NEWTON, Iowa (October 15, 2006) – Steve Wallace and the No. 61 Transamerica – Hantz Group crew once again made an impressive showing in the ARCA RE/MAX Series, capturing their fourth pole and third win of the 2006 season. Despite an early race close call and late race pressure from Kraig Kinser, Wallace dominated the majority of the race, leading 177 of the 250 lap-event. In the end, Wallace, whose father Rusty designed the 7/8-mile speedway, triumphed in the inaugural Prairie Meadows 250 at the Iowa Speedway.

Wallace escaped a close call during the opening laps of the race when he was battling for position with Juan Montoya. Wallace took the high line and made contact with Montoya, causing the two to make contact. The contact caused minor damage to the No. 61; however, Wallace easily recovered and quickly charged back to the front of the pack.

In the final laps of competition Kinser began to gain on the Transamerica – Hantz Group Dodge, however Wallace held him off and captured the checkers .208 seconds ahead of Kinser.

In addition to the win, Wallace earned the Pork Pole award on Saturday, allowing him to clinch the ARCA RE/MAX Series Pork Pole Award title for 2006 for earning the most poles for the season.

Rusty Wheels Son Steve’s ARCA Car

Iowa, (October 1st, 2006) - With Steve Wallace driving the Rusty Wallace, Inc Busch Series car in Kansas this weekend, car owner and father Rusty decided to pilot the No. 61 Hantz Group-Nu South Lemonade Dodge during the morning session of the Iowa Speedway open test. 

“I wanted to experience the track in a ‘real’ racecar, a big, heavy ARCA car,” said Wallace. “With Steven in Kansas, I decided to test the car for him here today, and I’ve got to tell you, this place is smooth and fast…everything I had hoped for during the design process."

Wallace, the 1989 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series champion, turned several laps before and after the press conference. He also made a late afternoon run that shot him to the top of the speed charts.   

“This is the first time I’ve been in a stock car in eight months. It felt great. Anyone who comes here to race is going to love this place.

DODGE MOTORSPORTS TO SPONSOR RWI RACING’S No. 61

Steve Wallace Will Pilot the NBS Entry at Dover, Texas, Phoenix and Homestead

 MOORESVILLE, N.C. ( September 18, 2006) – RWI Racing is pleased to announce Dodge Motorsports as the primary sponsor of Steve Wallace’s No. 61 entry in the NASCAR Busch Series. Wallace will pilot the Dodge Motorsports Dodge Charger at Dover, Texas, Phoenix and Homestead.

MORE...

MCMURRAY AND TOP-FLITE CAPTURED TOP-15 AT RICHMOND,

(Mooresville, NC 28117) -

Wallace Earns Pork Pole at Chicagoland; Third Career -

JOLIET IL (9-9-06)—Steve Wallace earned his third Pork Pole award of 2006 Friday afternoon at Chicagoland Speedway. The 19-year-old son of NASCAR Nextel Cup Series veteran Rusty Wallace posted a quick time of 30.489 seconds (177.113 mph) in his father’s No. 61 Nu South Lemonade-Hantz Group Dodge. He will start his Dodge Charger on the pole for Saturday’s SK Hand Tool 200 ARCA RE/MAX Series race, LIVE on SPEED at 2pm Eastern. 

“We’re trying some crazy setup stuff and it seemed to work pretty good,” said Wallace.

Read more...

Wallace Wheels at Chicagoland -

JOLIET IL (9-8-06)—Steve Wallace joined the elite company of Frank Kimmel and Ken Schrader as the only repeat winners in the 2006 ARCA RE/MAX Series season with his victory in the SK Hand Tool 200 at Chicagoland Speedway Saturday afternoon. 

Wallace crossed the checkers in his No. 61 Nu South Lemonade-Hantz Group Dodge 5.936 seconds ahead of runner-up finisher Blake Bjorklund to win his second ARCA RE/MAX Series race of 2006 and the third of his career.

In addition to his victory Saturday, Wallace posted the quickest speed during a practice session at Chicagoland on Friday and earned the Pork Pole Award with a time of 30.489 seconds (177.113 mph) around the 1.5-mile speedway. During the race, he also earned the Hurst Fastest Lap of the Race award with a speed of 171.527 mph (31.482 seconds).

Read more...

Chicagoland, IL (9-5-06)-

Toledo, MI (8-21-06)-

Simko Ready to Tackle Toledo

The Hantz Group sends Michael Simko and his Auburn Racing Team to Toledo Speedway for this Saturday’s Hantz Group 200.

In two previous starts for Simko under the Hantz Group banner they have two top 10’s, with a 7th place finish at Toledo in the spring and a 10th place finish at Berlin.

“We’ve run better than the results have shown so far this year,” stated Simko, “We were fast at Salem, battled for a win at Winchester and ran decent at Toledo and Berlin. We had an excellent test at Toledo last week and we’re expecting big things from the #65 Hantz Group Chevy this weekend.”

Michael has a good deal of experience at Toledo Speedway in both the ARCA RE/MAX Series and multiple Super Late Model series. However, experience hasn’t always meant a walk in the park.

“This place is tough for us. No matter what we’re driving, we always unload fast and I feel really comfortable here, but it feels like a roller coaster at Toledo. We picked up a 6th place finish in our second ARCA race, here at Toledo, and it’s been a battle ever since. It’s been a mixture of everything, solid runs and good finishes, parts failures, ill-handling cars, pit troubles and we’ve even been run into a few times,” said Simko. "But I know we’re going to be fast and I think we might have everything in line this weekend. With all of the support we’ve been given from the Hantz Group and their people, we feel like we’re set up to do well. I just want to personally thank John Hantz and everyone over there for all of their help this year and we’d love to give them a win to show our appreciation.”

The Hantz Group has stepped up their motorsports program this year with sponsorship of Rusty Wallace, Inc. on the speedways and Auburn Racing Ent. on the short tracks and been title sponsor of  four races on the ARCA RE/MAX schedule with great success.

“We have had a great year so far, two wins, 4 top 5’s and 7 top 10’s in just 8 races," said Aaron Thierry, Vice-President of Marketing for Hantz Group. "We’ve been a contender in every race and our employees and clients have really enjoyed what we’ve accomplished. With the success we’ve had, we think we can have a great day at Toledo and hopefully add to that win total.”

BROOKLYN MI (8-21-06)-

Steve Wallace went to Michigan with high expectations, hoping for a repeat birthday celebration in the ARCA RE/MAX Series victory circle.

Though his finish didn’t meet his expectations, his performance and tenacity proved the young driver is on the right track for a successful future.

Wallace qualified second for Friday’s ARCA RE/MAX Series’ Hantz Group 200 at Michigan International Speedway. In just five laps of competition, he had wheeled the No. 61 Hantz Group – Nu South Lemonade Dodge to a considerable lead. Though he reported his RWI Racing machine was experiencing tight handling conditions, he continued to run out front, leading 56 of the 103-lap event.

As things were looking promising for the Hantz Group – Nu South Lemonade team, trouble struck on the No. 61’s second pit stop of the race when Wallace, along with Burney Lamar and Brad Coleman were penalized for exiting pit road improperly. The three were sent to the tail end of the lead lap and would be forced to race back to the front with less than 30 laps left in the race.

Wallace was encourage by his team to get through traffic efficiently and that is just what he did, within seven laps he had gained 10 positions and was steadily gaining on the leaders. He was running in fourth place on lap 89 when he brushed the wall, demolishing his right front tire. With nothing to gain, the team opted to send Wallace to the garage, relegating him to a 33rd-place finish.

