Mechanical Woes Takes Hollenbeck From MIS Hunt

Topics:  Jim Hollenbeck, Michigan ARCA 200

Chris Knight
Hollenbeck Motorsports
June 18, 2007

“Second Generation Driver Shows Speedway Program Improvement”

BROOKLYN, Michigan (June 18, 2007) - - For Kalamazoo, Michigan native Jim Hollenbeck, Friday’s ARCA 200 was full of mixed emotions. His second start at Michigan International Speedway (MIS) appeared to be going strong, but a engine failure just 13 laps into the 100-lap event forced the second generation driver to call a early end to what he was hoping would be a spectacular event.

Hollenbeck headed to MIS looking to improve his Speedway program and shed some light at a track that has daunted him in the past. The first practice session brought those daunting fears back to life after a starter problem only allowed Hollenbeck to make a couple laps around the two-mile oval. Still his time of 42.172 or 170.729 MPH was 33rd fastest one shy of a guaranteed starting position.

“It sucks,” said Hollenbeck after practice. “We’ve worked really hard to make our team strong for this race and to have a faulty part grasp us from almost the entire practice hurts. Hopefully I can utilize my past experience here at MIS to my advantage.”

In ARCA SIM Factory qualifying, Hollenbeck turned some heads with a strong lap of 41.116 seconds at 175.114 MPH picking up over a second from his practice run to earn him the 29th position for the race.

“I tell you what, it was a fun lap,” said Hollenbeck. “I didn’t hold anything back and I gave all she had and it worked. Last year we made the race thanks to a provisional. It sure makes you feel good when you make a race like this on time. I want to thank Andy Belmont and his guys for assisting us this week. No doubt their efforts contributed to us making the race.”

Making his 13th career ARS start, Hollenbeck hovered strongly inside the top-30 and was inching his way forward when he reported to his crew that something was a miss under the hood nearing lap ten.

Three laps later, Hollenbeck would bring his AV3 down pit road and make the hard left hand turn to the garage area exiting the event 87 laps shorter than he originally planned.

“I’m not sure what to say, I’m disappointed,” Hollenbeck offered. “I really thought we had something that we could run in the top-15 with, but I guess it wasn’t meant to be. I’m sorry to our sponsor AV3 for not being able to give them a better run, we’ll try again at Berlin Raceway.

Indeed, Berlin Raceway, a favorite of Hollenbeck’s will be the next site for the Hollenbeck Motorsports team. The team will reunite with Andy Belmont Motorsports for the 12th event of the season.

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 RE/MAX Series will enjoy a two-week break from competition before returning to Michigan for a battle at Berlin Raceway in Marne , Michigan just outside of Grand Rapids on July 7.

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MEDIA CONTACT:

NAME: Chris Knight, Hollenbeck Motorsports
PHONE: 239.834.9797
EMAIL: knight849@aol.com