Steve Arpin Runner-Up at Chicago - Venturini Motorsports Showcases Team Strength with 4-Team Effort at Chicagoland Speedway |
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Topics: Steve Arpin, Ansell Protective Gloves 150
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Emily Teeter
Venturini Motorsports
August 27, 2010
Joliet, Illinois (8-28-10) ~ Venturini Motorsports returned to Chicagoland Speedway with a 4-Team effort hoping to duplicate the results they achieved in 2008 when Scott Lagasse Jr. drove his VMS machine to Victory Lane. VMS drivers', Steve Arpin, Mikey Kile, Alli Owens & Tom Berte, all took the green flag for the running of the Ansell Protective Gloves 150.
Steve Arpin, driving his No.55 Mikes Hard Lemonade Toyota turned in another impressive performance finishing 2nd behind race winner Patrick Shelta. Considered a prerace favorite, Arpin, did not disappoint. Arpin, who qualified 7th, quickly staked his claim in the top-5 where he flirted with the top spot the entire race. With 25-laps remaining in the event, Arpin took over the top-spot, passing Patrick Sheltra for the lead. Sheltra would ultimatley regain the lead and capture his second consecutive ARCA Series victory. Arpin had his chances as a late caution flag set up a 10-lap shootout between the two-drivers. However, on the restart, Arpin's No.55 car 'studdered', giving Patrick Shelta the advantage he needed to pull away. Arpin has achieved (2) top-5 and (2) top-10 finishes in his last 4 races.
Series Point Standings contender, Mikey Kile, coming off a 2nd Place finish of his own last weekend at Springfield, suffered a major blow early on in the race. Kile, who qualified 4th, was no doubt going to be a 1st place contender. However, on lap 7, Bill Elliott's Developmental Driver, Casey Roderick, hit the wall in front of Kile, forcing him to pull down on the car and into traffic. The No.25 Venturini Motorsports Toyota sustained left side damage after colliding with Chad McCumbee. The damage forced several pit stops to make repairs. After returning to the race with a chance to overcome his misfortune, Kile returned to form until damaged sustained earlier in the race, caused a left front tire blowout. Kile returned to the race 28 laps behind, yet battled on to salvage a 25th place finish. His dissapointing finish moved him down to 7th place in the ARCA Racing Points Chase.
Alli Owens returned to the seat, behind the wheel of her #15 ElectrifyingCareers.com Chevrolet. This marked her 9th-start for Venturini Motorsports in the 2010 ARCA Racing Series campaign. Owens, who qualified 16th for the Ansell Protective Gloves 150, finished in 14th place.
Tom Berte rounded-out the Venturini Motorsports entries with an 18th place finish. Berte, driving the No.35 CGS Premier-Stay Tuned Customs Chevrolet improved 12 spots from his 30th qualifying spot. The Chicago race marks Berte's 6th event with Venturini Motorsports in 2010.