Patrick Sheltra Ready To Put Game Plan In Motion At Mansfield |
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Topics: Patrick Sheltra, Tim Richmond Memorial ARCA 200
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Chris Knight
Sheltra Motorsports
July 14, 2010
MANSFIELD, Ohio (July 14, 2010) - - After losing the ARCA Racing Series presented by RE/MAX and Menards points lead last weekend at Iowa Speedway because of an engine failure, Patrick Sheltra returns to Mansfield (Ohio) Motorsports Park (MMP) this weekend armed with a game plan and strategy that eventually should propel the Indiantown, Florida native and his Sheltra Motorsports posse back atop of the coveted championship chase.
After notching eight consecutive top-10 finishes in a row before Iowa, Sheltra left the .875-mile oval with his worst finish of the 2010 season, 29th. Set for his second outing in Saturday night’s Tim Richmond Memorial ARCA 200 at MMP, Sheltra is hoping for some magic, much like he received in 2009 at Salem (Ind). Speedway where the popular 24-year old notched his first career ARCA Racing Series victory after recovering from serious injuries sustained in the season-opener at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway.
Mansfield Motorsports Park shows similar characteristics to the brutal bullring of Salem (Ind.) Speedway and “Mr. Showtime” as he’s known in the ARCA garage is hoping to rekindle some of the “armor” he carried last year at the Southern Indiana track and hoist it under the lights in the “Buckeye State” for the 10th race of the 2010 ARCA Racing Series season.
“After what happened to us last weekend at Iowa, it reminded me a lot about what happened after Daytona,” Sheltra admitted. “Obviously, the scenarios are completely different but the feelings aren’t. We were able to bounce back from something horrible like Daytona and win the next race at Salem. There’s no doubt in my mind with our focus and determination, we can duplicate a similar story this weekend.”
He continued, “it was tough to swallow what happened last weekend. We had an incredibly strong car and everyone knew it. Unfortunately, things like that though happen in racing. You can’t dwell on the past but you can vow to make a bigger presence for the future.”
Calling Mansfield a “difficult” track, the NASCAR-bound driver is highly optimistic that his team can conquer any swords that could be thrown at his Mooresville, North Carolina based team in the fourth short track battle of the year.
“Mansfield is such a twitchy place,” Sheltra recalled. “It’s a place where sometimes you have to baby the throttle and other times you feel like you’re wide open. We had a good car there last year. Without hesitation, I know Jon (Wolfe, crew chief) and the guys are giving me a piece that is capable of winning this weekend.”
The Floridian added, “our game plan which starts at Mansfield is simple. We’re going to do what we did the first eight races. We plan to show consistency, lead laps and be up front. Eventually, we should be able to overcome the deficit we received at Iowa and have everyone chasing us again.”
Locked 70 markers behind point’s leader Justin Marks, Sheltra was quick to mention that his organization in a span of three races was able to make up a similar deficit and ultimately control the top-spot for three races before Marks was able to re-inherit the lead.
“This championship is going to come down to the wire. I think you’ll be allowed one, maybe two bad races to keep in the hunt but other than that, you have to be in contention, leading laps and vying for those crucial qualifying points. I need to step up my game for qualifying and I have some ideas on how to mange that.”
Sheltra will pilot the Jon Wolfe led No. 60 Recycling Services / Ferguson Pipe / LaQuinta Inn & Suites (Mansfield, Ohio) Dodge Charger in Saturday night’s anticipated thriller.
Cost-effective marketing partnerships are still available for the remainder of the 2010 ARCA Racing Series season. For additional information, please contact brandon@patricksheltra.com or marketing@patricksheltra.com.
Entering Mansfield, Sheltra has 76 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 15 top-fives and posted 30 top-10 finishes. A third place qualifying effort at Rockingham (N.C.) Speedway (April 2009) and Michigan International Speedway (June 2010) is Sheltra’s best time trials effort to date. He has controlled the ARCA field six times for 148 laps.
The Tim Richmond Memorial ARCA 200 (200 laps / 100 miles) is the 10th of 20 events on the 2010 ARCA Racing Series presented by RE/MAX and Menards schedule. The second annual ARCA race at Mansfield Motorsports Park is a one-day show. Practice begins Saturday July 17 with an hour and half practice session planned from 2:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Menards Pole by Ansell qualifying is set for later in the day slated to begin at 5:00 p.m. The event will take the green flag shortly after 8:00 p.m. The race will not be televised but 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 presented by ARCANation.com. All times are local.
For the latest on Patrick Sheltra, Sheltra Motorsports and marketing partnership opportunities please visit PatrickSheltra.com.
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About Sheltra Motorsports:
Sheltra Motorsports (sheltramotorsports.com) is a three-tier professional Motorsports organization consisting of dirt and asphalt competition. Patrick Sheltra, a 24-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. 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