Concord, NC (June 12, 2013) – Last year, not a single driver in the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards could match Brennan Poole in speedway racing, and that’s a major reason the 22-year-old Texan will make his ARCA return Friday at Michigan International Speedway.
Poole has not raced in the series since the 2012 season finale last October at Kansas Speedway, but will suit up and strap in Venturini Motorsports’ No. 15 Toyota for the Michigan ARCA 200, set to air live on SPEED at 5 p.m. Friday.
Last year, Poole and only one other driver scored six top-10 finishes in seven speedway races. Even then, Poole edged nine-time champion Frank Kimmel in five of those, including a June win at Pocono Raceway. Series champion Chris Buescher was no match for Poole on larger tracks either, as the Venturini driver finished ahead of him in six of seven attempts. Those results led Poole to Hoosier Tire Superspeedway Challenge honors and a third-place series finish in 2012, not to mention a certain role as a contender this week in Brooklyn, Mich.
“I’m definitely really excited about it,” said Poole, who led the first 59 laps at Michigan last year before tire issues put him out of contention and sent him to 11th place. “Michigan was really good to me to start last year and we were running away with it, but one of those things out of our control happened where we blew a tire.
“I’m looking forward to going back. We shook the car down last Wednesday at Pocono and we were really, really fast. Pocono’s different but a place I’m really comfortable at, so being able to shake down the car there gave me a lot of confidence. I’m sure every race car driver that’s been around the place will tell how much they love (Michigan), because it’s so fast and a lot of fun. Of course, we have that Joe Gibbs Racing power, so I’m excited about our chances. I think if we can go there and take it one lap at a time and minimize mistakes, we should be able to come out winning the race.”
Though not a competitor in recent months, Poole has stayed busy in the ARCA ranks while also looking for opportunities in the NASCAR Nationwide and Camping World Truck Series. He’s tested with Venturini Motorsports at Motor Mile Speedway in Virginia and attended each race this season, acting as a spotter for Taylor Ferns or John Wes Townley. Studying film of past races keeps him sharp and refreshes his memory of tracks like Michigan or the dirt ovals in Illinois, both of which he’ll compete at later in the summer.
“Being able to see it, and then getting in and knowing where to put your car, makes a big difference right out of the trailer,” he said.
Moreover, Poole has developed a friendly and advisory relationship with Venturini rookie Justin Boston, who not only succeeded Poole as the No. 25 driver but also became a best friend, a claim both drivers support.
“It’s been cool to see him grow, from when we were just testing together at Motor Mile in the winter, to now,” Poole said of Boston, sixth in points in his first season. “He’s really starting to get pretty good at the short tracks. He’s led at places like Salem and Elko, and had the pole at Salem. He hasn’t been able to race in the past few years, so he’s trying to find his rhythm and get back in the groove of things. I feel like he’s close, like he’s just around the corner from it.
“We’re a couple of guys who really love racing, and through having that bond, we spend a lot of time together. We hang out every week; we probably see each other every day. We’re playing Xbox, and we’re playing golf together. He’s been a really good friend to me, and I try to do the same for him. He’s a great listener, and he tries to do the best that he can every single week. You’ve got to respect a guy like that.”
In addition to golf and video games, Poole and Boston often grill together and hang out on the lake. Poole gave Boston advice on driving at tracks like Elko and Pocono, two places where he won last season, and the rookie found those tips valuable.
“It’s cool to have a guy like Brennan there in the garage to help bank on,” Boston said. “He’s been through the things I’m going through this year, so whenever I have anything going on that I’m not sure about, he gives me a straight and honest answer. We’re two friends, and he’s pretty much my best friend in the garage.”
Wednesday night at 7 ET, Poole will be a guest on “Inside ARCA” with hosts Charlie Krall and Tim Clagg. The show airs at ARCARacing.com.
Thursday and Friday, Poole will represent BreakTheCycle.org while at Michigan. The site promotes the empowering of youth to end domestic violence.
“One in three teens in a dating relationship experiences some form of abuse,” he said. “This is something that’s very important to me, close to my heart and close to my family’s hearts.”
The garage will open for the 32nd ARCA Racing Series event at Michigan International Speedway at 8 a.m. Thursday, with a single practice scheduled that afternoon from 1:05-3:30. Menards Pole Qualifying presented by Ansell will begin at 10 a.m. Friday, hours before the Michigan ARCA 200 at 5:15 p.m.
SPEED’s live television coverage from the Irish Hills will begin at 5 p.m. ARCARacing.com will carry live timing and scoring coverage for all on-track activity.
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, Miguel Paludo, John Wes Townley, Josh Richards and Johanna Long.
In 2012, VMS and the Venturini family was inducted into the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame and now find themselves enshrined with such sports icons as Joe DiMaggio, Mario Andretti, Vince Lombardi, Tommy Lasorda and Rocky Marciano, among others.
After nearly two decades away from NASCAR, 2013 marks VMS’s modern day return to the series with John Wes Townley driving the team’s familiar No.25 in selective NASCAR Nationwide Series events.
Official: www.VenturiniMotorsports.com | Twitter: @VenturiniMotor | Facebook: Venturini Motorsports
