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Pocono On Deck For Buster Graham; Mark Gibson Racing

Topics: Buster Graham, Pennsylvania ARCA 125

Pocono On Deck For Buster Graham; Mark Gibson Racing

Chris Knight
Knight Motorsports Management
Mark Gibson Racing
August 3, 2011

LONG POND, Pennsylvania (August 3, 2011) - - Without hesitation, ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards rookie Buster Graham has gained attention in his first two events this year at Pocono (Pa.) Raceway and Iowa Speedway. He’ll have another chance to turn heads in Saturday afternoon’s Pennsylvania ARCA 125.

Graham, a former hydroplane boat racer turned stock car pilot is returning to the track known as the “Tricky Triangle” on the heels of a commendable 15th place finish in the brutal heat at Iowa Speedway late last month. Surviving those conditions is a battle in itself but Graham was determined to build on his inaugural debut in the No. 59 Batter’s Dream Dodge Charger for the veteran Mark Gibson Racing (MGR) team.

Nearly two months later after surviving his debut at Pocono (Pa.) Raceway with a solid 20th place finish, Graham returns to a track of familiarity looking to duplicate or better his success from Iowa Speedway.

“I’m having a blast in these ARCA cars,” offered Graham. “This is a huge 180 from boat racing, but I’m loving every second of it. I would lying if I said I wasn’t eager to get back to Pocono. I learned so much in my first race and I’m hoping I can take from what I learn and apply it even more on Saturday.”

In June, Graham and his MGR team had 80 laps under their belt, this weekend though a double-header race with the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) shortens the distance from 80 laps to just 50 laps. The large decrease means that the MGR team but have their ducks in-a-row when the green flag flies on Saturday afternoon.

“It stinks that Saturday’s race is shorter than my last time at Pocono, but I’m grateful it wasn’t the other way around,” Graham explained. “It’s refreshing to go back to a racetrack where you’ve had some experience, so you’re not totally in the green when the car finally hits the pavement. Mark Gibson and the guys on the MGR have been thrashing on our No. 59 Batter’s Dream Dodge Charger to get it ready for competition; I just hope I can hold my end of the bargain.”

With two top-20 efforts in his record books thus far, Graham wouldn’t mind knocking out a third, but the USARacing Pro Cup Series racer is thriving on the possibility of a top-10 finish.

“You’ve seen over times, that strange things happen in racing,” Graham explained. “Mark (Gibson) does a great job preparing these Dodge Chargers and I know that we’re facing some tough competition but I think that’s a motivating factor for us. We know that we can find ourselves in that same class soon.”

For his third ARCA race, Batter’s Dream returns to the role as the primary marketing role of Graham’s No. 59 entry this weekend.

Batter's Dream is an automated ball feeding system (pitching machine) that allows baseball hitters and softball hitters to maximize time in the batting cage by getting more quality cuts without fixing a tee. One of the key benefits of the Batter's Dream batting machines is that it allows batters the freedom to focus on rhythm, stance, and timing and swing speed without the need for a second person. Simply put, Batter's Dream is the most effective, simple and easy-to-use soft toss system ever invented to help improve a hitter's mechanics and increase their batting average.

“None of this would be possible without my father-in-law Don (Mashburn),” sounded Graham. “Batter’s Dream is an amazing project and everyone will soon see why I stand behind this product. It’s just not because I have a personal tie to it, it’s because I truly believe in it. Hopefully we can bat ourselves to a good finish; if not a home run.”

For Gibson, the opportunity to work with Graham again in ARCA is pleasurable. “I’ve been truly impressed with how quick Buster has adapted to these ARCA cars,” he said. “For his lack of experience in these heavier cars, I’ve been blown away with his feedback and his dedication.”

The four-time winner in ARCA competition went onto say, “I think it’s a confidence booster for Buster going back to Pocono this weekend. He’s going to a place he’s already been too and knows how to get around. With the race only being 50 laps, we don’t have time to tittle around; we have to be ready when to fire away when the moment that green flag drops!”

The Pennsylvania ARCA 125 (50 laps / 125 miles) is the 13th of 19 events on the 2011 ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards schedule. The 53rd ARCA race at Pocono Raceway is a two-day show. Practice begins Friday, August 5 with a one hour and twenty minute practice session planned from 1:40 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Menards Pole by Ansell qualifying is slated to begin later in the day at 5:40 p.m. The field will take the green flag shortly after 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, August 6. The event will be televised live on SPEED beginning at 3:00 p.m. EST. Live timing and scoring throughout the 1,325th 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 Batter’s Dream, please visit Battersdream.com.

About Batter’s Dream:

Batter's Dream is an automated ball feeding system (pitching machine) that allows baseball hitters and softball hitters to maximize time in the batting cage by getting more quality cuts without fixing a tee. One of the key benefits of the Batter's Dream batting machines is that it allows batters the freedom to focus on rhythm, stance, timing and swing speed without the need for a second person. Simply put, Batter's Dream is the most effective, simple and easy-to-use soft toss system ever invented to help improve a hitter's mechanics and increase their batting average.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

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