Tom Hessert Plans To Handle Salem Speedway With “Care”

Topics:  Tom Hessert, Kentuckiana Ford Dealers ARCA Fall Classic

Chris Knight
Knight Motorsports Management
September 13, 2011

SALEM, Indiana (September 13, 2011) - After a disappointing finish in the most recent ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards race at the DuQuoin (Ill.) State Fairgrounds, Tom Hessert III is prepared to handle Salem (Ind.) Speedway in a diligent manner in Saturday night’s Kentuckiana Ford Dealers ARCA Fall Classic by Federated Car Care.

Not only does Hessert turn to the 17th race of the season as a chance to bounce back but also an opportunity to put his sponsor Federated Auto Parts in victory lane as their Car Care division is a presenting sponsor for the highly anticipated slugfest this weekend.

Considered one of the most deceptive tracks on the ARCA Racing Series schedule, Hessert is set to make his eighth start at the Southern Indiana race track. In his previous seven outings, he has hustled to two top-fives and five top-10s including a seventh place finish in May. Historically, the half-mile oval has been extremely kind to the former USARacing Pro Cup Series star as he is entering Saturday’s rally with five consecutive top-10 finishes at the facility.

Though, in order to keep himself and his Ken Schrader Racing (KSR) team in the hunt for his second career ARCA victory, Hessert knows that he’ll have to exercise the word “care” if he wants an opportunity to be the first to see the checkered flag.

“Taking care of your car is one of the biggest challenges at Salem,” offered Hessert, driver of the No. 52 Federated Auto Parts Chevrolet Impala. “The racetrack requires so much concentration especially with its speed and track characteristics. One bold move gone wrong or one slip of the pedal and your night could be over with.

We were all disappointed with the results at DuQuoin. In a way though, that gives up the opportunity to step up to the bat and try and hit a home run at Salem as a way of recovering from the mishap. A win would be huge and a welcomed boost for our entire organization.”

Not only is Hessert in search for a “w” on Saturday night, the 25-year old is looking to close the gap in the championship standings as he resides in the seventh spot, just 15 markers behind sixth place runner Tim George Jr. and just 75 points from entering the top-five held by Chad McCumbee.

“It’s a fight within a fight,” he said. “We’re doing everything we can to put Ken Schrader Racing and Federated Auto Parts back in victory lane and we still have three opportunities to do it. But, I would also like to finish inside the top-five in points. It’s not going to be easy, but we’re up for the challenge and we are prepared to take this battle down to the wire at Toledo Speedway next month.”

While the ARCA Racing Series had a break in their schedule this past weekend, Hessert wasn’t dormant from a racecar. On Saturday afternoon, the former NASCAR Grand-Am Rolex Sport Car Series racer competed in the postponed Kevin Whitaker 140 for the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East (NKNPSE) event at Greenville-Pickens (S.C.) Speedway for longtime Motorsports car owner Jeff Spraker.

In addition to Greenville-Pickens, Hessert will compete in the final two NKNPSE races behind the wheel of the No. 37 Spraker Racing Enterprises Chevrolet Impala at New Hampshire Motor Speedway and Dover (Del.) International Speedway respectively.

“Greenville was a learning experience,” explained Hessert, who finished 17th. “It was the first time that I had worked with Jeff and his team. We made some huge strides during the race that I feel will only strengthen our efforts when New Hampshire and Dover rolls around.”

When asked why he’s competing in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East, he replied. “I’m a racer. I love to race. If there’s an open seat and I can jump in it, I’m going to do it. Jeff (Spraker) is well known and respected in the racing community, so I know I’m in good hands. It’s also a lot of fun to race against the competition which is flourished with a lot of young talent and some cagey veterans.”

The Kentuckiana Ford Dealers ARCA Fall Classic by Federated Car Care (200 laps / 111 miles) is the 17th of 19 events on the 2011 ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards schedule. The 87th ARCA event held at Salem (Ind.) Speedway is a one-day show. Practice begins Saturday, September 17 with an hour and a half practice session planned from 1:05 p.m. - 2:35 p.m. Menards Pole by Ansell qualifying is slated to begin at 4:00 p.m. The field will take the green flag later in the evening at approximately 7:15 p.m. The event will not be televised but race coverage including live timing and scoring throughout the 1,329th 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.

In addition to Federated Auto Parts, Cherry Hill Classic Cars will serve as an associate marketing partner for Hessert’s 81st career ARCA start. In his previous 80 outings, he has maneuvered one win, 18 top-fives and 42 top-10s.

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