Win-Tron Racing Looking To Rekindle Salem Success

Topics:  Dominick Casola, Kentuckiana Ford Dealers 200

Chris Knight
Win-Tron Racing
April 8, 2008

“ Minnesota Based Team Hopes To Put Dominick Casola In The Spotlight”

SALEM, Indiana (April 8, 2008) - - Win-Tron Racing (formerly Country Joe Racing) has enjoyed significant success in the ARCA RE/MAX Series (ARS) at Salem Speedway and as the ARCA scene is ready to shift back into second gear this weekend, the team is hoping to rekindle the magic and put driver Dominick Casola in victory lane for the first time in his young ARCA career in Sunday’s Kentuckiana Ford Dealers 200 by Federated Auto Parts.

Former Win-Tron Racing drivers Joey Miller and Blake Bjorklund both have conquered the demanding short track of Salem Speedway after guidance from crew chief Mike Chaffee and team manager Kevin Cywinski. That means good news for Casola.

“I’m pumped up about Salem this weekend,” said Casola, a native of Holmdel , New Jersey . “It’s been a blast to be apart of the Win-Tron Racing team. They are a fun bunch and dedicated bunch. Their track record at Salem Speedway is impressive and as I’m just thrilled to now have the opportunity to take the wheel.”

Casola continued, “Racing at Salem reminds me of a track close to home, Wall Township Speedway. That place is just as wicked as Salem , but I’ve had some success there. Now, I’m ready to have some success at Salem Speedway.”

Even though the Win-Tron Racing group did not have an opportunity to test at the half-mile oval, Casola isn’t the least worried.

“It does not bother me one bit that we did not test Salem ,” sounded Casola. “I have plenty of experience at Salem in both ARCA and the USAR Hooter’s Pro Cup Series. As far as the team goes, they know what they are doing and will bring a good setup, so we’re going to fire the engines on Saturday and get after it.”

Speaking of testing, that is a big word that Casola has memorized this year. Since the season-opener at Daytona in February, Casola has climbed behind the familiar No. 32 Dodge Charger at Iowa Speedway and Kansas Speedway yielding terrific results.

“Testing went great, pretty much flawless,” added Casola. “I’m ecstatic. I learned so much from the entire team during the tests; it showed with our lap times on the track and it’s very encouraging. I’m feeling really confident about heading to those races in a couple weeks.”

With finishes of 25th and 15th respectively at Salem Speedway last year, Casola realizes that patience is critical in surviving the 200-lap slugfest and he plans to keep that in check this weekend.

“Its short track racing and that tends to lead to a lot of contact,” Casola remarked. “ Salem is a place you have to survive. If you can handle and beat the attrition you usually can find yourself in contention for the win or a solid finish. I’m going to keep that in the back of my mind this weekend. I’m not going to go out there and try to win the race in the first 10 laps. I’m going to try and play the cautionly-aggressive game. Save our car for the first 150 laps then it’s all or nothing the last 50.”

Casola enters the second event on the 2008 calendar sitting 33rd in the point standings and plans to climb through the standings this weekend. “We’re behind the eight-ball a little because of our Daytona finish. We had a good car, a great car. We just happened to be at the wrong place at the wrong time. Point’s is so important this year, so if we aren’t in the position to win the race, we’re going to put ourselves in a position to gain some serious points. It’s what we have to do.”

Win-Tron Racing co-owner Nate Thiesse offered his thoughts on Casola heading into Salem . “Everyone at Win-Tron Racing enjoys working with a talent like Dominick Casola. His attitude and determination continues to stand-out and that is a crucial element to keep the team pumped up. He has plenty of seat time at Salem Speedway and we feel that will be an advantage to us this weekend. We all have good vibes about Sunday.”

Win-Tron Racing will run a full ARCA RE/MAX Series schedule this season with hopes of capturing the coveted car owner’s championship. Casola and Win-Tron Racing standout James Buescher will pilot the team’s ARCA RE/MAX Series entries this year.

A. Casola Farms, a family-owned business will sponsor Casola’s No. 32 Dodge Charger this weekend at Salem Speedway. Casola will make his 24th career ARCA start and his third at Salem Speedway on Sunday.

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

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 80th ARCA race held at Salem is a two-day show. Practice begins Saturday, April 12 with an hour and a half practice session planned from 12:00-1:30 p.m. ARCA SIM Factory pole qualifying is set for later in the day slated to begin at 3:30 p.m. 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 (date and time to be announced) on MavTV with additional race coverage online at arcaracing.com. All times are local.

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