| Point’s Leader Patrick Sheltra Hungry
For Pocono Win
LONG POND, Pennsylvania (June 2, 2010) - - Without question,
Patrick Sheltra’s 2010 ARCA Racing Series presented
by RE/MAX and Menards performance has been commendable.
In six races this year, Sheltra has posted six consecutive
top-10 finishes including a season-best second at Talladega
(Ala.) Superspeedway in April. The combination effort of
Sheltra and his Sheltra Motorsports team propelled the organization
to the point’s lead after finishing eighth at Toledo
(Oh) Speedway two weeks ago.
However, as the team steers towards Pocono (Pa.) Raceway
this weekend, Sheltra is thirsty, no hungry for his first
win of 2010 in Saturday afternoon’s Messina Wildlife
Animal Stopper 200. Holding a slim 10-point margin from
second place competitor Justin Marks, Sheltra is well aware
that his second career ARCA victory could pad his lead but
more importantly reward his Mooresville, North Carolina
team with a deserving celebration.
“I’m more than ready for Saturday,” said
the 24-year old Sheltra. “Pocono, believe it or not
is one of my favorite race tracks. The place is so different
that it really makes you want to keep coming back to experience
the taste of it. The team is excited about bringing a Toyota
to the track for the second time this year and we feel that
if we can continue to race smart, we’ll have another
good finish and hopefully be in contention for the win.”
The Indiantown, Florida native will make his eighth start
at the 2.5-mile triangle racetrack. Last June, Sheltra nearly
grasped the taste of Pocono victory lane after maneuvering
his Dodge Charger to a stout third place finish after starting
eighth. Overall, Sheltra has notched four top-15 finishes
in seven of his previous tricky triangle starts.
“Not only do you need a good handling car at Pocono
but you really bank on having a good motor,” sounded
Sheltra. This place is incredibly difficult on equipment.
“I’ve never raced a Toyota at Pocono before
but after our success at Texas and at the Michigan International
Speedway open test last week, I’m eager to see what
Pocono brings.”
Jon Wolfe, crew chief of the No. 60 Sheltra Motorsports
entry has similar sentiments about competing at Pocono Raceway
this weekend.
“I truly feel really good about Pocono, Patrick and
I both love this racetrack,” said Wolfe. “The
part that concerns me is we are taking Sheltra Motorsports
chassis No. 13 which we have switched from a Dodge to a
Toyota and have not had time to test it or shakedown. On
the plus side, we have a great group of dedicated guys that
will strive to make sure it is prepared right.”
Wolfe went on to say, “the chassis set-up for Pocono
is very similar to some of the other big tracks such as
Michigan. The biggest difference is the brakes and aero
package, they both have similar traits to a road course.”
Reflecting on gaining the ARCA point’s lead for the
second time in his career, Sheltra admits that it ultimately
feels like a dream when his Sheltra Motorsports hauler will
rest in the number one position this weekend.
“I had a taste of the point’s lead after Rockingham
last year,” reflected Sheltra. “We were tied
with Parker (Kligerman). It was weird walking into the track
at Talladega knowing that both of us were holding the top
spot. This weekend to solely have possession of the lead
is a testament to not only our team but my mother and father
and our marketing partners. This is what we are racing for.
There’s still a long way to go this year but we’ll
do everything we can not to turn it back over to someone
else.”
Cost-effective marketing partnerships are still available
for Pocono (Pa.) Raceway this weekend and for the remainder
of the 2010 ARCA Racing Series season. For additional information,
please contact marketing@patricksheltra.com.
Entering Pocono, Sheltra has 73 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
28 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 Messina Wildlife Animal Stopper 200 (80 laps / 200
miles) is the seventh of 20 events on the 2010 ARCA Racing
Series schedule. The 50th ARCA race at Pocono Raceway is
a two-day show. Practice begins Friday, June 4 with an hour
and forty minute practice session planned from 10:15 a.m.
- 11:55 a.m. Menards Pole by Ansell qualifying is set for
later in the day slated to begin at 1:45 p.m. The event
will take the green flag on Saturday, June 5 shortly after
1:00 p.m. The event will be tape-delayed on SPEED and will
air at 4:00 p.m. Saturday afternoon. The race however will
be broadcasted live through the ARCA Racing Network (ARN)
online at arcaracing.com. All times are local.
For the latest on Patrick Sheltra, Sheltra Motorsports
and marketing partnership opportunities please visit PatrickSheltra.com.
Join the official Patrick Sheltra fan page on Facebook
by clicking here.
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
|
