Exceptional Run For Andy Hanson At Toledo Speedway In ARCA Debut

Exceptional Run For Andy Hanson At Toledo Speedway In ARCA Debut

Topics: Andy Hanson, Hantz Group 200

Exceptional Run For Andy Hanson At Toledo Speedway In ARCA Debut

Chris Knight
Win-Tron Racing
May 21, 2008

“ASA Superstar Grabs Pole & Top-10 Finish For Win-Tron Racing”

TOLEDO, Ohio (May 21, 2008) - - Win-Tron Racing had no hesitation when they announced that former ASA Late Model driver Andy Hanson would drive their No. 32 Dodge Charger this past weekend at Toledo Speedway. Looking back on the weekend, the decision paid off with Hanson making a stellar debut in Sunday’s Hantz Group 200 by Federated Car Care.

Despite never competing in an ARCA car at the half-mile Toledo Speedway before practice on Saturday afternoon, Hanson looked more like a 10-year veteran adapting to the track quickly and posting very impressive laps. At the end of the lone practice session of the weekend, Hanson had recorded the second fastest effort, slowest to only one other driver veteran ARCA driver Justin Allgaier.

“This car is great,” offered Hanson after practice. “We shook this car down a day before we left for Toledo . It’s fun to be here in Toledo and running as competitive as we are. Hopefully we can keep it up in qualifying.”

ARCA SIM Factory pole qualifying would become a very tight session until Hanson took his opportunity at the pole. Hanson would maneuver his No. 32 Long Haul Trucking-Roll Tite Dodge to a mind-blowing 15.891 seconds transferring to a speed of 113.272 mph. Hanson’s run would shatter the previous track record as well etching his name into the record books by becoming the first car in ARCA RE/MAX Series history at Toledo Speedway to post a qualifying time in the 15-second bracket.

“I was just hoping to start in the top-five, but to grab the pole is just awesome,” said Hanson. “I don’t deserve all the credit; this Win-Tron Racing group is just great. They work hard and they know their stuff. I’m hoping for a great clean race on Sunday.”

At the start of the Hantz Group 200 by Federated Car Care, Hanson would be overtaken by outside pole sitter Ken Schrader on the first lap. The 19-year old young-gun would say not-so-fast to the NASCAR star as Hanson blasted his machine into the lead on lap two and held that position until lap seven.

Scott Speed passed Hanson on lap 8 with the No. 32 holding that position when the first caution flag waived on lap 11.

On the restart, Hanson didn’t get going as the rest of the competition allowing Ken Schrader to make the move on the No. 32 slipping Hanson to third where the driver would stand over the next thirty circuits.

Hanson would again climb back into the second position by lap 50 before retaking the lead on lap 67 and holding the top spot until lap 91 where the Win-Tron Racing team would take advantage of a yellow flag to bring his machine down pit road for a routine pit stop.

Hanson would return to the track in the 18th position. His charge to the front on the restart would be short-lived with the caution flag waiving once again on lap 104 for rain. Hanson had climbed into the 15th position. The red flag was drawn to dry the facility with Hanson consulting with his crew about his Long Haul Trucking-Roll Tite automobile.

After nearly a two-hour delay, racing would resume and Hanson would again mount a charge towards the lead pack. Hanson would be halted for much of the event’s second half after a large number of cautions would keep the No. 32 at bay.

Despite a gallant 30 lap effort at the end for every spot, Hanson would be able to move up to eighth, netting his first career top-10 finish in his inaugural ARCA debut.

“We just needed some long green-flag runs at the end there,” Hanson stated after the race. “We had a good car, the cautions just killed us. I learned a lot today. What I learned will be able to help me when I come back and compete in the ARCA series. I’m extremely grateful to all of my sponsors and especially the Win-Tron Racing group for giving me a fantastic weekend at Toledo .”

Win-Tron Racing’s Nate Thiesse offered his thoughts on the Ramsey, Minnesota driver. “We are all very proud of Andy’s efforts this past weekend at Toledo Speedway. He climbed into the car and gave us 150 percent. He impressed a lot of people and I think he turned a lot of heads. We’re hoping to have him back with us a couple more races this season.”

In post Toledo race awards; Hanson posted the quickest lap during the race earning the Accel Fastest Lap Award. Hanson's crew chief Mike Chaffee earned the Cometic Crew Chief of the Race Award.

After a six-week stretch for the ARCA RE/MAX Series, the teams will enjoy a two-week breather from competition before heading to Pocono Raceway for the Pocono 200 set for Saturday, June 7. Dominick Casola will return to the No. 32 A. Casola Farms Dodge Charger looking for his second consecutive top-10 finish at the unique 2.5-mile facility.

Further information on Win-Tron Racing is available by visiting win-tronracing.com or contacting Nate Thiesse at 952.469.1839. For more on Andy Hanson please visit, AndyHansonRacing.com