Salem Provides Grand Opportunity For Win-Tron Racing; Matt Merrell

Topics:  Matt Merrell, Lucas Oil 200

Chris Knight
Win-Tron Racing
June 25, 2008

“Matt Merrell & Company Seeking Thrill Run Saturday Night”

SALEM, Indiana (June 25, 2008) - - If there is a track on the 2008 United Speed Alliance Racing (USAR) Hooter’s Pro Cup Series tour where Win-Tron Racing might have an advantage over the rest of their competition, Salem Speedway might just be it.

In their rookie season of USAR competition, Win-Tron Racing has been able to show strength but miserable racing luck has kept the team off the finishing map. This weekend, the Minnesota based team looks to change that and put Merrell in contention for a top-five finish in Saturday night’s Lucas Oil 200 presented by Touchstone Energy.

“I’m really excited about going to Salem,” noted Merrell, a development driver for Win-Tron Racing. “Salem is a place with a lot of racing history and has been a track that has been extremely kind to Win-Tron Racing. It’s no secret the success of Win-Tron Racing at Salem Speedway in the ARCA RE/MAX Series should easily be beneficial for our Hooter’s Pro Cup Series team this weekend.”

Merrell added, “Salem is a brutal race track. It’s rough and bumpy but fast. The key to winning at Salem Speedway is survival. You can win from the back of the pack but it’s very though. I know we’re bringing a good car to the track this weekend so I’m not particularly worried about qualifying in the back, we just need to start up front and stay there.”

Much of the 2008 season has been run under the lights and Saturday’s night venue will prove to be no different. Merrell, the freshman driver sees the nighttime racing as a true spectal not only for the drivers but for the fans.

“The fans are awesome in the Hooter’s Pro Cup Series and when we race under the lights they go nuts,” Merrell sounded. “The night races provide a lot of opportunities for the drivers and teams and it benefits with great racing. Salem will be no different this weekend, I guarantee it.”

Despite a 22nd place finish in the most recent outing at Mansfield Motorsports Park, Merrell points out that the performance of his Win-Tron Racing team continues to rise with every occasion.

“Every time we’re on the track, we’re getting better,” stated Merrell, who also competed for Win-Tron Racing in the ARCA RE/MAX Series last year. “We’ve really come a long way very quick and I’m proud of the entire Win-Tron Racing team. We were well on our way to a top-10 finish at Mansfield but unfortunately we were stalled with a mechanical failure. We’ll regroup and grab a top-10 Saturday night.”

Entering Salem 18th in the championship standings and 165 points from the top-spot, Merrell knows that his team needs to recoup the position they lost at Mansfield and make the much needed push towards the top-10. “We’re not giving up on the points,” he said. “There is a still long way to go this season and I know with a couple good runs we can put ourselves in contention for a solid point’s position.”

Win-Tron Racing’s Nate Thiesse offered his two-cents on Salem Speedway this weekend; “The guys are pumped about racing at Salem Speedway this weekend. It’s a track favorite of Win-Tron Racing and we feel that Saturday’s event provides an excellent opportunity for us to grab our first top-10 finish of the season.”

Tejas Exotics, Merrell Lease Service and Win-Tron Driver Development will hold the sponsorship roles on the No. 32 entry this weekend.

“I want to thank everyone including our devoted sponsors for their continued support of our racing program. Our finishes haven’t been lacking because of performance. Salem Speedway is just the medicine we need to put our team back in the spotlight.”

The Lucas Oil 200 presented by Touchstone Energy is set for Saturday, June 28, 2008. The event is a one-day show. A two hour practice session begins from 11:00-1:00 p.m. Awesome Awnings Pole Qualifying is slated to begin at 4:30 p.m. The fourth event of the season will take the green flag on Saturday shortly after 7:00 p.m. All times are local.

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

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