ModSpace Ford looking for that ‘Hometown Edge’ at Pocono Raceway
MOORESVILLE, N.C. (June 7, 2011) — The only thing better than coming to the race track Andy Belmont Racing considers home is being at Pocono (Pa.) Raceway with momentum.
After a successful start in the first six races in the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards, Chad McCumbee driver of the No. 1 ModSpace Ford will try to add a visit to victory lane to the teams return “home” to Pennsylvania this weekend.
McCumbee and ABR may have a hometown advantage entering the Pocono ARCA 200. After all, Belmont’s racing career started in Langhorne, Pa., and the track is the home track of his team sponsor, the Modular Space Corporation located in Berwyn.
The homecoming for team owners Andy and Jennifer Belmont should produce one of the more vocal fan reactions they will see this year. Aside from being the hometown boy, it was in Pennsylvania where his 1992 NASCAR Cup Series team was housed before moving south to North Carolina.
“I am very excited about our momentum going into what has always been our home track,” Belmont said. “Jennifer and I are truly honored to have this group of guys working on the No. 1 ModSpace Ford Fusion. Wayne Carroll, crew chief, has done a phenomenal job with this team.”
The No. 1 ModSpace Ford has been consistently quick all season, and at the 2.5-mile triangle that is Pocono, expect a blue blur of a race car to again challenge the status quo and for McCumbee to dust off the record books in his sponsor’s backyard.
McCumbee made his NASCAR Cup Series debut at the track behind the wheel of the No. 45 Petty Enterprises Dodge in 2007, but he is no stranger to the “Tricky Triangle,” site of Saturday’s race.
“It has been one of my best race tracks,” McCumbee said. “It is a place that has been pivotal in the forward movement of my racing career. It is a real special place.”
The former Sprint Cup and Camping World Truck Series driver has made 10 total starts at the track and is a former winner there in the ARCA Racing Series in 2007.
His win in 2007 was his second career win in the series and with ABR. In six career ARCA Racing Series starts there, McCumbee has four top-fives and four top-10s. Last year, he finished 17th, qualifying 18th in the 50-lap event. McCumbee has an average finish of 7.0 and an average start of 12.7 at Pocono.
According to Supply, N.C. native, he would like nothing better than to put on a great show for ModSpace and his owner’s home track.
“The race at Pocono Raceway will be exciting for ModSpace, and the ABR team,” William Mann director of motorsports for ModSpace said. “The road-course training that Chad has done this season will come in handy this weekend. This track can be very challenging with all three turns having different degrees of banking.
“Andy and Jennifer Belmont always do a great job in preparing their teams cars. Chad can run strong! We look forward to seeing Chad back on the podium.”
McCumbee comes into Round 7 of the 2011 ARCA Racing Series schedule at Pocono ready to build upon the momentum he’s created through the first third of the season. He seems to be on track to a pretty good season. McCumbee finished third at New Jersey Motorsports Park and followed up with a fourth-place result last weekend at Chicagoland Speedway. He is third in the point standings, currently tied with former ABR driver Grant Enfinger.
Belmont’s family, friends and hometown fans will see his team hit the track for practice Friday at 10 a.m. (ET). Menards Pole Qualifying Presented by Ansell for Saturday’s Pocono ARCA 200 is set for 2:05 p.m. (ET). The green flag expected at 1:30 p.m. (ET) on Saturday for the Pocono ARCA 200.
