Matt Merrell And Company Seeking Thrill Run Saturday Night

[PressRoom-GFN]

SALEM, Ind. (June 25, 2008) -- If there is a track on the 2008 USAR Hooters Pro Cup Series tour where Win-Tron Racing might have an advantage over the rest of its competition, Salem Speedway might be the place.

In its rookie season of USAR competition, Win-Tron Racing has shown strength, but experienced miserable racing luck that has kept the team off the finishing map. This weekend, the Minnesota-based team looks to change that and put Matt Merrell in contention for a top-five finish in Saturday night’s Lucas Oil 200 presented by Touchstone Energy.

“I’m really excited about going to Salem,” said Merrell, a development driver for Win-Tron Racing. “Salem is a place with a lot of racing history and has been a track that has been extremely kind to Win-Tron Racing. It’s no secret the success of Win-Tron Racing at Salem Speedway in the ARCA RE/MAX Series should easily be beneficial for our Hooters Pro Cup Series team this weekend.

“Salem is a brutal race track. It’s rough and bumpy but fast. The key to winning at Salem Speedway is survival. You can win from the back of the pack, but it’s very though. I know we’re bringing a good car to the track this weekend, so I’m not particularly worried about qualifying in the back. We just need to start up front and stay there.”

Much of the 2008 season has been run under the lights and Saturday’s night venue will prove to be no different. Merrell, the freshman driver sees the night racing as a true spectacle for the drivers as well as the fans.

“The fans are awesome in the Hooters Pro Cup Series and when we race under the lights they go nuts,” Merrell said. “The night races provide a lot of opportunities for the drivers and teams, and it benefits with great racing. Salem will be no different this weekend, I guarantee it.”

Despite a 22nd-place finish in the most recent outing at Mansfield [Ohio]Motorsports Park, Merrell notes the Win-Tron Racing team's performance continues to rise with every occasion.

“Every time we’re on the track, we’re getting better,” said Merrell, who competed for Win-Tron Racing in the ARCA RE/MAX Series last year. “We’ve really come a long way very quick and I’m proud of the entire Win-Tron Racing team. We were well on our way to a top-10 finish at Mansfield, but, unfortunately, we were stalled with a mechanical failure. We’ll regroup and grab a top-10 Saturday night.”

Entering Salem 18th in the standings and 165 points from the top spot, Merrell knows his team needs to recoup the position it lost at Mansfield and make the much needed push towards the top 10.

“We’re not giving up on the points,” he said. “There is still a long way to go this season and I know with a couple good runs we can put ourselves in contention for a solid points position.”

Tejas Exotics, Merrell Lease Service and Win-Tron Driver Development hold the sponsorship roles on the No. 32 entry this weekend.

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