Tom Hessert Ready To Lead Ken Schrader Racing Back To Victory Lane At DuQuoin

Tom Hessert Ready To Lead Ken Schrader Racing Back To Victory Lane At DuQuoin

Topics: Tom Hessert, Southern Illinois 100

Tom Hessert Ready To Lead Ken Schrader Racing Back To Victory Lane At DuQuoin

Chris Knight
Knight Motorsports Management
Ken Schrader Racing
August 30, 2012

DUQUOIN, Illinois (August 30, 2012) - - It’s been a while, five years in fact since Ken Schrader Racing (KSR) has visited victory lane at the DuQuoin (Ill.) State Fairgrounds. Tom Hessert III wants nothing more than to bring the team back to victory lane as the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards makes their annual stop to the legendary dirt track for Monday’s Southern Illinois 100 presented by Federated Car Care.

The Cherry Hill, New Jersey native Hessert has raced at the 1.0-mile oval five times including last September with Ken Schrader Racing, but has only achieved a best finish of second in 2010 driving for another team. Last year, it appeared that Hessert would be a factor for his second ARCA Racing Series triumph, but while running in the top-five, the motor expired after just 21 laps forcing a sour 26th place finish in the overall rundown.

Aiming to bounce back, the 26-year old ARCA veteran is poised to put his No. 52 Federated Auto Parts Chevrolet back in contention and ultimately lead the team back to victory in his 15th start of the season.

“DuQuoin is just a great place to race and with a lot of history,” said Hessert, a former USAC standout. “Ken Schrader Racing has won there in the past, consecutively back-to-back in 2006 and 2007, so I’d love to bring another track trophy back to the shop.”

Thanks to his older days of racing on the dirt through his experience in the United States Auto Club (USAC), Hessert is very familiar with the components it takes to master success on the dirt, no matter the type of racecar. Still, Hessert must be able to overcome the misfortune he’s experienced in his other four starts to have a shot at leading KSR to a third checkered flag in southern Illinois.

“DuQuoin is one my favorite places to race,” Hessert offered. “We are always very quick there, but seem to have trouble for one reason or another during the race, so I don’t have the finishes to show anything – hopefully, we can change that on Monday. The racing groove is typically a bit wider and smoother than the other dirt track at Springfield – which ultimately makes for more side-by-side racing, although I heard Springfield’s surface was excellent this year. Nonetheless, it should be a great show for the fans.”

An extra incentive for the former NASCAR Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series pilot to do well is the ever-growing support of his primary sponsor, Federated Auto Parts and their divisions who will once again support an ARCA Racing Series contest as a presenting sponsor for the 18th race of the year.

“Everyone at Federated Auto Parts, Federated Car Care and all of their loyal divisions has been awesome to me and a blast to work with,” sounded Hessert. “It’s a great feeling to know that you have such constant support from a huge following of people. It’s been longer than it should have been since a Federated Auto Parts car has been in victory lane, we’re going to try and end that on Monday afternoon.”

Despite idling for three races this year, Hessert currently occupies ninth in the championship standings with three races remaining on ARCA’s 60th year anniversary tour. As it stands, Hessert is 95 markers from eighth and 220 points ahead of 10th. Currently, he has 14 starts with five top-five finishes and nine top-10 runs.

The Southern Illinois 100 presented by Federated Car Care (100 laps / 100 miles) is the 18th of 20 events on the 2012 ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards schedule. The 30th ARCA event held at the DuQuoin State Fairgrounds is a one-day show. Practice begins Monday, September 3 with a one-hour practice session planned from 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. Menards pole qualifying presented by Ansell is set for just an hour later slated to begin at 11:00 a.m. The event will take the green flag a short time later just after 1:00 p.m. The race will not be televised but additional coverage including a radio broadcast and timing and scoring will be available through the ARCA Racing Network (ARN) online at arcaracing.com. All times are local (Central).

Entering DuQuoin, Hessert has 96 career ARCA Racing Series starts. In those outings, he has maneuvered two poles, one win, 23 top-fives and 51 top-10s.

For more on Tom Hessert III, please visit tomhessert.com.

Hessert has joined the Twitter crave. Follow and connect with him @TomHessert.

PHOTO CAPTION: Tom Hessert, driver of the No. 52 Federated Auto Parts Chevrolet in the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards for Ken Schrader Racing (KSR).

MEDIA CONTACT:

NAME: Chris Knight, Knight Motorsports Management

PHONE: 239.834.9797

EMAIL: chris@chrisknightpr.com