Venturini Motorsports Ready for Michigan Intl’ Speedway Debut with Two Talented Young Drivers

Topics:  Racing for Wildlife 200, Jesse Smith, Justin Marks

Nic Moncher
Venturini Motorsports
June 9, 2009

CONCORD, NC (6/9/09) – Venturini Motorsports, who is coming off last weeks race at Pocono victorious, is ready to get back racing at Michigan Intl’ Speedway. They have once again amassed a stellar lineup of talented young drivers with Jesse Smith and Justin Marks piloting their cars.

Jesse Smith will be making his second start of 2009 with the Venturini’s, after an outstanding performance earlier this season at Kentucky Speedway where he finished third. The Racing For Wildlife 200 will be Justin Mark’s first ARCA RE/MAX Series start of 2009 and first with Venturini Motorsports.

“We have truly been blessed to have this opportunity to work with such a talented crop of young drivers,” commented Billy Venturini. This week is no different. Jesse (Smith) and Justin (Marks) are both extremely talented drivers and I am excited at the opportunity to have them racing for Venturini Motorsports.

Smith will pilot the No. 25 Lloyds Barbeque, Hormel, Venturini Motorsports Chevrolet and Marks will be in the No. 15 Venturini Motorsports Toyota Camry. Both drivers participated in the ARCA open test in early May where they became acclimated to the track and shook down their cars. At days end Smith found himself second on the charts with Marks 13th.

“We had a great test session here in May,” said Jesse Smith. “We took everything I learned at Kentucky and built on it. The car was really fast at the test, and I am very excited to get back here and race. Venturini Motorsports has definitely prepared me another rocket ship.”

Marks ran a time of 40.351 seconds at 178.434 MPH in his Toyota Camry while Smith posted a 39.415 second lap at 182.672 MPH.

“Venturini Motorsports has quickly become the top team in the ARCA RE/MAX Series,” commented Justin Marks. “It is an honor to get the chance to race with them, and I am truly excited to be back here at Michigan Intl’ Speedway.”

Venturini Motorsports last raced at the 2-mile oval last year with Ryan Fischer piloting the No. 25 and Brian Scott in the No. 15. Scott ran up-front all day in his first career start with the team and finished the day in 5th. Fischer, who started the race in the tenth spot, had a fast car at the start of the race, but a broken clutch would later relegate him to a 26th place finish.

Marks has seen previous racing at Michigan with two starts. His best finish came in 2006 when he gained a top ten finish by finishing ninth. Smith has also raced at the famed oval with one previous start in 2008 finishing eighth.

“Venturini Motorsports is ready to go back racing at Michigan this weekend,” commented Billy Venturini. “We have a great lineup of cars and drivers and I am eager to go racing.”

Be sure to catch Venturini Motorsports and all of their on-track racing activity during the Racing For Wildlife 200 at Michigan Intl’ Speedway LIVE on SPEED Friday June 12, 2009 at 5:00PM EST.

Also be sure to catch the Venturini Motorsports Power Hour every Thursday night at 9:00PM EST exclusively on RaceFanRadio.com

For more information on Venturini Motorsports please visit www.venturinimotorsports.com

For more information on Jesse Smith please visit www.jessesmithracing.com

For more information on Justin Marks please visit www.justinmarksracing.com

MEDIA CONTACT:

Nic Moncher

Venturini Motorsports

Nic@venturinimotorsports.com