Tom Hessert Ready To Win In Irish Hills

Topics:  Tom Hessert, RainEater Wiper Blades 200

Chris Knight
Knight Motorsports Management
June 15, 2011

BROOKLYN, Michigan (June 15, 2011) - After recording his fifth top-10 finish of the 2011 ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards season last Saturday afternoon at Pocono (Pa.) Raceway, Tom Hessert III in Ken Schrader Racing’s No. 52 Federated Auto Parts Chevrolet Impala is ready to turn release his surge of top-10s for his second career victory Friday afternoon at Michigan International Speedway.

Grasping the thrill and joy of victory at Iowa Speedway last year, Hessert knows winning on a speedway would mean that much more for his racing resume and team morale as the half-way mark approaches on the calendar.

The Cherry Hill, New Jersey native will make his fourth career start at the monstrous two-mile oval in the RainEater Wiper Blades 200, but eyes his first career top-10 finish at the track nestled in the Irish Hills of Michigan.

“I’ve always been a fan of Michigan, even though I haven’t been able to finish in the top-10 there,” the former USARacing Pro Cup Series competitor said. “All three times I’ve raced at Michigan, I’ve run in the top-10, we just haven’t been able to for one reason or another. I think though we can put our Federated Auto Parts Chevrolet up front this week.”

Hessert, a former successful USAC racer added, “to win is always a blessing. I’ve experienced once before in ARCA and I’m eager to do it again. It’s the Motor City, so motoring to victory lane would be justified for sure.”

Michigan International Speedway’s enormous size and wide racing groove leave the door open for plenty of action and Hessert feels that neither the fans nor the competitors will be denied excitement in the eighth race of the season.

“It’s definitely an enjoyable place to race, if you have a good car,” Hessert explained. “The track is plenty wide, so if you have a mistake, your odds of recovering are better than another track we may compete on. John (Monsam, crew chief) and I will work together on the setup on Thursday and hopefully we can put our Federated Auto Parts Chevrolet in a position we can be satisfied with rolling into race day.”

Currently, Hessert occupies the seventh position in the ARCA Racing Series point standings, just 90 markers behind sixth place competitor Matt Merrell.

In addition to Federated Auto Parts, Cherry Hill Classic Cars will serve as an associate marketing partner for Hessert’s 72nd career ARCA start. In his previous 71 outings, he has maneuvered one win, 13 top-fives and 35 top-10s.

The RainEater Wiper Blades 200 (100 laps / 200 miles) is the eighth of 19 events on the 2011 ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards schedule. The 30th ARCA race at the Irish Hills track is a two-day show. Practice begins Thursday, June 16 with a one hour and half practice session planned from 2:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Menards Pole by Ansell qualifying is slated to begin on race day, Friday, June 17th at 10:00 a.m. The field will take the green flag later in the day shortly after 5:00 p.m. The event will be televised live on SPEED. Live timing and scoring throughout the 1,320th 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