Win-Tron Racing Ready To Conquer Winchester

Topics:  Matt Merrell, Winchester ARCA 200

Chris Knight
Knight Motorsports Management
Win-Tron Racing
June 22, 2011

WINCHESTER, Indiana (June 22, 2011) - - Lakeville, Minnesota-based Win-Tron Racing returns to short track racing this weekend at Winchester (Ind.) Speedway and their driver Matt Merrell is looking to resurge his No. 32 Champion Oil Dodge Charger with a top-five finish in Saturday night’s Winchester ARCA 200 presented by Federated Auto Parts.

The last two ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards races have offered its challenges to both the team and driver but the willingness to beat those setbacks have propelled the team to stay motivated knowing that Winchester is on deck this weekend.

Even though, Merrell, the Portland, Texas native has never competed at Winchester Speedway, once again the 26-year old will lean and rely on his veteran ARCA team led by crew chief Mike Chaffee for a starting point before Merrell, in his typical fashion will blossom with his on-track performance.

“I’m ready to get back to short track racing,” offered the 26-year old. “I feel like we’re owed something on the short tracks, so I’m hoping that we have a strong run on Saturday night to recover from some of the hiccups we experienced at Pocono and Michigan.”

In the first two short-track races this season, Merrell has shown that he is not a sleeper but is capable of winning. At Salem (Ind.) Speedway, Merrell was leading before contact from another competitor sent the No. 32 Champion Oil Dodge Charger into a spin-cycle. Frustrated, Merrell was able to rebound in the fifth place position. Last month, Merrell returned to Toledo Speedway. In the past, the former USARacing Pro Cup Series star has qualified well there but hasn’t had the finishes he rightfully deserved. That wasn’t the case this year after mounting a strong third place podium finish.

“You quite never know what to expect on a short track,” offered Merrell. “I found that out at Salem, but the resilience of this team paid off and we bounced back. I’m so anxious to win. It’s not bothering me yet that we haven’t won this year, because I feel when it’s time it will be time. I’m just hoping it comes soon because everyone at Win-Tron Racing and Champion Oil definitely deserves it.”

ARCA’s return to Winchester for the first time since 2007 signifies the eighth race that Champion Oil will heed the role as the primary sponsor for the Lakeville, Minnesota-based team. Headquartered in Clinton, Missouri Champion Oil, a division of Champion Brands LLC produces and blends more than 300 products including fuel, oil and engine additives and lubricants for the automotive, heavy truck, agricultural and specialty markets.

Co-car owner Nate Thiesse offered his preview on Saturday night’s battle. “Matt really excels at these short tracks. He’s obviously been frustrated with the bad luck he has endured at Pocono and Michigan, but this might be the medicine he needs to rejuvenate his confidence. We’re bringing the same car we raced at Salem, so it would be no surprise to anyone if Matt is contending for that checkered flag on Saturday night.”

Merrell will make his 22nd career start in the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards at Winchester Speedway this weekend. In his previous 21 outings, Merrell has eight top-fives including runner-up finishes of second at Berlin (Mich.) Raceway and Pocono (Pa.) Raceway (August) in 2009 and 11 top-10s. His best start position for Win-Tron Racing occurred at the tricky triangle of Pocono (Pa.) Raceway where he qualified his No. 32 CollinsHope.org Dodge Charger second in June of 2009.

The Winchester ARCA 200 presented by Federated Auto Parts (200 laps / 100 miles) is the ninth of 19 events on the 2011 ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards schedule. The 22nd ARCA race at Winchester is a one-day show. Practice begins Saturday, June 25 with a one hour and half practice session planned from 1:45 p.m. - 3:15 p.m. Menards Pole by Ansell qualifying is slated to begin later in the day at 4:45 p.m. The field will take the green flag later that night shortly after 8:00 p.m. The race will not be televised but event coverage including live timing and scoring throughout the 1,321st 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.

Further information including driver opportunities with Win-Tron Racing is available by visiting win-tronracing.com or contacting Nate Thiesse at 952.469.1839.

For more on Champion Oil, Champion Brands LLC and their products, please logon to championbrands.com or championsusechampion.com.

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TEAM COMMUNICATIONS CONTACT:

NAME: Chris Knight, Knight Motorsports Management
PHONE: 239.834.9797
EMAIL: chris@chrisknightpr.com / knight849@aol.com