Fadden Racing To Field Two Cars At NHMS

 

            North Haverhill, N.H. (June 18, 2009): Jonathan Smith, driver of the No. 16 Fadden Racing Chevrolet on the NASCAR Camping World Series East, has been steadily improving his stats under the guidance of car owner and two time champion Mike Olsen. But when the series returns to New Hampshire Motor Speedway on June 26^th, Smith is going to get a first hand lesson on how to get around the 1.058-mile oval when Olsen joins him as a teammate for the Heluva Good 125. Olsen will return to his familiar No. 61 and will sport the blue and white color scheme that became synonymous with his late grandfather and racing legend, Stanley “Stub” Fadden.

            Olsen, who has 285 starts in the NASCAR Camping World Series East, will be making his season debut behind the wheel. K.D.D. Auto Parts is stepping up to sponsor the effort in Olsen’s home state of New Hampshire.

            “It’s a lot different now getting in the car and racing at New Hampshire. I’m there to try and win it, and without the focus of points, it makes it a lot more fun for me,” said Olsen. “We’re thrilled that K.D.D. came on board and that we’ll be honoring my grandfather with the paint scheme.”

            Olsen won the 2001 and 2006 NASCAR Camping World Series East Championships and has started 47 races at New Hampshire Motor Speedway over his 20 year career in the series.

            Smith joined Fadden Racing at the beginning of the season and posted his first top-10 of the season at Watkins Glen International road course just a couple of weeks ago.

            “We’re definitely headed in the right direction,” said Smith. “I’m anxious to keep it moving that way when we go to New Hampshire. We’re aiming for a top-five finish, and with all the laps that Mike has had there, I know we’ll be in good hands.”

            Always the competitive sportsman, Smith added, “It’ll be more fun to see who can finish first!”

            The Heluva Good! Summer 125 is slated to take the green flag on Friday, June 26^th at 5 p.m. eastern time. For more information on Fadden Racing and its drivers, please visit www.faddenracing.net.

 

Delaney Riding Momentum Into NHMS

 

            Mayfield, N.Y. (June 18, 2009): The Heluva Good 125 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway marks a major milestone in the NASCAR Camping World Series East season – the halfway point. Dustin Delaney, driver of the No. 39 Delaney Infrastructure Chevrolet, has also reached a milestone of his own heading into this event – a performance gain that could possibly be one of the most improved of any driver that competed full time last season.
            Delaney has posted an average finish of tenth place over the first four stand-alone events of the 2009 season. In those same four races last year, Delaney only had an average finish of 16th place. His qualifying efforts rival that improvement jumping from an average of a 25th place starting position in 2008 to a 16th place starting position in 2009.
            “Momentum is a big factor in anyone’s success, and I feel this team has been building that since the beginning of the season,” said Delaney. “I have to credit the entire team. I have the benefit of an experienced and knowledgeable crew chief in Jamie Aube, and an extremely hard working crew that has been complimented with the addition of Tom Carey, Jr. as car chief.”
            While the young, Mayfield, N.Y. driver is quick to credit the team, his crew is just as adamant about giving credit to Delaney’s improvement as a driver.
            “His confidence is way up over last year,” said Aube. “He’s developed a craft at getting around these tracks and adjusting to whatever conditions are thrown at him. He has matured a lot behind the wheel and his abilities to be versatile have gotten remarkably better. He’s able to communicate how the car is reacting and what changes need to be made to make it better.”
            Whatever the reason, it’s hard to argue with success. Delaney enters the Heluva Good 125 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway sixth in the NASCAR Camping World Series East point standings. What they want, however, is to add one very important statistical fact to his record this season – a win.
            “We’re getting closer to it every week,” said Delaney. “That’s what we come out here to do. We just need to keep doing what we’re doing, and the wins will start to come.”

Brad Leighton Ready To Tackle ‘Magic Mile’

 

            Center Harbor, N.H. (June 18, 2009): Two-time NASCAR Camping World Series East Champion Brad Leighton will make his season debut at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on June 26^th behind the wheel of the No. 55 Irving Oil Chevrolet. Leighton, who secured the first invitation to the track’s ACT Invitational scheduled for later this year, is anxious to get back to his home state track and attempt to win a fifth track championship.

            “New Hampshire (Motor Speedway) is my home away from home,” said Leighton. “I don’t know what it is, but I run really good at New Hampshire. Nevertheless, I’ve been shut out of victory lane the last few times, and we’re hoping to change that this year!”

            Although this will mark Leighton’s first start this year in the Camping World Series East, he has been quite busy running a limited schedule in the American-Canadian Tour. Leighton’s win at the New Hampshire Governor’s Cup at Lee USA Speedway solidified an invitation to the highly anticipated ACT Invitational in September. He also gained a podium finish at Airborne Speedway last month, and led every lap at Waterford Speedbowl last week before rain halted the event and forced a rescheduling to June 20^th.

            Leighton’s 2008 season in the NASCAR Camping World Series East yielded one top-five and two top-10 finishes in only three starts. He led 44 laps of the Heluva Good Fall 125 before a fuel issue sent him to the pits three laps before the race conclusion.

