Extra Incentive For Tom Hessert At Winchester

Topics:  Tom Hessert, Winchester ARCA 200

Chris Knight
Knight Motorsports Management
June 28, 2011

WINCHESTER, Indiana (June 28, 2011) - Last year Tom Hessert III scored his inaugural ARCA Racing Series (ARS) presented by Menards victory at Iowa Speedway. Since then, the Cherry Hill, New Jersey native has been antsy to return to victory lane. While gallant efforts have come up short, this weekend’s race at Winchester (Ind.) Speedway offers a perfect opportunity to rekindle that feeling.

Not only would a second-career victory offer some much welcomed confidence and momentum for Hessert and his Ken Schrader Racing (KSR) team, but Hessert’s primary sponsor Federated Auto Parts is the presenting sponsor to Saturday night’s Winchester ARCA 200. Carrying the Federated colors to victory circle would only be fitting for the ARCA championship contender.

With a notch for short track racing, Hessert invades Winchester (Ind.) Speedway to reach the half-way point of the 2011 ARCA Racing Series season. While, the series will return to the demanding half-mile oval for the first time since 2007, Hessert banks experience thanks to a successful career in USAC.

“Winchester is an awesome super high banked half-mile oval,” said Hessert. “It is a really fast track that is very similar to Salem Speedway. Winchester is quite a bit smoother than Salem though, which will probably produce more side by side action for the fans. It should be a great show on Saturday night.”

A good showing would be exactly what the doctor ordered for the No. 52 Federated Auto Parts Chevrolet after the misfortune the KSR team endured last Friday at Michigan International Speedway. After qualifying mid-pack, Hessert made a nice move towards the front in the RainEater Wiper Blades 200, but a brake line failure caused by debris and then ultimately a blown tire ended with Hessert in the wall with a disheartening finish.

“Last week at Michigan was a rough weekend, but there is no better place for my team and I to go to for a bounce back track than Winchester,” sounded Hessert. “We seem to always run well at the short tracks and I expect no different this weekend!”

The third short track race of the season is on deck Saturday night with Hessert hoping to secure his second top-five of the season and sixth top-10 in nine races. Hessert’s No. 52 Federated Auto Parts Chevrolet Impala has notched a season best finish of fifth at New Jersey Motorsports Park while also earning a seventh place finish at Salem (Ind.) Speedway, the first short track contest of the season.

“My goals for the rest of the 2011 season are to compete for as many wins as we can,” Hessert explained. “Despite the rough first part of the 2011 season, we certainly have enough time to turn it around.”

Knowing that the competition has been fierce this year, Hessert knows that any type of charge in the championship standings or on the track won’t come without its challenges.

“The competition in the ARCA Series this year is strong. There are many teams running the full season, and a lot of driver / team combinations for "one off races" which make each individual race very competitive. Our goal this weekend is to just go to Winchester and put our Federated Auto Parts Chevrolet up front.”

Currently, Hessert occupies the eighth position in the ARCA Racing Series point standings, just 100 markers behind seventh place competitor Tim George Jr.

In addition to Federated Auto Parts, Cherry Hill Classic Cars will serve as an associate marketing partner for Hessert’s 73rd career ARCA start. In his previous 72 outings, he has maneuvered one win, 13 top-fives and 35 top-10s.

The Winchester ARCA 200 presented by Federated Auto Parts (200 laps / 100 miles) is the ninth of 19 events on the 2011 ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards schedule. The 22nd ARCA race at Winchester is a one-day show. Practice begins Saturday, June 25 with a one hour and half practice session planned from 1:45 p.m. - 3:15 p.m. Menards Pole by Ansell qualifying is slated to begin later in the day at 4:45 p.m. The field will take the green flag later that night shortly after 8:00 p.m. The race will not be televised but event coverage including live timing and scoring throughout the 1,321st race for the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards since it was formed in 1953 will be available through the ARCA Racing Network (ARN) online at arcaracing.com presented by ARCANation.com. All times are local.

For more on Tom Hessert III, please visit tomhessert.com.

MEDIA CONTACT:
NAME: Chris Knight, Knight Motorsports Management
PHONE: 239.834.9797
EMAIL: chris@chrisknightpr.com