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[/media-credit]“Set to make second-career ARCA start in No. 78 The Mosquito Patch Ford”
TALLADEGA, Ala. (May 2, 2012) – After a break of over two months since his last ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards start at Daytona International Speedway (DIS) in February, 23-year-old Rookie Aleks Gregory and his Motorhead Racing Company team are ready to make their ARCA return when the green flag drops for the start of the International Motorsports Hall of Fame 250 on Friday, May 4 at Talladega Superspeedway. While the Louisiana-native will only be making only his second-career ARCA and stock car start, Gregory comes to the 2.66-mile Superspeedway with an air of confidence after a solid debut in the season-opening event at DIS.
One might think that making his first stock car start on racing’s biggest stage (DIS) would be a tall order, but Gregory proved he was up to the challenge when he ran in the top-15 for much of the race before a mechanical problem sidelined his No. 78 The Mosquito Patch Ford shy of the finish at Daytona. Armed with a little more experience and a veteran crew chief, former ARCA race winning driver Mark Gibson, Gregory is ready to prove that run was no fluke while showing off his talents and bringing his trademark camouflage colors to the front on the high banks at the series’ largest track.
“Talladega is a little bit different from Daytona, but it drives and races virtually the same,” said Gregory. “I’m pretty confident going into the race. In Daytona I didn’t really know what to expect; that was definitely a new experience for me, but after getting that first race under my belt and a little more seat time in the stock car I am really excited to get to the race started on Friday. It would be great to just get to the finish of the race but to finish up front with my Mosquito Patch Ford would just be awesome.”
A three-hour practice session begins the Talladega race weekend for Gregory and the other stars of the ARCA Racing Series on Thursday, May 3 at 10:00 a.m. CDT with Menards Pole qualifying presented by Ansell kicking off at 5:05 p.m. On Friday, a final practice from 11-11:55 a.m. will precede the 94-lap race which will air live on SPEED at 4 p.m. ARCARacing.com will feature live timing and scoring coverage, as well as a live audio broadcast as presented by WTDR Thunder 92.7 FM of Talladega.
Aleks Gregory and the No. 78 The Mosquito Patch Ford Fast Facts:
Gregory at Talladega: Aleks Gregory will be making his first-career start at Talladega Superspeedway. It will mark his second-career ARCA Racing Series start.
Testing, Testing: Gregory and his Mosquito Patch team participated in the ARCA Racing Series test in April along with teammate John Ferrier. Running over 100 laps in the two-day test session, Gregory was able to work in the draft as well as on single-car runs.
This Week’s Ford: Alex Gregory will be piloting a Ford Fusion powered by Roush/Yates engines. It is the same car they used to qualify 19th at Daytona before running in the top-15 for much of the race. Chad McCumbee drove to an eighth-place finish at Daytona last year.
Signing for a Cause: Immediately following Friday’s International Motorsports Hall of Fame 250 Gregory along with teammate John Ferrier will be signing autographs at the 27th Annual Race Fever Dinner and Auction. MRN’s Steve Post will be conducting deriver interviews on stage while Michael Waltrip conducts a live auction. All proceeds for Race Fever will benefit the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind. For more information log on towww.racefever.org.
Autographs: Fans will have the chance to meet Aleks Gregory and all their favorite ARCA Racing Seriesdrivers on Friday, May 4. The ARCA Racing Series will host an all-access open garage from drivers on Saturday, February 18 from 11:30 – 12:30 p.m. CDT.
Find Out More: For more information on Motorhead Racing Company and The Mosquito Patch log on towww.AleksGregory.com and www.TheMosquitoPatch.us.
About The Mosquito Patch
Based out of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, The Mosquito Patch is an all-natural, deet free mosquito bite protection patch. The transdermal, water-proof patch attaches to the skin and provides up to 36 hours of mosquito bite protection. Because the spray-free, odor-free patch is all-natural, it is safe to use on children and adults of all ages.