"My Hantz Group – Nu South Lemonade Dodge was awesome all day,” Wallace said after climbing out of his car. “We were sent to the tail end of the longest line after our second pit stop, apparently ARCA has different rules than NASCAR and I had to race my guts out to get back in the top-five. I guess I drove too hard and cut a tire. It’s disappointing for me and for the entire Hantz Group – Nu South Lemonade team; I wish I could have gotten a win here today.”

Detroit, Michigan (AUGUST 1, 2006) -

Steve Wallace to pull double duty at MIS

MEDIA ADVISORY

RWI Racing, LLC

161 Knob Hill Road Mooresville, NC 28117

RWI Racing PR, Le Anne Howell, lhowell@rwiracing.com

STEVE WALLACE TO TAKE SPECIAL TRIP

Driver to Visit Riley Hospital for Children  

MOORESVILLE, N.C. ( AUGUST 1, 2006) - Steve Wallace, driver of RWI Racing’s No. 64 entry in the NASCAR Busch Series is planning a special trip on Friday, August 4. Wallace will make a stop at the Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis, IN to tour the facility and visit with patients.

For the majority of the 2006 NASCAR Busch Series season, the Jackson Roscoe Foundation has adorned Wallace’s Dodge Charger. The foundation was created to serve as a legacy organization for Jackson Roscoe Hitchcock as means to assist children and families across America who suffer from the effects of infant congenital heart defects ( www.jacksonroscoe.org).

Jackson and his twin sister Morgan were born on September 13, 1999. Jackson suffered from transposition of the greater vessels in his heart and was transferred to Riley Children's Hospital in Indianapolis immediately after birth. Jackson underwent successful open-heart surgery when he was only seven days old. However, throughout the following eighty-three days of his life Jackson suffered numerous life threatening complications. On December 5, 1999, Jackson lost his battle.

“I am looking forward to the trip to Riley Hospital,” said Wallace. “The visit will be special and it hits close to home with the Jackson Roscoe Foundation. I am excited to visit some of the children and hopefully put a smile on their faces.”

About RWI Racing, LLC

Mooresville, NC-based RWI Racing, LLC is a premier auto racing team that competes in the NASCAR Busch Series. It was founded in 2004 by legendary racing driver Rusty Wallace and scored its first series victory the same season. The team currently campaigns the number 64 Dodge, driven by Jamie McMurray and Steve Wallace, with primary sponsorship from The Top-Flite Golf Company, the Jackson Roscoe Foundation and USG Durock. For more on RWI Racing, please visit http://www.rwiracing.com.

For more information on the Jackson Roscoe Foundation, please visit www.jacksonroscoe.org

###

For RWI Racing, LLC media inquiries contact Le Anne Howell at (704) 799-2700 (office), (704) 202-1564 (cell) or by email at lhowell@rwiracing.com

July 29th, 2006

Mooresville, North Carolina Race Report -

July 21st, 2006

STEVE WALLACE FASTEST IN MARTINSVILLE OPEN TEST SESSION 

MARTINSVILLE, Va. (July 20, 2006) – Steve Wallace, driver of the No. 64 Jackson Roscoe Dodge took to Martinsville Speedway today for the NASCAR Busch Series’ open-test session at the .526 mile Virginia track. Even though this was Wallace’s first experience at the Series’ shortest track, the young driver laid down the fastest lap of the day with a time of 20.027 seconds.

“Man, my car was awesome today,” Wallace, said. “My dad was here earlier to help me with my set up and the car was pretty close to perfect. I am excited about racing Martinsville, especially after today.”

The NASCAR Busch Series will resume regular track activity tomorrow at 3:30 p.m. ET, with Busch Series practice.

Simko Teams With Hantz Group for Berlin

SOUTHFIELD MI (7-12-06)--Michael Simko and the Hantz Group pair up for another run at a win in the Sara Lee/GFS Marketplace 200 at Berlin.

On the heels of a career best speedway qualifying effort of 6th in Kentucky last week, Simko looks forward to getting back to short track racing in his home state. 

“We had a really strong car last weekend but we got caught up in someone else’s wreck and our day ended early. It’ll be nice to get in the short track car again,” stated Simko. “I love racing at short tracks, especially around home, they are so much easier to manage financially and we’re always competitive.” 

The Hantz Group comes back on board for round two of their three-race sponsorship of Michael and the Auburn Racing team. The first race with the Hantz Group aboard the #45 ended with a seventh-place finish in the Hantz Group 200 at Toledo Speedway on May 21st.

This week the Hantz Group Monte Carlo will also take part in the Holland Police Department’s annual Race Day. The event will be held Friday, July 15th from 5-7pm at the Holland Meijer store. 

“Our overall goal is to convince the minority of “non restraint users” to start using their seat belts and to remind those that do buckle up to keep up the good work. If the event convinces even a small number of people to start using seatbelts it will be well worth the effort put forth by all involved and hopefully lives will be saved,” said Aaron Thierry, Vice-president of Hantz Group Racing.

Immediately following Race Day in Holland, Simko will load the car back up and head to Berlin where he had a test session two weeks ago.

When asked how it went, Michael said, “The test went really smooth. The goal was to get some laps in, since we haven’t been there before, and not only did we accomplish that but we were pretty quick all day, as well. I think once we go back, after making a few minor adjustments and get around some other cars we’ll be really good. I’m looking forward to the race. I just want to thank John Hantz and the rest of the folks at the Hantz Group for all of their support and confidence. Teaming up with Mr. Hantz and his people has been a huge boost for our team. I just want to be competitive for them and give them something to be proud of.”

The Hantz Group recently opened a new office in Grandville (2855 44th Street S.W., Suite 200, Grandville, MI 49418) and will be bringing out 450 clients to cheer on the #45 car on Saturday.

June 26tth, 2006

Arca Kansas Preview -

June 16th, 2006

Click here for video coverage of the Hantz Group 200!

Hantz Group 200

He's a regular in the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series, but Friday afternoon it was all ARCA for David Stremme, who handily won the Hantz Group 200 ARCA RE/MAX Series event at Michigan International Speedway. Stremme lapped the entire field, and was the only driver to complete all 100 laps of the 200-mile event.

"I used to do that a lot," said Stremme, referring to the fact that he lapped the field. "But as you move up, there's more competition. The ARCA series is tough, so this is pretty cool, but my focus is on the Cup race this Sunday."

It marked the first time since Frank Kimmel's 2002 victory over Robert Burroughs at Nashville Superspeedway that an ARCA RE/MAX Series race finished with only one driver on the lead lap.

It was also the first time since Scott Goodyear's 1994 victory in a CART Indy Car that a race at Michigan finished with only one car on the lead lap. Stremme's victory also marked the 10th time a winner lapped the field at Michigan.

In addition, Stremme established a new race record speed of 145.956 mph, eclipsing the old mark of 142.461 mph set by Ron Barfield in 1996.

Stremme took the lead on lap one, and led a total of 99 laps of the 100 lap race, relinquishing the top position only once on lap 42 to pit, taking on four tires and fuel in his Rusty Wallace-owned Hantz Group-Nu South Lemonade Dodge.

The South Bend, Indiana native used the wide, quick Michigan racing surface to weave in and out of lapped traffic. By the halfway mark, he was one of only two drivers on the lead lap. The other driver was Penske developmental driver Billy Wease, in the No. 27 Kodak Dodge.

Just seven laps later, however, Stremme lapped Wease, and never looked back. Wease, an open-wheel standout making his second ARCA RE/MAX Series attempt this weekend, settled for second

Click here for video coverage of the Hantz Group 200!

