support. The ARCA events at Daytona are always very competitive, but we're excited about our chances with Elite 2 Racing." Elite 2 Sports and Entertainment is a Florida-based company with clients in both the sports and entertainment world. Their partnership with Mike Harmon Racing to create Elite 2 Racing will prove to be a great marketing tool for all involved. (Mike Harmon PR) (02-02-08)
  • TC Motorsports returning part time:  TC Motorsports will be running a limited ARCA/REMAX schedule for 2008, drivers for the limited schedule will be Sam Beam, Ricky Sanders and Michael Foy.  We will posting that schedule soon. (TC Motorsports Racing) (02-01-08)