Patrick Sheltra ARCA Daytona Pre-Season Testing Sunday Notes & Quotes

Topics:  Patrick Sheltra, ARCA 200 at Daytona

Chris Knight
Sheltra Motorsports
December 16, 2007

ARCA RE/MAX Series, ARCA 200 at Daytona
Pre-Season Testing, Daytona International Speedway Daytona Beach, Fla.
Open Practice Notes & Quotes
Sunday, December 16, 2007

Sophomore-bound Sheltra Motorsports participated in the final day of an extensive three day test at the legendary Daytona International Speedway (DIS) in preparation for ARCA’s 56 season of competition beginning with the familiar ARCA 200 at Daytona set for Saturday, February 9. For the second consecutive day, showers and heavy thunderstorms doused the 2.5-mile speedway postponing practice for two and a half hours before driver Patrick Sheltra joined over 30 other ARCA teams for several hours of drafting practice.

Sheltra, the Indiantown, Florida native clocked off the 10th fastest time Sunday afternoon after drafting his No. 60B Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS with a time of 49.729 seconds at 180.981 MPH. Happy with the outcome of Sunday’s practice session, the team loaded up the hauler nearly two hours early from the conclusion of pre-season testing.

Sheltra was the fourth highest driver to turn laps during Sunday’s afternoon activities. The 21-year old rising star, who will run a full-time ARCA, limited NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and Dirt Late Model Schedule in 2008 logged 46 laps Sunday afternoon trailing fellow drivers John Wes Townley (No. 65 at 48 laps), Donny Lia (No. 92 at 56 laps) and Larry Hollenbeck (No. 71 at 59 laps).

Here are some quotes and notes from today’s session:

PATRICK SHELTRA, NO. 60 FERGUSON PIPE ENTERPRISES, INC.-AMERICAN CONCRETE INDUSTRIES, INC. CHEVORLET MONTE CARLO SS:

SHELTRA: (ON THE RAIN DELAY) “We knew the rain delay was coming once again, but it wasn’t as bad as yesterday. ARCA usually leaves the final day for a huge amount of drafting practice and while we were disappointed that the morning session was washed out, we have to be thankful that we had the opportunity to go out and draft for most of the afternoon.”

SHELTRA: (ON THE AFTERNOON DRAFT) “It was a lot of fun. I really enjoy drafting. We made several drafting runs throughout the afternoon and we were quick. We never could get the car to suck up exactly how we wanted to, but that’s what these tests are for. We know the changes we are going to make and I guarantee by the time we come back in February, we’re going to have something to really work with.”

SHELTRA: (ON DRAFTING PARTNERS) “Michael Faulk, Bryan Silas, Gabi DiCarlo, Chase Austin and Tayler Malsam all did an incredible job out there with me. Michael (Faulk) and I really hooked up and we drafted well together. I trust my competitors our there and it was to get with that bunch and have some fun while still getting the job done.”

SHELTRA: (ON RUNNING IN THE TOP-10 ALL DAY LONG) “We led the way for several laps and ended up 10th, so I am happy overall. We could have went back out there late in the day and I think we could have found some more speed, but we didn’t want to take a risk of anything happening. We know where we stand and that’s a good thing. The Sheltra Motorsports bunch have a lot of ideas to make this car better and I’ll tell you we were holding a little back, so we’re looking forward to Speedweeks ARCA style in February.”

SHELTRA: (ON THE THREE-DAY ARCA RE/MAX SERIES TEST) “Overall, we are very happy about how the test went. On Friday, we unloaded strong with 14th on the charts. Saturday was a solid day, but times were baffled with us returning strong on Sunday. We still have work to do, but we’re looking forward to coming fully prepared in February and having a shot at winning the season opener.”

SHELTRA: (ON HIS PLANS FOR THE HOLIDAY SEASON) “I’m leaving at 6:00am Monday to head to Texas to hunt with my family. We’ll be there through Christmas then come back and spend some time with friends and family in Florida . I have a lot to be thankful for this year and I really enjoy the Holiday season, so I’m looking forward to every second of it.”

SHELTRA: (ON THE 2008 ARCA RE/MAX SERIES SEASON) “We are looking forward to it. This test even though it falls in 2007 unofficially kicked off the new season for Sheltra Motorsports. We are raising the bar for our second year of competition and we are going to give it our all for our first ARCA championship. The Sheltra Motorsports team are all winners and we’ll prove that in an even bigger way in next year.”

SHELTRA MOTORSPORTS FAST FACTS:

Team Name: Sheltra Motorsports, No. 60 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS

Driver: Patrick Sheltra, Indiantown , Florida

Car Owner: Grace Sheltra, Indiantown , Florida

Marketing Partners: Ferguson Pipe Enterprises, Inc, American Concrete Industries, Inc, Hardie Pipe, Indiantown Marina, Drug Discovery Testing (DDT), All About Flowers, Speed Media, Casite Products SawHorse Outfitters, J&S Bulk Transportation, Inc., Martin County Petroleum and FloraGanics.

Crew Chief: John Hayden

Team Manager: Keith Strunk

MEDIA CONTACT:
NAME: Chris Knight, Sheltra Motorsports
PHONE: 239.834.9797 or 830.261.1215
EMAIL: knight849@aol.com