Concord, NC (April 23, 2014) – Very few tracks on the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards best represent ‘Springtime’ racing quite like Salem Speedway. Sunday’s Federated Auto Parts 200 presented by Crunch ‘N Nutter event marks ARCA’s 95th visit to the famed half-mile track in Salem, Indiana.
Leading the way for Venturini Motorsports is a strong trio of drivers each capable of taming the ultra-fast track known best for its rough racing surface and high banks.
John Wes Townley, driving his No.15 Zaxby’s Toyota, enters Salem securing the fifth spot in the overall ARCA driver point standings. Townley, whose competing full time in the series and chasing a championship, relishes his return to Salem and is confident in his ability to come away with a strong finish.
“I like everything about Salem. It’s such a racy track, and it’s so challenging, but that’s what makes it so unique. I like the way you run right against the wall through (turns) three and four, but the line through one and two is completely different and away from the wall. There are not too many places to pass on the track so you have to think way ahead on that, but that’s what makes it so challenging. I’ve always loved it and looking forward to a great showing,” said Townley.
It would be hard to argue no other series driver is looking more forward to Salem than Justin Boston, driver of the No.25 ZLOOP Computer Electronic and Recycling – JACO Environmental Toyota. Boston, last year’s Rookie of the Year, is off to a lackluster start to begin his 2014 campaign due to back-to-back DNF’s which were out of his control and brought on by an accident (Daytona) and mechanical failures (Mobile).
This weekend will mark Boston’s third start at Salem Speedway with Venturini Motorsports. The Baltimore, Md. driver has made two ARCA Racing Series starts at the .555-mile track, earning the Menards Pole Award presented by Ansell in both qualifying attempts. Boston finished a career-best ninth-place at the track in April 2013. In the September event, he finished 23rd when transmission issues afflicted Boston.
“I’m really excited to go back to Salem Speedway for a third time and bring everything that I learned last year there with me,” said Boston. “Our No. 25 ZLOOP Computer and Electronic Recycling Centers – JACO Environmental Toyota has been really fast there every time we have unloaded, and I expect that to continue this weekend.
“Salem Speedway is one of those tracks that you just have to respect. It’s so easy to overdrive it and I think that’s why we have been so successful there, because our cars have been so good that I have never really had to overdrive the car there. I love Salem and I can’t wait to get back to work this weekend and hopefully we keep our ZLOOP – JACO Environmental Toyota Camry up front throughout the weekend.”
Rounding out VMS’s driver lineup for Sunday’s Federated Auto Parts 200 presented by Crunch ‘N Nutter is the highly touted Joe Gibbs Racing development driver, rookie Cody Coughlin.
Coughlin will be making his second ARCA series start behind the wheel of his No.55 JEGS Toyota.
Coughlin feels more confident after he gained valuable seat time last month at Mobile International Speedway in Mobile, Alabama where he finished 13th in his ARCA debut. He raced amongst the leaders and gained valuable experience in the heavier ARCA racecars than he had been accustomed to racing in the past.
“Mobile was a new experience as I was in a new style car racing at a track for the first time. This time I feel more mentally prepared,” Coughlin explained. “I have a good feel of my ARCA car now and I am going back to a track that is familiar to me.”
Although new to the series, Coughlin is no stranger to the Indiana short track. It was last year driving his late model car Coughlin won at Salem Speedway earning his second career JEGS/CRA All Stars Tour victory.
“I am really looking forward to returning to Salem Speedway,” Coughlin said. “It’s a fast high-banked oval that we found success at last year in my Late Model. This time, we are coming back to make our second ARCA Racing Series start and we’re ready to run up front again.”
Earlier this month, Coughlin had the opportunity to test at Salem and was pleased with his results.
“Our test went pretty good, our lap times were close to my Venturini Motorsports teammates John Wes Townley and Justin Boston,” Coughlin said. “The biggest thing I learned was that things are more noticeable with a heavier car, especially going around the high banks. I was used to going around the track in a lighter Late Model car, and the heavier car really changed my driving style. The key thing for me on race day will be to take care of the car and keep all of the fenders on it. If we do that, I can’t see why we cannot go away with a strong top-five finish.”
| “I am really looking forward to returning to Salem Speedway,” Coughlin said. “It’s a fast high-banked oval that we found success at last year in my Late Model. This time, we are coming back to make our second ARCA Racing Series start and we’re ready to run up front again.”
Earlier this month, Coughlin had the opportunity to test at Salem and was pleased with his results. “Our test went pretty good, our lap times were close to my Venturini Motorsports teammates John Wes Townley and Justin Boston,” Coughlin said. “The biggest thing I learned was that things are more noticeable with a heavier car, especially going around the high banks. I was used to going around the track in a lighter Late Model car, and the heavier car really changed my driving style. The key thing for me on race day will be to take care of the car and keep all of the fenders on it. If we do that, I can’t see why we cannot go away with a strong top-five finish.” |
With a solid driver lineup this weekend Venturini Motorsports is hoping to add to their team success at Salem Speedway.
Since 1987, Venturini Motorsports has collected 48 starts at the Salem, Ind. facility. Between 22 different drivers, the Concord, N.C.-based organization has four victories with Billy Venturini (2006), Steve Arpin (2010), Brennan Poole (2011) and Kyle Benjamin (2013). Over the past 27 years, Venturini Motorsports has three pole awards with Clint King (2011) and Justin Boston (April and September 2013) and 12 top-five finishes, 21 top-10 finishes, and an average starting position of 10.19 as well as an average finishing position of 13.16.
Adding to the weekend festivities Nashville recording group Lucy Angel will kick-off their season partnership with Venturini Motorsports performing a pre-race concert (10:45 a.m. ET) in Salem’s fan zone located behind the main grandstand area. Lucy Angel, a talented mother-daughter trio, is currently preparing for the release of their self-titled CD “Lucy Angel” which will debut later this summer.
Race coverage for the Federated Auto Parts 200 presented by Crunch ‘N Nutter will be aired live Sunday, April 27 starting at 1:45 p.m. ET, with timing and scoring as well as the radio broadcast through the ARCA Racing Network (ARN) online at arcaracing.com. Justin Boston will join Charles Krall and Tim Clagg for the post-race show immediately following the checkered flag.
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, John Wes Townley and Erik Jones. Over the years the Venturini name has become synonymous with modern-day racing in America. In 2012, the Venturini family was inducted into the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame (www.NIASHF.org) and now find themselves enshrined with such sports icons as Joe DiMaggio, Mario Andretti, Vince Lombardi, Tommy Lasorda and Rocky Marciano.
Official: www.VenturiniMotorsports.com | Twitter: @VenturiniMotor | Facebook: Venturini Motorsports
About ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards
The Automobile Racing Club of America (ARCA) is among the leading auto racing sanctioning bodies in the country. Founded in 1953 by John and Mildred Marcum, the organization administers more than 100 events each year in multiple racing series, including the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards, the ARCA/CRA Super Series, the ARCA Truck Series and the ARCA Midwest Tour, plus weekly racing at Toledo and Flat Rock Speedways.
