Patrick Sheltra Qualifies 20th At Salem Speedway

Topics:  Patrick Sheltra, Kentuckiana Ford Dealers 200

Chris Knight
Sheltra Motorsports
April 12, 2008

“ Indiantown , Florida Native Earns Three Career Salem Smart”

SALEM, Indiana (April 12, 2008) - - Sophomore ARCA RE/MAX Series driver Patrick Sheltra qualified 20th Saturday afternoon under blistering cold temperatures at Salem Speedway in preparation for Sunday’s Kentuckiana Ford Dealers 200 by Federated Auto Parts.

Sheltra, the 21-year old driver maneuvered the 22nd fastest lap in the only round of practice Saturday afternoon after posting a time of 17.879 seconds at 111.751 mph. “We’re fighting a loose condition,” said Sheltra. “We’ll make some adjustments and try to get us ready for qualifying.”

Crew Chief John Hayden, a former ARCA competitor at Salem Speedway made changes to the No. 60 Ferguson Pipe-FloraGanics Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS hoping to inch the Indiantown, Florida native forward in the running order.

After drawing the 13th position for ARCA SIM Factory pole qualifying, Sheltra would bolt his Grace Sheltra-owned automobile around the half-mile oval to a time of 17.757 seconds or 112.519 mph locking Sheltra 20th on the starting grid.

The effort was the second-best qualifying effort in three attempts for Sheltra who’s often nicknamed “Mr. Showtime.”

“We really needed three laps,” offered Sheltra. “This is a new tire compound and I’ve taken a little longer to adapt than some of the other drivers. That’s no excuse though. We have a good car for Sunday’s race.”

He continued, “The Sheltra Motorsports team has worked their tails off and I’m extremely proud of them. I’ve been known to be a better racer than qualifier. Hopefully this is another case of that syndrome. Looking ahead towards the race Sunday afternoon; we’re in the “eye of the storm” if you will. Patience is going to be critical. I have a good spotter in Kevin (Huffines) and I know that John (Hayden, crew chief) and Keith (Strunk, team manager) will make great calls, so I feel comfortable heading into the 200-lap slugfest.”

Mother Nature has the opportunity to ruin the first of two events at Salem Speedway this season, but Sheltra joins 34 other teams hoping to beat the weather Sunday.

“No one really knows what exactly the weather is going to do,” sounded Sheltra. “It was supposed to rain today but it was just bloody cold and windy. I know that ARCA is going to do everything they can to get the race in tomorrow. Rain or shine, I will be here.”

Sheltra was supposed to compete in a dirt late model event at Twin Cities Raceway in North Vernon , Indiana Saturday behind the wheel of his No. 23 Chevrolet Monte Carlo but inclement weather has forced the cancellation of that event.

Heading into the second race of the season tomorrow, Sheltra has 26 ARCA RE/MAX Series starts to his credit with a career best finish of third on the dirt at Illinois State Fairgrounds (August 2007) with an additional top-five finish (fourth) at Berlin Raceway (July 2007) while holding additional top-10s at Kentucky Speedway (June 2007), DuQuoin State Fairgrounds (September 2007) and Toledo Speedway (October 2007). Three ninth-place qualifying efforts at Kansas Speedway (April 2007), Pocono Raceway (June 2007) and Illinois State Fairgrounds (August 2007) is Sheltra’s best time trials efforts to date.

The Kentuckiana Ford Dealers 200 by Federated Auto Parts (200 laps/111 miles) is the second of 21 events on the 2008 ARCA RE/MAX Series schedule. The 83rd ARCA race held at Salem is a two-day show. The event will take the green flag on Sunday, April 13 shortly after 2:15 p.m. The race will be televised as tape-delayed on MavTV airing on Friday, April 18 (check local listings for station availability) with additional race coverage online at arcaracing.com. All times are local.

For more on Patrick Sheltra, please visit the newly re-launched PatrickSheltra.com.

About Sheltra Motorsports:

Sheltra Motorsports (sheltramotorsports.com) is a three-tier Motorsports operation consisting of dirt and asphalt competition. Patrick Sheltra, a 21-year old native of Indiantown , Florida competes in the UMP and WoO (Dirt) Series; while also running a full schedule in the ARCA RE/MAX Series (No. 60) and a limited schedule in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series (No. 35). Sheltra Motorsports ownership is combined of Richard, Grace and Patrick Sheltra. The team is headquartered in Indiantown , Florida with additional operations in Richmond , Indiana and Whitesville , Kentucky .

Patrick Sheltra, Sheltra Motorsports, Salem Speedway Notes of Interest:

· Sheltra Motorsports will run a mixture of Chevrolet Monte Carlos and Dodge Chargers during the 2008 ARCA RE/MAX Series season. For Salem , Sheltra Motorsports will run a Chevrolet Monte Carlo purchased from Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR). Sheltra Motorsports ran the automobile six times during the 2007 season. A Sheltra Motorsports engine built by Clements Automotive will provide the horsepower for the sophomore ARCA team.

· Sheltra will make 800 left hand turns on Sunday afternoon.

In addition to running a full 2008 ARCA RE/MAX Series schedule, Sheltra will also run a limited schedule in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series (No. 35) and compete in selected dirt late model events (UMP and WoO Series) throughout the United States.

Sheltra Motorsports Quick Facts:

Team Name: Sheltra Motorsports, No. 60 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS

Driver: Patrick Sheltra, Indiantown , Florida

Car Owner: Grace Sheltra, Indiantown , Florida

Marketing Partners: Ferguson Pipe Enterprises, Inc, FloraGanics, American Concrete Industries, Inc, Hardie Pipe, The Casite Company, J&S Bulk Transportation, Inc., US Construction Supply Corp., Martin County Petroleum, Sheltra & Son Construction, Sheltra Cattle Company, Recycling Services, Indiantown Marina, All About Flowers, Speed Media, Klotz Lubricants, DMC Graphics and Purcell Tire & Rubber.

Crew Chief: John Hayden

Team Manager: Keith Strunk

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TEAM COMMUNICATIONS CONTACT:

NAME: Chris Knight, Sheltra Motorsports
PHONE: 239.834.9797 or 830.261.1215
EMAIL: knight849@aol.com