Double Duty at ‘Dega for Steve Arpin |
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Topics: Steve Arpin, Talladega ARCA 250
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Emily Teeter
Venturini Motorsports
April 22, 2010
TALLADEGA, AL (04-22-10) Steve Arpin’s feet haven’t touched the ground since the checkered flag dropped at Salem Speedway on April 11th; he is still on cloud 9.
Steve Arpin, 26-year-old from Fort Francis, Canada, won his first career ARCA Race at Salem Speedway, signed Mike’s Hard Lemonade as a sponsor, and then earned his second consecutive victory at Texas Motor Speedway. And between all that he got one of the biggest calls in his racing career – from JR Motorsports.
Last Friday, Dale Jr. announced that Steve Arpin will make his NASCAR debut at Talladega Superspeedway in the no. 7 car for JR Motorsports.
“But you’ve got Steve Arpin out there, who Carl Edwards said is incredible and who Mark (Martin) told me he’d put up against anybody on dirt in America, so you want to get that guy in there, too,” Earnhardt Jr. said. “Maybe he’s the guy who can get in there and drive that 88 for Tony (Eury) Sr.”
Steve Arpin’s dream becomes closer to a reality this weekend at Talladega Superspeedway. Not only will Arpin be going for his third straight win in the ARCA Racing Series presented by RE/Max and Menards, but he will also be making his first Nationwide Series start.
Steve Arpin will be driving the no. 55 Mike’s Hard Lemonade Toyota for Venturini Motorsports in the ARCA 250 on Friday and the no. 7 car for JR Motorsports in the Aaron's 312 on Saturday.
The past week leading up to Talladega has been busy for Arpin as he made the trip between race shops multiple times each day. While getting fitted for seats at JR Motorsports and analyzing race data with Billy Venturini, Arpin has kept his focus.
“It's been a busy week leading up to this opportunity. I have really been trying to keep myself focused and just do what I do best, which is driving a racecar,” said Arpin. “The main thing that I can't get out of my mind is how much I appreciate Dale Jr. And Kelley taking a chance and giving me this opportunity.”
Make sure to catch the ARCA 250 at Talladega Superspeedway live on SPEED at 4:00PM CT on Friday April 23rd and Steve’s NASCAR Nationwide debut on Saturday April 24th at 1:30PM CT on ABC.