KANSAS CITY, Kansas (October 17, 2012) – – Open-wheel standout Chris Windom will finish the ARCA Racing Seriespresented by Menards season the same way he started it; behind the wheel of a Win-Tron Racing entry.
Win-Tron Racing announced today that Windom, who drives for Tony Stewart Racing (TSR) in the United States Auto Club (USAC) Sprint Car Series, will look to finish what he started at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway on Friday night behind the wheel of the No. 32 Red Line Oil Chevrolet.
Windom, in his restrictor plate debut, stood within one lap of potentially securing his inaugural ARCA Racing Series victory, but ran out of gas with leader Brandon McReynolds as the car screamed out of turn four towards the finish line. The Canton, Illinois native would go on to coast to an eighth place performance but it left the rising star with a “what if” thought.
On Friday, the Automobile Racing Club of America (ARCA) will close the curtain on an unprecedented 60th season of competition but for the 21-year-old Windom, he’ll look at the season finale as an opportunity to make up for what he lost nearly eight months ago.
“I’m excited about the opportunity to once again return to ARCA and compete for Win-Tron Racing,” said Windom. “Eight months feels like forever, but I’m ready to take on the challenge of my Kansas Speedway debut with a strong finish to end the year for the team.”
Windom, set to make his fourth career ARCA start and first on an intermediate track, will look to keep his early years of ARCA success alive on the 1.5-mile oval. In his two races last year at the Illinois State Fairgrounds (Springfield) and the DuQuoin State Fairgrounds, Windom shined through his limited experience in a stock-car to post an impressive third place finish at Springfield and was gunning towards another top-five in the series before being entangled in a late race skirmish that ultimately ended in a 13th place finish.
“I tested at Kansas a couple weeks ago and it really helped me get a feel for the track,” Windom added. “It’s been repaved, so everyone’s on an equal level as far as I’m concerned. I think with what we learned from the test and the changes the guys have made back at the shop, we should be in great shape once the green flag falls on Friday night.”
Nate Thiesse, co-car owner of Win-Tron Racing expressed his thoughts about having Windom return to the seat of their veteran team.
“It’s always a pleasure to have Chris behind the wheel of one of our cars,” he said. “He has come a long way in a stock car in a short period of time and I feel he’ll only continue to accelerate his learning curve this weekend. Much like Daytona, this will be another new style of racing that he’s never experienced, but we’re confident he’ll find his comfort level quickly and we can put ourselves in contention for another strong run. It’s been a good year with Chris and Mason (Mingus) behind the wheel and we’re looking forward to what next year holds for our race team.”
The Kansas Lottery 98.9 (99 laps / 148.5 miles) is the 19th of 19 events on the 2012 ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards schedule. The 12th ARCA event held at Kansas Speedway is a one-day show. Practice begins Friday, October 7 with a two hour and 15 minute practice session planned from 9:00 a.m. – 11:15 a.m. Menards Pole by Ansell qualifying is slated to begin later in the day at 5:35 p.m. The field will take the green flag approximately two hours later at 7:30 p.m. The event will be televised live on SPEED with additional race coverage including live timing and scoring throughout the 1,350th race for the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards since it was formed in 1953 will be available through the ARCA Racing Network (ARN) online at arcaracing.com. All times are local.
Further information including driver opportunities with Win-Tron Racing is available by visiting win-tronracing.com
For more on Chris Windom, please visit ChrisWindom.net.
About Win-Tron Racing:
Located in Lakeville, Minnesota, Win-Tron Racing is the home of one the most potent ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards single-car operations. Owned by former racers Kevin Cywinski and Nate Thiesse, the team since has acquired the assets of County Joe Racing has become a favorable fixture on the circuit. Since Win-Tron Racing’s inception in 2007, the team has hosted a variety of drivers including leading drivers James Buescher, Blake Bjorklund, Justin Marks and Matt Merrell to their first career ARCA victories. In 2012, the team will begin its sixth year of competition with current drivers Chris Windom, Mason Mingus and Aleks Gregory.
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