            “We were so close!” Leighton recalled. “We were in contention at both NHMS races last year. It was so frustrating to be so good and not put these guys into victory lane.”

            Leighton has won four track championships at New Hampshire Motor Speedway and would like to add another to his resume.

            “Those track championships are some of the biggest highlights of my career,” said Leighton. “I’m really proud to say that I’ve won that. When you compete at a track as prestigious as New Hampshire Motor Speedway, you’re drawing the best of the best as far as drivers and crews are concerned. When you win that championship, it’s a validation of sorts to say, ‘hey, we’ve beaten the best’.”

            The Heluva Good Summer 125 is slated for Friday, June 26^th at 5 p.m. eastern daylight time.

 

Kobyluck Looks To Climb Points Ladder At NHMS

 

            Uncasville, Conn. (June 19, 2009): NASCAR Camping World Series East Champions are made at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. A finish there can make or break your chances at a title. For Matt Kobyluck, driver of the No. 40 Mohegan Sun Casino Chevrolet and defending series champion, the Heluva Good! Summer 125 holds a lot of weight. He’s currently third in the point standings, and is hoping to move up the ladder with a strong performance at the 1.058-mile oval.

            “I’m pretty confident,” Kobyluck said going into the event. “We’ll be taking the same things we used last year and building on them a little bit more. We definitely go into every race with the goal of winning, but a win here would be tremendous. We’ve always had fast cars here and we’ve been getting closer and closer to our goal of winning every time we go back.”

            The 39-year-old driver posted a third place finish in this event last year, which catapulted him to second in the point standings. The Mohegan Sun Casino Chevrolet was out front for the first 35 laps. He led one more time before a three-wide battle with Trevor Bayne and Eddie MacDonald relegated him to third for a green-white-checker finish.

            “We didn’t take tires last year and the guys that finished ahead of us both did. They were on fresher tires so I had nothing for them on the last restart,” reflected Kobyluck. “A third place finish was a huge day for us in terms of the championship. If you want to win the title in this series, you have to have a good day at New Hampshire.”

            Kobyluck has more experience at the track than most regular drivers in the series. The Heluva Good Summer 125 will mark his 26^th start at NHMS in the Camping World Series East with over 2500 laps raced in competition at the Magic Mile. He’s posted five top-five and eight top-10 finishes there – with two top-five’s last season alone.

            The Heluva Good Summer 125 is slated to take the green flag at 5 p.m. on Friday, June 26^th. Fans can meet up with Kobyluck at an autograph session outside the infield tunnel on Friday at 3 p.m.

            For more information on Matt Kobyluck or Mohegan Sun Racing visit www.mattkobyluck.com.

 

Moffitt’s Competitive Drive Fueled By NHMS Challenge

 

            Harrisburg, N.C. (June 19, 2009): Only four drivers – Joey Logano, Brad Leighton, Steve Park, and Mike McLaughlin – have ever won at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in their rookie season on the NASCAR Camping World Series East. It’s a factual tidbit that further motivates 16-year-old Brett Moffitt even more. Moffitt, driver of the No. 44 Andy Santerre Motorsports Chevrolet, has broken many records – youngest pole setter, youngest winner, and youngest driver to ever lead the point standings - and wants to add his name to the short list of rookie winners at the prestigious 1.058-mile oval.

            “We’re all very excited to be going to New Hampshire,” said Moffitt. “I want to win because, as a driver, I just want to be competitive anywhere I go. There is an added element at New Hampshire because we’ll be right there with the Cup guys and it’s a chance to showcase this team in front of them.”

            Moffitt’s competitive drive has fueled a level of success that rivals that of Sprint Cup Series driver Joey Logano. Car owner Andy Santerre can’t say enough about Moffitt’s talents, and the future he believes this driver has.

            “He’s one of the most consistent and smooth drivers I’ve ever had in this car,” said Santerre, who has gained a reputation as picking some of the most talented drivers to pilot his cars. “One of his strongest attributes is that he is able to adapt really quick. That’s important when you’re going from short tracks to road courses to, now, our superspeedway. Brett is able to change his mindset and drive each variety of track as if he has driven on them all his life.”

            Moffitt has accomplished in the last five years what some drivers only dream about. He began racing at the age of 11 in go-karts, and has since won four WKA Championships, an IKF Championship, has won 26 IMCA races, the All Iowa SportMod Points Championship, and won the ASA Late Model North series Rookie of the Year to name a few.

            “I would really like to make racing a career and become one of the top drivers in NASCAR,” said Moffitt. “I’m very lucky to have a very supportive family that has been with me every step of the way. We came into this season to race well and be consistent. This is only our second year on asphalt. We’ve started the season on a strong note and we’re doing what we need to do to try and win this championship.”

            The Heluva Good! Summer 125 takes the green flag at 5 p.m. eastern time on Friday, June 26^th. Moffitt enters the race as the NASCAR Camping World Series East point leader with 18 points over current runner-up Jody Lavender. Moffitt has one win, four top-five, and four top-10 finishes in just five starts.

            For more information on Brett Moffitt or Andy Santerre Motorsports, visit www.andysanterremotorsports or www.brettmoffitt.com.