Patrick Sheltra, No. 60 Ferguson Pipe Enterprises-Buffalo Wings & Rings Dodge Charger; Kentuckiana Ford Dealers 200 by Federated Car Care Fast Facts |
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Topics: Patrick Sheltra, Kentuckiana Ford Dealers 200
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Chris Knight
Sheltra Motorsports
April 3, 2009
ARCA RE/MAX Series Race No. 2, Kentuckiana Ford Dealers 200 by Federated Car Care, Salem Speedway, Salem, Indiana
Race Information: Event: Kentuckiana Ford Dealers 200 by Federated Car Care, Sunday, April 5 at 2:15 p.m. Local Time Track: Salem Speedway Qualifying: Saturday, April 4, at 3:30 p.m. Local Time Track Length: .5-mile paved-oval.
Daytona Recap: After mounting the fastest lap in pre-season testing at Daytona International Speedway last December, Patrick Sheltra and his Sheltra Motorsports team had high hopes for the Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 at Daytona. After qualifying mid-pack, Sheltra drafted his No. 60 Dodge Charger to the front where he remained in contention for his first career victory before contact from another competitor sent Sheltra hard into the wall before being broadsided by another vehicle six laps from the finish. Sheltra was injured in the incident with a compression fracture and a dislocated kneecap. Sheltra finished the event 14th.
Good To Go: After wearing several braces to assist the healing process after injuries sustained in the ARCA RE/MAX Series season opener, Sheltra was medically cleared by doctors to return to stock car competition on March 24th.
Testing, Testing, 123….: To prepare the Sheltra Motorsports team for round two of the 2009 ARCA RE/MAX Series schedule, the Whitesville, Kentucky operation participated in a heavy test at Salem Speedway on Friday, March 27. The team focused on mock qualifying and race runs and produced better results than last year’s test session.
Salem Lowdown: For the fifth time in his ARCA RE/MAX Series career, Patrick Sheltra will take the green flag at Salem Speedway Sunday. The 22-year old driver recorded two solid efforts last season by finishing 11th in both events. Ironically, Sheltra has finished 11th at Salem three times with his other finish of 14th came in the fall of 2007. His best starting position occurred in his Salem debut in April of 2007 where he started 14th.
That’s A Wrap: Sheltra recently participated in a sit-down interview with SPEED’s Adam Alexander recounting the ARCA RE/MAX Series race at Daytona International Speedway. Sheltra and Alexander talked about the race leading up to the accident, the incident as a whole and Sheltra’s plans as he marches forward with the 2009 season. The interview is expected to air as early as the Rockingham Speedway event live on SPEED later this month.
No Foolin’: Three members of the Sheltra Motorsports team celebrated their birthdays on Wednesday, April 1st. Kevin Huffines, the spotter and shock specialist for Sheltra Motorsports celebrated his 40th birthday while Chris Knight, Director of Communications for the team acknowledged his 26th birthday. Ironically, driver Patrick Sheltra’s brother Richard (Roc) Sheltra also achieved his 26th birthday on April Fool’s Day with Knight and Sheltra being separated by just minutes in 1983.
Glad To Have You Here: For the second race of the season, Sheltra Motorsports welcomes Buffalo Wings & Rings on-board for their first taste of stock car racing, ARCA RE/MAX Series style. Known for it’s “Great Food; No Bull!” campaign, Buffalo Wings & Rings is the fastest-growing privately owned franchised chain of restaurants in the nation serving Buffalo-style chicken wings, onion rings, burgers, chicken and salads. Founded in 1988 in Cincinnati, Ohio, Buffalo Wings & Rings operates 44 franchised restaurants in the United States. Buffalo Wings & Rings was ranked the No. 1 fastest growing restaurant chain nationwide in the July 2008 issue of Restaurant Business, and ranked in the top 500 franchises in the January 2009 issue of Entrepreneur. For additional input on Buffalo Wings & Rings, please connect to Buffalowingsandrings.com or call 513.831.WING.
