TEAM REPORT NO.2 Compiled by Dwight Drum
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ARCA RE/MAX Series
Patrick Sheltra
Patrick Sheltra Expects Intense Race At Mansfield
“Mr. Showtime Says Fans Are In For A Treat”
“It’s going to be one heck of a show.” Those are the words from veteran ARCA RE/MAX Series driver Patrick Sheltra previewing Saturday’s inaugural Tim Richmond Memorial ARCA 200 at Mansfield Motorsports Park.
Sheltra and his Whitesville, Kentucky based team spent Monday testing at the Mansfield, Ohio track. Immediately, Sheltra, driver of the No. 60 Buffalo Wings & Rings Dodge Charger grew a liking to the half-mile oval and feels that Saturday night could be the night that his team returns to victory lane.
Earlier this year, Sheltra mastered Salem Speedway in his ARCA return after a massive incident in the season opener at Daytona International Speedway. Since the win, Sheltra has had several good runs but the strong finishes have been overshadowed by a couple of poor finishes due to circumstances beyond the team’s control.
Back to good ole’ classic short track racing, Sheltra is hoping to once again showcase his short track skills.
“The Mansfield race should be pretty exciting for the fans,” said Sheltra, who joined three other ARCA RE/MAX Series teams for the test on Monday. “The track is very unique. It seems that there is a couple different racing lines. I kind of compare this place to a Toledo, but it really isn’t a Toledo. So, if I had to compare it to a track that we compete on, Toledo would be my choice. Realistically though, this place is like nothing I’ve ever raced on before, dirt or asphalt.”
Taking to the track just after 8:00 a.m. local time, Sheltra under the direction of crew chief John Hayden started with a very conservative setup before hammering down and finding that perfect setup that would bring an opportunity to put the team back in the spotlight.
“We kept getting faster and faster throughout the day,” offered Sheltra. “Around 3:30 p.m., the car felt real good and we feel our qualifying run was strong enough for a good starting position, so I’m looking forward to Saturday.”
When asked if the Indiantown, Florida native was afraid of anything heading into the ninth race of the season he commented, “I’m a little concerned about lap cars. I don’t think there isn’t a lot of room for them. Don’t get me wrong, they have every right to be racing but if you have some faster cars that catch up to them quickly, it’s going to make it real interesting. Like I’ve preached, it should be a good show for the fans. They will get their money’s worth.”
After exiting Michigan last weekend with a 33rd place finish after the motor expired on his No. 60 Buffalo Wings & Rings TOYOTA Camry, Sheltra is looking for a little redemption this weekend.
“I would love to come here this weekend and gain some points. We need to do that. We’re on a little bit of a roller coaster ride right now. We’ve had some bad luck and that’s what it’s been, bad luck. Hopefully luck will be on our side Saturday night and we’ll get to put another tally next to win for the season,” concluded Sheltra.
Robb Brent
Robb Brent Looking For Perfect Finish At Mansfield
Easily finding his niche in the ARCA RE/MAX Series, Robb Brent heads to Mansfield Motorsports Park (MMP) this weekend looking to keep his solid finishes alive as the tour heads for the inaugural Tim Richmond Memorial ARCA 200 Saturday night.
And while Brent, the Shelby Township, Michigan native has competed in more speedway events rather than the typical beating and banging short track races, Brent is increasing gaining attention with his short track finishes and roars to Mansfield this weekend looking for his first career victory.
“I’m actually looking forward to Saturday night,” said Brent, who is juggling a full-time ARCA RE/MAX Series schedule between attaining a college degree. “Our short track performances have been pretty impressive this year; I’m looking to keep that stat alive under the lights.”
Neither Brent nor his Justin Allgaier Motorsports (JAM) team have competed at the Mansfield Motorsports Park facility but the former road racing ace is looking forward to the challenges it may present.
“Everyone’s going to be on a level playing field for the most part,” added Brent. “A couple of teams tested at the track over the last two weeks but most of us will be pretty green when we get on the track Saturday. That’s going to be interesting for sure but should provide great racing for the fans.”
“You have to approach this race like you would with any short track. Track time is going to be key but making sure your car will run is pivotal. You can have a fast car but if you’re in the danger zone and unable to escape, your night could be over before it even gets started. That’s why it’s so important to get a good qualifying spot and be as close to the front as possible. I’m sure we’ll focus on race and qualifying runs on Saturday afternoon.”
