“ARCA Team Welcomes New Partner for Remainder of Season”
SALEM, Indiana (April 24, 2013) – – After a six week break, racing resumes for the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards this weekend at the legendary Salem (Ind.) Speedway, the site of Sunday’s Kentuckiana Ford Dealers ARCA 200 presented by Crosley Radio.
Championship point’s leader Mason Mingus and his Mooresville, North Carolina-based Win-Tron Racing don’t mind that their vacation is ending. They do mind however, about gaining sole possession of the point standings following the third race of the season.
Two top-10 finishes, including a career-best fourth after starting on the pole at Mobile (Ala.) Speedway last month, have tied the Brentwood, Tennessee native with nine-time ARCA champion Frank Kimmel atop of the pyramid, accumulating 420 points apiece.
The good news for Mingus, driver of the No. 32 Diamond Equipment / Call 811 Before You Dig Toyota Camry is the brutal 0.5-mile short track is one of his favorites on the tour.
The bad news? It also happens to be one of the best for Kimmel too.
Still, Mingus is upbeat and anxious to get to back to the track that’s known for its “bullring” type-demeanor and look for his first career ARCA Racing Series victory in his 16th career start.
“I’m glad the break is over and we can get back to racing,” said Mingus, who stayed busy with school, spring break and late model racing during the hiatus. “Salem is one of my favorite tracks. Its mean characteristics can be a driver’s worst nightmare, but I embrace its challenges gladly. We’ve been able to finish 10th and sixth in our last two visits there, but this weekend we need another top-five, if not a win.”
The 18-year old knows though he’ll have to battle hard to leave Sunday’s race at the top.
On both accounts.
“There are a lot of factors at Salem,” Mingus mentioned. “Track position, lap traffic, tires and handling – all of those come into full effect at Salem. But, that’s what makes the racing so great there, you just never know what to expect. I know Frank’s going to be tough, but I don’t think he’ll be the only one we’ll have to watch this weekend, so it should be a great race for the fans.”
The veteran ARCA Racing Series will also welcome a new partner for the second short track race of the year. DOC 360, the primary sponsor on Win-Tron Racing’s NASCAR K&N Pro Series East division with rookie Matt Tifft has expanded their support to leap aboard Mingus’s vehicle for the remaining 19 events in 2013.
“I’m glad to have the support of DOC 360, but we’re also extremely thankful to have Diamond Equipment and Call 811 Before You Dig on our car this weekend too,” sounded Mingus. “I have high hopes for this weekend, I hope we don’t disappoint.”
Win-Tron Racing co-car owner Nate Thiesse is anticipating another strong race for his team. “We’re looking forward to this weekend at Salem,” he said. “Overall, we’ve had a very health track record there. Mason also likes the track, which is a bonus for us. The more laps he turns there, the better he becomes. We hope to continue our strong start to the year on Sunday.”
Entering Salem, Mingus and Kimmel hold a 65-point cushion over third place contender Mason Mitchell.
In the Tennessean’s previous 15 ARCA Racing Series races, he has acquired one top-five and nine top-10 finishes including a fourth place run at Mobile (Ala.) International Speedway in March 2013. Additionally, a pole run last month, also at Mobile (Ala.) International Speedway is his best time trials effort to date.
The Kentuckiana Ford Dealers ARCA 200 presented by Crosley Radio (200 laps / 100 miles) is the third of 21 events on the 2013 ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards schedule. The 93rd ARCA race held at Salem is a two-day show. Practice begins Saturday, April 27 with a forty-five minute session planned from 12:00 p.m. – 12:45 p.m. A final 45-minute session is set for 1:15 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. Menards pole qualifying presented by Ansell is set for later in the day at 3:30 p.m. An on-track autograph session has been etched in on race day, Sunday, April 28 from 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. The event will take the green flag shortly after 2:00 p.m. The race will not be televised on SPEED but additional race coverage including live timing and scoring 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’s multiple Motorsports programs is available by visiting win-tronracing.com or contacting Nate Thiesse at 612.306.1641.
Learn about Call 811 Before You Dig and what it can do for you by connecting to call811.com.
For more on Mason Mingus, please visit MasonMingusRacing.com.
Mingus tweets too. Follow him on Twitter @Mason_Mingus.
About Win-Tron Racing:
Located in Mooresville, North Carolina, 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, Matt Merrell and Brandon McReynolds to their first career ARCA victories. In 2013, the team will begin its seventh year of competition with a presence in the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards, the NASCAR K&N Pro Series (East) and the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series.
