Johnny Sauter; Country Joe Racing Look For Pocono Dominance

Topics:  Johnny Sauter, Pocono 200

Chris Knight
Country Joe Racing
June 8, 2007

“Strong Showing At Iowa Turns Heads Approaching Pocono ”

LONG POND, PA (June 8, 2007) - - Looking at the entry list for Saturday’s Pocono 200 for the ARCA RE/MAX Series (ARS) at Pocono Raceway multiple teams and drivers have a shot at taking the victory, but for Johnny Sauter and County Joe Racing, their agenda is simple. Run strong, outrun ‘em and win.

Country Joe Racing is up to any challenges that Pocono Raceway may present including a hoist of NASCAR Nextel Cup Series teams trying to overshadow the spotlight of the ARCA regulars. However with NASCAR Nextel Cup Series (NNCS) rookie Johnny Sauter aboard, the chances of scoring a second victory this season appear a lot brighter.

“We’re looking forward to having Johnny Sauter driver our No. 32 Red Line Oil Dodge Charger this weekend,” said Nate Thiesse, Director of Operations for Country Joe Racing. “Anytime you throw a Sauter into a race, you know have the chances of winning. We feel that Johnny brings a wave of knowledge and energy to our County Joe Racing team this weekend, we’re looking forward to a strong run.”

CJR (Country Joe Racing) enters the 10th ARS event of the season on a wave of momentum following an exceptional run by rookie Michael Annett last weekend at Iowa Speedway. Annett in his first run for the Minnesota based team scored the team’s first ARCA SIM Factory pole award this season and backed up the top spot with an impressive third place outing in his RE/MAX Series debut.

Knowing Sauter’s background and determination, Thiesse believes Sauter can bring another weekend of consistency and a winning attitude to the team.

“Johnny has the ability to take this team to victory on Saturday. We have a strong piece for the race. His inexperience at the track doesn’t faze the team. He is a racecar driver. A winning racecar driver. The feedback he gives to the team will be strong and we’ll be able to work throughout the day on Friday making sure he is comfortable for the race. We know that he will give nothing but 150 percent behind the wheel and we hope this is the first of several ARCA races this season.”

Indeed, the youngest of the Sauter racing family will make his Pocono Raceway debut in the 44th ARS event held at the Long Pond, Pennsylvania track on Saturday.

Tackling short tracks, intermediate tracks and superspeedways throughout his racing career and several racing series, Sauter will surprisingly make his inaugural track debut at the tricky 2.5-mile paved triangle.

Despite his racing success, there’s always room for improvement. Sauter, a native of Necedah , Wisconsin will utilize the ARCA event with the intent to enhance his NNC program for Sunday’s Pocono 500.

“The ARCA RE/MAX Series is notorious for testing grounds for upcoming races throughout all of NASCAR’s series. Johnny will use this event to learn Pocono Raceway with hopes of learning enough that could propel him to his first NNC top-five finish on Sunday,” Thiesse concluded.

The Pocono 200 (80 laps/200 miles) is the 10th of 23 events on the 2007 ARCA RE/MAX Series schedule. Practice begins Friday, June 8 with a one hour forty five minute (10:15am-11:55am Local Time) session planned. ARCA SIM Factory pole qualifying is slated for later in the afternoon at 1:45pm Local Time. The event will take the green flag on Saturday at 1:00pm Local Time. The race will be taped-delayed and aired on SPEED at 8:00pm Local Time. Additional race coverage is available online at arcaracing.com

For more on Country Joe Racing, please visit CountryJoeRacing.com

JOHNNY SAUTER POCONO QUICK FACTS:

2007 Stats

Starts: None (Will make his ARCA debut on Saturday at Pocono Raceway)

Best Start: None, Inaugural Event

Top-Fives: None

Top-10s: None

Did Not Finish (DNFs): None

Laps Led: None

Notes of Interest:

Sauter drives the No. 70 Yellow Transportation Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS/Impala SS (Car of Tomorrow (COT) events) in NASCAR Nextel Cup Series competition for Haas/CNC Racing.

Sauter will make his 45th NNC start this Sunday at Pocono Raceway. He has collected two top-10s in his Cup career including a ninth place finish at Phoenix International Raceway earlier this year. Sunday’s Pocono 500 will mark his first run at the legendary facility in the premier series for NASCAR.

Sauter has 235 NASCAR starts to his credit between the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series (44), NASCAR Busch Series (181) and NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series (10). He has amassed three wins (NBS), 22 top-fives (21 NBS, one NCTS), 53 top-10s (2 NNC, 49 NBS and 2 NCTS). He has led 1,075 laps (3 NNC, 933 NBS and 139 NCTS). His best points finish occurred in 2003 and 2006 where Sauter finished eighth in the NASCAR Busch Series final championship standings.

Country Joe Racing, the team Sauter will make his ARCA RE/MAX Series debut for sits ninth in the ARS owner standings collecting one win, twp top-fives and three top 10s this season. Their driver lineup has included: Ryan Howard, James Buescher (USA International Speedway winner) former ARCA RE/MAX Series Rookie-of-the-Year Joey Miller, Matt Merrell, and most recently Michael Annett.

###

MEDIA CONTACT:

NAME: Chris Knight, Country Joe Racing
PHONE: 239.834.9797
EMAIL: knight849@aol.com