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Tom Hessert Returns To Lucas Oil Raceway

Topics: Tom Hessert, Ansell Protective Gloves 200

Tom Hessert Returns To Lucas Oil Raceway

Chris Knight
Knight Motorsports Management
Ken Schrader Racing
July 26, 2011

CLERMONT, Indiana (July 26, 2011) - - For the first time in nearly 25 years, the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards will return to Lucas Oil Raceway (LOR) at Indianapolis for Thursday night’s running of the Ansell Protective Gloves 200.

Tom Hessert III, driver of the No. 52 Federated Auto Parts Chevrolet Impala reunites with the .686-mile paved oval since his United States Auto Club (USAC) tandem several years ago. While the race cars are completely different, Hessert realizes that his prior experience in the “Hoosier” state could pay off with his second career win this week.

“When it was announced that ARCA was returning to Lucas Oil Raceway, I was like heck yeah,” offered Hessert. “It’s a pretty cool place with a lot of history. I haven’t been there in years, but I’ve turned many laps around there.”

Aiming for his second top-five and fourth consecutive top-10 in the last four races, Hessert leans on his Ken Schrader Racing (KSR) team led by crew chief John Monsam to help put the Cherry Hill, New Jersey native in the hunt for the 12th race of the season.

“John’s pretty much a master when it comes to short track racing,” Hessert noted. “We’ve worked long enough together that he knows what I am looking for. LOR will be new to both of us in a sense working with the ARCA car and all, but we should be able to come out of the truck strong and ready to maul.”

With Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis known for its tight figure, Hessert knows that track position and patience will ultimately lead to having the opportunity to win on Thursday night.

“You have to approach this race like any other short track,” Hessert explained. “You do the best you can in practice and in qualifying you want to start as close to the front as possible. Some short tracks, track position isn’t so important but at LOR, I think it will be. Everyone at KSR is thirsty for victory, especially for Federated Auto Parts.”

Eight races remain in the 2011 ARCA Racing Series schedule with Hessert currently occupying the seventh position in the championship standings. Just 115 points separate Hessert from cracking the top-five currently held by Tim George Jr.

“It’s go time for us,” sounded Hessert. “We’re willing to take some chances that we may not have necessarily taken even to get a better finish or gain some points. It’s not over until it’s over by any means but definitely doing whatever we can is important now more than ever.”

In addition to Federated Auto Parts, Cherry Hill Classic Cars will serve as an associate marketing partner for Hessert’s 76th career ARCA start. In his previous 75 outings, he has maneuvered one win, 14 top-fives and 38 top-10s.

The Ansell Protective Gloves 200 (200 laps / 137 miles) is the 12th of 19 events on the 2011 ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards schedule. The eighth ever ARCA race at Lucas Oil Raceway is a one-day show. Practice begins Thursday, July 28 with an hour and a half practice session planned from 1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Menards Pole by Ansell qualifying is slated for later in the day set to begin at 4:30 p.m. The event will take the green flag shortly after 7:00 p.m. The event will air live on SPEED. Additional event coverage including live timing and scoring throughout the 1,324th race for the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards since it was formed in 1953 will be available through the ARCA Racing Network (ARN) online at arcaracing.com presented by ARCANation.com. All times are local.

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

MEDIA CONTACT: NAME: Chris Knight, Knight Motorsports Management PHONE: 239.834.9797 EMAIL: chris@chrisknightpr.com