Maryeve Dufault Sets Sights on Second Short Track Race of Her Career: Toledo Speedway

Topics:  Maryeve Dufault, Menards 200

Angela Starke/Chris Knight
Knight Motorsports Management/Tony Marks Racing
3 May 2011

MOORESVILLE, North Carolina (May 13, 2011) - - 2011 ARCA Series Racing presented by Menards Rookie of the Year candidate, Maryeve Dufualt and her No. 12 VR-12 / Dodge Motorsports Dodge Charger are gearing up for the fourth event on this years racing schedule, the Menards 200 at Toledo (Ohio) Speedway. Two weeks ago, the Sorrel Quebec, Canada native made her first ever short track career debut at Salem (Ind.) Speedway and claimed a respectable 13th place finish for the Tony Marks Racing (TMR) team. Salem, with its unforgiving high banks is much different than the half-mile semi-banked track of Toledo, so testing the No. 12 VR-12 / Dodge Motorsports Dodge Charger this past Monday proved to be a successful venture for Dufault.

“Toledo is smooth compared to Salem”, said Dufault. “We got a few good sessions in on Monday, and I think it’s going to be really good. I am really, really happy with the team. They have worked really hard to get the car ready for Toledo and I think it’s going to be really good. I still have some learning of short tracks since this is only my second short track race in my life, but I feel good about the track.”

Dufault is having a great 2011 rookie season, but she is very keen on knowing that the series schedule brings some challenges with each event and with that also comes the challenge of competing against seasoned drivers in the series as well.

“With every track there are new challenges and short track racing definitely has those”, added Dufault. “I am racing with people who have been racing on short tracks for a lot of their career, whereas this is only my second time. There is still a lot to learn. I just have to take my time, be smart and really take in what every lap has to offer.”

Team owner and Ohio native, Tony Marks, his hopes are optimistic for this weekend as well, especially after the test session last Monday was assisted by Jarit Johnson.

“Maryeve is a very focused and talented driver”, said Marks. “I am very happy with her performance and all the dedication she has with this team. They guys in the shop have worked really hard for a performing car this weekend, and all we can do is go out there and do our best. This is a really big weekend for me personally, TMR, and VR-12. We have our sponsors here, it’s a home track and my son Jared (Marks) is competing Sunday as well, so we are all are looking forward to having a really good weekend.”

The Menards 200 presented by Federated Car Care (200 laps / 100 miles) is the fourth of 19 events on the 2011 ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards schedule. The 69th ARCA race at Toledo Speedway is a two-day show. Practice begins Saturday, May 14th with an hour and a half practice session planned from 12:30 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. Menards pole qualifying presented by Ansell is set for later in the day slated to begin at 3:30 p.m. An hour and 15 minute on-track autograph session has been etched in from 12:00 p.m. – 1:15 p.m. on race day (Sunday). The contest will take the green flag shortly after 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 15. The race will not be televised nationally but event coverage including live timing and scoring throughout the weekend will be available through the ARCA Racing Network (ARN) online at arcaracing.com presented by ARCANation.com. For the second consecutive race at Toledo Speedway, the anticipated thriller will be available locally on television through the Buckeye CableSystem Sports Network (BCSN) Sunday night at 9:00 p.m. All times are local.

For additional information on TMT, Inc. please visit; tmtcompanies.net.

For more on Maryeve Dufault, please log onto Maryeveracing.com

To learn more about Tony Marks Racing, please click over to Tmr-racing.com

See the buzz that VR-12 is creating by clicking over to their website at VR-12.com.

Quench yourself with Victory Water, see how at Victoryh20.com.

About Tony Marks Racing (TMR):

Tony Marks Racing was founded in 2009 through the passion for racing of team owner and former driver Tony Marks. Marks is the successful owner of TMT, Inc., a logistics, warehousing and packaging company with over 400 employees whose customers are mainly comprised of Fortune 100 companies.

Marks began his racing career in 1985 getting behind the wheel of everything from drag racers, Dirt Late Models, SCCA Formula Fords, USAC F2000 Open Wheel and ARCA cars. Tony personally raced until 2005 amassing numerous wins, championships and track records along the way until he then changed his focus from driver to owner and began building racing programs for his children Jared (16 years old) and Rachel (13 years old). Under the auspices of TMR, Jared began his racing career in 2002 in quarter midgets and now competes in late model, CRA, ASA and ARCA Series events while Rachel continues her development program racing quarter midgets and Bandoleros.

TMR has been at the forefront of charitable giving through its’ “Driving Against Hunger” and “Million Meal Challenge” race programs which have raised over $200,000 for Forgotten Harvest in 2010 at the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and NASCAR Nationwide Series events at Michigan International Speedway.

For the NASCAR events TMR along with TMT, Inc. partnered with Forgotten Harvest for the “Million Meal Challenge For Our Kids” which helps to bridge the hunger gap while schools are out of session and feeds 20,000 children per day in the Detroit metro area. Forgotten Harvest was significantly displayed on the entry of Chase Austin during both the Truck and Nationwide events at Michigan International Speedway along with logos of “Million Meal Challenge” sponsors Walgreen’s, United Race Group, Holyfield’s Choice Alka-Power Water and Vitamin Spice. Evander Holyfield was also instrumental in the challenge, acting as Grand Marshall for the August race and announcing his “Fight Against Hunger” on behalf of Forgotten Harvest.

As the first race team to “Drive Against Hunger” through their partnership with Forgotten Harvest, TMR plans to continue their alliance with Forgotten Harvest and once again “Drive Against Hunger” during the 2011 season.

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TEAM COMMUNICATIONS CONTACT:
NAME: Angela Starke / Chris Knight / Knight Motorsports Management
PHONE: 704.500.7384 / 239.834.9797
EMAIL: angela@chrisknightpr.com / chris@chrisknightpr.com