Another reason Brent is eager for the Saturday night showdown comes with a very worthy explanation. Father’s Day. With Brent’s father Robert Brent expected to be rooting his son on from pit road Saturday night, the younger Brent would like to do nothing more but give his father the ultimate Father’s Day gift.
“There’s a lot of reasons why I want to win on Saturday night but to win for Dad would be huge,” sounded Brent. “My dad is there every race and you can’t ask for a better fan than that. I know how special a win would be for him, so I’m going to do everything I can and try and celebrate with him in victory lane.”
With his solid 11th place finish at Michigan International Speedway last Friday, Brent has climbed to 11th in the ARCA RE/MAX Series championship standings and sits just 110 points from entering the top-10.
“Our finishes have been paying off for sure,” replied Brent. “It doesn’t get any easier from here though. The guys in the top-10 have really great cars and are pretty good drivers themselves. We’re going to keep giving it our all and hope we’re able to earn our way in there in the next couple of races.”
Washington Township, Michigan based Orchard Chrysler Dodge Jeep will continue it’s long-time association with Brent and serve as the primary sponsor on Brent’s No. 36 Dodge Charger this weekend. Orchard Chrysler Dodge Jeep has backed Brent since his entrance into racing at the age of 16.
Prior to joining Justin Allgaier Motorsports, Brent participated in the ARCA RE/MAX Series and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series driving for NASCAR driver Brad Keselowski and Brad Keselowski Racing. In his 24 ARCA starts, Brent has acquired two top-five finishes and nine top-10 efforts. Brent notched his career best qualifying effort of second at Kentucky Speedway last year. He has led the ARCA RE/MAX Series pack twice for 21 laps in 2008. His best finish in the NCWTS occurred at Nashville Superspeedway in his inaugural truck debut where he finished 21st after qualifying 26th.
This season, Brent has four top-10 finishes in seven starts with a best finish of seventh at Pocono Raceway earlier this month. A 15th place qualifying effort at Michigan International Speedway last weekend is the team’s season best thus far.
The Tim Richmond Memorial ARCA 200 (200 laps / 100 miles) is the ninth of 21 events on the 2009 ARCA RE/MAX Series schedule. The first ever ARCA race at Mansfield Motorsports Park is a one-day show. Practice begins Saturday June 20 with an hour and half practice session planned from 2:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Menards Pole by Ansell qualifying is set for later in the day slated to begin at 5:00 p.m. The event will take the green flag shortly after 8:30 p.m. The event will not be televised however flag-to-flag coverage will be broadcasted live through the ARCA Racing Network (ARN) online at arcaracing.com. All times are local.
Be sure to cast your vote for Robb Brent as the 2009 ARCA RE/MAX Series most popular driver. Visit ARCANation.com and vote for Robb Brent today! Remember, if you are a member your vote counts twice compared to non-members whose clicks only equal one vote.
Justin Lofton
Lofton planning full assault at Mansfield
Mechanical issues forced Justin Lofton and the Eddie Sharp Racing No. 6 team to have a rare off week at Michigan International Speedway last Friday. The result was a 30th place finish in addition to Lofton losing the points lead.
But that’s old news.
Lofton is now looking ahead to this Saturday’s Tim Richmond Memorial ARCA RE/MAX 200 at Mansfield Motorsports Park.
“I’ve been excited about Mansfield ever since I climbed out of the car at Michigan,” Lofton said.
“I love short track racing. And it’ll be fun to get up there and race Parker (Kligerman) again. We had a good battle going last week. I felt like we had the faster car until we had that problem. He’s got the points lead. I want it back. The gloves are off now. We’re going to give it all we’ve got.”
After the mechanical gremlins took control of Lofton’s No. 6 Toyota Camry last week, Kligerman went on to win the race and inherited the point lead. Lofton now trails by just 45 markers.
Added Lofton, “I feel like we’re racing him every week now at the front – like the start of a friendly rivalry. We’re making each other better every week.”
Lofton and his Mark Rette-led crew head to Mansfield with a trusty hotrod and high expectations. Lofton has amassed runner-up finishes in the two previous short track races this season at Salem and Toledo. He also nabbed the pole award in Salem.
With a win on the superspeedway in Talladega, Lofton proved he has the ability to not just lead laps, but win races. He enters Mansfield as the Aaron’s Lap Leader with 375 laps led spanning just the first seven races (including 39 last week in Michigan).
“It’s good to be out front but it’s even better to finish it off in victory lane,” Lofton said. “We’re going to Mansfield with nothing else in mind.”
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