Matt Merrell Looks For Grand Entrance In First ARCA Start Of '09

Topics:  Matt Merrell, Kentuckiana Ford Dealers 200

Chris Knight
Win-Tron Racing
April 2, 2009

SALEM, Indiana (April 2, 2009) - - Still riding high after posting their very first speedway victory at Daytona International Speedway in February, Win-Tron Racing hopes to keep the momentum rolling when Matt Merrell takes the wheel of the No. 32 Dodge Charger for Sunday’s Kentuckiana Dealers 200 by Federated Car Care.

Merrell, a development driver for the Lakeville, Minnesota based team is accelerating his stock car career after producing a strong waive of maturity and success after a full year of competition in the USARacing Series last year. Now, with Salem set to the first of at least 16 ARCA events for the Portland, Texas native is anxious to produce stunning results for one of the most respected teams on the tour.

“I’m excited about getting back into an ARCA car,” said Merrell, who holds three career ARCA RE/MAX Series starts to his credit. “Obviously, the team has started the season off great and I would like nothing more than to keep their drive alive at Salem this weekend.”

In his prior three starts in ARCA, Merrell has one start at Salem Speedway which came last September where Merrell showcased his short track skills by delivering his personal best qualifying run of ninth. While the race didn’t go exactly as planned, Merrell acquired priceless track time that he hopes will play into his hands Sunday afternoon.

“I love Salem Speedway, it’s my kind of race track,” continued Merrell, who was recognized as a star athlete in High School. “You almost have to hang on for dear life but you cannot be afraid to accelerate in the throttle and get up near the wall. If you can handle Salem, you can make it in racing.”

Of course while the bigger picture leads to winning Sunday’s event, Merrell knows that mastering Salem usually surrounds a four letter word, luck. Last June, Merrell appeared to be on his way to his first USARacing victory after qualifying a stout fifth, he controlled the field for a impressive 56 laps before being collected in an accident not of his own making which relegated the 23-year old to a 12th place finish.

“Luck is all apart of winning, especially at Salem,” sounded Merrell. “We could and should have won the USARacing race last year but the luck ran out and we ended up with a disappointing finish. Hopefully it won’t run out this weekend.”

The Win-Tron Racing team is utilizing the second race of the ARCA season to bring awareness to an even bigger picture off the race track.

The team will 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.

“I’m proud to be aligning our team with such a strong organization,” added Merrell. “Anytime I feel like we can bring familiarity to a project outside the racing community, I think it’s worthy. Hopefully with our help we can bring recognition to an association that could be easily overlooked.”

Win-Tron Racing co-owner and team manager Nate Thiesse offered his two-cents on this weekend’s activities. “Win-Tron Racing is no stranger to success at Salem Speedway and we feel that Matt Merrell will continue our presence in Sunday’s race. He has a big year ahead of him in the ARCA RE/MAX Series and we feel that a good run at Salem this weekend will give him the best medicine for any driver, confidence!”

Merrell Lease Service will join Colin’s Hope as the primary sponsors of Merrell’s No. 32 Dodge Charger this weekend in his second consecutive Salem start.

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 Kentuckiana Ford Dealers 200 by Federated Car Care (200 laps/111 miles) is the second of 22 events on the 2009 ARCA RE/MAX Series schedule. The 82nd ARCA race held at Salem is a two-day show. Practice begins Saturday, April 4 with an hour and a half practice session planned from 12:30-2:00 p.m. Menards Pole by Ansell qualifying is set for later in the day slated to begin at 3:30 p.m. The event will take the green flag on Sunday, April 5 shortly after 2:15 p.m. The race will be broadcasted live through the ARCA Racing Network (ARN) online at arcaracing.com. All times are local.

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