Rookies, Venturini Motorsports Rule in ARCA RE/MAX Series Open Testing at Kansas Speedway

Emily Teeter
Venturini Motorsports
September 1, 2009

KANSAS CITY KS (9-1-09) - Rookie Jesse Smith, in the no. 25 Venturini Motorsports Chevrolet, led the speed charts in ARCA RE/MAX Series open testing Tuesday at Kansas Speedway. Smith was among 11 drivers who tested in preparation for the upcoming October 1st Kansas Lottery 150 at the Kansas City, Kansas-based speedway.

The Wildwood, Missouri driver circled the 1.5-mile oval in 31.873 seconds, for an average speed of 169.902 mph. Smith, driving for Venturini Motorsports, finished seventh at Chicagoland Speedway last Friday.

Rookie Steve Arpin, of Fort Frances, Ontario, was second fastest overall at 32.146, averaging 167.984 mph in the no. 15 Venturini Motorsports Toyota.

Galliano, Louisiana rookie Hal Martin was third fastest overall (32.150/167.963 mph) in a Cunningham Motorsports Dodge. Martin, in only his second ARCA RE/MAX Series start, finished third at Chicagoland.

Series rookie Grant Enfinger, who finished second to series point leader Justin Lofton at Chicagoland, was fourth fastest in the test followed by rookie Joey Coulter.

The ARCA RE/MAX Series has a busy Labor Day weekend ahead beginning with the ARCA RE/MAX 200 presented by Federated and Belle Tire Friday night, September 4th at the Toledo Speedway half-mile short track followed up by the 57th annual Southern Illinois 100 at the DuQuoin State Fairgrounds mile-dirt Monday, Labor Day, September 7th.

Both events will feature live streaming video and audio of all the on-track activities from Toledo and DuQuoin on the ARCA Racing Network as well as live timing and scoring, all available free of charge at ARCAracing.com.