June 13th , 2006

STREMME TO PULL DOUBLE DUTY AT MIS

Nextel Cup Rookie Will Pilot RWI Racing’s No. 61 Hantz Group – Nu South Lemonade Dodge Friday’s ARCA RE/MAX Series Race 

MOORESVILLE, N.C. (June 12, 2006) – Nextel Cup rookie David Stremme will compete for the second straight weekend in both the NASCAR Nextel Cup and ARCA RE/MAX Series races. Stremme, who drives the No. 40 Coors Light/Lone Star Steakhouse & Saloon Dodge in NASCAR’s Premier Series, will also drive RWI Racing’s No. 61 Hantz Group – Nu South Lemonade Dodge in the ARCA RE/MAX race at Michigan International Speedway.

“Racing is racing,” Stremme said during an ARCA test at MIS. “I am a racer and anytime I can get behind the wheel and compete I’m all for it. Rusty (Wallace, car owner) has great equipment and I am excited to get the chance to race for fun. I’m looking forward to hopefully pulling off a win in Michigan.”

Steven Wallace usually drives the No. 61 Hantz Group – Nu South Lemonade Dodge, however scheduling conflicts made a fill-in driver necessary. “Stremme was the obvious choice,” said Rusty Wallace. “With Steve racing in Kentucky we needed a fill-in, David Stremme was first on our list. The kid is a racer and I knew he’d be great. He has a lot of talent and I am expecting a win in Michigan.”

“We are extremely excited about having David step in for Steve this weekend for the Hantz Group 200 at Michigan International Speedway,” said Aaron Thierry, Vice President of Hantz Group Racing. “Rusty (Wallace, team owner) and his organization do a great job of understanding our needs and making sure they exceed them. We are proud to be a part of their ARCA RE/MAX program and look forward to much success in Michigan.”

###

About RWI Racing, LLC

Mooresville, NC-based RWI Racing, LLC is a premier auto racing team that competes in the NASCAR Busch Series.  It was founded in 2004 by legendary racing driver Rusty Wallace and scored its first series victory the same season.  The team currently campaigns the number 64 Dodge, driven by Jamie McMurray and Steve Wallace, with primary sponsorship from The Top-Flite Golf Company.  For more on RWI Racing, please visit http://www.rwiracing.com.

About United Beverage Group, LLC

United Beverage Group, LLC is an Atlanta based company that was formed to provide the highest quality and refreshing beverages to consumers that would meet their diverse taste and on the go lifestyles. United Beverage Group specializes in delivering teens and young adult’s new and exciting beverage flavors and packaging styles that larger beverage companies can’t or won’t provide. Our portfolio of brands includes Nu South and Southern Sippers Lemonades, Sodas and Ice Tea. For more information, please visit             http://www.ubev.com

About the Hantz Group

Founded in 1998, Hantz Financial Services, Member NASD/SIPC, is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Hantz Group. The Hantz Group is a full-service financial holding company with 24 locations in Michigan and Ohio serving over 18,000 clients with over $1.3 billion in assets under management. With over 500 employees, the full service company provides financial planning, tax planning, investment products, and mortgages through its affiliates. For more information, please visit www.hantzgroup.com

June 12th , 2006

Nashville Race Report 6-10-2006 -

June 8th , 2006

David Stremmet Arca Announcment-

June 3rd , 2006

Dover Race Report -

May 30th, 2006

NEXTEL CUP REGULAR DAVID STREMME TO RUN HANTZ GROUP 200 AT MIS ON JUNE 16

STREMME TAKES LAPS AT MIS IN NO. 61 RWI NU SOUTH LEMONADE-HANTZ GROUP DODGE

BROOKLYN, Mich. (May 23, 2006) – “Racing’s racing,” says David Stremme, who will be at Michigan International Speedway for the June 16-18 race weekend.

However, this time he will not only race his No. 40 Lone Star Steakhouse/Coors Light Dodge in the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series 3M Performance 400 presented by Post-it Picture Paper, but also in the ARCA RE/MAX Series Hantz Group 200, taking over the wheel of the No. 61 RWI Nu South Lemonade-Hantz Group Dodge from Steve Wallace.

Stremme, along with 12 other ARCA RE/MAX Series drivers, took laps Tuesday in an open test session in preparation for the June 16 Hantz Group 200 at MIS.

Wallace, the son of NASCAR legend Rusty Wallace and the newly-minted youngest winner in MIS history, is unable to compete in the ARCA series at MIS in June because of his commitments to the NASCAR Busch Series event in Kentucky, so Stremme will fill in for the young Wallace and make just the second ARCA start of his career.

Though the NEXTEL Cup road has been tough for Stremme so far in his rookie season, the 28-year-old native of South Bend, Indiana is not discouraged. Despite a 2006 repertoire that includes a high finish of 21st (at Texas in April), Stremme remains excited about being behind the wheel.

“Rusty asked me (to substitute) when we were at Talladega,” said Stremme. “They had a conflict with Steve running the Busch race and he asked if I wanted to race, so I agreed. Racing’s racing, you know. Rusty’s got a really good team with some nice equipment, and also, you get to drive for Rusty Wallace, so that’s pretty cool as well. It’s cool coming up here anyways, since I’m from this part of the country.”

Though an elusive win in NASCAR’s highest series stays higher on Stremme’s priority list, he admits that winning an ARCA race would be encouraging.

“Winning anything is good,” he said. “The thing is just to help Rusty and his team out. Sponsors can be hard to come by, so I’ll do whatever I can to help them out. I like to go out and represent them.”

The admiration is mutual. The Wallace’s believe that Stremme can represent them well. Steve Wallace considers Stremme a close friend, and his confidence in him is plentiful.

“Stremme’s going to run (the June race), and he’s run really well too so it should definitely be a good weekend for him and our car,” said Wallace, who attended the test session but did not get behind the wheel. “I know him well. We live about a quarter-mile apart and we go out on the lake every weekend together, so I’ve known David for a while. We’re pretty good friends.”

Though he’ll be busy running the Busch Series in June, Wallace will make his return to MIS in August for double-duty where he will try to defend the ARCA RE/MAX Series Hantz Group 200 title he earned on the day after his 18th birthday in 2005. He’ll also attempt to qualify for the NASCAR Busch Series Carfax 250 on August 19. He admits that a repeat of his birthday party in Gatorade Victory Lane would be a very solid finish to his weekend at Michigan.

“It’s a very cool race track to come back to,” he said. “Dad’s got some victories here, and I’ve got a victory here. Whenever you win, it’s a big deal, and especially here, since Michigan’s the home of all the car manufacturers. You get a lot of respect, a lot of attention.

An MIS sweep in 2006 by the No. Hantz Group Dodge 61 car would not be too far-fetched. Though he has just one ARCA start under his belt, Stremme was the 2003 NASCAR Busch Series Rookie of the Year and has already raced in two Busch events at Michigan. Wallace, aside from winning at Michigan last season, has enjoyed success already this season after entering two ARCA RE/MAX Series races. In his two races, he has won two poles, and at Kentucky, he set a track qualifying record and earned a victory.

“It’s definitely been a good year. We had a good car at Nashville, but we lost first, second, and third gear. All we had was fourth gear so we had trouble on the restarts and wound up finishing 10th. I think we could have won that race too, but overall, everything’s going good,” said Wallace.

Stremme is undoubtedly looking forward to his double dip at MIS in June. Though success in the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series might bring him more fame, he thoroughly enjoys any type of racing and relishes the chance to drive for a legend such as Rusty Wallace.

“You have to and want to race against the very best, so its good experience for everyone,” said Stremme. “We’re here to race. You shouldn’t be penalized and not be allowed to run certain series. It’s fun and we’d race seven days a week if we could.”

With an attitude like that, the future is bright for Stremme and if his love for racing translates to track success, it could be a solid summer for the No. 61 Hantz Group Dodge in Michigan.

