Rookie Charles Evans Jr. Shines In ARCA Season Finale At Toledo Speedway

Topics:  Charles Evans Jr., Federated Car Care 200

Chris Knight
Knight Motorsports Management/Team BCR Racing
October 18, 2011

TOLEDO, Ohio (October 18, 2011) - When the curtain was closed on the 2011 ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards season and the Federated Car Care 200 at Toledo Speedway complete, there were a few surprises. Charles Evans Jr. and his Team BCR Racing rightfully earned a moment in the spotlight by capturing a solid top-10 finish this past Sunday.

The effort by the Mooresville, North Carolina-based team was also a strong recovery after debris sliced a tire on the team’s No. 99 Elevator Transportation Services Ford Fusion sent Evans Jr. into a spin a week before at Kansas Speedway in practice and ultimately forced the team to withdraw from the Kansas Lottery 98.9 to focus on the third short track race together.

Leadership from Motorsports veteran Howard Bixman at the controls as crew chief, rookie Charles Evans Jr. returned to the Northern Ohio short track on the heels of a solid private testing session just several weeks prior.

With the United States Auto Club (USAC) sharing Saturday with the ARCA Racing Series at Toledo Speedway, practice which was normally run as one session would now be combined into two forty minute-efforts. Mounting the 18th quickest times in each practice respectively, Team BCR team was optimistic about qualifying.

“Strides we made in practice,” offered Evans Jr., who made two ARCA Racing Series starts previously at Berlin (Mich.) Raceway and Madison (Wisc.) International Speedway before tackling Toledo Speedway. “Howard and the guys kept making adjustments and we found ourselves in a comfortable position at the end of final practice.”

In qualifying, the Friendswood, Texas native knocked off the 16th fastest qualifying lap, ahead of some of ARCA’s most notables including nine-time champion Frank Kimmel, Tim George Jr. and Bobby Gerhart. Stoked about their fast run in time trials, the team aimed at moving forward during the race the next day.

Unfortunately, teams returned to the ARCA-owned racetrack on Sunday under gloomy skies and consistent rain showers. Ultimately, the start of the contest would be pushed-back nearly two hours before the command to fire engines was given. ARCA would choose to utilize the 35-car starting field to finish the track drying process throwing both the green and yellow flags simultaneously for the first 40 circuits of the contest. With the yellow flag retracted and the green “officially” given to the field, Evans Jr., quickly tried to filter his way through traffic and mix himself into a comfortable position.

Heavy racing would soon settle in around Evans Jr., forcing the rookie driver to hover between 16th and 20th over the first 50 green flag circuits. Informing Bixman of a loose-handling No. 99 Elevator Transportation Services Ford Fusion, the leader informed his driver that they would make a chassis adjustment on their first stop of the day which ultimately occurred shortly after lap 118. Four tires, fuel and a chassis change was the call from atop of the pit box sending their driver back into battle 19th and on the lead lap.

Shortly after the restart on lap 124, Evans Jr. remained 19th on the half-mile oval for the first 15 laps of the run before finding himself in the groove to climb into 13th by lap 144.

Cheerleading and coaching from his team would continue to boost their driver’s confidence behind the wheel as he moved into the 12th position on a lap 161 restart.

Using the “give and take” method paid off for the upcoming driver as he plugged his way into the top-10 by 175. Evans Jr. was able to lift himself into ninth by lap 183 where he took the checkered flag which included a one-lap dash in overtime competition.

“It was such a great day for Team BCR, ETS, Casite, RoushYates Parts.com and everyone involved with this organization,” said the 21-year old. “We knew we were bringing a good piece to the track and we kept making adjustments and I raced smart to stay on the lead lap all day and be where we wanted to be when it counted. We can only build off this for 2012 and I’m excited about that.”

For Bixman, who also serves as car owner of the No. 99 entry, he showered praise about his driver’s Toledo Speedway debut. “I had little doubt if we didn’t get involved in a wreck, and we just road the first 150 laps or so that we would finish inside the top-10,” the Michigan native said. “CJ did what he needed to behind the wheel all weekend long and I’m extremely proud of him. For only three ARCA Racing Series starts and to already have a top-10 finish to his credit, I think it just shows what kind of talent and ability he really has.”

He added, “I want to thank everyone who supports our race team. We’re lucky to have some great companies aboard our racecar and to be affiliated with an organization like ETS, RoushYates Parts.com. Also, Greg White from Casite attended the race, so that just added icing on the cake. We’ll be back in 2012 and look forward to it.”

Next up for the ARCA Racing Series is the 2011 championship banquet which is set for Saturday, December 10th at the Northern Kentucky Convention Center in Covington, Ky., near Cincinnati. The top-20 drivers and top-10 owners and drivers will be recognized for their participation in the series this year.

For more information on Team BCR Racing and Charles Evans Jr., please log onto teambcr.com.

Connect with Roush Yates Performance Products and Roush Yates Engines through their official web site at roushyatesparts.com.

To check out the latest products available from The Casite Company, please click on casite.com.

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TEAM COMMUNICATIONS CONTACT:
NAME: Chris Knight, Knight Motorsports Management
PHONE: 239.834.9797
EMAIL: chris@chrisknightpr.com