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 BROOKLYN,
MI (June15) -- Chad Blount, from Walkerton, IN, captured his first
career ARCA RE/MAX Series win Saturday at Michigan International
Speedway. The 22-year-old driver made a three-wide pass with less than
three laps remaining in the 100-lap Flagstar 200 en route to the
thrilling win. The event was attended by many Hoosier employees and
their family members with complimentary tickets provided by ARCA. Those in attendance were treated to an exciting race won by a
driver in only his 14th series start and hailing less than 15 miles
from Hoosier's corporate headquarters.
A stout 41-car field took the green flag with Blount
starting on the pole after capturing the Old Milwaukee Pole Award with
a lap of 39.127 seconds for an average speed of 184.016 mph around the
2-mile MIS oval. Blount immediately jumped into the race lead--one of
four times the young up-and-coming hot-shoe would enjoy on the
afternoon. All told, Blount dominated the race leading four times for
73 of the 100 race laps.
Other race leaders during the event were: Frank Kimmel
(twice for nine laps), Matt Hagans (once for three laps), Keith Murt
(once for seven laps), Damon Lusk (once for one lap), and A.J.
Henrickson (once for seven laps).
The race came down to a race re-start with just six
laps to go. While Blount had led the bulk of the 100 lap race, the
driver of the unsponsored Todd Braun Dodge found himself in 6th place
with just six laps to go after pitting. Blount wasted no time
overtaking those in front of him and in just three circuits found his
way back into the race lead. The driver of the #77 Dodge led the
remaining three laps en route to capturing his first-ever ARCA Series
win, in just his career 14th start.
Following Blount to the finish line was Damon Lusk in
second and Richard Mitchell in third. Mitchell's finish was also a
career-best.
Thirteen of the 41 race-starters finished the event on
the lead lap. Rounding out the top five was A.J. Henrickson and
Michael Vergers in fourth and fifth, respectively. The race had just
three caution periods for a total of 22 laps.
Jeff Speer, Product Manager for the ARCA RE/MAX
Series, who spent the weekend with the teams offering technical
assistance commented, "Throughout practice and qualifying on Thursday and Friday, handling and tire wear showed excellent performance. After the first pit stop at lap 53,
the tires showed minimal wear." Speer continued, "The track did
'tighten-up' through an increase in traction as more rubber was laid down, but the tires held up great. We brought a tougher right side this year and it proved successful. The right side tires
will again be used at the Charlotte race in the fall. We were also
very proud to see a local driver win the Flagstar 200."
Unofficially, Damon Lusk takes over the ARCA Series
point lead with 2155 points. Chad Blount is in second place with 2125
points, as Frank Kimmel falls to third place in the standings after a
disappointing 32nd place finish after encountering engine problems.
The ARCA Series resumes action this Sunday as they
travel to Toledo Speedway in Toledo, OH.
Hoosier Racing Tire Corp. and all of its employees are
proud to be the exclusive tire supplier to the ARCA RE/MAX Series.
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