Concord, NC (April 29, 2014) – Conservation as a topic in racing circles usually centers on elements crucial between the green and checkered flags, like fuel or tires. For Leilani Münter, though, conservation plays a greater role not only this week at Talladega Superspeedway, but every day of her life.
Joining Venturini Motorsports in the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards for the second time, Münter enters Saturday’s International Motorsports Hall of Fame 200 in a No. 55 Toyota promoting “Blackfish,” a 2013 Magnolia Pictures documentary centered on the consequences of keeping killer whales in captivity. The film features Tilikum, a bull orca involved in three human deaths since being captured for theme park life over 30 years ago.
For Münter, who graduated from the University of California-San Diego with a biology degree, racing is important, but directing attention outside the car to environmental issues is paramount.
“I feel like I’m an environmentalist who races rather than a racer who does environmental work,” Münter said from New York City, where last week she attended the Tribeca Film Festival. She was there to support a new documentary titled “6” in which she will appear related to endangered species and mass extinction, as well as participate in a public question-and-answer session.
“I’m a tree hugger. I’m a rainwater-collecting, vegan, solar panel-using, electric car driver. I really fit into that role, and then there’s this weird exception that I drive a race car. But I realize that the race car is what gives me the ability to express these environmental issues to people. You don’t change any minds by preaching to people who believe in the same thing that you do. The only way you win people over is to go and speak to the people who aren’t into these ideas yet. I like to get the conversation going, and the race car serves a great purpose for me.”
The sight of Münter in a conservation film-themed car will be familiar, as “The Cove” adorned her car at Daytona two years ago. In the time leading to that race, Münter was active in her efforts to conserve. She led a campaign to light the top of the Empire State Building red to raise awareness for the dolphin slaughter depicted in the film, traveled to Japan and survived Typhoon Talas to document the slaughter in Tajii, and welcomed key personnel from the film to the track to meet fans and spread the message before the race.
Despite a heartbreaking 36th-place finish after a blown tire, spin, and motor problems, she felt her activism had been positive, inspiring her for another run in 2014. She said many fans of “The Cove” asked her if she would race a “Blackfish” car. After she received permission from the film’s producer, director, and studio, her effort to crowd-fund another car was on.
But after her fundraising efforts only turned up an initial $7,500, Münter was at an impasse. That was until she encountered Sam Simon, a key animal rights activist who happens to be the co-creator of TV’s “The Simpsons” and a key contributor to many other productions of the last 35 years.
“I didn’t really think we were going to go to Talladega, but then I was guest on Sam Simon’s radio show – he’s a huge animal rights activist, very passionate – and he spontaneously offered to cover the rest of the car’s costs,” she said.
Simon is living with terminal cancer but plans to join Münter and support “Blackfish” at Talladega this weekend. To recognize Simon’s important contribution, Münter flew to Los Angeles to thank Simon several weeks ago.
“We would not be running Talladega if it weren’t for Sam Simon,” she said. “I’m incredibly honored, because Sam has terminal cancer and the fact that he’s flying from L.A. to cheer me on at Talladega makes me feel honored. It’s hard to put that into words, but he has limited time left on the planet and to be giving a whole day of that to me is amazing.”
Between Simon’s generous donation at the start of April and the ARCA test at Talladega two weeks later, though, Münter continued to travel, raising awareness and filming “6,” the forthcoming production by the makers of “The Cove.” In that film, Münter is, fittingly, the getaway driver for a team examining the harm of endangered species.
Because of her travels, Münter was unable to visit the Venturini shop for a seat fitting. But once she got settled in to test at Talladega, that “weird exception” proved its mettle on track.
At one point the first morning, Münter was only 0.001 second from the top of the chart, proving her Toyota was among the fastest in single-car runs. Even after drafting practice took over, she ended last week’s two-day test fourth with a fastest lap of 52.223 seconds (183.367 mph).
Since then, she’s had the opportunity to visit the Venturini shop in North Carolina to truly adjust to her car for next weekend’s race.
“Now we’ve got the car dialed in, now I’m comfortable, and now I can reach the pedals,” she said. “I think we’re going to be really, really good. I’m interested to see how the drafting goes in qualifying, as I’ve never seen that before or qualified that way. It’s very interesting, and all of our cars should be up front.”
Indeed, added excitement is the expectation for ARCA qualifying at Talladega. A new series procedure at the track will feature group qualifying, with cars categorized by practice session speeds, instead of one car against the clock at a time. Having never raced at Talladega, the qualifying draft should serve as good practice for Saturday morning’s race.
“We’re going to be in big packs, long lines, and trains of cars, which always makes it really exciting, but that also sets us up for disaster at the same time,” Münter said. “If one person makes one mistake, you can be in the wrong place at the wrong time at no fault of your own. What I’m really hoping is that team-wise, the Venturini cars will qualify well, up front, and we can stay up front so the big one that’s coming happens behind me rather than in front of me.”
Münter will join full-time Venturini Motorsports drivers Justin Boston and John Wes Townley in ARCA’s 52nd race at Talladega. She’s hopeful that no matter her result this weekend, she’s able to promote the message of animal rights and everyday conservation.
“Every time something is on my car, it’s something I feel really deeply about. I love driving, and I absolutely want to win Talladega, but I love it that if I win Talladega, I’m doing it in a really cool car with a message that makes people think.”
Practice will take place from 9-11 a.m. before Menards Pole Qualifying at 3:35 p.m. on Friday. The race will begin at 10 a.m. on Saturday. All times are Central Daylight, meaning the race will air live at 11 a.m. Eastern Saturday on Fox Sports 1.
Special Feature: The newly released trailer for “6”, Münter’s next film project, is now available for viewing at the following link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qrw-fVADtv0
“I’ve never had anybody that’s watched the films not be moved to do something, whether it’s as small as putting the trailer on your Facebook page or sharing it with your friends and family,” Münter said.
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.
