Win-Tron Racing Keeps Diversity Alive In ARCA Marching To Salem

Topics:  Mason Mingus, Kentuckiana Ford Dealers ARCA Fall Classic

Chris Knight
Win-Tron Racing
Knight Motorsports Management
September 13, 2011

SALEM, Indiana (September 13, 2011) - - Matt Merrell, Ryan Wilson, Chris Windom and Joey Miller have all sat behind the wheel of the No. 32 Champion Brands Toyota Camry thus far in 2011. The talented mix of drivers have kept the Lakeville, Minnesota race team in the headlines with a flourishing group of rising stars. As the series returns to Salem (Ind.) Speedway for a thrash under the Saturday night lights, the team has turned the wheel over to Mason Mingus for the running of the Kentuckiana Ford Dealers ARCA Fall Classic by Federated Car Care.

Diversity is a strong word that is often associated with the ARCA Racing Series and Win-Tron Racing, a veteran team on the circuit has often lived up to its definition with this weekend’s race being no exception. The team knows a challenge lies ahead for them, but they are welcoming their new driver to the family at one of their favorite tracks.

The Brentwood, Tennessee native comes to ARCA with a vast array of experience including competing in the Champion Racing Association (CRA) Super Late Model Series. He is also a former winner at Salem when he netted his first career tour Late Model victory in the Ken-Ten Series in June of 2010.

Knowing that their 16-year old pilot has success at the Southern Indiana short track before sets a tone of ease for the Mike Chaffee-led team, but they are also aware that their newest protégé still has a lot to learn.

“It’s always exciting to bring a driver to ARCA for the first time,” said Win-Tron Racing co-car owner Nate Thiesse. “Mason comes to our team on the heels of a healthy season in the CRA Super Late Model Series and an extensive resume that resonates back years. Obviously, his experience at Salem will play into our advantage initially as far as him getting up to speed, but he’s up against some competition he’s never had to face before and a car he is unfamiliar with.

Despite those scenarios, there is potential for him to earn a lot of respect and potentially gleam in the limelight. While we know that our team is capable of winning races, we haven’t set our expectations that high for Mason. We just want him to learn, have fun and hopefully we’ll leave somewhere inside the top-10. If we can do that, we’ll consider the weekend a great success.”

Thiesse was quick to point out though, “We’re not saying that Mason can’t win the race on Saturday night, we just don’t want to put that kind of pressure on him in his first race. Salem though is a track where strange things have happened and a place that has bred first-time winners, so anything is possible. The biggest goal for this weekend is for him to be safe, have fun and bring the car home in one piece.”

As for Mingus, he’s been extremely open about his expectations and thoughts about his long-awaited stock car debut.

“Salem Speedway definitely ranks near the top of the list of my favorite tracks to race at,” sounded Mingus. “I have only been able to race at Salem one time, but I had a lot of success there. It is a very tough track to race on but as long as we are able to save tires and have a consistent car it is a lot of fun.

Being that this will be my first time in an ARCA car it will be a big learning experience. I intend to be patient throughout the race and take opportunities when they come. Although it will be a different experience than driving a late model I will do everything I can to be competitive enough to win the race.”

When asked about the opportunity to drive for Win-Tron Racing, a team that has been victorious at the legendary oval in the past, he reflected by saying, “I have heard a lot about Win-Tron racing and seen that they have had a very good track record in the past, and that helps me to have confidence that I will be able to adjust very quickly because they will have a good car when they show up to the track. I’m just thankful for the opportunity.”

ARCA’s second-to-last short track race signifies the 16th race that Champion Hi-Tech Lubricants, a division of Champion Brands will heed the role as the primary sponsor for the final race in the Prairie State. Headquartered in Clinton, Missouri, Champion Brands LLC produces and blends more than 300 products including fuel, oil and engine additives and lubricants for the automotive, heavy truck, agricultural and specialty markets.

Overall, the team has recorded one win (Merrell, Berlin (Mich.) Raceway), five top-fives and nine top-10 finishes. The veteran ARCA team currently sits ninth in the car owner standings with just three races remaining.

From Salem Speedway, the Win-Tron Racing team will trek to Kansas Speedway with Randleman, North Carolina native Ryan Wilson to participate in the open ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards test session at the mile-and-a-half oval on Tuesday, September 20 to prepare for round 18 of the year, the Kansas Lottery 98.9 which is set to launch on Friday, October 7 live on SPEED.

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.

Further information including driver opportunities with Win-Tron Racing is available by visiting win-tronracing.com or contacting Nate Thiesse at 612.306.1641

For more on Champion Brands LLC and their extensive line of products, please log on to championbrands.com or championsusechampion.com.

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