Toledo Win Perfect Belated Birthday Gift For Patrick Sheltra

TOLEDO, Ohio (May 18, 2010) - - When luck is on your side, luck is on your side. For ARCA Racing Series (ARS) presented by RE/MAX and Menards driver Patrick Sheltra his 2010 season has been filled with luck not to mention skillful driving. Five races into the year, Sheltra has finished inside the top-10 in all five races including a season best second in the most recent event at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway nearly a month ago.

After dicing with a pair of speedways, Sheltra and his Jon Wolfe-led Sheltra Motorsports team will return to a short track this weekend at the ultra fast Toledo Speedway for the running of Sunday’s Menards 200 presented by Federated Car Care.

Sheltra turned 24 last Friday (May 14) and admits he wouldn’t mind a belated birthday present, if it meant his second career ARCA win in his seventh start at the Toledo, Ohio bullring.

“A win would be a great birthday present, even if it’s a little late,” said Sheltra, who sits third in the ARCA Racing Series championship standings, just 30 points behind leader Justin Marks. “Toledo has been a pretty decent place for me. We’ve had some real solid runs over the years and I know that we can go there this weekend and keep our momentum alive.”

Sheltra’s assessment of his record at Toledo was on target. In his previous six races, Sheltra had posted two top-fives and three top-10s which were all in a row. The streak started in the fall of 2007 when Sheltra finished seventh but in the spring of 2008, Sheltra nearly pulled off his first career victory battling fellow friend Matt Carter to the checkered flag. Sheltra settled for second, which then was a career-best. Four months later, Sheltra returned with an incredibly fast machine but had to hunker down and settle for fourth. A fifth place qualifying run in the spring of 2009 is Sheltra’s best starting position to date at the ARCA sanctioned facility.

To help prepare the fourth year ARCA team for the second short track race of the season, the team tested their No. 60 Dodge Charger at The Motor Mile in Fairlawn, Virginia last Thursday and the team was extremely pleased with the results.

“We’re bringing a new car to the track this weekend and we’re excited about it,” sounded Sheltra. “The test went really good which is giving the team a good boost going to Toledo this weekend. Things can happen in a hurry there, so you just have to be on your toes and be patient. We’re going for the win but we’re also keeping the bigger picture in the back of our minds.”

Before “Mr. Showtime”, as he’s known in the ARCA garage turns his attention to round six on the schedule, Sheltra will make two appearances leading into Sunday’s event. On Thursday, May 20 he will join a host of ARCA regulars for a rare meet and greet with fans at Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio. The autograph session is scheduled to start at 2:00 p.m. near the Top Thrill Dragster roller coaster and conclude at 4:00 p.m. On Friday night (May 21), Sheltra will appear at the Toledo Speedway to participate in the annual ARCA Fan Fest autograph session set from 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

Entering Toledo, Sheltra has 72 ARCA Racing Series presented by RE/MAX and Menards starts to his credit with one career victory at Salem (Ind.) Speedway (April 2009). During his ARCA tenure, Sheltra has accumulated 13 top-fives and posted 27 top-10 finishes. A third place qualifying effort at Rockingham (N.C.) Speedway (April 2009) is Sheltra’s best time trials efforts to date. He has controlled the ARCA field six times for 148 laps.

The Menards 200 presented by Federated Car Care (200 laps / 100 miles) is the sixth of 20 events on the 2010 ARCA Racing Series schedule. The 67th ARCA race at Toledo Speedway is a two-day show. Practice begins Saturday, May 22 with an hour and a half practice session planned from 12:30 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. Menards pole qualifying presented by Ansell is set for later in the day slated to begin at 3:30 p.m. An hour and 15 minute on-track autograph session has been etched in from 12:00 p.m. – 1:15 p.m. on race day. The contest will take the green flag shortly after 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 23. The race will not be televised but weekend coverage including live timing and scoring and a radio broadcast will be available through the BAS Racing Network online at arcaracing.com. All times are local.

For the latest on Patrick Sheltra, Sheltra Motorsports and marketing partnership opportunities please visit PatrickSheltra.com.

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About Sheltra Motorsports:
Sheltra Motorsports (sheltramotorsports.com) is a three-tier Motorsports operation consisting of dirt and asphalt competition. Patrick Sheltra, a 24-year old native of Indiantown, Florida competes in the UMP and WoO (Dirt) Series; while also running a full schedule in the ARCA Racing Series presented by RE/MAX and Menards (No. 60) and a limited schedule in the NASCAR Nationwide Series. Sheltra Motorsports ownership is combined of Richard, Grace and Patrick Sheltra. The team is headquartered in Indiantown, Florida with additional operations in Richmond, Indiana and Mooresville, North Carolina.

TEAM COMMUNICATIONS CONTACT:
Chris Knight, Sheltra Motorsports
P: 239.834.9797
E: chris@patricksheltra.com