Tickets for the ARCA RE/MAX Series Hantz Group 200, along with seats to both NEXTEL Cup Series races at MIS, the June 18 3M Performance 400 presented by Post-it® Picture Paper and the August 20 GFS Marketplace 400, are currently on sale at MIS’ official website, www.MISpeedway.com, or by calling the MIS ticket hotline at 1-800-354-1010. Tickets to all other events, which include the IRL IndyCar Series, NASCAR Busch Series, and the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series are also now available.

For tickets and information regarding events at MIS, log on to www.MISpeedway.com, or call the MIS ticket hotline at 1-800-354-1010.

CONTACT:

Bill Janitz, MIS Director of Public Relations (517) 592-1272 or bjanitz@mispeedway.com

Dennis Worden, MIS Manager of Public Relations (517) 592-1204 or dworden@mispeedway.com

May 30th, 2006

Steve Wallace to Tackle Monster Mile -

May 24th, 2006

Simko Solid in Toledo

CLARKSTON, MI (5-23-06)--Michael Simko and his Auburn Racing Team went to Toledo with a new sponsor and some good momentum and came away with a solid top ten.

May 26th, 2006 - Hantz Group 200

Ken Schrader, in his own Federated Auto Parts Chevrolet, held off hard charges from Justin Allgaier and Frank Kimmel to capture the Hantz Group 200 presented by Federated Car Care at Toledo Speedway Sunday afternoon, winning by a margin of victory of just .092 seconds.

Clarkston, Michigan's Michael Simko, finished seventh in the Hantz Group Chevrolet. Michael was competitive all day and finished on the lead lap.

May 23rd, 2006

Coleman, Stremme, Lusk, Crocker Lead in MIS Testing

BROOKLYN, MI (5-23-06) – ARCA RE/MAX Series rookie Brad Coleman led the charts in open testing here Tuesday morning at Michigan Int’l Speedway. Coleman, in a #62 Brewco Motorsports Federated Car Care Ford, unofficially posted quick time at 39.500, a speed of 182.278 mph.

NASCAR Nextel Cup Series driver David Stremme, in the #61 RWI Nu South Lemonade-Hantz Group Dodge, was second quickest at 39.650, a speed of 181.589 mph. “I didn’t even find out about this test till last week,” said Stremme. “Rusty (Wallace) asked me at Talladega if I would help out for the race, and I said, sure. Heck I’d race seven days a week if I could. But Steve’s got other commitments that day, so I’m going to run the ARCA race at MIS.” 

Steve Wallace, who won the ARCA RE/MAX Series Hantz Group 200 at MIS in 2005, and won most recently at Kentucky Speedway on May 13th, was also here to assist in Stremme’s effort. 

“MIS is a very cool racetrack,” said Wallace. “My dad’s won here a lot, and so for us to come out last year and win was really special. David’s (Stremme) gunna run the car for us at MIS in the ARCA race; I’m going to be running the Busch car at Kentucky that day. 

“But ARCA’s a great series, and there’s so much more competition here than there used to be. I mean you’ve got Yates, Evernham, Ganassi, all the big guys from Cup here, so winning here’s a pretty big deal. Where else can you run superspeedways outside of NASCAR and get all this experience? Winning doesn’t hurt your confidence one bit either; I can tell you that. Winning here at MIS helps build respect too. You’ve got all the Cup people here and watching; it’s a heck of a playground. It just helps build respect. I don’t guess we can ever get enough of that.”

May 16th, 2006

Hantz Group Signs Simko for Short-Tracks; Begins at Toledo

SOUTHFIELD MI (5-15-06) – Michigan based financial holding company, The Hantz Group, has announced that they are adding to their racing resume by joining forces with Michael Simko and Auburn Racing.  Beginning with the Hantz Group 200 presented by Federated Car Care at Toledo Speedway on May 21st, the #45 Auburn Racing Monte Carlo will carry the Hantz Group name as primary sponsor and will have an in-car camera for two races, including the second Hantz Group 200 at Toledo Speedway and the Sara Lee/GFS Marketplace 200 at Berlin Raceway on July 15th.  “We are extremely excited about our partnership with Auburn Racing and the Simko family,” said Aaron Thierry, Vice President of Hantz Group Racing, “They have given us the opportunity to continue building a well rounded racing program. With Steve Wallace competing on the larger speedways and Michael (Simko) competing on the short tracks we feel like we have a good chance to win at every track we go to.”  Wallace, in the Nu South Lemonade-Hantz Group Dodge, won the Harley Davidson of Cincinnati 150 Saturday night at Kentucky Speedway.   Simko, a second-generation ARCA RE/MAX Series racer, heads to Toledo with his own brand of short-track momentum. In addition to a solid fourth place finish in the ARCA RE/MAX Series race at Winchester Speedway on May 7th, Simko won the ARCA Late Model main event at Flat Rock Speedway on April 29th.   “We couldn’t be happier about this partnership,” stated Simko, “The Hantz Group coming on board is a huge boost for this team from a financial and a promotional standpoint. The Hantz Group has a track record of putting fast cars on the race track and with our success at the short tracks of the ARCA REMAX Series, we think we can keep up that track record.  “It doesn’t hurt that our team has had some very strong short-track efforts recently. We have an excellent short-track program, and with the Hantz Group on board, it can only be better.”  The Hantz Group is the title sponsor for the May 21st Toledo ARCA RE/MAX Series race and will have approximately 1,000 employees, friends and family on hand to cheer the #45 car to victory.  In 31 career ARCA RE/MAX Series starts, Simko has nine top-10 finishes including a career-best third at Salem Speedway in 2005. Simko’s best Toledo finish was sixth in 2000. His best superspeedway finishes include a seventh at Chicagoland Speedway in 2004, an eighth at Kentucky in 2003 as well as a pair of 10th place finishes at Chicagoland in 2005 and Lowe’s Motor Speedway in 2004.

May 15th, 2006

Wallace Wins at Kentucky

SPARTA, KY (5-13-06)--Not even Mother Nature could stop Steve Wallace from securing an ARCA RE/MAX Series victory at Kentucky Speedway on Saturday. 

Wallace, in the Nu South Lemonade-Hantz Group Dodge, withstood numerous rain delays, several periods of caution, and a hard-charging fellow rookie to win the Harley-Davidson of Cincinnati 150 by .229 seconds over Brewco Motorsports’ Brad Coleman.  

“We sat on the pole today,” said Wallace. “We broke the track record and we won the race. A pretty good day.”  Results

After setting a new track record and earning the Pork Pole Award earlier in the day, Wallace would go on to dominate the fifth ARCA RE/MAX Series event of 2006, leading 63 of 103 laps on the cold and rainy May Kentucky day. 

In fact, just about the only thing hotter than Wallace this weekend was his victory lane burnout (right), which left an actual trail of flames in the infield grass after some of the rubber he put down caught fire. 

The race was lengthened by two laps to accommodate a green flag finish after a lap 96 incident in which Brandon Knupp spun on the frontstretch.  

When the race resumed on lap 101, Coleman got within a half-length of Wallace’s rear bumper but could not find a way around the eventual winner. 

“Today was great,” said Coleman. “Probably one of the longest days I ever had at a racetrack. Just too much rain.” 

Matt McCall, a developmental driver for Robert Yates Racing, finished third in the no. 55 Citifinancial Ford. 

“It was a good race,” said McCall. “Pit stops were really awesome. Robert Yates Racing gave us a good opportunity and you got to make the best out of it."

Justin Allgaier, in the Hoosier Tire Midwest-Trashman-USAF Chevrolet, finished fourth, while Frank Kimmel’s teammate, Ryan Foster, finished fifth in the no. 47 Frank Kimmel Racing Ford. Chuck Weber, Blake Bjorklund, Billy Venturini, David Odell and Josh Krug rounded out the top 10. 

