Hollenbeck Looks For Hometown Magic At MIS |
|---|
Topics: Jim Hollenbeck, Michigan ARCA 200
|
Chris Knight
Hollenbeck Motorsports
June 13, 2007
“Second Generation Driver Looks For Second Michigan Start”
BROOKLYN, Michigan (June 13, 2007) - - ARCA RE/MAX Series (ARS) driver Jim Hollenbeck would trade all of his 12 previous starts for one top-10 finish in Friday’s ARCA 200 at Michigan International Speedway. With a little luck it could happen.
Hollenbeck, a native of nearby Kalamazoo, Michigan heads to the two-mile oval looking to make his first speedway start of the ’07 season driving the No. 62 Ford Fusion under the Hollenbeck Motorsports banner.
The second-generation driver attempted to make both MIS events last year and to his liking, he made his Irish Hills debut in the summer event starting 36th but dropping from a top-20 finishing position just before halfway with motor fatigue.
With his speedway program recently being vamped, Hollenbeck is calm and collective and looking for a rematch this Friday evening.
“This is one of my hometown tracks,” said Hollenbeck. “This place means the world to me. How can you not like driving around a track at 200mph and going for the win? It’s an awesome feeling. We threw everything we had at our car last season and we made our way into the race. This season, we’ve completely revisited our speedway program with an eye on a top-10 finish. Hopefully we can make our dream come true.”
Actor Chuck Norris once stated, “Dreams do come true. If you want them bad enough.” Hollenbeck wants his dream bad and has united himself with good people to try and make that happen in the 11th ARS event of the season.
“I’ve reunited with Andy Belmont. He is a good guy and has helped me tremendously throughout my racing career. With his knowledge, experience and guidance, I think we can turn some heads this week. He has a new talented driver in Dominick Casola and I’m looking forward to working with him too. I’ve had plenty of laps around this track; maybe I can teach him a thing or two.”
Hollenbeck Motorsports welcomes AV3 onboard as a co-primary sponsor for Friday’s activities.
AV3 was started so physicians could control their lives and destiny. The company was founded by four vascular surgeons who are familiar with the current limitations and opportunities of the constantly changing health care environment. AV3 stands to improve the quality of healthcare within the physician’s control.
Joining AV3 this week will be Spectra Contracting, a successful contracting business owned by Hollenbeck.
“First, let me say we’re very excited about having AV3 aboard this weekend,” said Hollenbeck. “This is their first venue into ARCA RE/MAX Series racing. We’re looking forward to showing them what this great series is all about and show them a different side of Motorsports.”
Jim Hollenbeck isn’t the only Hollenbeck entered for Friday’s race. Larry Hollenbeck, a longtime competitor in the ARCA RE/MAX Series and father to Jim will attempt to make his 2007 debut behind the wheel of the No. 8 Hollenbeck Racing Chevrolet Monte Carlo.
“It’s been a long time since I’ve raced against my father. It would pretty cool if we can keep that tradition going on Friday. This is a tough field to make. Always have and always will be. However, I think with the changes we’ve made to our car and our engine package we should be in the thick of the battle all week long.”
Following Michigan International Speedway, Hollenbeck will return to the ARS for the 12th race on the calendar from Berlin Raceway, another hometown track for the successful entrepreneur. The Request Foods-GFS 200 is set for Saturday, July 7.
Hollenbeck Motorsports still has openings on their Ford for the remainder of the 2007 season. Immediate one race or long term sponsorship positions are available. Contact the team today and see how the ARCA RE/MAX Series provides a ROI (Return-On-Investment).
The ARCA 200 (100 laps/200 miles) is the 11th of 23 events on the 2007 ARCA RE/MAX Series schedule. Practice begins Thursday, June 14th with a two hour practice (10:00am-12:00pm) session planned. ARCA SIM Factory pole qualifying is set for later in the day at 3:00pm Local Time. The event will take the green flag on Friday at 5:00pm Local Time. The race will be aired live on SPEED with additional race coverage online at arcaracing.com
JIM HOLLENBECK MICHIGAN QUICK FACTS:
2007 ARCA RE/MAX Series Stats:
Starts: None
Best Start: N/A
Top-Fives: None
Top-10s: None
Did Not Finish (DNFs): None
Laps Led: None
Notes of Interest:
· Hollenbeck Motorsports shop is adjacent to Spectra Contracting, a contracting firm owned by Jim Hollenbeck in Kalamazoo , Michigan .
· Hollenbeck plans to attempt between five and seven races this season in his own entry competing in a mixture of short track and speedway events. He made three starts in the series last year at Berlin Raceway, Michigan International Speedway and The Milwaukee Mile.
· Hollenbeck has experience at Lowe’s Motor Speedway and Bristol Motor Speedway through Andy Hillenburg’s Fast Track High Performance Driving School .
· Hollenbeck and wife Tera are expecting their second child later this year.
###
MEDIA CONTACT:
NAME: Chris Knight, Hollenbeck Motorsports
PHONE: 239.834.9797
EMAIL: knight849@aol.com