Concord, NC (April 25 2013) – After nearly a two-month break in the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards racing schedule, the series returns this weekend to the ultra-fast-half-mile, Salem Speedway.
Venturini Motorsports (VMS) will unload four teams at Salem with 2013 Daytona race winner, John Wes Townley, leading the way. The twenty-three year old Townley will be back behind the wheel driving his familiar Zaxby’s Toyota with crew chief, Kevin Reed calling the shots from the pit box.
“I’m excited to get back into my element and back into the ARCA car after our Daytona win,” stated Townley. “There’s no track quite like Salem. It’s a fun track with a ton of character. There’s no doubt Sunday’s race is going to be fast and exciting, it should be very interesting.”
Townley, who drives full-time in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series with Red Horse Racing, is also running a partial schedule with Venturini Motorsports in the ARCA and NASCAR Nationwide Series.
In addition to John Wes Townley, drivers Kyle Benjamin, Justin Boston and Milka Duno will round out the Kentuckiana Ford Dealers ARCA 200 presented by Crosley Radio entry list for VMS.
Fifteen year-old, Kyle Benjamin coming off his second place finish at Mobile in his ARCA debut looks to make history this weekend by becoming the youngest winner in the 61 year history of the ARCA series. Benjamin, who battled Mobile race winner, Grant Enfinger, last month for the top spot, led a total of 26-laps during the race. Benjamin’s second-place finish was good for top rookie finisher and earned him SCOTT Rookie Challenge honors for the ARCA Mobile 200.
Seemingly not much of a long-shot, the Easley, SC native is living up to the pre-season hype with a legitimate shot to win every time he straps himself into the car. Benjamin will be running a limited ARCA schedule due to the ARCA series age restrictions will be driving the No.15 “The Truth Band”/FATHEADS Eyewear Chevrolet at Salem Speedway this weekend.
Justin Boston will be making his Salem debut driving the No.25 ZLOOP Computer and Electronics Recycling Toyota.
Boston, a strong candidate for rookie of the year honors is coming off a career best sixth place finish at Mobile Speedway.Boston tested Salem last week with his VMS teammates and posted the quickest laps of the bunch.
“I’m really excited to get back to business at Salem,” said Justin. “We tested there last week and our ZLOOP Camry was strong throughout the day. I’m in proven equipment and Brennan (Poole) who has won here before has been a huge help getting me up to speed quickly at new tracks. I intend to fully capitalize on the opportunity I have at Salem.”
After signing with Venturini Motorsports during the off-season, Milka Duno is set to make her third start of the 2013 campaign this weekend at Salem Speedway. Duno, who qualified on the outside pole and led the beginning laps at Daytona earlier this year, is ready to get back behind the wheel of her No.35 CAN-TV – MILKA Way Chevrolet at Salem.
“I like the challenge that racing on a short track offers – and Salem is one of my favorite tracks. You have to drive so hard from the beginning to the end to have a good finish. I know VMS will have a good car for me and we’ll be doing our best to deliver a good result,” says, Milka Duno.
Milka Duno finished 13th last month at Mobile Speedway is hoping to improve on her recent success this coming weekend with veteran crew chief, Kevin Caldwell leading the way.
This weekend’s event at Salem Speedway will mark the 93rd running for the Kentuckian Ford Dealers 200, adding to ARCA’s storied history at the southern Indiana race track.
Practice for the Kentuckiana Ford Dealers 200 is Saturday, April 27 from 12:00 PM – 12:45 PM, with final practice from 1:15 PM – 2:00 PM. Menards Pole Award Qualifying presented by Ansell is scheduled to follow at 3:30 PM. Pre-race festivities and driver introductions get underway just before 2PM on Sunday afternoon (April 28) with the Kentuckiana Ford Dealers 200 slated to get the green flag at 2:15 PM EST. Live race day coverage will air on ARCARACING.com radio with play-by-play given by the dynamic duo of Charlie Krall and Tim Clagg.
About Venturini Motorsports
Venturini Motorsports (VMS), fielding cars for over 30-years in the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards, is one of the premier NASCAR driver development programs in the country. 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, Ryan Blaney, Alex Bowman, Brian Scott, Kevin Swindell, Miguel Paludo, John Wes Townley, Josh Richards and Johanna Long.
In 2012, VMS and the Venturini family was inducted into the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame and now find themselves enshrined with such sports icons as Joe DiMaggio, Mario Andretti, Vince Lombardi, Tommy Lasorda and Rocky Marciano, among others.
After nearly two decades away from NASCAR, 2013 marks VMS’s modern day return to the series with John Wes Townley driving the team’s familiar No.25 in selective NASCAR Nationwide Series events.
Official: www.VenturiniMotorsports.com | Twitter: @VenturiniMotor | Facebook: Venturini Motorsports