Persistent showers backed up the start of the event 3 hours, relegating the race to a 6:00 pm start time. However, the diverse touring series would only make 32 laps around the 1.5-mile speedplant before another bout of inclement weather would force ARCA RE/MAX Series officials to put out the red flag. 

However, those first 32 laps contained their share of headlines, as Wallace and Kimmel, in the no. 46 Pork the Other White Meat Ford, found themselves battling back and forth for the lead throughout many of the race’s initial laps.  

The landscape of the race would change drastically, however, on lap 24, when Kimmel, a four-time Kentucky Speedway winner, found himself in the turn three wall racing Wallace for the lead in lapped traffic.  

“We went down the back stretch four wide and the lapped cars backed off and me and Frank collided,” said Wallace. “These lapped cars tonight were absolutely horrible. They wrecked Frank Kimmel and they just about wrecked me. It was horrible.” 

The Tri-State Motorsports team went to work, bringing the no. 46 down pit road several times to make repairs to Kimmel’s racecar, which now looked more like a modified than a full-bodied stock car.  

Soon after, raindrops began to fall on the speedway again, causing the red flag to wave with Wallace leading the event, followed by Scott Lagasse Jr. and Justin Allgaier. 

It would be a full one hour and forty-five minutes later when racing would resume. Wallace continued his lead on the restart, with Allgaier and Lagasse battling for second. 

Terry Jones would bring out the caution after tagging the turn four wall, giving the leaders the perfect opportunity to pit. 

With the leaders taking on fresh tires and gas, Andrew Meyers, foregoing the opportunity to pit, assumed the lead. However, that decision would be ill-fated as the gamble caused Meyers to run out of gas on lap 67 while the field was under caution.  

Shawn Parker earned SK Crew Chief of the Race honors for his efforts in helping Coleman achieve a second-place finish. Coleman would earn the Hurst Shifters Fastest Car of the Race award and was also the highest-finishing rookie. Billy Venturini earned Hoosier Tire Hard Charger honors. 

TOP-10 ARCA RE/MAX SERIES POINTS AFTER THE HARLEY-DAVIDSON OF CINCINNATTI 150 AT KENTUCKY SPEEDWAY

1) Bobby Gerhart, 1210; 2) TJ Bell 1165; 3) Damon Lusk, 1130; 4) Billy Venturini, 1125; 5) Frank Kimmel, 1105; 6) Ryan Foster, 1030; 7) Brett Rowe, 945; 8) Ken Weaver, 940; 9) Ryan Howard, 925; 10) Chuck Weber, 890. 

CONTACTS:
ARCA PR/Media, office (734) 847-6726
Don Radebaugh, cell (419) 450-0611
Jackie L. Franzil, cell (419) 574-2685

May 10th, 2006  

- Steve Wallace at the Kentucky Speedway

May 8th, 2006  

- Richmond Race Report - 5.5.06

- Nascar Media Report

May 4th, 2006  

Wallace, Lusk, Diercks Lead in Kentucky Testing

SPARTA KY (5-1-06) - Racing legacy Steve Wallace was one of 19 ARCA RE/MAX Series drivers visiting Kentucky Speedway Monday to prepare for the May 13 “Harley-Davidson of Cincinnati 150.” The fifth race on the ARCA RE/MAX Series docket will mark the sixth time the series will officially open a Kentucky Speedway season. Wallace took time out of his busy practice schedule to meet local media and preview his second of seven scheduled ARCA RE/MAX Series starts this season. “There are a bunch of short track starter series, but there’s no superspeedway starter series,” he said. “The ARCA RE/MAX cars are the same as NASCAR, the motors are the same and the tires are about 90 percent there. This is an awesome, incredible starter series for young drivers to cut their teeth on larger tracks.” In addition to running in at least seven ARCA RE/MAX Series events in 2006, Wallace is also scheduled to compete in 14 NASCAR Busch Series events this season including the June 17 “Meijer 300 Presented by Oreo” at Kentucky Speedway.   He added the top NASCAR teams also recognize the value of grooming up-and-coming talent in the series and the presence of those big-team entries will make for an exciting “Harley-Davidson of Cincinnati 150.”  “The ARCA competition level is not as high as it would be in the Busch Series where 43 teams have a chance to win the race every week, but it has gone way up. You have Yates, Penske, Roush, Evernham and Rusty Wallace, Inc., in the series now, so there are some big teams.” Representatives of those teams will take the “Harley-Davidson of Cincinnati 150” green flag along with ARCA RE/MAX Series regulars such as four-time Kentucky Speedway race winner Frank Kimmel at 3:00 p.m., next Saturday. Speedway gates will open at 9:00 a.m., with ARCA Lincoln Welders Truck Series practice. ARCA RE/MAX Series qualifying will follow 9:45 a.m., and the truck series will return to the paved quarter-mile track for the “Kentucky 100” race at 1:30 p.m. Opening day also includes a noon concert with female country music quintet Cowboy Crush. CBS Televison “Amazing Race” winner the Linz Family of Cincinnati will serve as the race grand marshal. All event tickets are $35. Tickets can be reserved online at www.kentuckyspeedway.com and Tickets.com or by phone at 888-652-RACE. Fans also can purchase tickets in person at Meijer stores, the Kentucky Speedway Ft. Mitchell, Ky., ticket office at 2216 Dixie Hwy., Ste. 200, or in the speedway Fan Center located off of Interstate 71 Exit 57 in Sparta, Ky.   Kentucky Speedway Contacts: Tim Bray , 859-578-2694 / 859-991-1005 (mobile) / tbray@kentuckyspeedway.comThis email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it or Mike Schmaltz, 859-578-2692 / 859-991-0988 (mobile) / mschmaltz@kentuckyspeedway.comThis email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it. NOTES: In separate incidents, Bernie Evans made contact with the turn 2 wall, and Justin Allgaier made contact with the turns 3 and 4 wall. There were no injuries. Blake Bjorklund also spun in turn 4 with no contact. In addition, Todd Hansen broke an engine.     ARCA RE/MAX SERIES OPEN TEST Kentucky Speedway, Sparta KY, 5-1-06 Unofficial Results, Harley-Davidson of Cincinnati 150 NO DRIVER/HOMETOWN CAR TIME SPEED 1 61 Steve Wallace/Mooresville NC Dodge 30.890 174.814 2 65 Damon Lusk/Kennewick WA Dodge 31.190 173.132 3 70 Justin Diercks/Davenport IA Chevrolet 31.340 172.304 4 9l Donny Lia/Huntington NY Dodge 31.500 171.429 5 32 Blake Bjorklund/Isanti MN Dodge 31.520 171.320 6 3 Jeremy Clements/Spartanburg SC Chevrolet 31.530 171.265 7 9h Matt Hagans/Indianapolis IN Dodge 31.540 171.211 8 16 Justin Allgaier/Springfield IL Chevrolet 31.560 171.103 9 6 Dexter Bean/Westby WI Chevrolet 31.590 170.940 10 2 Justin Marks/Rocklin CA Pontiac 31.650 170.616 11 7 Andrew Myers/Newport Beach CA Chevrolet 31.690 170.401 12 39 Todd Hansen/Minneapolis MN Chevrolet 31.870 169.438 13 52 Todd Schendel/Sparta WI Chevrolet 31.880 169.385 14 64 Josh Allison/Martinsville IN Dodge 31.880 169.385 15 63 Dawayne Bryan/Lake Alfred FL Dodge 31.940 169.067 16 64d Paul Beregszaszy/Phoenix AZ Dodge 32.430 165.512 17 8 Howard Bixman/Holly MI Ford 32.980 163.736 18 34 Dugan Basham/Henryville IN Chevrolet 36.290 148.801 19 98 Bernie Evans/Knoxville TN Dodge 36.860 146.500

May 2nd, 2006  

- No 64 2006 Racing Results

April 27th, 2006  

- Talladega Preview

 LEBANON, Tenn. (April 15, 2006)

- Race Report

STEVE WALLACE PULLS DOUBLE DUTY IN MUSIC CITY
A Weekend Full of Ups and Downs Ends on a High Note

Steve Wallace pulled double duty this weekend at the Nashville Superspeedway, competing in both the ARCA RE/MAX Series and NASCAR Busch Series races. In a weekend full of highs and lows, Wallace brought home his first ARCA RE/MAX Series Pork Pole Award and two top-15 finishes.

