Levi Youster Not Afraid To Get Down With The Dirt At DuQuoin

Topics:  Levi Youster, Southern Illinois 100

Chris Knight
Knight Motorsports Management
Levi Youster Racing
September 1, 2011

DUQUOIN, Illinois (September 1, 2011) - After finishing 17th in his inaugural ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards effort on the dirt at the Illinois State Fairgrounds, Levi Youster returns to the final dirt track show of the year looking to better that effort in Monday’s Southern Illinois 100 presented by Federated Auto Parts at the DuQuoin (Ill.) State Fairgrounds.

The Oak Harbor, Ohio native also wants to redeem himself after being collected in an incident not of his doing last Friday night in ARCA’s return to Madison International Speedway. While the ARCA rookie doesn’t have the luxury of having a full stock of race cars, he wasn’t going to let that set him back and keep him from competing in the 16th race of the season.

“I’ve been working hard to get this car turned around and ready for DuQuoin,” said Youster, who drives for the No. 23 Hixson Construction Chevrolet Impala for Hixson Motorsports. “Luckily, a lot of the damage was mainly body – but there were still some odds and ends that I had to repair. It’s been a gruesome week but it’s all worth it in the end, because I get to do what I love best, race.”

Youster in fact has worked so hard that he actually was able to acquire some down time this week which he spent with his Mother who made the trek from Ohio to Tennessee to see her rising star. “I don’t get the opportunity to go home a lot since I work in the shop and live in Tennessee, so when my Mom told me she was coming down, I was determined to do whatever I had to do so I could free up some time and spend it with her.

We did some sightseeing, visited some caves and had the opportunity to spend some good quality time together. Maybe she’s the strength that I needed to give me that push to have a good run on Monday.”

Speaking of Monday, the former Sprint Car driver isn’t sure what to expect about the DuQuoin (Ill.) Fairgrounds. “This is nothing new for me,” he joked. “It’s a new track. I try to go into every race with an open mind, especially going somewhere I’ve never been before. Ron (Cox) has been a big help in teaching me the fundamentals of dirt racing in a stock car, so maybe I can learn some more from him during the race on Monday.”

Despite his overheating conditions at Springfield which resulted in his seventh top-20 finish of the year, Youster was satisfied with that run but is eager to better his season-best finish of 14th which occurred back in June at Winchester (Ind.) Speedway. “I would love to match our run at Winchester or just get close to a top-10 before season’s end. Honestly, I feel like DuQuoin, Salem and Toledo will probably be our best opportunities. I just have to stay on top of my game, be patient and most importantly be around in the end when it really matters.”

Sitting solidly in the top-15 in the ARCA Racing Series championship standings, Youster knows that he still has a couple more positions within reach if the cards fall his way.

“Points are important, but I came here to ARCA to learn this year,” sounded the 18-year old. “We’re in the top-15 and that’s good, considering some of the circumstances we’ve had to face this season. And, I’m not lying when I say it would be neat to pick off a few places between now and October, but more importantly, I want to see the checkered flag in the next four races.”

As for 2012, Youster says it’s a little too early to be looking ahead to next year, but he does express that he plans to be inside a racecar.

“I’m thankful for every race I’m able to compete in,” Youster replied. “While I know that 2012 is just around the corner, we still have to get 2011 finished. We know what fight we have to battle with pretty much everyone else in the garage as far as sponsorship is concerned – but I’m a believer that everything happens for a reason. So I’m just going to keep plugging along and work hard on and off the track and I’m sure something will pan out one way or another.”

Joining Youster Monday afternoon on the Hixson Motorsports frontline will be Ron Cox in the No. 28 Fox Realty Chevrolet Impala and Rob Jones in a third entry in the No. 29 Cox Masonry Chevrolet Impala.

The Southern Illinois 100 presented by Federated Auto Parts (100 laps / 100 miles) is the 16th of 19 events on the 2011 ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards schedule. The 29th ARCA event held at the DuQuoin State Fairgrounds is a one-day show. Practice begins Monday, September 5 with a one hour practice session planned from 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. Menards Pole by Ansell qualifying is slated to begin at 11:00 a.m. The field will take the green flag that afternoon shortly after 1:00 p.m. The event will not be televised but race coverage including live timing and scoring throughout the 1,328th 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.

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