Victory Has Never Tasted Sweeter for Steve Arpin

Topics:  Steve Arpin, Rattlesnake 150

Emily Teeter
Venturini Motorsports
April 16, 2010

FORT WORTH, TX (4-16-10) Steve Arpin drove the no. 55 Mike’s Hard Lemonade Chevrolet to the green-white-checker finish at Texas Motor Speedway to earn his second consecutive ARCA Racing Series victory.

Steve Arpin shared the points lead going into the race at Texas Motor Speedway after his first career ARCA Racing Series win at Salem Speedway just five days prior. He was top five at the open test session a month ago and top three in the speed charts during Thursday’s practice.

Arpin channeled this momentum and confidence and went on to win back-to-back victories. During 37 years of racing, Venturini Motorsports has never had back-to-backs and Steve Arpin and the entire Venturini Motorsports team made this happen at Texas Motor Speedway.

During the practice session on Thursday at the Great American Speedway, Venturini Motorsports’ drivers were quick on the speed charts. Driver of the no. 25 TAG Heuer Eyewear, Mikey Kile, was quickest of the teammates, rounding out practice in the second position. Steve Arpin was third quickest and Alli Owens was fifteenth.

Unfortunately, due to rain, the ARCA Racing Series was unable to qualify. The 2009 owner’s points lined up the field for the Rattlesnake 150 at Texas Motor Speedway.

“We unloaded yesterday with a real good car right out of the trailer. I wish we had the chance to qualifying, because I think these guys brought be a good enough car that we could have sat on the pole,” said Arpin on trackside while getting ready for the Rattlesnake 150. “But this Mike’s Hard Lemonade Chevy is really good, it doesn’t matter where we start, we are just going to stay out of trouble and get to the front.”

The Venturini Motorsports drivers were spread throughout the field. Mikey Kile started in the 11th position, while teammate Alli Owens started 25th. Steve Arpin started in the 22nd position and was up in the top ten after just a lap and a half.

Mikey Kile and Steve Arpin were involved in a four-car incident on lap 12. The no. 25 and no. 55 were both slightly damaged, but the Venturini Motorsports teams made good pit calls, hammered on the cars, got the fenders right, and got the cars back on the track.

“There was a little bit of damage, but this thing just drove like a dream,” said Arpin. “I don’t think there was anything stopping it. This Mike’s Hard Lemonade Chevy, wow, and these guys are awesome, every one of them!”

Steve Arpin was a man on mission, driving the high side and hit his rhythm lap after lap, taking up to 7 positions on just one lap. He worked his way up through the field and took the lead from Grand Enfinger on lap 92.

With a green-white-checker finish in sight, the Venturini Motorsports team stood on their toes, while the driver was calm and confident. Steve Arpin got a great restart and while being challenged from Craig Goess on the last lap, Arpin went on to win his second career ARCA Racing Series event.

After bringing on his new sponsor, Mike’s Hard Lemonade, Steve Arpin climbs out of his car and gets a bath to remember. Arpin is congratulated from teammates Mikey Kile, who finished the race with another top 10, and Alli Owens who finished 24th, while being sprayed with Mike’s Hard Lemonade by the entire Venturini Motorsports crew.

The whole Venturini Motorsports team has one dream and they all work towards it together.

“Everyone at Venturini, and I’m talking about all the 25 guys, all the 15 guys, we work on everything, everybody here,” said Tony Liberati, crew chief of the no. 55. “Mom and Pop, you know how they are, it’s just like working for my mom and dad. I love them to death. I love it here. And I’m going to show them boys where victory lane is!”