ARCA Veteran Mike Harmon Turns To Springfield For Second Top-10 Of ‘07

Topics:  Mike Harmon, Allen Crowe 100

Chris Knight
Richardson-Netzloff-Harmon Racing
August 15, 2007

“Alabama Native Looking For Points Gain Too”

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois (Wednesday, August 15, 2007) - - ARCA RE/MAX Series (ARS) veteran driver Mike Harmon knows how to wheel a racecar and as the sanction heads to Illinois State Fairgrounds for Sunday’s Allen Crowe 100, the cagey veteran looks to the event to bring his Richardson-Netzloff-Harmon Racing home with their second top-10 finish of the season.

After a superb top-10 run at Pocono Raceway earlier this month, the team turned to Nashville Superspeedway to keep the momentum alive. However, bad luck would strike the team in Music City in practice and the race with an oil leak and carburetor problems respectively. Despite the gallant effort, the team didn’t muster the finished they had hoped for.

But here comes Springfield , the same track that awarded the Mooresville, North Carolina based team with a top-10 run last season. After practicing 21st, Harmon netted the 17th position in the starting lineup and used the 100-lap event to deliver his No. 38 Chevrolet Monte Carlo with his eighth career ARCA top-10 run.

“I’m really looking forward to Sunday’s race,” explained Harmon, who will make his 86th career ARCA start this weekend. “We’ve put together a great car for the race and I think we’ll be able to back up our performance from last year in a big way on Sunday.”

The veteran NASCAR driver also said, “The dirt is a driver’s race track. A lot of the drivers think it’s going to be full of slipping and sliding. You do that, but it’s also about finessing the track. If you put a comfortable setup underneath the car, you’ll be able to move forward during the race. We plan to use last year’s setup and roll with the punch.”

With the Allen Crowe 100 being a one-day show, Harmon explains how the event offers its pros and cons.

“The one day shows are great, but a race like this doesn’t allow a lot of time if you have any problems. There is no room for error. Four hours separate practice and the race. That’s not a lot of time. When we unload at the track on Sunday, we’re going to be in prime position to run the entire practice then turn our attention to qualifying and the race,” Harmon noted.

“It’s a quick race, we’re usually done within an hour and a half to two hours,” sounded Harmon. “You have to use strategy early then set yourself to be in contention the last fifty laps or so. You can’t hold anything back in these types of races and believe me, our Richardson-Netzloff-Harmon Racing team won’t.”

Entering the 16th race of the 2007 season, Harmon currently occupies the 14th position in the ARCA championship standings. Only twenty points separate himself from his next prey, Josh Krug who sits 13th. A total of 35 markers keep Harmon from sailing into 12th. Looking at the points, Harmon sees a positive run as a chance to gain two spots in the standings, while keeping his primary goal intact.

“If we don’t finish in the top-10 when the final checkered flag falls in Toledo in October, I will be disappointed. We’ve paid our dues this season. Everything that could of happened to us, has happened. Slowly but surely the finishes have started to come around and if we can pick up a head of steam these last half of a dozen races or so, then it will give our team something to really cheer about.”

Harmon’s team is guided by 21-year old crew chief Nate McGuire who sits atop the team’s pit box on race day. During the week, the youngest crew chief on the tour can be found thrashing away days and nights at the team’s shop between races focusing on giving his driver the most competitive car possible.

“Nate doesn’t always get a whole lot of credit, but we would not be in the position we are in, if it hadn’t been for him. For that I am extremely grateful. He is well known for picking up the team’s spirits both on and off the track. He works hard while still trying to have a good time and show leadership. I know we are lucky to have him, I just want him to know that,” commented Harmon, a native of Birmingport, Alabama.

McGuire offered, “When Mike’s excited to go racing, it gives the entire team some extra confidence. We had a superb run at Springfield last year and I would like nothing more than to return there and duplicate, if not better that run. We have a good car for Sunday’s race and I want Mike to know I’m proud of him.”

Richardson-Netzloff-Harmon Racing still has openings on their No. 38 Chevrolet 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 Allen Crowe 100 (100 laps/100 miles) is the 16 of 23 races on the 2007 ARCA RE/MAX Series schedule. The 25th ARCA race held at Illinois State Fairgrounds is a one day show. Practice begins Sunday, August 19 with an hour practice (9:00am-10:00am) session planned. ARCA SIM Factory pole qualifying is set for later in the morning at 11:00am Local Time. The event will take the green flag shortly after 1:00pm Local Time. The race will not be televised but additional race coverage can be found online at arcaracing.com

Mike Harmon, Richardson-Netzloff-Harmon Racing, Illinois State Fairgrounds,

Notes of Interest:

· Harmon sits 14th in the ARCA championship standings entering the 16th race of the 2007 season. Twenty points keep the veteran from overtaking rookie Josh Krug in the 13th position. An additional 15 points (a total of 35 markers) separate him from claiming 12th from longtime ARCA competitor Norm Benning.

· In addition to his 85 ARCA starts heading into Illinois State Fairgrounds this weekend, Harmon also holds 93 NASCAR Busch Series (NBS) starts to his resume with an additional six races in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series (NCTS).

· Mike Harmon will make 400 left hand turns on Sunday.

· Crew Chief Nate McGuire, 21 was a volunteer crew member before joining forces with the team this year after graduating from NASCAR Technical Institute last year.

MEDIA CONTACT:
NAME: Chris Knight, Richardson-Netzloff-Harmon Racing
PHONE: 239.834.9797
EMAIL: Knight849@aol.com