Wallace captured the Pork Pole Award on Friday evening and things looked good for the No. 61 Hantz Group-Nu South Lemonade Dodge team going into Saturday’s PFG Lester 150. Green flag racing commenced and within several laps, Wallace began to experience loose handling conditions. Despite the problems, Wallace managed to keep the Hantz Group-Nu South Dodge in the top-five. Numerous cautions would fall throughout the race, allowing the No. 61 to make adjustments to remedy the loose handling and Wallace remained in top-five contention. However, during the final caution flag, Wallace reported that he had lost first and second gears. For the green-white-checker finish, Wallace would start his Dodge in third gear allowing several cars to pass on the restart. In spite of the difficulties, Wallace managed to hold on for a 10th-place finish.

Though disappointed with the results of the ARCA RE/MAX race, Wallace quickly refocused and changed suits for the NASCAR Busch Series Pepsi 300, only an hour later.

Wallace rolled off the grid in a less than stellar 35th position. Though the No. 64 Jackson Roscoe Foundation team had their work cut out for them, Wallace was in high spirits and pleased with the handling of the car. Wallace avoided trouble throughout the 11 cautions in the race and managed to keep the No. 64 in the top-20 for the majority of competition. The Jackson Roscoe Foundation Dodge took the checkers in 12th-place, besting Wallace’s NASCAR Busch Series career-best finish of 15th.

Wallace will make his next ARCA RE/MAX Series start on May 13 in Kentucky, his next NASCAR Busch Series race will be at Richmond International Raceway on May 5.

Jamie McMurray will be back behind the wheel of the No. 64 Top-Flite Dodge next week for the NASCAR Busch Series’ Bashas’ Supermarkets 200 at Phoenix International Raceway. The race will be aired live Friday, April 21 on FX television and MRN radio at 8:00 p.m. EST.

LEBANON TN (4-14-06) - Steve Wallace posted the quickest time in Pork Pole qualifying Friday in preparation for Saturday’s PFG Lester 150 with a time of 29.835 seconds (160.845 mph) around the 1.33-mile Nashville Superspeedway. 

Wallace, in a Nu South Lemonade-Hantz Group Dodge fielded by his father, NASCAR Nextel Cup veteran Rusty Wallace, acknowledged that his racing career has benefited from his famous father. 

“It has been fun,” said Wallace. “He is just a dad to me. But has been a huge help in racing to me. He talks more on the radio than any other person I know. He talks me through everything.”   Official Starting Grid

Rusty made an appearance in victory lane after Pork Pole Qualifying, even sporting a Pork hat in honor of his son’s achievement. 

The younger Wallace made his ARCA RE/MAX Series debut in 2005, posting three top-ten finishes in four career starts, including one win at Michigan International Speedway in August, just one day after his eighteenth birthday. 

Wallace, who is slated to compete in seven ARCA RE/MAX Series events in 2006, is pulling double duty this weekend, with plans to compete in the PFG Lester 150 ARCA RE/MAX Series race and the same day NASCAR Busch Series event. 

Defending and seven-time ARCA RE/MAX Series champion Frank Kimmel, in the no. 46 Pork the Other White Meat Ford, posted the second quickest time, with a speed of 160.629 mph (29.875 seconds). 

“Excited to be on the front row at Nashville again,” said Kimmel. “We knew the car had more in it when we went out to practice and just hoped it would be good enough for a front row start. I’m real proud of the team for not only our start, but for our teammate Ryan Foster.” 

Foster, in his first career ARCA RE/MAX Series start, posted a speed of 157.240 mph (30.519 seconds). 

Rookie Brad Coleman, in a Brewco Motorsports entry with sponsorship from Federated Auto Parts, will start third on Saturday, with a time of 29.944 seconds (160.259 mph).  

“The car felt good for qualifying,” said Coleman. “We’re really happy and we should be happy with our finish tomorrow.” 

Coleman, who is making his career first superspeedway stock car start Saturday, plans to compete in a handful of ARCA RE/MAX Series events this season in conjunction with his duties for Brewco Motorsports in the NASCAR Busch Series. 

Erin Crocker, who is part of a driver development program for Evernham Motorsports, qualified fourth with a time of 30.014 seconds (159.885 mph). Yates Racing developmental driver Stephen Leicht rounded out the top five.

Mario Gosselin, who won at Nashville in 2003, starts sixth on Saturday after posting a time of 30.302 seconds (158.366 mph). 

Justin Diercks, Todd Hansen, Cale Gale and Brandon Knupp rounded out the top ten. 

“I think I had a little help from above today,” said Knupp, who dedicated his qualifying run to former ARCA RE/MAX Series champion driver and car owner Jack Bowsher, who passed away a week ago. “ I think Jack was telling me I needed to stand on it. We did good. I don’t know what to say, we drove her in there and it stuck.” 

Perhaps the most heartbroken driver after Pork Pole Qualifying was rookie Blake Bjorklund, who had posted the quickest speeds overall in practice this afternoon, only to spin during his qualifying run. 

Bjorklund, a rookie from Isanti, Minnesota, is one of 27 drivers going home early this weekend.

NASHVILLE TN (3-28-06) – Two-time ARCA RE/MAX Series Nashville Superspeedway winner Joey Miller was unofficially the fastest in morning testing Tuesday on the 1.33-mile concrete Nashville oval. Miller led the way with a speed of 159.123 mph. 

“Too bad we’re not running the race; this thing’s a rocket ship,” said Miller of his #15 Dodge. “We’re just here having some fun.” 

Steve Wallace (left), son of NASCAR Cup champion Rusty Wallace, was second quickest overall with a speed of 158.281 mph in the Nu South Lemonade-Hantz Group Dodge. 

“We’re really happy with the car,” said Wallace. “I think we can make it even better. We’re going to change some stuff chassis-wise and go from there. But there’s nothing wrong with where it’s at; but the name of the game is to make it better, and that’s what we’re going to do.

“I love this track; I’ve got quite a few laps here, so I’m very comfortable. When you’re comfortable, you go fast," added Wallace, who recently announced a seven-race ARCA RE/MAX Series schedule in 2006 including the PFG Lester 150 here at Nashville on April 15th.

Seven-time RE/MAX Series champion Frank Kimmel was third quickest in the Pork The Other White Meat Ford. 

“We’re really fast for about three laps, then it falls off,” said Kimmel. “We can either stay the same or go to work on it. We chose to work on it; we’re changing all four springs; we’ll see what that does. But the car’s really good; we’ve just got to make it consistently good.” 

Rookie Donny Lia, in Matt Hagans’ #9 Dodge, was fourth fastest.  

“We’ve got a really good car,” said Lia, who will debut with the series here at Nashville. “I learned that these cars are really easy to overdrive. Got myself in trouble out there one time….learned what I did wrong so I won’t make that mistake again. That’s what these test sessions are for….to learn. But the car’s working so well, I could see where it would be very easy to step over the edge with it…..as good as it’s sticking. Just need to learn where that edge is."

