archives

Scroll down to view past news and rumors.

march 2008

  • Smith joins Jones Group Racing: Jesse Smith is no longer with Allgaier Motorsports. He will compete in a second Jones Group car for a minimum of eight races in 2008. (ARCA Thunder) (03-26-08)
  • McCumbee to attempt Rockingham: Chad McCumbee will attempt Rockingham in a second Andy Hillenburg car. (ARCA Thunder) (03-26-08)
  • Dillon to run part-time: Austin Dillon, the grandson of Richard Childress, will run a part time in ARCA. Rockingham is included in his schedule. (ARCA Thunder) (03-26-08)
  • Changes at Venturini Motorsports: Ryan Fischer will not compete full time as previously announced.  Fischer, Marc Davis, and Joey Logano will share the car in 2008.  The team does not plan on competing at Salem, but Brett Hudson will use the team's points. (03-26-08)
  • Andy Belmont Racing signs associate sponsor: Boudreaux’s Butt Paste has entered into a new sponsor partnership program with Andy Belmont Racing.  Boudreaux’s will serve as an associate sponsor on the #1 Maaco/Boudreaux’s Butt Paste Ford Fusion for the rest of the season. (03-26-08)
  • Schrader to attempt Salem: NASCAR Sprint Cup Series veteran Ken Schrader has filed an entry for the April 13th running of the Kentuckiana Ford Dealers ARCA 200 presented by Federated Auto Parts at Salem Speedway. The event will mark his 47th career ARCA RE/MAX Series start. (ARCA) (03-22-08)
  • Phelps joins Cunningham Motorsports: Cunningham Motorsports has announced that Michael Phelps will compete for Rookie of the Year in the ARCA RE/MAX Series in 2008 as the team's newest Dodge Driver Development Program driver. Phelps, an engineering student at Auburn University and a veteran of the USAR Hooters Pro Cup Series, will join rookie Tayler Malsam as a full time ARCA RE/MAX Series competitor with sponsorship from Bowen Family Homes. "Our organization is proud to have Michael Phelps and Bowen Family Homes as a part of our family," said team owner Kerry Scherer. "We are looking forward to a successful season of competition and proud to have such a highly visible and respectable partnership with Bowen Family Homes. The extraordinary driving skills that Michael has exhibited in competition should allow him to be in the top of his class." (ARCARacing.com) (03-21-08)
  • Owens injured in motorcycle accident: ARCA RE/MAX series driver Alli Owens announced today that she is withdrawing from the March 21-22 open test session at Rockingham Raceway Park due to injuries suffered in a motorcycle accident. The driver of the No. 12 ElectrifyingCareers.com Chevrolet is expected to return to action when the series holds an open test session on April 1 at Iowa Speedway. “I want to thank all the fans and the entire ARCA community for their well wishes,” said Owens. “It’s been a difficult few days since the accident and all their support has made it bearable.” Owens was forced off the road by another vehicle while riding her motorcycle with friends in central Florida. She managed to fall clear of the motorcycle moments before it made impact with a tree. The driver of the other vehicle did not stop. “I’ve been riding on two wheels ever since I competed in BMX competition,” explained Owens. “I understand the importance of using proper safety equipment. Without my helmet, I would have been severely injured.” The 19-year-old Daytona Beach, Florida resident is currently undergoing physical therapy on her left leg and is expected to compete in her next scheduled race at Iowa Speedway on April 19. “I’m focusing all my energy on healing as quickly as possible,” said Owens. “This is definitely not how I wanted to start my rookie season, but this is only a temporary setback.   The best medicine for me is to get back behind the wheel of my ElectrfyingCareers.com car.” (AO PR) (03-19-08)
