Win-Tron Racing; Matt Merrell Look To Continue Strong Runs In Kenly

Win-Tron Racing; Matt Merrell Look To Continue Strong Runs In Kenly

Topics: Matt Merrell, Dan Duncan Memorial Aaron’s 250

Win-Tron Racing; Matt Merrell Look To Continue Strong Runs In Kenly

Chris Knight
Win-Tron Racing
October 16, 2008

KENLY, North Carolina (October 16, 2008) - - Still feeling refreshed after their first top-10 finish of the season in the most recent USAR Hooter’s Pro Cup event at Iowa Speedway last month, Win-Tron Racing and rookie driver Matt Merrell return to competition nearly a month later looking to keep the momentum going and post another top-10 effort in Saturday night’s Dan Duncan Memorial Aaron’s 250 at Southern National Raceway Park.

“It feels like it’s been forever since I’ve been in a racecar,” said Merrell, a development driver for Win-Tron Racing. “I tell you what though; we needed that strong run at Iowa Speedway to put this team back on the map. We’ve proven that we’ve been fast this year; we just unfortunately didn’t have the results to show it. Finally, it all came together and now we head to Kenly this weekend looking to keep the finishes rolling.”

Merrell continued, “I hate that the season is slowly starting to come to an end, we only have one more race after Southern National Raceway Park and then we’ll have the winter to regroup. These next two events are the prime opportunity to shine and put our Win-Tron Racing team further up on the board. We can win these next two races, I believe that. We just need a little luck to make it happen.”

“I’ve never been to Southern National Raceway Park, but I’ve done some homework and studied the racetrack a little bit. It looks like a neat little place but I’m sure it will offer some challenges as well. Our goal in practice is to learn the track and post some competitive lap times. With the close competition in USAR this season, when the green flag drops for the race, you have to be on your game and ready to go. I’ll be ready. No problem.”

The Portland , Texas native pointed out, “USAR has given us a four-hour freebie practice on Friday and that will help us tremendously. Practices like those are something you can’t pass up. It’s critical for us because we not only want to run well, but we want to give our sponsors some serious bragging rights this weekend. I’m looking forward to familiarizing myself with the track on Friday and picking up the pace on Saturday morning.”

During the down-time, Merrell hasn’t shifted his focus away from the driver’s seat but instead chose to get down and dirty underneath his racecars and help prepare his machines for the final two events of the season.

In addition, last weekend Merrell attended an open test at Rockingham Speedway preparing for the season finale shaping up for Halloween weekend. “The test went pretty well,” Merrell sounded. “Win-Tron Racing participated in the ARCA RE/MAX Series event there earlier in the year, so we had a baseline where to start and we just adjusted all day to get our car competitive. We were plagued by foul weather a little bit, but I’m confident we’ll be a factor when we go back at the end of the month.”

Team Manager Nate Thiesse of Win-Tron Racing offered, “We’re ready to go back racing! Everyone at Win-Tron Racing has seen the confidence perk up with Matt following the top-10 run at Iowa and we know he is hungry for more heading to Kenly this weekend. We’re bringing a good racecar and hoping to move into a top-five run Saturday night that will propel this team further in the championship chase.”

With two races remaining in the USAR Hooter’s Pro Cup Series championship series, Merrell is holding the 16th position at 322 markers, gaining 109 points after Iowa . Merrell is 19 markers from the top-10 and 228 credits from the top spot held by Benny Gordon. Just 76 points separate 16th from third in the championship rundown. Additionally, 34 credits separate Merrell from becoming the top rookie in the developmental series heading into Kenly, North Carolina this weekend.

Merrell Lease Service and Win-Tron Driver Development will hold the sponsorship roles on the No. 32 Chevrolet Monte Carlo entry this week.

The Dan Duncan Memorial Aaron’s 250 (250 laps/100 miles) is set for Saturday, October 18, 2008. An optional day of practice has been etched in for Friday, October 17 with a four hour session scheduled for 2:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. On race day, a two hour practice session begins from 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Awesome Awnings Pole Qualifying is slated to begin at approximately 4:30 p.m. A Wraps INK on-track autograph session has been penciled in for 5:45 p.m. The 11th event of the season will take the green flag shortly after 7:00 p.m. local time.

For more information on Win-Tron Racing and Matt Merrell please visit win-tronracing.com.

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