Erin Crocker was sixth overall in the Hamburger Helper Dodge. 

“We’re not quite as fast as we were last year here,” said Crocker. “But the guys are working on some things; I’m not sure what, but they know what they’re doing; that’s for sure. Overall, I’d say the car is very comfortable; I really like this track. I think we just need to get the chassis to handle just a little better and we’ll be fine.” 

Rookies’ Blake Bjorklund, Brad Coleman, Cale Gale, Matt McCall and Dawayne Bryan completed the top-10 respectively.

March 27, 2006

Steve Wallace to run 7 ARCA RE/MAX Series races in '06

Nu South Lemonade, Hantz Group Primary Sponsors

MOORESVILLE NC (3-27-06) - Rusty Wallace Inc. (RWI) Racing is pleased to announce the addition of the Hantz Group and Nu South Lemonade, a subsidiary of United Beverage Group, LLC to their roster of sponsors. Nu South Lemonade and Hantz Group will don Steve Wallace's No. 61 entry in the ARCA RE/MAX Series in 2006.

"We feel honored to be a part of a program with so much history behind it and we look forward to playing a key role in Steven's career as he makes his way to Nextel Cup," said John Hantz, CEO of the Hantz Group.

Wallace is slated to run seven ARCA RE/MAX Series races this season, including Nashville (April 15), Kentucky (May 13), Michigan (June 16 and August 10), Gateway (July 28), Talladega (October 6) and Iowa (October 15).

"RWI Racing is excited about the marketing partnership with the Hantz Group and Nu South Lemonade," said John Paysor, Vice President of Marketing and Sponsorships, Rusty Wallace, Inc. "The NASCAR audience and the Nu South market are a perfect fit, and through this relationship, we hope to bring brand awareness to their products."

In five ARCA RE/MAX Series starts, Wallace has three top-10 and two top-five finishes, including one win at Michigan International Speedway.

"United Beverage Group is proud to have Nu South Lemonade sponsor Steve Wallace in the ARCA RE/MAX Series," Mr. Warmack, United Beverage Group Founder and CEO said today. "Nobody represents the 'youthful and hip on-the-go lifestyle' of Nu South Lemonade drinkers more than Steve Wallace who makes left turns at 200 miles per hour for a living."

TOLEDO, OH January 19th, 2006

Hantz Group To Sponsor ARCA RE/MAX Series Races At Toledo

The Hantz Group, a Detroit-based full-service financial holding company, will again be the event title sponsor for both ARCA RE/MAX Series stock car races at Toledo Speedway in 2006, continuing a marketing partnership initiated in 2004.

The events, each of which carries the Hantz Group 200 title, are scheduled for Sun. May 21 and Friday Sept. 1 at the Toledo .5-mile paved oval track. Both Hantz Group 200 races are scheduled to be televised live on the SPEED network, as they were in 2005.

“We really look forward to the races at Toledo because our clients and employees really respond to the experience of being so close to the action,” said Aaron Thierry, Vice President of Hantz Group Racing. “The fall race last year was one of the best finishes anyone could ever see, with Frank Kimmel edging out David Ragan by 3 hundredths of a second (right). I don’t know many places you can witness racing at such a high level. It makes a non-race fan into a true racing fan.”

In 2005, NASCAR Nextel Cup Series driver Ken Schrader recorded his 12th career ARCA victory in the May Hantz Group 200 event, while 7-time and defending ARCA RE/MAX Series champion Frank Kimmel was victorious in the September race. Both events were run under the Hantz Group banner.

The nationally touring, nationally televised ARCA RE/MAX Series first appeared at Toledo Speedway in 1963, shortly after the track opened. Since that time, the Toledo, OH based stock car racing series has made 58 appearances at the famed high-banked short track. Kimmel leads all drivers with nine victories at Toledo Speedway, while Iggy Katona’s six fast qualifying runs lead the all-time list.

Benny Parsons, Davey Allison, Jeremy Mayfield and Michael Waltrip are just a few of the drivers that have participated in ARCA RE/MAX Series events at Toledo Speedway over the years.

“The Hantz Group 200 races at Toledo have become among the most anticipated short track races on the ARCA RE/MAX Series tour,” said Toledo Speedway General Manager Scott Schultz. “We’re proud to bring superspeedway-style stock car racing to Toledo. You never know who might be at the track, such as last May when Rusty Wallace showed up to watch his son Steve Wallace race.”

In May, a record 56 race teams entered the Hantz Group 200 event in an effort to qualify for the 35-car starting field, the largest entry field of the season for an ARCA RE/MAX Series short track event.

The 23-race ARCA RE/MAX Series season begins on Sat. Feb. 11 at Daytona Int’l Speedway. For the latest news, results and statistical information on the ARCA RE/MAX Series, visit arcaracing.com. Tickets to both the May 21 and Sept. 1 Hantz Group 200 ARCA RE/MAX Series events at Toledo Speedway are available by contacting the track at (419) 727-1100.

SOUTHFIELD, MI September 29th, 2005

It’s hard to believe that the 2005 ARCA RE/MAX Series season is coming to an end already, but as teams roll into Talladega Superspeedway they will be taking the green flag for the last time of the year.  

The Hantz Group and Cunningham Motorsports are very excited about the Food World 300 at Talladega and equally pleased with their accomplishments throughout the year.  

The team has acquired five top five finishes and 10 top tens throughout the season and have run up front at almost every race they attended this year which is quite a feat considering they had six different drivers in their race cars including Mike Guerity, Steve Wallace, Ronnie Hornaday III, Skip McCord, Roland Rehfeld and Chris Moore. 

Through it all the car sits 8th in car owner points heading into Talladega. 

“The team has had some adversity against them all year because it has been extremely difficult getting any chemistry going with so many different faces each weekend,” said Aaron Thierry, the Vice President of Hantz Group Racing. “But that just shows you how hard our team has worked to put up those kinds of numbers all year and that really embodies the spirit of our company.” 

The Hantz Group team will be taking chassis number 51 to Talladega, which is the car they finished 4th with at Daytona in February after qualifying 7th.  

And with a Mike Ege Racing Engine under the hood, horsepower should be no problem at Talladega.  

Mike Guerity will be back behind the wheel for the last race of the year coming off his impressive runner up finish during the Hantz Group 200 race at Michigan International Speedway in August. 

“I’m really excited about driving this car at Talladega,” said Guerity.  “It was nothing short of amazing at Daytona and never ran out of the top ten.  It practiced, qualified and ran top ten all week.  The Mike Ege engine was ridiculous.  Coming off the second place finish at Michigan I am really focused on finishing this year on a good note.” 

Furthermore, Cunningham Motorsports and the Hantz Group will be running an all-white car with sponsorship from Prudential Financial at Talladega. 

“I really appreciate everything that Prudential Financial has done for us this year,” said Guerity. “ They were on the car at both Pocono events where we finished 5th and 8th.  This car should look really sharp and I can’t wait for them to see it.  I am honored to be driving for the people at the Hantz Group and Prudential Financial and hopefully when the checkered flag drops we can bring home a win.”