Watcha Haulin?: Crew Chief John Hayden has elected to bring Sheltra Motorsports Chassis No. 5 this weekend at Salem Speedway. This is the same piece the team race with at Salem last April. The former Joe Gibbs Racing chassis will be run for eighth time in Sheltra’s career. Its best finish came at Kentucky Speedway in 2007 where Sheltra acknowledged his first top-10 run of ninth. Chassis number 6 will serve as the team’s back-up automobile. Sheltra ran that former Joe Gibbs Racing entry at Rockingham Speedway last year.
Keeping The Streak Alive: For 22 consecutive races, Sheltra Motorsports has fielded a car for Patrick Sheltra that run in the top-10 (at one point or another) for all events reverting back to the 2008 ARCA RE/MAX Series season opener at Daytona International Speedway. The team added their 21st race by Sheltra running as high as second in February’s Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 at Daytona. During this period, the team has amassed four top-fives with a runner-up at Toledo Speedway and the DuQuoin State Fairgrounds, a fourth at Toledo Speedway and a fifth place effort at Talladega Superspeedway while holding five additional top-10 finishes. The team’s season best qualifying effort came at Kansas Speedway where Sheltra awarded himself with a career best run of eighth. Sheltra recorded his career best short track qualifying run of eighth at Berlin Raceway in July. The team has led three races at Kansas Speedway, Cayuga Motor Speedway and Talladega Superspeedway for a total of 17 laps.
Busy Schedule Ahead: Following Sunday’s Kentuckiana Ford Dealers 200 by Federated Car Care at Salem Speedway, the Sheltra Motorsports team will make the haul to Talladega Superspeedway for a two-day open test in preparation for the fourth event of the schedule, the ARCA RE/MAX 250 at Talladega Superspeedway set for Friday, April 24. The team recently purchased a brand new superspeedway car and will utilize the 16-hour session to dial in their new Dodge Charger.
The Ultimate Hunting Experience: Sheltra Motorsports wants to give a race fan an ultimate opportunity to join Patrick Sheltra or Sheltra Motorsports dirt driver Shannon Babb a chance at a paramount moment to hunt with either drivers at Patrick Sheltra’s hunting ranch in Dryden, Texas. The best part, all expenses paid! Race fans will have the entire ARCA season to enter the contest with the winner being announced in the ARCA RE/MAX Series finale at Rockingham Speedway in October. Visit HuntingExtravangza.com for more details.
This Is The People’s Car: In an effort to bring race fans closer to the Sheltra Motorsports team, the team is full throttle with their Peoples Car promotion. Officially launching this weekend at Salem Speedway, race fans will have the opportunity to have their name plastered on the No. 60 Dodge Charger for most of the ARCA RE/MAX Series season. In addition, each time a fan joins the People’s Car their name will be tossed into a drawing for an-all expensed paid trip to the 2009 ARCA RE/MAX Series season finale at Rockingham Speedway. The lucky fan will be a honorary member of the Sheltra Motorsports team plus enjoy a few little surprises the team has spiced up for the lucky winner. Stay tuned to PatrickSheltra.com or ThePeoplesCars.com for all the details.
Autographs Anyone: Patrick Sheltra will sign autographs for race fans on Sunday, April 5th from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. local time. Race fans will be permitted to the frontstretch of Salem Speedway where they will be able to meet the starting grid for Sunday’s race.
Looking Ahead: In addition to a full ARCA RE/MAX Series schedule, Sheltra Motorsports and driver Patrick Sheltra will also compete in a limited dirt late model schedule (UMP and WoO) while also continuing to advance Sheltra’s asphalt career by competing in the NASCAR Nationwide Series.
Sheltra Motorsports, Salem Speedway Pre-Race Quotes:
Patrick Sheltra, driver of the No. 60 Ferguson Pipe Enterprises-Buffalo Wings & Rings Dodge:
On Daytona International Speedway: “Daytona is behind us. We had a real good car and a real good day going until about six laps to go. It’s in the past now and all we can do is move forward and look at the big picture which is winning the 2009 ARCA RE/MAX Series championship.”
On How He’s Feeling: “I feel real good for the most part. I went to the open test at Rockingham Speedway and that was the first time I had been in a car since the accident and I felt real good. I don’t even think about it when I strap in. I have a job to do and I’m concentrating on that.”
