Back In The Saddle; Tom Hessert Ready For Some Madison Fun

Back In The Saddle; Tom Hessert Ready For Some Madison Fun

Topics: Tom Hessert, Herr’s Live Life with Flavors 200

Back In The Saddle; Tom Hessert Ready For Some Madison Fun

Chris Knight
Knight Motorsports Management
Ken Schrader Racing
August 23, 2012

OREGON, Wisconsin (August 23, 2012) - - In his last two showings in the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards, Tom Hessert III has delivered two very strong top-five finishes at Lucas Oil Raceway and Berlin (Mich.) Raceway respectively. After sitting out last weekend’s race at the Illinois State Fairgrounds, the Cherry Hill, New Jersey native returns to the track looking for more of the same in Sunday afternoon’s running of the Herr’s Live Life with Flavors 200 at Madison (Wisc.) International Speedway.

The Ken Schrader Racing (KSR) team has had the opportunity to re-polish the same No. 52 Federated Auto Parts Chevrolet Impala that the longtime ARCA veteran has crafted to finishes of second and fourth respectively. Now in search of his third consecutive top-five run or sixth of the season, Hessert is well aware what it will take to accomplish another gratifying finish.

“I’m very excited about this weekend,” said Hessert. “We’re taking the same car we’ve run in the past two races and it has performed immaculately. We finished fifth last year, so we know we’ll have a pretty good baseline to start with. Track position is going to be everything, so it’s imperative that we have a good qualifying run, otherwise it opens up the door to potentially have a long day.”

He added, “We’re not gunning for points anymore, we’re going after wins. It’s been a while since I’ve won a race in ARCA and even a longer time since a KSR car has been to victory lane. We have the next three races laid out to try and end those streaks. I feel like with the dedication and mindset of this team, our chances are as good as any.”

The 26-year old driver also explained what he’ll need his No. 52 Federated Auto Parts Chevrolet Impala to do in order to score his second career ARCA Racing Series triumph.

“The track is like a paperclip, similar to Mansfield Motorsports Park or Caraway Speedway, so I feel whoever is able to have their car roll through the center will be the one that everyone is chasing. Donnie (Richeson, crew chief) and I have talked strategy, so hopefully we can keep the momentum we’ve enjoyed as of late in our corner.”

Despite idling for three races, Hessert currently occupies ninth in the championship standings with four race remaining on ARCA’s 60th year anniversary tour. As it stands, Hessert is 120 markers from eighth and 215 points ahead of 10th. Currently, he has 13 starts with five top-five finishes and eight top-10 runs.

The Herr’s Live Life with Flavors 200 (200 laps / 100 miles) is the 17th of 20 events on the 2012 ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards schedule. The fourth-ever ARCA event held at Madison International Speedway is a two-day show. Practice begins Saturday, August 25 with a forty-five minute practice session planned from 1:00 p.m. - 1:45 p.m. A final practice is scheduled from 2:15 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Menards pole qualifying presented by Ansell is set for later in the day slated to begin at 4:30 p.m. The event will take the green flag on Sunday, August 26 shortly after 2:00 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 Madison, Hessert has 95 career ARCA Racing Series starts. In those outings, he has maneuvered two poles, one win, 23 top-fives and 50 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