  • ARCA to air on MavTV: Officials of the ARCA racing sanctioning body and MavTV have announced a one-year agreement under which MavTV will air at least six ARCA RE/MAX Series events in 2008. The events scheduled for broadcast include both races at Salem Speedway, the spring event at Toledo Speedway, Berlin Raceway, the Illinois State Fairgrounds mile-dirt and the DuQuoin State Fairgrounds mile-dirt. The events will be packaged into tape-delayed, one-hour programs. In addition, MavTV will re-air ARCA RE/MAX Series superspeedway programming previously aired on SPEED TV. "As we continue in our efforts to grow interest and value in the ARCA RE/MAX Series, the opportunity for additional television coverage benefits all associated with the series," said ARCA President Ron Drager. "The MavTV agreement expands television coverage of the 2008 ARCA RE/MAX Series to include more races at more venues, and that's good for everyone." (ARCARacing.com) (03-19-08)
  • Ragan to attempt Toledo races: David Ragan stays plenty busy as full time driver of the No. 6 AAA Ford for Roush Fenway Racing in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. But the 23-year-old, who also competes full time in the NASCAR Nationwide Series, was at Toledo Speedway Tuesday afternoon to announce that he will make a pair of appearances to ARCA's hometown short track this season. Ragan will team up with the Roulo Brothers to compete in the May 18 Hantz Group 200 presented by Federated Car Care ARCA RE/MAX Series race at Toledo Speedway and the October 12th ARCA Championship Weekend festivities. Ragan's relationship with the Roulo Bros. dates back to the Spring of 2004 with an outside pole at Salem Speedway. (ARCARacing.com) (03-19-08)
  • Logano to race at Rockingham: Venturini Motorsports has announced that it has teamed with ARCA RE/MAX Series rookie Joey Logano for the upcoming Carolina 500 at Rockingham Speedway. Logano, 17, is a development driver under the Joe Gibbs Racing banner. “Since the Toledo race last year, we’ve been working with J.D. Gibbs from Joe Gibbs Racing to try and help their new, up and coming drivers gain some experience in the bigger ARCA RE/MAX Series cars,” said series veteran driver Billy Venturini. “To know that Gibbs feels confident enough in our ARCA racing program to send Joey our way is an honor. “We’ve (Venturini Motorsports) worked really hard over the winter months in an effort to make our program stronger. We purchased five more Gibbs Racing Chevrolets and a DEI Chevy, bringing our total prepared cars to 16, along with some engines. The engine program for Rockingham will be supplied by Pro-Motor Engineering.” (ARCARacing.com) (03-17-08)
  • Rabenold seeking marketing partners: Kory Rabenold Racing, headquartered in Slatington PA, is actively seeking marketing partners for the remainder of the 2008 ARCA RE/MAX Series season. (03-17-08)
  • Clement Racing announces sponsor: Stine Seed Company announced today that it has entered into an agreement to sponsor the #46 Clement Racing Ford Fusion in the ARCA RE/MAX Series for 2008. The car is owned by Larry Clement of Fort Dodge, Iowa, and will be driven by Matt Carter of Denver, North Carolina. "We at Stine Seed Company are very excited about this partnership," said David Thompson, Director of Marketing for Stine. "The things that make auto racing so great - the passion, the excitement, the technology - are all things that have made us successful in the seed business. The #46 team has had a long history of success, and we look forward to working with Clement Racing to build our own winning legacy in the ARCA RE/MAX Series." "Our team is proud to be associated with a first-class agricultural company like Stine," said Clement. "Stine is recognized as a leader in its industry for its power and strength, and above all they are committed to excellence - which makes them a perfect fit for our team." (ARCARacing.com) (03-11-08)
  • DiCarlo switching to Toyota: Gabi DiCarlo and Stringer Motorsports will switch to Toyota starting at Kansas. The team will continue to run Chevrolet cars at certain events. (ARCA Thunder) (03-11-08)
  • Chrissy Wallace to drive part time: [Chrissy] Wallace said she will drive five Truck races and five ARCA races for Germain Racing, which also fields trucks for drivers Todd Bodine and Justin Marks. (NASCAR.com) (03-11-08)
