Concord, NC (June 9, 2014) – The ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards headed to Pocono Raceway for the first of two stops at the Tricky Triangle during the 2014 season. Venturini Motorsports fielded three fast Toyota Camrys for Saturday afternoon’s Pocono ARCA 200 with drivers Justin Boston, Cody Coughlin, and John Wes Townley behind the wheel.
After competing in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series event at Texas Motor Speedway on Friday night, Townley arrived at Pocono to pilot his second race in less than 24 hours. While Townley was in Texas, Venturini teammate Brennan Poole practiced and qualified the Zaxby’s Toyota in the second position. With the pre-race driver change, Townley was forced to start from the rear of the field.
During the initial stages of the 80-lap event, a hole was punctured in the nose of the No. 15 Camry, but the Brad Parrott-led team repaired the damage under the first caution. The 24-year-old took the wave around to return to the lead lap on lap 60 and broke into the top-10 by lap 65.
Over the final 10 laps, Townley picked up six positions to cross the finish line in third-place. This marked Townley’s third top-five finish in the last four ARCA races.
Coming off consecutive top-10 finishes and his first career series win, Boston looked to carry his strong momentum into Pocono. During his qualifying effort, Boston made contact with the outside wall, causing damage to the rear of the No. 25 Toyota. The Kevin Reed-led team made necessary repairs to the primary car and Boston started the race from 27th-place.
Within in the first six laps, Boston had driven his ZLOOP Computer and Electronic Recycling – JACO Toyota into the top-10, showing the strength of his Camry.
Unfortunately while running in the third position on lap 66, Boston received contact from a fellow competitor, sending the 24-year-old into the wall. Heavy damage forced Boston’s day to end early, relegating the team to a 22nd-place finish.
Coughlin’s superspeedway debut started on a rocky note as the No. 55 team hit the wall and was forced to pull out the backup early in the first practice session on Friday morning. After quick work by the Jeff McClure-led team, Coughlin was able to gain additional practice laps in his backup Toyota and qualified in the 10th position.
Looking to gain experience, Coughlin consistently ran inside the top-10 for the majority of the 200-mile event. With 15 laps remaining, the Team JEGS Camry was scored in its highest-running position of sixth. Coughlin brought home a ninth-place finish, securing his third consecutive top-10 finish.
The next event on the ARCA Racing Series schedule is the Michigan ARCA 200 at Michigan International Speedway on Friday, June 13, 2014. The race starts at 5:15PM ET, with live television coverage airing on FOX Sports 1. ARCAracing.com will also have live timing and scoring throughout the weekend.
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 MenardsÂ
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.