On Salem Speedway This Weekend: “I’ve been here four times and finished 11th three times, I think we’re going to drop a “one” out of it this weekend and grab our first win. We went and tested last week and we were real good. I’m looking forward to the weekend.”
On Buffalo Wings & Rings: “We’re pleased to have Buffalo Wings & Rings on our side this weekend,” said Sheltra, a native of Indiantown, Florida. “It’s an awesome place with a great atmosphere and the food is terrific. We’re glad to have them on-board for Salem and hope to deliver them to victory lane and that’s no bull!”
On Points This Early: “I’m not too concerned. We’re okay as far as point’s go. It may be a little too early to start thinking about points as a whole right now. Our goal every week is to go to the track and try and win the race and everything else will fall into place. Everyone says the real season starts this weekend.”
On The Busy Schedule Ahead: “Daytona hurt us by losing a car, so we we’re a little pressed for time but the boys always bounce back in spectacular fashion and we’ll be plenty ready for the Talladega test next week and the upcoming races at Rockingham Speedway and Talladega.”
Sheltra Motorsports, Salem Speedway Pre-Race Quotes:
Grace Sheltra, of the No. 60 Ferguson Pipe Enterprises-Buffalo Wings & Rings Dodge:
On Daytona: “The bottom line is Patrick is okay and will be able to race this weekend. The race was ugly but we thought we would emerge fine. Unfortunately, that didn’t happen but it’s done and we’ll hope that was our worst race of the year.”
On Salem Speedway: “The short tracks are a lot of fun in ARCA. Patrick finishes on them continue to improve as well. Salem is a track where we’ve done fairly well but we’re looking for our first top-five and maybe even a win there Sunday!”
On The Approaching Season: “The team continues to improve each and every year. We’ve put a lot of empathize that the momentum the team carried in 2008 will rollover to this year. The run for the championship isn’t going to be easy but we’ve never gone down without a fight and we won’t this year either. We hope to conquer all the battles this year and be hoisting the championship trophy at year’s end.”
PRIOR RESULTS:
Patrick Sheltra, Salem Speedway Prior ARCA Performance Record:
Date Event Start Finish Laps Status
04/07 Kentuckiana Ford 200 14 11 200/200 Running
09/07 Eddie Gilstrap Motors 200 21 14 197/200 Running
04/08 Kentuckiana Ford 200 20 11 200/204 Running
09/08 Eddie Gilstrap Motors 200 20 11 200/200 Running
The Kentuckiana Ford Dealers 200 by Federated Car Care (200 laps / 111 miles) is the second of 22 events on the 2009 ARCA RE/MAX Series schedule. The 82nd ARCA race held at Salem is a two-day show. Practice begins Saturday, April 4 with an hour and a half practice session planned from 12:30-2:00 p.m. Menards Pole by Ansell qualifying is set for later in the day slated to begin at 3:30 p.m. The event will take the green flag on Sunday, April 5 shortly after 2:15 p.m. The race will be broadcasted live through the ARCA Racing Network (ARN) online at arcaracing.com. All times are local.
Fast Links:
Driver / Team: Patrick Sheltra on the web: PatrickSheltra.com
Sanction: ARCA RE/MAX Series: ARCARacing.com
About Sheltra Motorsports:
Sheltra Motorsports (sheltramotorsports.com) is a three-tier Motorsports operation consisting of dirt and asphalt competition. Patrick Sheltra, a 22-year old native of Indiantown , Florida competes in the UMP and WoO (Dirt) Series; while also running a full schedule in the ARCA RE/MAX Series (No. 60) and a limited schedule in the NASCAR Nationwide Series. Sheltra Motorsports ownership is combined of Richard, Grace and Patrick Sheltra. The team is headquartered in Indiantown , Florida with additional operations in Richmond , Indiana and Whitesville , Kentucky .
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TEAM COMMUNICATIONS CONTACT:
NAME: Chris Knight, Sheltra Motorsports
PHONE: 239.834.9797 or 239.214.1083
EMAIL: chris@patricksheltra.com