“Set to hit Talladega’s high-banks in No. 76 The Mosquito Patch / St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Chevrolet”
TALLADEGA, Ala. (May 2, 2012) – There is probably no driver in the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards field more eager to take the green flag in Friday’s International Motorsports Hall of Fame 250 at Talladega Superspeedway than New York-Native John Ferrier. Armed with his No. 76 The Mosquito Patch / St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Chevrolet, Ferrier is ready to take on Talladega’s high banks with a renewed vigor after a motor problem in the series-opening event at Daytona International Speedway prohibited him from qualifying into the race.
For Ferrier, there couldn’t be a better place to kick off his 2012 racing season than Talladega. While the dirt-track veteran only has four previous ARCA Racing Series starts, three of them have come at superspeedways. Ferrier looks to take that experience along with what he learned in the ARCA Racing Series test held at Talladega in April to not only earn a good finish but to also help push Rookie Teammate Aleks Gregory to the front.
“The test was really important to me because we had a motor problem in Daytona, and we were able to get that straightened out, which was a big plus,” explained Ferrier. “We learned a lot more about the front-end suspension travel which is going to help us pick up some more speed as well. Aleks and I had the opportunity to draft together a little bit as well. It will be really good to have a teammate in the race to hook up with and get to the front. If we can get both of our Mosquito Patch cars to the front of the pack it would be great.”
This weekend Ferrier has a little more to be excited about than just getting his season started. The long-time dirt racer along with teammate Aleks Gregory has announced that with the support of sponsor, The Mosquito Patch, they will be running a minimum of 10 races on the ARCA Racing schedule. For a driver who has paved his way on his local New York dirt tracks it is a dream come true.
“This is something I haven’t been able to achieve up until this point in my racing career; it is like a dream come true,” said Ferrier. “With the help and support of The Mosquito Patch along with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, this dream has become a reality. I’ve been racing a long time- just racing, and racing at the local dirt tracks trying to get an opportunity like this, but a chance to be able to do the televised ARCA Races is tremendous. It’s quite an opportunity.”
A three-hour practice session begins the Talladega race weekend for Ferrier and the other stars of the ARCA Racing Series on Thursday, May 3 at 10:00 a.m. CDT with Menards Pole qualifying presented by Ansell kicking off at 5:05 p.m. On Friday, a final practice from 11-11:55 a.m. will precede the 94-lap race which will air live on SPEED at 4 p.m. ARCARacing.com will feature live timing and scoring coverage, as well as a live audio broadcast as presented by WTDR Thunder 92.7 FM of Talladega.
John Ferrier and the No. 76 The Mosquito Patch / St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Chevrolet Fast Facts:
Ferrier at Talladega: John Ferrier will be making his second-career start at Talladega Superspeedway. He made his first start at the 2.66-mile track in 2009 when he started 26th and weaved his way to an 18th-place finish.
Testing, Testing: Ferrier and his Mosquito Patch team participated in the ARCA Racing Series test in April along with teammate Aleks Gregory. Running over 100 laps in the two-day test session, Ferrier was able to work in the draft as well as on single-car runs.
This Week’s Chevy: John Ferrier will be piloting chassis No. RK271/704 at Talladega Superspeedway This is a former Roush Racing car that was originally driven by Matt Kenseth and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Ferrier drove the car at Daytona last year where he was the top-qualifying Ford. The chassis has been converted to a Chevrolet and will be powered by a DEI engine.
The Real Hero: Ferrier isn’t only racing for wins this season, he is also honoring his nephew, Michael Wanser, who was a patient at St. Jude and passed away from AML Leukemia in October. This season St Jude will be adorning the side of Ferrier’s Mosquito Patch camouflage colors in support of both Ferrier and his nephew. “They are the real heroes,” explains Ferrier.
Signing for a Cause: Immediately following Friday’s International Motorsports Hall of Fame 250 Ferrier along with teammate Aleks Gregory will be signing autographs at the 27th Annual Race Fever Dinner and Auction. MRN’s Steve Post will be conducting deriver interviews on stage while Michael Waltrip conducts a live auction. All proceeds for Race Fever will benefit the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind. For more information log on towww.racefever.org.
Autographs: Fans will have the chance to meet John Ferrier and all their favorite ARCA Racing Series driverson Friday, May 4. The ARCA Racing Series will host an all-access open garage from drivers on Saturday, February 18 from 11:30 – 12:30 p.m. CDT.
Find Out More: For more information on Motorhead Racing Company and The Mosquito Patch log on towww.AleksGregory.com and www.TheMosquitoPatch.us.
About The Mosquito Patch
Based out of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, The Mosquito Patch is an all-natural, deet free mosquito bite protection patch. The transdermal, water-proof patch attaches to the skin and provides up to 36 hours of mosquito bite protection. Because the spray-free, odor-free patch is all-natural, it is safe to use on children and adults of all ages.
