Patrick Sheltra, No. 60 PatrickSheltra.com Dodge Du Quoin ARCA Fast Facts

Topics:  Patrick Sheltra, Southern Illinois 100

Chris Knight
Sheltra Motorsports
September 3, 2010

Patrick Sheltra, No. 60 PatrickSheltra.com / Ferguson Pipe Dodge Charger, Southern Illinois 100 presented by Federated Car Care Fast Facts

ARCA Racing Series Race No. 16, Southern Illinois 100 presented by Federated Car Care, Du Quoin State Fairgrounds, Du Quoin, Illinois

Race Information: Event: Southern Illinois 100 presented by Federated Car Care, Monday, September 6 at 1:00 p.m. Local Time Track: Du Quoin State Fairgrounds Qualifying: Monday, September 6 at 11:00 a.m. Local Time; Track Length: 1.0-mile clay.

Last Time Out; Chicagoland Speedway: On the heels of his first win of the 2010 ARCA Racing Series season at the Illinois State Fairgrounds (Springfield), driver Patrick Sheltra and his Sheltra Motorsports team headed to Chicagoland Speedway looking to do it all over again. After qualifying a career-best second, Sheltra took control of the ARCA field for a whopping 85 laps en route to his second consecutive win and third of his career. The triumph marked the first win for Sheltra on a speedway. It was also Sheltra’s first visit to victory lane in a Toyota Camry. His previous wins at Salem (Ind.) Speedway and the Illinois State Fairgrounds both came under the Dodge Charger banner.

Welcome To My Turf: Patrick Sheltra is no stranger to the dirt and for the eighth time in his ARCA Racing Series career, Sheltra will return to the dirt in a stock car gunning for win number four Monday afternoon. Sheltra showcased his driving talent on the dirt competing in USAC and UMP late model events throughout the United States before making the transition to asphalt full time in 2007. On Monday, Sheltra will look to conquer the Illinois sweep and record his third top-10 finish at the Du Quoin State Fairgrounds in four starts. In 2008, Sheltra finished a close second to nine-time champion Frank Kimmel. In his Du Quoin debut in 2007, Sheltra finished sixth after starting 12th.

Du Quoin; One Year Ago: After almost tasting victory at the Du Quoin State Fairgrounds in 2008, Sheltra and his Sheltra Motorsports team returned to the clay track looking for their second consecutive top-five. Unfortunately, after qualifying 10th, Sheltra blasted his No. 60 Buffalo Wings & Rings Dodge Charger into the top-five before the engine expired on lap 30, leaving Sheltra with a frustrating 31st place finish.

Now You See Me; Now You Don’t: Bringing back a blast from the past, the Sheltra Motorsports team will sport a unique but familiar paint scheme for Monday’s Southern Illinois 100 presented by Federated Car Care. The team will utilize the same paint scheme they ran with their Dodge last year at Du Quoin which consisted of a very slick looking all-camouflage No. 60 entry. The 16th race of the 2010 season marks the second and final time this year where the Mooresville, North Carolina-based operation will run the popular scheme. In Toledo, the team will transform back into their familiar green and neon orange layout.

Getting Into The Holiday Spirit Now: Before turning his attention to the 1,309 race held for the 57-year tour, Sheltra will visit the American Legion Post 306 in Metropolis, Illinois on Sunday, September 5 to start spreading awareness and gather interest for this year’s “Toys for Tots” campaign. The mission of the "Toys for Tots" program is to collect new, unwrapped toys during October, November and December each year, and distribute those toys as Christmas gifts to needy children in the community in which the campaign is conducted. The primary goal of "Toys for Tots" is to deliver, through a new toy at Christmas, a message of hope to less fortunate youngsters that will assist them in becoming responsible, productive and patriotic citizens. Sunday’s event officially kicks off at 1:00 p.m. with Sheltra scheduled to sign autographs beginning at 2:00 p.m. The American Legion Post 306 is located at 321 Market Street in Metropolis, Illinois 62960-1829, about an hour and a half from the Du Quoin State Fairgrounds. The American Legion will also have food and snacks available for purchase with the proceeds going towards the 2010 edition of “Toys for Tots.” Further information about the event is available by calling 618.771.7316.

Wanna Come Along For The Ride? Marketing Partnerships Still Available: Multiple cost-effective marketing partnership packages are still available for the 2010 ARCA Racing Series and NASCAR seasons for Patrick Sheltra. Let Sheltra Motorsports show you how to find victory lane in more ways than one! For additional information on how to be apart of our winning organization, please contact Brandon Hinson (brandon@patricksheltra.com) or email marketing@patricksheltra.com.

