Concord, NC (September 13, 2012) — As the conclusion of the 2012 ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards season draws near Venturini Motorsports prepares for its last short-track event of the year this weekend at Salem Speedway.
The ARCA Series returns to the track for the first time in almost 4-weeks after the last scheduled event (9/3) at the Du Quoin, Illinois Fairgrounds was postponed due to heavy rains leftover from Hurricane Isaac. The last racing action was on August 26th at Madison International Speedway.
Driving for Venturini Motorsports this weekend at Salem Speedway in the Kentuckiana Ford Dealers Fall Classic presented by Federated Car Care at Salem Speedway is Brennan Poole, Nelson Canache, Erik Jones and newcomer Caleb Armstrong.
Brennan Poole who leads the ARCA rookie of the year battle returns to the site of his series debut and first victory. It was during the spring race at Salem in 2011 where the 21-year old driver from the The Woodlands, TX held off eventual series champion, Ty Dillon for the checkered flag. Poole will once again be back in his familiar No.25 Venturini Motorsports entry looking to capture his third victory of the 2012 campaign.
Making his 10th and final ARCA appearance of the season is sixteen-year old driving sensation Erik Jones. Jones who’s competed at every short track event for Venturini in 2012 looks to capture his first series victory Saturday night at Salem Speedway.
Earlier this year at the age of 15-years old, Jones became the youngest competitor in ARCA series history when he made his debut at Mobile Int’l Speedway in Alabama. In nine series starts Jones has accumulated an impressive early resume which includes (4) top-5 and (5) top-10 finishes with 103-laps led in during his rookie season. Jones will be piloting his No.55 Paragon Corvette Reproductions Chevrolet.
Nelson Canache will be back behind the wheel of his No.35 Venezuelan Tourism Chevrolet at Salem looking to continue his recent string of successful starts. Canache, a native of Caracas, Venezuela is a former Venezuelan driving champion enjoying his first year of stock-car (oval) racing with Venturini Motorsports.
The “Pride of Venezuela” has come on strong as of late as his rookie experience is starting to pay dividends. With no previous ARCA experience prior to the 2012 season, Canache expects to finish the season strong. Canache has earned two top-10 finishes (Chicago & Pocono) and most recently led his first career laps at Madison Int’l Speedway.
Rounding out Venturini Motorsport’s entries for this weekend’s event at Salem Speedway will be USAC racing series standout Caleb Armstrong. The 20-year old from New Castle, Indiana will be making his ARCA Racing debut for Venturini driving the No.15 Mudd Advertising-Drive for Savings car.
Armstrong currently occupies the fourth place position in USAC’s highly competitive Midget Mopar National Division Championship standings.
In 2011, Armstrong enjoyed a breakout season driving for his family owned midget team highlighted by USAC national victories at Iowa Speedway and at the famed Turkey Night Grand Prix at Toyota Speedway in Irwindale, California.
Armstrong who started his racing career in 1998 will have a large contingency of hometown supporters when he takes the green flag at Salem as his hometown of New Castle, Indiana is located just a couple hours northeast of the Indiana track.
Practice for the Kentuckiana Ford Dealers Fall Classic by Federated Car Care at Salem will take place over two sessions on Saturday, from 12:30-1:15 p.m. and 1:45-2:30 p.m. Menards Pole Qualifying presented by Ansell is scheduled for 4 p.m., and a driver autograph session will be open to all fans from 4:45-5:15 p.m. The 200-lap, 111-mile race will start at 7:15 p.m.
ARCARacing.com will feature live timing and scoring coverage throughout the day, and ARCA Racing Network hosts Charlie Krall and Tim Clagg will deliver a live audio call for the race on the site.
About Venturini Motorsports
Venturini Motorsports (VMS), fielding cars in the ARCA Racing Series, is one of the premier NASCAR driver development programs in the country. The 2012 season marks the team’s 30th Anniversary of competition in the ARCA Series. Multiple team championships and consistent on-track success, VMS has evolved into one of the most recognizable names in motorsports.
Since 2007, VMS has assisted in the career development of notable NASCAR drivers such as Joey Logano, Justin Allgaier, Steve Arpin, Brian Scott, Max Gresham, Miguel Paludo, Josh Richards, Ryan Blaney, and Scott Lagasse, Jr.
Official: www.VenturiniMotorsports.com | Twitter @VenturiniMotor | Facebook: Venturini Motorsports
