2009 Brings Plenty Of Racing For Sheltra Motorsports

Topics:  Patrick Sheltra

Chris Knight
Sheltra Motorsports
December 6, 2008

“ARCA RE/MAX Series & NASCAR Nationwide Digest Much Of ‘09 Calendar”

COVINGTON, Kentucky (December 6, 2008) - - Officials from Sheltra Motorsports announced today at the ARCA RE/MAX Series (ARS) Championship Awards Banquet Press Conference exercises that the team will return for a third consecutive full season beginning with the 46th annual ARCA 200 at Daytona International Speedway on February 7, 2009.

22-year old Patrick Sheltra who has risen as a fierce weekly contender on the ARCA RE/MAX Series tour will once again pilot the team’s familiar No. 60 entry with Mother Grace Sheltra carrying the ownership roles.

Sheltra Motorsports’ ARCA RE/MAX Series operation will continue to operate from Whitesville , Kentucky with Keith Strunk continuing the role as Team Manager. Former ARCA RE/MAX Series driver John Hayden will continue to call the shots as crew chief for the Indiantown, Florida native.

In 2008, Sheltra stormed to a solid sophomore season which consisted of four top-fives including two runner-up finishes and nine top-10s. Overall, Sheltra captured 15 top-15 finishes in 21 races. The team ran as high as fifth in the championship standings and slid to 10th with six races remaining before rallying to a sixth place finish in the overall point standings.

“We’re very excited to be returning to the ARCA RE/MAX Series again next year,” said car owner Grace Sheltra. “We’ve enjoyed building our Sheltra Motorsports name in the ARCA RE/MAX Series and look to build on our reputation even more in 2009.”

The team also announced that Dodge will serve as the team’s primary manufacturer of choice for the junior year team beginning with pre-season testing at Daytona International Speedway later this month. Currently, Sheltra Motorsports plans to hoist the Dodge Charger model in a minimum of 18 ARCA RE/MAX Series events next year with the remaining four races ran under the Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS model. The team is zeroing in on an organization to field the Dodge steam with the announcement expected to come next month. Clements Automotive Engineering will continue to service the horsepower for the team’s Chevrolet bowtie program.

This year, Sheltra Motorsports blossomed under the Chrysler nameplate where Sheltra blasted into the lead in his series debut with Dodge at Kansas Speedway and followed it up in with a top-10 finish. Dodge was also responsible for Sheltra’s career-best speedway qualifying effort which also came at Kansas Speedway. In September, Sheltra found himself contending again for his first ARCA RE/MAX Series victory on the dirt at the DuQuoin State Fairgrounds before eventually finishing second, tying his career-best ARCA finish.

“First, I’m glad we’re going to be back in ARCA for another year,” offered Sheltra, who flew in to the championship festivities from his hunting grounds of Dryden , Texas . “As a team we’re anxious to see the results of running a Dodge on a more familiar basis next year. I feel we can win races and be a serious threat to win the championship next year if all the cards fall into place. The momentum was good this year. We’re looking for it to be great next year!”

Furthermore, Sheltra Motorsports officials announced the team’s primary neon paint-scheme during the 2008 ARCA RE/MAX Series will transition over to the Dodge program. The neon green, yellow and blue emblems have become a trademark in the ARCA RE/MAX Series for Sheltra Motorsports. The team also stated that its camouflage look which debuted at Kansas Speedway in April will make surprise appearances during the course of ARCA’s 22-race schedule next year.

Additionally, Sheltra Motorsports announced that they will continue a part-time presence in the NASCAR Nationwide Series next year. Currently, the team plans to attempt seven races that have no conflict with the ARCA RE/MAX Series schedule. The team’s first anticipated race could come as early as the season opener from Daytona International Speedway on February 14th. The team will continue to host Dodge Chargers as its primary manufacturer in NASCAR as well.

Sheltra made his NASCAR Nationwide Series debut at Phoenix International Raceway this past November and soldiered to a top-25 finish in the season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway in the No. 4 Dodge Charger.

Marketing partners for the 2009 ARCA RE/MAX Series season will be announced at a later date.

For more on Patrick Sheltra, please visit PatrickSheltra.com.

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TEAM COMMUNICATIONS CONTACT:

NAME: Chris Knight, Sheltra Motorsports
PHONE: 239.834.9797 or 830.261.1215
EMAIL: chris@patricksheltra.com