Close But No Cigar; Bill France Four Crown: Just 10 points kept Sheltra from claiming the 2010 Bill France Four Crown award at Chicagoland Speedway. ARCA Racing Series presented by RE/MAX and Menards competitor Joey Coulter edged out the Indiantown, Florida native for the special title by 10 markers after the overall average of four unique race tracks. Coulter scored the best average finish of any driver on the tour at the treacherous short track of Berlin (Mich.) Raceway, the newly built New Jersey Motorsports Park road course, the Illinois State Fairgrounds (Springfield), the first of two dirt races this year and Chicagoland Speedway, one of the fastest tracks on the tour. If not for an engine failure on the final lap at New Jersey Motorsports Park which relegated the team to a 13th place finish, Sheltra would have claimed the title. However, Sheltra’s second-place outing was his best finish in four prior tries at the prestigious award.

PVW To The Rescue: Despite winning the Allen Crowe 100 at the Illinois State Fairgrounds (Springfield) on August 22nd, the No. 60 Dodge Charger had to make an emergency trip to Performance Vehicle Works (PVW) in Cornelius, North Carolina for a full-body repair on the Chrysler nameplate. During the 100-lap contest, Sheltra was involved in two separate incidents which destroyed the body. Quick work though by spotter Timmy McKichan and his crew will allow Sheltra to utilize the same winning piece at Du Quoin on Monday afternoon.

New Record Set; But Thirsty For More: While eclipsing his eighth top-five finish of the year and second consecutive win at Chicagoland Speedway, Patrick Sheltra continues to rewrite his own personal record books for the number of finishes inside the top-five and top-10 for a full-season. In his previous three full-time seasons, Sheltra had posted a season high of four top-five finishes in 2009. Sheltra’s personal best overall season of nine top-10 finishes in 2008 was overtaken again by his performance in the Ansell Protective Gloves 150. Thus far in 2010, Sheltra has mastered two wins, eight top-fives and 12 top-10 finishes in 15 races. Sheltra is hoping to expand his new personal record with five races remaining this year.

Point’s Check: 15 races down, five to go, Sheltra with the guidance of crew chief Jon Wolfe sits third in the ARCA Racing Series championship standings accumulating 3360 points and 10 markers behind leader Craig Goess. The driver nicknamed “Mr. Showtime” rose to third and gained 30 points overall on the championship lead after notching his third career victory in the Ansell Protective Gloves 150 at Chicagoland Speedway. The 24-year old Sheltra also controls the third position in the ARS car owner standings. The top-seven ARCA Racing Series drivers are separated by just 155 points to the leader for control of the top spot in the championship chase. Earlier this year, Sheltra held the top-spot for three consecutive races (Toledo, Michigan and Pocono) in a row after also sharing the top-spot with Parker Kligerman for one race (Rockingham (N.C.) Speedway) in 2009.

Sheltra’s Covered In Special Point Standings Too: While the Sheltra Motorsports team is searching for their first championship, the team is still after a host of other awards too. Patrick Sheltra and mother Grace Sheltra leads the ARCA “special points” Superspeedway Challenge sector. Car owner Grace Sheltra leads Kevin Cywinski (No. 32) by a 90-point gap entering the final speedway race of the season at Kansas Speedway on September 30. Currently, Patrick Sheltra is first in the CGS Imaging Hard Charger, first in the Racing Electronics Lighting Challenge and first in the Fast Track High Performance Driving School award.

Nice Statistic; Solid Stats: By posting his 12th top-10 finish of the season at the Chicagoland Speedway on August 27, Sheltra is the only driver in the ARCA Racing Series to finish inside the top-10 in 12 of the 15 races completed thus far in 2010. Sheltra kicked off his strongest start to an ARCA season with a fifth place performance at Daytona, a 10th place performance at Palm Beach, a fourth place run at Salem Speedway, a seventh place outing at Texas Motor Speedway, his season-best second at ‘Dega, an eighth at Toledo Speedway, a fourth place run at Pocono (Pa.) Raceway, a third place outing in the Racing for Wildlife 200 at Michigan International Speedway, a sixth place at Pocono (Pa.) Raceway, a second-place outing in the Berlin ARCA 200 at Berlin (Mich.) Raceway, a 13th place outing at New Jersey Motorsports Park and most recently, a win on the dirt at the Illinois State Fairgrounds and another win in round number 15 at Chicagoland Speedway.

Patrick Sheltra ARCA Career At-A-Glance: Entering Du Quoin, Sheltra has 82 ARCA Racing Series presented by RE/MAX and Menards starts to his credit with three career victories at Salem (Ind.) Speedway (April 2009), the Illinois State Fairgrounds (August 2010) and Chicagoland Speedway (August 2010). During his ARCA tenure, Sheltra has accumulated 18 top-fives and posted 34 top-10 finishes. A second place qualifying effort at Chicagoland Speedway (August 2010) is Sheltra’s best time trials effort to date. He has controlled the ARCA field nine times for 273 laps.

Are You In The Know?: Patrick Sheltra and Sheltra Motorsports are proud to be apart of the Facebook (Official Patrick Sheltra Fan Page) and Twitter (@patricksheltra) cravings. If you have an account, join our club as the Sheltra Motorsports team drives towards winning the 2010 ARCA Racing Series championship.

