LONG POND, Pennsylvania (August 4, 2011) – – Even though Ryan Wilson and Win-Tron Racing didn’t capture the finish they rightfully deserved last week at Lucas Oil Raceway (LOR), the duo will seek redemption as the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards tackles Pocono (Pa.) Raceway for Saturday’s Pennsylvania ARCA 125.
Wilson, the winner of last fall’s Richard Petty Driver Search II made his 2011 ARCA Racing Series debut at the historic short track under the guidance of veteran crew chief Mike Chaffee. Despite his inexperience with the track, Wilson surpassed the team’s expectations in practice and qualifying, where he lined up a career-best sixth.
During the Ansell Protective Gloves 200, Wilson was holding steady and running competitively in the top-10 before a deflated tire under racing conditions sent the No. 32 Champion Brands Toyota Camry to pit road. Still proving he had a fast racecar; Wilson continued to climb through the leader board only to be setback once again after being involved in a skirmish with just two laps remaining.
Finishing 21st, Wilson and his team are back and ready to attack in the 13th race of the season.
“I wasn’t scheduled to drive this weekend at Pocono, but I’m thankful to be asked by Nate (Thiesse, co-car owner) to wheel their No. 32 Champion Brand Toyota Camry,” Wilson said. “The guys gave me such a stout racecar at Lucas Oil Raceway. Unfortunately, we were not able to capitalize on it because of the setbacks we faced.”
With no prior experience around the track nicknamed the “Tricky Triangle”, Wilson will rely heavily on the expertise of his Lakeville, Minnesota-based to put the team in contention for their second win of the season.
“I’ve done a lot of practicing at Pocono, but it’s all been simulated,” Wilson explained. “I know that track is very unique and it is a driver’s racetrack. I’m going to take it easy for the first couple of laps just to get comfortable. Then, we’ll hammer down and focus on our qualifying and race runs.”
Unlike June’s Pocono ARCA 200 at the 2.5-oval, Saturday’s contest consists of a much shorter event. With only 50 laps to get to the checkered flag first, Wilson knows that strategy will be everything. “It’s a short race,” he said. “It reminds me of the Late Model races I run back in North Carolina. The good thing for me is that the Win-Tron Racing bunch has plenty of experience at Pocono, so that’s a huge bonus. I’m going to try and mingle with some of the other drivers just to see if I might be able to learn a thing or two.”
Before strapping in his No. 32 Champion Brands Toyota Camry on Saturday afternoon, Wilson will carefully watch the Good Sam RV Emergency Road Service 125, the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series contest that serves as the preamble for ARCA’s second go-around with Pocono (Pa.) Raceway this season.
“I think it’s important for me to watch as many cars on the track as possible, because I’m bound to learn a lot. My goal on Saturday is just to put Win-Tron Racing back in the top-10 and help them in the owner’s points,” sounded Wilson.
ARCA’s return to Long Pond, Pennsylvania signifies the 12th race that Champion Hi-Tech Lubricants, a division of Champion Brands will heed the role as the primary sponsor for the Lakeville, Minnesota-based team. Headquartered in Clinton, Missouri, Champion Brands LLC produces and blends more than 300 products including fuel, oil and engine additives and lubricants for the automotive, heavy truck, agricultural and specialty markets.
“Once again, it’s a great honor be representing Champion Hi-Tech Lubricants and their brands this weekend at Pocono. I was hoping to give them a little better finish last Thursday at Lucas Oil Raceway, but I think the bad luck is behind us and we can deliver them a strong finish in the No. 32 Champion Brands Toyota Camry.”
Thiesse says it was an easy decision to select Wilson to drive the team’s entry this weekend.
“Ryan is a great kid,” he said. “We went into Lucas Oil Raceway with an open-mind and he blew us away. His feedback was great, his passion was evident and his drive to succeed is irreplaceable. He was pretty disappointed with how everything worked out at LOR, but we told him not to get discouraged, because he did a phenomenal job. There’s no doubt in my mind that we’ll see even more drive and motivation from Ryan this weekend at Pocono.”
In addition to Champion Brands, Win-Tron Racing and Wilson will bring awareness and attentiveness to the Trinity Children Foundation, which focuses on the issues of child abuse and neglect. Through faith, hope and love the foundation the foundation addresses the need for food, clothing, shelter and health care for children while providing for emotional stability for orphans, underprivileged, and at risk children.
The Pennsylvania ARCA 125(50 laps / 125 miles) is the 13th of 19 events on the 2011 ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards schedule. The 53rd ARCA race at Pocono Raceway is a two-day show. Practice begins Friday, August 5 with a one hour and twenty minute practice session planned from 1:40 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Menards Pole by Ansell qualifying is slated to begin later in the day at 5:40 p.m. The field will take the green flag shortly after 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 6. The event will be televised live on SPEED. Live timing and scoring throughout the 1,325th race for the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards since it was formed in 1953 will be available through the ARCA Racing Network (ARN) online at arcaracing.compresented by ARCANation.com. All times are local.
Further information including driver opportunities with Win-Tron Racing is available by visiting win-tronracing.comor contacting Nate Thiesse at 612.306.1641
For more on Champion Brands LLC and their extensive line of products, please log on to championbrands.comor championsusechampion.com.
