Patrick Sheltra Getting Road Course Fever In Road America

ELKHART LAKE, Wisconsin (July 28, 2008) - - Following the most recent ARCA RE/MAX Series event at Berlin Raceway, sophomore driver Patrick Sheltra hopped on a plane and headed to Milwaukee, Wisconsin to prepare himself for a three-day road course driving school at Road America courtesy of the Skip Barber Racing School.

Sheltra alongside fellow ARCA RE/MAX Series competitor Ken Butler III (No. 22 Aaron’s Lucky Dog TOYOTA Camry, Eddie Sharp Racing) both arrived at the famous road course on Monday morning itching to find out what road course racing was all about.

After spending much of the morning in the classroom, Sheltra buckled in his No. 23 Mazda entry and began tackling the “stock car” portion of the track under gorgeous testing conditions Monday afternoon.

Sheltra climbed from the car satisfied and excited after day one and is eager for the next two days which are guaranteed to be tough but also critical for Sheltra as he along with Butler are utilizing the notorious racing school for ARCA’s return to road-course racing at the newly built New Jersey Motorsports Park for the Loud Energy Drink 150 set for Sunday, September 28.

“I had a blast out there,” said Sheltra, who hails from Indiantown, Florida. “The school is a lot of fun, but I’m also learning a lot. The instructors and everyone associated with the school are very down to earth and easy to get along with. It just makes the day go that much faster. Ken and I are having fun out there. I don’t think we both expected the school to be this much fun, but it really is. I know the next two days are going to get a little more intense but I’m okay with that. I’m just thankful for the experience.”

Sheltra, who sits 10th in the ARCA RE/MAX Series championship standings added, “Having Ken (Butler III) here makes the whole week better for so many different reasons. We are able to talk to each other about what our cars are doing, what we are doing behind the wheel and also working together to see what we can do to improve ourselves and our lap times. It’s not supposed to be a race but we’ve ended up making a race between the two of us because we are competitors. I think we’re both looking forward to Tuesday and Wednesday.”

Late Monday afternoon, Sheltra Motorsports Public Relations Representative Chris Knight who joined the two-full time ARCA drivers on the journey hoped in the Skip Barber Racing van along with Sheltra and Butler and experienced some of the actual on-course demonstrations for himself.

“When I got out of the van, I was like yikes, glad I’m not doing that,” Knight laughed. “The racing school van was really moving down the straightaway and the instructor wasn’t afraid to drive it deep in the corners. I think I was the only passenger with the seat belt on. On the flip side, Patrick and Ken are having a good time and they are learning and that’s the most crucial piece. I think this school will help them immensely for the upcoming ARCA race in New Jersey.”

Day two will consist of more on-track activity at higher speeds with both drivers looking forward to the final day of the school which will include passing.

From the Skip Barber Racing school, the group will hop a plane on Thursday morning and head to Pocono Raceway ready to participate in round number 13 of the 2008 ARCA RE/MAX Series season, the Pennsylvania 200 set for Saturday, August 2, 2008.

For more on Patrick Sheltra, please visit the newly re-launched PatrickSheltra.com.

About Sheltra Motorsports:
Sheltra Motorsports (sheltramotorsports.com) is a three-tier Motorsports operation consisting of dirt and asphalt competition. Patrick Sheltra, a 22-year old native of Indiantown, Florida competes in the UMP and WoO (Dirt) Series; while also running a full schedule in the ARCA RE/MAX Series (No. 60) and a limited schedule in NASCAR. 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 Whitesville, Kentucky.

Sheltra Motorsports Quick Facts:
Team Name: Sheltra Motorsports, No. 60 Dodge Charger

Driver: Patrick Sheltra, Indiantown, Florida

Car Owner: Grace Sheltra, Indiantown, Florida

Marketing Partners: Boatwerks Waterfront Restaurant, Groupe Beton Brunet, Ferguson Pipe Enterprises, Inc, FloraGanics, American Concrete Industries, Inc, The Casite Company, J&S Bulk Transportation, Inc., US Construction Supply Corp., CP Concrete Products of the Palm Beaches, Martin County Petroleum, Sheltra & Son Construction, Sheltra Cattle Company, Recycling Services, Aaron’s Outdoors, Indiantown Marina, All About Flowers, Speed Media, Klotz Synthetic Lubricants, DMC Graphics and Purcell Tire & Rubber.

Crew Chief: John Hayden

Team Manager: Keith Strunk

TEAM COMMUNICATIONS CONTACT:
NAME: Chris Knight, Sheltra Motorsports
PHONE: 239.834.9797 or 830.261.1215
EMAIL: knight849@aol.com