Jesse Smith Pre-race Notes and Quotes Kansas Lottery 150

Topics:  Jesse Smith, Kansas Lottery 150

Emily Teeter
Venturini Motorsports
September 28, 2009

Jesse Smith is returning to the site of his best ARCA Re/Max outing, and the track closest to his hometown of Wildwood, MO. Smith is piloting the Price Chopper, Hormel Foods, Lloyd's BBQ Chevrolet for the fourth and final time of 2009 for Venturini Motorsports this week at the Kansas Speedway.

Smith is increasingly optimistic about his chances in the Kansas Lottery 150. In last season's event at Kansas, Smith notched his best career ARCA finish of third, and led a career high 24 of the race's 100 laps.

Heading into Kansas, Smith's confidence not only stems from last years outing in the Heartland, but the solid performances in a Venturini Motorsports entry this year. Smith challenged for wins at Kentucky Speedway and Michigan International Speedway earlier this season, and followed those efforts up with a solid top ten performance at Chicagoland Speedway in August.

Gunning for his first ARCA win, Smith is looking to finish his 2009 schedule in the ARCA Series on a high note and set up for a successful 2010 season.

KANSAS HISTORY: This will be Smith's first start at Kansas Speedway driving for Venturini Motorsports. He has one start at the Kansas Speedway, a third after leading 24 laps in 2008 driving for Terry Jones.

TESTING THE WATERS: Smith was fastest in the ARCA open test session earlier this month. This was the second test session in which Smith topped the speed charts.

BACK ON THE WAGON: Team owner Billy Venturini will be back on top of the war wagon calling the shots for Smith and the #25 team. Venturini served as Smith's crew chief at Kentucky and Michigan.

KANSAS CHASSIS: Smith will pilot the same chassis he raced to a third place finish at Kentucky and challenged for the win with at Michigan in June.

MILE AND A HALF MOMENTUM: In six starts at 1.5 mile tracks, Smith has three top fives, five top tens, and just one finish outside the top 11.

ON THE HOOD: Price Chopper will adorn the hood of the #25 for Venturini Motorsports for the first time in 2009, and the first time with Smith behind the wheel.

ON BOARD WITH JESSE: Smith will have an on board camera during SPEED Channel's LIVE coverage of the Kansas Lottery 150 on Thursday at 5 PM EST.

QUOTING JESSE SMITH

(On his outlook heading into the Kansas Lottery 150): "I feel like it's going to be a great race. Last year I felt like we were really strong there and had one of the best cars. I feel like the test (at Kansas) went really well. The car was fast and balanced. It's the same car we took to Kentucky and Michigan. I think we have even better grip with the car at Kansas, and it's a really good place for me. So we‘re looking to put it all together and win."

For more information on Jesse Smith, visit the newly redesigned JesseSmithRacing.com.