Point’s Leader Patrick Sheltra Hungry For Pocono Win

Topics:  Patrick Sheltra, Messina Wildlife Animal Stopper 200

Chris Knight
Sheltra Motorsports
June 2, 2010

LONG POND, Pennsylvania (June 2, 2010) - - Without question, Patrick Sheltra’s 2010 ARCA Racing Series presented by RE/MAX and Menards performance has been commendable. In six races this year, Sheltra has posted six consecutive top-10 finishes including a season-best second at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway in April. The combination effort of Sheltra and his Sheltra Motorsports team propelled the organization to the point’s lead after finishing eighth at Toledo (Oh) Speedway two weeks ago.

However, as the team steers towards Pocono (Pa.) Raceway this weekend, Sheltra is thirsty, no hungry for his first win of 2010 in Saturday afternoon’s Messina Wildlife Animal Stopper 200. Holding a slim 10-point margin from second place competitor Justin Marks, Sheltra is well aware that his second career ARCA victory could pad his lead but more importantly reward his Mooresville, North Carolina team with a deserving celebration.

“I’m more than ready for Saturday,” said the 24-year old Sheltra. “Pocono, believe it or not is one of my favorite race tracks. The place is so different that it really makes you want to keep coming back to experience the taste of it. The team is excited about bringing a Toyota to the track for the second time this year and we feel that if we can continue to race smart, we’ll have another good finish and hopefully be in contention for the win.”

The Indiantown, Florida native will make his eighth start at the 2.5-mile triangle racetrack. Last June, Sheltra nearly grasped the taste of Pocono victory lane after maneuvering his Dodge Charger to a stout third place finish after starting eighth. Overall, Sheltra has notched four top-15 finishes in seven of his previous tricky triangle starts.

“Not only do you need a good handling car at Pocono but you really bank on having a good motor,” sounded Sheltra. This place is incredibly difficult on equipment. “I’ve never raced a Toyota at Pocono before but after our success at Texas and at the Michigan International Speedway open test last week, I’m eager to see what Pocono brings.”

Jon Wolfe, crew chief of the No. 60 Sheltra Motorsports entry has similar sentiments about competing at Pocono Raceway this weekend.

“I truly feel really good about Pocono, Patrick and I both love this racetrack,” said Wolfe. “The part that concerns me is we are taking Sheltra Motorsports chassis No. 13 which we have switched from a Dodge to a Toyota and have not had time to test it or shakedown. On the plus side, we have a great group of dedicated guys that will strive to make sure it is prepared right.”

Wolfe went on to say, “the chassis set-up for Pocono is very similar to some of the other big tracks such as Michigan. The biggest difference is the brakes and aero package, they both have similar traits to a road course.”

Reflecting on gaining the ARCA point’s lead for the second time in his career, Sheltra admits that it ultimately feels like a dream when his Sheltra Motorsports hauler will rest in the number one position this weekend.

“I had a taste of the point’s lead after Rockingham last year,” reflected Sheltra. “We were tied with Parker (Kligerman). It was weird walking into the track at Talladega knowing that both of us were holding the top spot. This weekend to solely have possession of the lead is a testament to not only our team but my mother and father and our marketing partners. This is what we are racing for. There’s still a long way to go this year but we’ll do everything we can not to turn it back over to someone else.”

Cost-effective marketing partnerships are still available for Pocono (Pa.) Raceway this weekend and for the remainder of the 2010 ARCA Racing Series season. For additional information, please contact marketing@patricksheltra.com.

Entering Pocono, Sheltra has 73 ARCA Racing Series presented by RE/MAX and Menards starts to his credit with one career victory at Salem (Ind.) Speedway (April 2009). During his ARCA tenure, Sheltra has accumulated 13 top-fives and posted 28 top-10 finishes. A third place qualifying effort at Rockingham (N.C.) Speedway (April 2009) is Sheltra’s best time trials efforts to date. He has controlled the ARCA field six times for 148 laps.

The Messina Wildlife Animal Stopper 200 (80 laps / 200 miles) is the seventh of 20 events on the 2010 ARCA Racing Series schedule. The 50th ARCA race at Pocono Raceway is a two-day show. Practice begins Friday, June 4 with an hour and forty minute practice session planned from 10:15 a.m. - 11:55 a.m. Menards Pole by Ansell qualifying is set for later in the day slated to begin at 1:45 p.m. The event will take the green flag on Saturday, June 5 shortly after 1:00 p.m. The event will be tape-delayed on SPEED and will air at 4:00 p.m. Saturday afternoon. The race however will be broadcasted live through the ARCA Racing Network (ARN) online at arcaracing.com. All times are local.

For the latest on Patrick Sheltra, Sheltra Motorsports and marketing partnership opportunities please visit PatrickSheltra.com.

Join the official Patrick Sheltra fan page on Facebook by clicking here.

About Sheltra Motorsports:

Sheltra Motorsports (sheltramotorsports.com) is a three-tier Motorsports operation consisting of dirt and asphalt competition. Patrick Sheltra, a 23-year old native of Indiantown, Florida competes in the UMP and WoO (Dirt) Series; while also running a full schedule in the ARCA Racing Series presented by RE/MAX and Menards (No. 60) and a limited schedule in the NASCAR Nationwide Series. Sheltra Motorsports ownership is combined of Richard, Grace and Patrick Sheltra. The team is headquartered in Indiantown, Florida with additional operations in Richmond, Indiana and Mooresville, North Carolina.

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TEAM COMMUNICATIONS CONTACT:
NAME: Chris Knight, Sheltra Motorsports
PHONE: 239.834.9797 or 239.214.1083
EMAIL: chris@patricksheltra.com