Patrick Sheltra Racing For More Than A Win At Michigan

Topics:  Patrick Sheltra, Racing for Wildlife 200

Chris Knight
Sheltra Motorsports
June 9, 2010

BROOKLYN, Michigan (June 9, 2010) - - On the heels of an impressive seventh consecutive top-10 finish in the 2010 ARCA Racing Series (ARS) presented by RE/MAX and Menards season last Saturday at Pocono (Pa.) Raceway, Indiantown, Florida native Patrick Sheltra steers towards Michigan International Speedway (MIS), site of Friday’s Racing for Wildlife 200 aiming for more than a win. The current ARCA point’s leader is also thriving on keeping his virtually flawless season alive.

The 24-year old Sheltra has experienced his fair share of hiccups in 2010 but the determination and “never give up” attitude from his Sheltra Motorsports team has kept the ARCA pro on his toes which has ultimately led to his strongest start to a racing season ever.

Speaking of his team, the Jon Wolfe-led operation returns to MIS this week pumped following their open-test at the two-mile oval two weeks ago which saw the Mooresville, North Carolina-based race team claim second overall during the eight hour free practice run. Armed with the same Toyota Camry and plenty of confidence, the team feels that their first win could be inevitable at the conclusion of the eighth race of the year.

“I don’t think I’ve ever been this excited to go back to Michigan,” said Sheltra, driver of the No. 60 Recycling Services / Ferguson Pipe Toyota Camry. “This is a brand new car to the Sheltra Motorsports stable this year and it’s been stout. The test went real good. We were very consistent on race runs and exceptionally strong in qualifying trim; I cannot wait to get going on Thursday.”

Wolfe, crew chief of the Grace Sheltra-owned machine is equally excited about Friday’s contest.

“Our test was the best so far this year,” Wolfe remarked. “We unloaded well and were able to fine tune and try new things from there. I really feel like it will be our race to lose, we have so much momentum and confidence right now that we just know that winning is right around the corner.”

The aspiring NASCAR driver will make his fifth start at the Irish Hills based speed plant on Friday afternoon. In his previous starts, Sheltra has mastered a best finish of sixth in 2008 after qualifying 19th. Sheltra started the 100-lap event last year in the seventh position and had worked his No. 60 Buffalo Wings & Rings Toyota Camry up into the third position before the engine expired on lap 73 resulting in a 33rd place finish.

“My results have been mixed at Michigan,” sounded Sheltra. “I like the track. It’s so wide that it allows a driver to maneuver their way around the track three and sometimes four wide. We’ve always raced well there even when we weren’t able to make it to the end. Nonetheless, we have our goals set for the weekend. We would like to put ourselves in contention for the win and try and extend our lead in the point standings.”

Sheltra, also known as “Mr. Showtime” in the ARCA garage added, “In order to being in the hunt for the win, you have to keep the fenders clean and make yourself aware that the race could be won or lost based on fuel mileage. I’ve had so many scenarios go through my head this week but when I put that helmet on Friday, I’ll know what I need to do and we’ll look to keep doing what we’ve been doing all year long and that’s finishing strong and putting our team in the spotlight.”

Cost-effective marketing partnerships are still available for Michigan International Speedway this weekend and for the remainder of the 2010 ARCA Racing Series season. For additional information, please contact marketing@patricksheltra.com.

Entering Michigan, Sheltra has 74 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 14 top-fives and posted 29 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 Racing for Wildlife 200 (100 laps / 200 miles) is the eighth of 20 events on the 2010 ARCA Racing Series schedule. The 29th ARCA race at Michigan International Speedway is a two-day show. Practice begins Thursday, June 10 with a two hour practice session planned from 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Menards Pole by Ansell qualifying is set for later in the day slated to begin at 3:00 p.m. The event will take the green flag on Friday, June 11 shortly after 5:00 p.m. The event will air live on SPEED. Additional race coverage including live timing and scoring throughout the week will be available through the BAS Racing Network in conjunction with 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