Matt Merrell Looking To Put Win-Tron Racing Back On Track At Berlin |
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Topics: Matt Merrell, Wolverine Power Systems 200
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Chris Knight
Win-Tron Racing
July 23, 2009
MARNE, Michigan (July 23, 2009) - - Win-Tron Racing has no doubt been one of the most strongest ARCA RE/MAX Series teams in 2009 but the Lakeville, Minnesota has experienced bad luck for the past two consecutives races which has tried to shift the focus of the team. Vying never to give up, the team will propel themselves into Berlin Raceway this weekend with Matt Merrell aboard and look for a strong recovery in the Wolverine Power Systems 200 presented by Generac.
One of those rough races occurred at Iowa Speedway two weeks ago where Matt Merrell was denied a top-five finish after a late race shove from the No. 51 of Brian Ickler wiped the team from potentially another win and instead delivered a top-20 finish.
For Merrell, he’s using the race for redemption but thankfully won’t have to worry about Ickler. Still, he’ll have to worry about the other boys of the ARCA RE/MAX Series camp who will try and keep the No. 32 Colin’s Hope Dodge Charger out of victory lane for the third time this season.
“I’ve never been to Berlin but I’m looking forward to this weekend,” said Merrell. “Win-Tron Racing finished 11th there last year, so we’re going to see if we can drop one of those numbers and celebrate big time on Saturday night.”
While Merrell has been thrown into several speedway races this season and answered with strong runs, the short tracks have been Merrell’s highlight which included a career best run of third at Rockingham Speedway in April. While he was just two positions away from popping the cork, Merrell feels like he has unfinished business on the podium and hopes to cap it off Saturday night.
“That satisfaction of winning an ARCA RE/MAX Series race plays over and over in my head,” said Merrell. “I know as a team we’re capable of pulling it off, we just need a little luck. That’s something that hasn’t been on our side the last two races.”
While his goal for the weekend is feasible, Merrell knows that he’ll have to be realistic about relying on his Mike Chaffee led team to find his niche around the .4-mile short track.
“We didn’t have the opportunity to test or anything at Berlin, so I’m pretty much going in blindsided,” added Merrell. “I’ve been in this predicament before and emerged on the positive end. Mike (Chaffee, crew chief) I know will have a good setup underneath me, so it will take me talking to my crew and maybe some of the drivers who have raced at Berlin before to make sure I’m on the right path.”
For the seventh time this season, the Win-Tron Racing / Matt Merrell combo is utilizing the 12th race of the season to bring awareness to an even bigger picture off the race track.
The team will continue to recognize and help bring further attentiveness to Colin’s Hope.
Colin’s Hope is a nonprofit organization that creates and supports programs that aid in preventing children from drowning. Despite numerous sources for water safety, the number of children who drown per year is staggering. Colin's Hope of saving children from drowning is being achieved through improved water safety awareness and standards throughout communities.
“Man, I want to win for myself, my team and my sponsors but winning for Colin’s Hope would be the icing on the cake,” sounded Merrell. “There hasn’t been one race this year where we haven’t had the opportunity to do so. We just haven’t been able to close the deal for one reason or another. No mistaking, we’re going to give it our all Saturday night to give Colin’s Hope something to really be proud about.”
Entering Berlin, Win-Tron Racing holds the fourth position in the ARCA RE/MAX Series owner’s standings after 11 races. Car owner Kevin Cywinski is 200 markers from moving back to the top spot held by fellow car owner Jessica Sharp (No. 6). The team fell to the fourth spot after Bradley Riethmeyer was tangled up in a mid-race accident that resulted in a 31st place finish at Kentucky Speedway last weekend.
Merrell Lease Service will join Colin’s Hope as the primary sponsors of Merrell’s No. 32 Dodge Charger in his inaugural Berlin Raceway debut this weekend.
Further information on Win-Tron Racing is available by visiting win-tronracing.com or contacting Nate Thiesse at 952.469.1839.
For more on Matt Merrell please visit, MattMerrellRacing.com.
The Wolverine Power Systems 200 presented by Generac (200 laps / 88 miles) is the 12th of 21 events on the 2009 ARCA RE/MAX Series schedule. The Marne, Michigan event is a one-day show. Practice begins Saturday, July 25 with an hour and half practice session planned from 2:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Menards Pole by Ansell qualifying is slated to begin at 5:00 p.m. The event will take the green flag that evening shortly after 8:30 p.m. The event will not be televised but broadcast coverage will be available live through the ARCA Racing Network (ARN) online at arcaracing.com. All times are local.