Matt Merrell Banking On Previous Mansfield Experience

Topics:  Matt Merrell, Tim Richmond Memorial ARCA RE/MAX 200

Chris Knight
Win-Tron Racing
June 18, 2009

MANSFIELD, Ohio (June 18, 2009) - - You would think that playing musical chairs behind the wheel of the No. 32 Win-Tron Racing entry would shake any driver’s momentum or confidence but that hasn’t been the case for the team’s two drivers this season. Between drivers James Buescher and Matt Merrell the two have recorded two wins, six top-five finishes and seven top-10 runs only marred by a worst finish of 11th at Salem Speedway in April.

This weekend as the ARCA RE/MAX Series takes their first trip to Mansfield Motorsports Park (MMP), Portland, Texas native Matt Merrell is at the wheel and the development driver is looking to better his fifth place run at Toledo Speedway and Pocono Raceway respectively and rejoice the team with their third win of the season Saturday night in the Tim Richmond Memorial ARCA 200.

Merrell has been strong wherever he’s been this year. From the 11th place finish at Salem to a career best third at Rockingham Speedway, a fifth at Toledo Speedway and mastering a fifth place run in his Pocono Raceway debut two weeks ago, the former USARacing star looks to pull off that magical first win for the Lakeville, Minnesota based team in his fifth start of 2009.

And while the Mansfield Motorsports Park event will be the first for the ARCA RE/MAX Series tour, it will not be Merrell’s first go-around with the Central Ohio short track. Last year, Merrell and the Win-Tron Racing duo competed at MMP in two USARacing events.

“Mansfield. We’re back,” said Merrell, who averages a finish of 18th at MMP in the USARacing Series. “The track is definitely unique, there’s no hiding that. However, I feel I have a slight advantage over my competitors with 370 laps under my belt. I’m hoping that will come into our favor on Saturday night.”

Merrell added, “Mansfield is a track you have to get up on the wheel and drive. Things happen there in a hurry. The race will be just as or even more competitive than the USAR races last year, so paying attention and hitting your marks will determine the winner of Saturday night’s race. That being said, I think our chances look real good.”

For the fifth time this season, the Win-Tron Racing / Matt Merrell combo is utilizing the ninth 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.

“The response with Colin’s Hope on the car has been so tremendous, we just keep feeling the urge to spreading the word and the best way to do that is keeping it on the hood,” offered Merrell. “Colin’s Hope means a lot to me personally and we’ve been so close to entering victory lane this season for them, I hope we’re able to finally pull it off Saturday night.”

Nate Thiesse, co-owner and general manager of Win-Tron Racing offered his thoughts on Mansfield Motorsports Park this weekend. “Matt is usually a underdog going into some of these events this year but we have the upper hand for sure this weekend. I’m really proud of the job that Matt has been doing this year and we know as a team he’ll continue to keep doing what he has been doing all year and that’s all we can ask for him.”

Entering Mansfield, Win-Tron Racing holds the top position in the ARCA RE/MAX Series owner’s standings after eight races. Car owner Kevin Cywinski holds a 70 point advantage over fellow car owner Jessica Sharp (No. 6). The team catapulted back to the number one position after James Buescher recorded a fourth place finish at Michigan International Speedway last Friday.

Merrell Lease Service will join Colin’s Hope as the primary sponsors of Merrell’s No. 32 Dodge Charger in his third career Mansfield start 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 Tim Richmond Memorial ARCA 200 (200 laps / 100 miles) is the ninth of 21 events on the 2009 ARCA RE/MAX Series schedule. The first ever ARCA race at Mansfield Motorsports Park is a one-day show. Practice begins Saturday June 20 with an hour and half practice session planned from 2:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Menards Pole by Ansell qualifying is set for later in the day slated to begin at 5:00 p.m. The event will take the green flag shortly after 8:30 p.m. The event will not be televised however flag-to-flag coverage will be broadcasted live through the ARCA Racing Network (ARN) online at arcaracing.com. All times are local.\