  • Unfortunate news from Sheltra Motorsports: It wasn’t the way that Sheltra Motorsports wanted to start off the week as members of the team were informed Monday morning that Sheltra Motorsports truck driver Carl “Elmo” Elmore suffered a heart attack this past Saturday. “Elmo” as he is referred to in the ARCA garage is currently resting comfortably at an Owensboro, Kentucky hospital but will undergo double-bypass surgery later this week. It is unknown when “Elmo” will return to the ARCA garage. "We are all stunned and saddened by the shocking news of “Elmo” this past weekend,” said car owner Grace Sheltra. “However, the good news is he is going to be okay and he is in good spirits. The Sheltra Motorsports team wishes him the best in his recovery and we can’t wait to have him back at the track!” Sadly, Sheltra Motorsports suffered another blow Monday morning as Mike Royal, a lead mechanic for the sophomore ARCA team lost his grandmother shortly after 9:30 local time this morning. Funeral arrangements are pending at this time. “On behalf of the entire Sheltra Motorsports team, Our thoughts and prayers go out to Mike and his family,” Sheltra added. Sheltra Motorsports will issue a statement on the progress of Elmore’s surgery as soon as information becomes available. (Sheltra Motorsports PR) (03-10-08)
  • Kelley reaches agreement with Hixson for full season: Brandon Kelley and long time ARCA RE/MAX Series car owner Wayne Hixson have reached an agreement that will put Kelley behind the wheel of the Hixson Motorsports #23 Chevrolets for the remainder of the 2008 season. "I am really excited to announce that I will be in the #23 for the remainder of the season," Kelley said from his home in Humble, Texas.  "When we started working on going to Daytona, it was really just a one race deal. While we were at Daytona, we started talking about the possibility of running a few more races, and then we had the strong run during the race and I knew that I wanted to do the whole season if there was any way possible. "The crew and I worked extremely well together, and everything just kind of fell into place. We still need a couple of marketing partners to come aboard and help us out. But with a little help, we can make a strong run for Rookie of the Year." Brandon Kelley and Hixson Motorsports are currently seeking marketing partners for the 2008 season. We have packages available for full and associate level sponsorship for the entire season or for single events. Interested parties should contact Roy Shipley. (ARCARacing.com) (03-07-08)
  • Spraker Racing signs development driver: A big dream came true for sixteen-year-old Alex Kennedy when he officially signed with Spraker Racing Enterprises for their driver development program. Owner, Jeff Spraker, well known for mentoring young talent, said, "Alex is the real deal. We have tested him twice, and he has a natural ability behind the wheel. He has tremendous potential, and we are pleased to have him join our organization." Alex will begin campaigning for Spraker Racing Enterprises in the NASCAR Weekly Late Model Series at Caraway Speedway in Asheboro, NC on March 15th.  "I am thrilled to have the opportunity to work with Jeff Spraker and his team. I know they have top-notch equipment, and I'm looking forward to driving their cars. This is definitely a huge step in my driving career!" (Spraker PR) (03-07-08)
  • Alex Garcia to return? ARCA Thunder reported that Alex Garcia may return to the ARCA RE/MAX series for 20 events. Garcia has a sponsor and is shopping for a team. (03-03-08)
  • Sadler Hamilton Racing to compete in upcoming events: Sadler Hamilton Racing plans on entering ARCA events in 2008.  Bobby Hamilton Jr. and Richard Johns are driver candidates. (ARCA Thunder) (03-03-08)
  • Mark Gibson Racing will not field #59: Mark Gibson Racing has transferred the owner points from the #59 team to Cunningham's #45.  MGR does not plan on fielding the #59 in any upcoming events. (ARCA Thunder) (03-03-08)
  • Jones Group Racing to run full season:  Jones Group Racing has purchased cars from Gillett Evernham Racing and will run for the championship with Terry Jones. The team might field an additional car for eight races with a Canadian driver. (ARCA Thunder) (03-03-08)