Vote Him Your Favorite Driver: Race fans can vote Patrick Sheltra as the 2010 ARCA Racing Series most popular driver by visiting ARCANation.com. From now until the end of the season, race fans can click on to ARCA’s official fan-related web site and vote once a day for their favorite ARCA Racing Series driver. The winner will be announced at the ARCA Racing Series Championship Awards Banquet in Covington, Kentucky this December. If you’re an ARCA Nation member your vote counts twice per day for one driver. If you’re a non-ARCA Nation member, your vote counts only once. Sign up today at ARCANation.com and vote for Patrick Sheltra!

Sheltra Motorsports, Du Quoin State Fairgrounds Pre-Race Quotes: Patrick Sheltra, driver / owner of the No. 60 Patrick Sheltra.com / Ferguson Pipe Dodge Charger

On Chicagoland Speedway: “What an awesome car we had at Chicagoland. Jon (Wolfe, crew chief) and the team gave me the best speedway car I’ve ever had. Triad gave us a killer motor. The car was strong from the moment we unloaded. To qualifying second was big for us but then to win the biggest race of my career under the lights at Chicagoland Speedway was literally one of the greatest moments of my life. I was super happy for everyone involved with Sheltra Motorsports”

On The Du Quoin State Fairgrounds: “I’m going back to Du Quoin with unfinished business. We had a stout car there last year but an engine failure potentially cost us a victory. I want Du Quoin and I want it bad.”

On Going For The Illinois Sweep: “We have a great shot. To win three in a row is huge for anyone but that would be a first for me and Sheltra Motorsports. I know we can do it, we just need to stay focused and in the game. I don’t want the sweep just for me, I want it for everyone including my guys who have kept our Sheltra Motorsports car up-front all year long.”

On The Championship Chase: “It feels good to be within 10 points of the lead but Craig (Goess) and Frank (Kimmel) are going to be good the rest of the year. I really think it’s going to come down to the team who has the best luck in the final five races that will take home the championship. Right now, our chances are looking real good!”

Sheltra Motorsports, Du Quoin State Fairgrounds Pre-Race Quotes: Jon Wolfe, crew chief of the No. 60 Patrick Sheltra.com / Ferguson Pipe Dodge Charger

On The Momentum Heading To Du Quoin After Winning At The Illinois State Fairgrounds (Springfield) and Chicagoland: “Things are starting to really click for us, and I could not be any happier to go back to a dirt track on Monday.”

On Why Bringing The Same Dodge Charger From Illinois State Fairgrounds (Springfield) To Du Quoin Was Crucial: “First we could not have turned this car around without the help of Timmy McKichan and his crew at Performance Vehicle Works. Those guys were able to repair the body while we were in Chicagoland. And our guys have put in a bunch of hours to get it back together, as most every piece was damaged. It’s just a good and been one of Patrick’s favorite pieces, so we felt like it was crucial to have it for him in order to have a solid chance at completing the Illinois sweep.”

On The Recent Climb In The Championship Chase: “We knew that if we could stay in the hunt coming into this stretch that we would have an advantage. We will not give up, and I think that Springfield was a perfect example of that. So we will not be happy unless we leave Du Quoin leading the points.”

On Going For The Illinois Sweep: “That would be pretty cool, we are still a little bitter over not winning the Bill France Four Crown, so an Illinois sweep would probably be something that has not been done before.”

On What The Last Two Wins Have Meant To Him As A Crew Chief: “To me our team winning has been more about our team, so many hours and so much sacrifice. No one deserves it more than this team. That is what keeps me motivated, we had been so close and now we are just hungry for more.”

PRIOR RESULTS:

Patrick Sheltra, Du Quoin State Fairgrounds Prior ARCA Performance Record:

The Southern Illinois 100 presented by Federated Car Care (100 miles / 100 laps) is the 16th of 20 events on the 2010 ARCA Racing Series presented by RE/MAX and Menards schedule. The annual ARCA Labor Day event held at the Du Quoin State Fairgrounds is a one-day show. Practice begins Monday, September 6 with a one hour practice session planned from 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. Menards Pole by Ansell qualifying is slated to begin at 11:00 a.m. The field will take the green flag Monday afternoon shortly after 1:00 p.m. The race will not be televised but race coverage including live timing and scoring throughout the day will be available through the ARCA Racing Network (ARN) online at arcaracing.com presented by ARCANation.com. All times are local.

Fast Links:

Driver / Team: Patrick Sheltra on the web: PatrickSheltra.com

Sanction: ARCA Racing Series presented by RE/MAX and Menards: ARCARacing.com

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 Automobile Racing Club of America (ARCA) Racing Series presented by RE/MAX and Menards (No. 60) and a limited schedule in the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR). The team is headquartered in Indiantown, Florida with additional operations in Richmond, Indiana and Mooresville, North Carolina.

###

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