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Win-Tron Racing Feeling Confident Heading To Salem

Topics: Matt Merrell, Eddie Gilstrap Motors 200

Win-Tron Racing Feeling Confident Heading To Salem

Chris Knight
Win-Tron Racing
September 11, 2008

SALEM, Indiana (September 11, 2008) - - Win-Tron Racing heads to the second to last short track race of the season looking for a taste of victory. And with the next stop on the 2008 ARCA RE/MAX Series schedule steers the teams to the legendary short track of Salem Speedway, the Minnesota-based team is feeling confident entering Saturday’s Eddie Gilstrap Motors 200 by Advance Auto Parts.

Returning to the seat for a second time this season will be 2008 USAR Hooter’s Pro Cup Rookie-of-the-Year candidate Matt Merrell. For the second time this season, Merrell enters an ARCA RE/MAX Series event searching for his first career top-10 performance.

And if history repeats itself, Merrell’s chances of securing a top-10 finish in the annual fall trip to Southern Indiana track look real good.

“I’m excited about this weekend,” said Merrell, who last competed in an ARCA event at Kentucky Speedway in July. “Salem Speedway is without a doubt one of my favorite race tracks. I’m itching to climb in the car and get after it.”

Win-Tron Racing, the 2006 winner of the Eddie Gilstrap Motors 200 by Advance Auto Parts look for the same magic two years later and with Merrell’s instant taking to the brutal short track, the team looks for their first top-five of the season.

“Not only do we have a good chance at a top-five this weekend, but we can win the thing,” said Merrell with confidence. “The team finished fourth here last year and victory lane has eluded them this year. We are going to try and change that Saturday night.”

Earlier this year, Merrell made a USAR trip to Salem Speedway where he impressed. In the Lucas Oil 200 Hooter’s Pro Cup event, Merrell started fifth and led an impressive 56 laps before being swept into a late race incident which relegated the Portland , Texas native to a solid but disappointing 13th place finish.

“ Salem is brutal,” added Merrell, a Development Driver for Win-Tron Racing. “That’s the best way to put it. You could be having the run of your life and the next you could be caught in something you have no idea how you got caught up in it. That’s the pros and cons to Salem . If you can avoid the chaos, your finish will be good.”

“Racing under the lights is so cool, especially at Salem . I plan to do a little bit of beating and banging, but the goal there is to put our team up front and stay there. The team is no stranger to victory lane and I sure would like to take them back there.”

He continued, “This is my last scheduled ARCA RE/MAX Series race of the season and I would like to go out there and prove myself. I sincerely appreciate the opportunity that Win-Tron Racing has given me and I surely want to make the best of it.”

Win-Tron Racing General Manager Nate Thiesse commented, “Matt is back. He’s done a great job for us on the Hooter’s side, now the opportunity has been presented for him to come and “play” over here in the ARCA RE/MAX Series. He is super comfortable at Salem , so I think it will be a good weekend for us.”

Following Salem , Win-Tron Racing will head to Talladega Superspeedway for a two-day test on September 17 and 18 in preparation for the ARCA RE/MAX 250 set for October 3. James Buescher will be at the helm for both the test and race.

Entering Salem Win-Tron Racing sits 15th in the ARCA RE/MAX Series owner’s standings after 17 races. 190 credits separate car owner Kevin Cywinski from the 14th position held by David Bean (No. 37). The team maintained their position from their last outing at Chicagoland Speedway where Buescher suffered an early mechanical failure and posted a 36th place finish.

Merrell Lease Service, Red Line Oil and Win-Tron Racing Driver Development will serve as the sponsors for Saturday night’s rumble.

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

The Eddie Gilstrap Motors 200 by Advance Auto Parts (110 miles/200 laps) is the 18th of 21 events on the 2008 ARCA RE/MAX Series schedule. The second ARCA race of the season at Salem Speedway is a one-day show. Practice begins Saturday September 13 with an hour and a half practice session planned from 1:05 p.m.- 2:35 p.m. ARCA SIM Factory pole qualifying is slated to begin at 4:00 p.m. The field will take the green flag shortly after 7:15 p.m. The event will be tape-delayed on MavTV (Friday, September 19 at 8:00 p.m.) but additional race coverage including live timing and scoring and radio courtesy of the ARCA Radio Network will be available online at arcaracing.com. All times are local.