-ARCA Racing

Hantz Group Happy with 2005 Season. Looking to Talladega September 21st, 2005

It’s hard to believe that the 2005 ARCA RE/MAX Series season is coming to an end already but as teams roll into Talladega they will be taking the green flag for the last time of the year. The Hantz Group and Cunningham Motorsports are very excited about the upcoming race at Talladega and equally pleased with their accomplishments throughout the year. They have 5 top five finishes and 10 top tens through the year and have run up front at almost every race they attended this year which is quite a feat considering they had 6 different drivers in their race cars including Mike Guerity, Steven Wallace, Ronnie Hornaday III, Skip McCord, Roland Rehfeld and Chris Moore. “The team has had some adversity against them all year because it has been extremely difficult getting any chemistry going with so many different faces each weekend,” said Aaron Thierry the Vice President of Hantz Group Racing, “but that just shows you how hard our team has worked to put up those kinds of numbers all year and that really embodies the spirit of our company.”

The Hantz Group team will be taking car #51 to Talladega. This is the car they finished 4th at Daytona in February after qualifying 7th. They will be running a Mike Ege Racing Engine just like the entire 2005 season and will be returning to Talladega with as much if not a little more horsepower than they had at Daytona earlier in the year. Mike Guerity will be back behind the wheel for the last race of the year coming off his impressive runner up finish during the Hantz Group 200 race at Michigan International Speedway in August. “I am really excited about driving this car at Talladega. It was nothing short of amazing at Daytona and never ran out of the top ten. It practiced, qualified and ran top ten all week. The Mike Ege engine was ridiculous. Coming off the second place finish at Michigan I am really focused on finishing this year on a good note” said Mike Guerity.

TOLEDO OH September 13th, 2005

If you’re looking for a job with the ARCA RE/MAX Series, you just may be in luck. A right rear tire changer position just opened up with Cunningham Motorsports—temporarily at least. 

Chris Moore won’t be turning wrenches at Salem Speedway or changing tires during pit stops. This weekend, he’s a wheelman instead. 

Moore will be driving the no. 4 Hantz Group Dodge for Cunningham Motorsports at Salem in Saturday night’s Eddie Gilstrap Motors Fall Classic 200 by Advance Auto Parts.

“I’d really like to thank Kerry Scherer and Eddie Sharp for giving me this opportunity,” said Moore. “Eddie knows what I need in a racecar and I trust him, so this is where I want to be.” 

Moore is no stranger to the ARCA RE/MAX Series, or to the Cunningham Motorsports racing operation. He moved to Mooresville, North Carolina with dreams of a racing career and quickly became an understudy of crew chief Eddie Sharp. 

When a full time driving opportunity with the ARCA RE/MAX Series did not materialize last winter, Moore rolled up his sleeves and went to work, as a full time crewmember.

Read more

-ARCA Racing

Chicagoland September 10, 2005

The # 4 Dodge finished practice with the seventh quickest lap. The team was looking forward to a possible top ten starting position. Unfortunately in trying to get everything he could out of the car Steve spun out on his qualifying lap and the team was forced to take a provisional starting position at the back of the field.

Crew chief Eddie Sharp took advantage of that fact that the #4 would start at the rear of the field. Eddie had Steve bring the car to pit road during the pace laps to change a rear spring. The changes worked and Steve moved trough the field, consistently running lap times as quick as the leaders.

Good pit strategy and Nine cautions allowed Steve to work his way up to a great 4th place finish.

The team is very excited about it’s chances at the season ending race in Talladega October, 1.

Toledo OH September 2nd, 2005

In the end, it was everything that typifies a short track thriller under the lights, complete with flared tempers, close racing and crumbled sheet metal.

And, despite heated pressure from some rookies, one of which left him with a noticeably wrinkled racecar, Frank Kimmel, in the Advance Auto Parts-Pork Ford, held off David Ragan by about two feet to win the hard-fought, action-packed Hantz Group 200 presented by Belle Tire Friday night at Toledo Speedway. It was Kimmel’s seventh ARCA RE/MAX Series victory of 2005 and 63rd of his career in his 299th series start. 

“It was a really exciting race,” said Kimmel from victory lane. “A lot of things were happening toward the end there with some of the young kids getting over zealous I guess. Joey Miller raced me clean all night; we raced close lap after lap and we never touched. There was no excuse for the way Ragan drove out there tonight.”

-ARCA Racing

ARCA fanfest Update August 25th, 2005

Mike Guerity will be driving the Hantz Group #4 Dodge at Toledo Speedway. Mike will be looking forward to improving on his #2 finish at MIS. Mike and the team built a lot of confidence by beating some very good teams (i.e. Kenny Schrader, Frank Kimmel, Joey Miller, Kraig Kinser, etc). The team wants to keep the momentum going into the last three races of the season.

Get Ready for 'Rally by the Racetrack'; ARCA Fan-Fest Coming to Toledo Speedway Sept 1 August 24th, 2005

Flyer - Word / PDF

TOLEDO OH (8-7-05) – For more than 53 years, ARCA, the second largest stock car racing sanctioning body in the country, has made its home in the greater Toledo area. 

On Thursday evening, September 1, ARCA will give area race fans the opportunity to come out and meet series officials, teams, drivers and sponsors as it hosts “RALLY BY THE RACE TRACK,” the first ever All-ARCA Fan Fest at Toledo Speedway. Rally By The Racetrack is being billed as a fan and family friendly promotion, free to the public. Race teams will open their semi-tractor trailer racecar transporters for tours; Flat Rock and Toledo Speedway racecars, ARCA RE/MAX Series show cars and race car simulators will be available; a two-seat full-blown ARCA car will be on hand offering rides around the .5 mile Toledo Speedway; and a “celebrity go-kart” challenge will take place, offering fans the chance to race against ARCA drivers.

“As a stock car racing sanctioning body, we know all too well that it is the fans that make the sport or racing go,” commented Mark Gundum, Vice President of Marketing and Communications for ARCA. “This is a chance for us to give something back to the fans in our hometown.”

In addition to the racing themed displays and attractions, track and series officials are also planning to bring in games and rides, music and kids attractions and activities, plus adult activities including a pool tournament and dart tournament in the Toledo Speedway Bar and Grille.

Rally by the Racetrack, an All-ARCA Fan Festival, is scheduled to run form 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm on Thursday evening, September 1. It will serve as a prelude to the Friday night, September 2nd “Hantz Group 200 presented by Belle Tire” ARCA RE/MAX Series event. The Hantz Group 200 will be televised LIVE on SPEED Channel to a national TV audience at 9PM Eastern Time.

For more information about Rally by the Racetrack, or the Hantz Group 200, please call ARCA at (734) 847-6726, or Toledo Speedway at (419) 727-1100.

-ARCA Racing

MIS stop #2 August 19th. 2005

The #4 Dodge made its second trip this season to Michigan with Mike Guerity at the wheel. The team was hoping to improve on their 31st place finish in the spring.

After practice the #4 team had only the 17th quickest time. Mike and the team picked it up considerably in qualifying. His 182.260 mph speed was good enough to put him in the inside of the 5th row.

When the green flag dropped the #4 started moving to the front of the field and stayed out of the early trouble. When most of the teams completed their pit stops Mike was in 6th place. He picked off cars before second place Ken Schrader headed to the pits for fresh tires on a caution. This put Mike in second behind Steve Wallace. On the restart Mike was able to stay with Wallace but was unable to get to him. Schrader was making very good time with his new tires and worked his way up to third before another caution on the last lap set up a green, white, checker finish. Mike got a great restart this time and got a fender under Wallace in turn one. Steve had a better line going into turn three and was able to hold Mike off for his first win.

“He drove me clean,” said Wallace. “Mike’s a great guy. I’m going to race that car, the 4 car, in Chicago in two weeks.”

“I had half a car in on him going into one,” said Guerity. “It’s a really cool feeling, to finish this well in front of all the Hantz Group employees. We were focused on making a run for the lead, so we never even noticed Schrader behind us. I think I’ll be a lot happier about today’s finish tomorrow when I wake up.”

Guerity earned the Hurst Golden Shifter Award for his efforts.