Win-Tron Racing, Matt Merrell Head To Milwaukee Mile On A Mission

[PressRoom-GFN]

LAKEVILLE, Minn. (May 29, 2008) -- With the second race of the 2008 USAR Hooters Pro Cup Series Northern Division heading a little closer to home, Win-Tron Racing and its driver Matt Merrell head to the famed Milwaukee Mile looking for their first victory this season in Saturday’s Sears Auto Center 150.

Minnesota’s Win-Tron Racing burst onto the USAR scene strong in the season opener last month at South Boston Speedway. Never having tackled the tricky short track with Win-Tron Racing, Merrell and his team stormed to a second-place qualifying effort. During the race, Merrell remained in contention for his first career win only to fall victim to a cut tire.

Mother Nature ruined the team’s chances of a comeback as heavy rains forced the event to be short lived, leaving the organization with a frustrating 26th-place finish.

The race equaled a sour finish, but the performance was encouraging and stout. No worries. Round two brings the same type of opportunity to the rookie team.

“We had a good car at South Boston,” Merrell recalled. “I’m really proud of the Win-Tron Racing bunch. Many people weren’t sure what to expect from our race team in a different series, but we brought any false optimism to a screeching halt with our performance. Of course, we didn’t deserve the finish, but that’s sometimes how racing crumbles. We’re ready to go to Milwaukee this weekend. Ready to bounce back.”

If there’s a track where Win-Tron Racing feels it can land in victory lane, the Milwaukee Mile ranks atop the list. With monstrous success at the 1-mile oval in the past in the ARCA RE/MAX Series, both Merrell and crew chief Mike Resop feel the package they bring to the Milwaukee Mile will be strong.

“While Win-Tron Racing has never competed in a USAR Hooters Pro Cup event at the Milwaukee Mile, I feel that we have the necessary components like the car and setup that will allow me, Mike [Resop, crew chief] and the rest of the team to be able to produce our first top-10 finish of the season,” Merrell said.

With USAR Hooters Pro Cup competing on short tracks, Merrell is quick to point out that the same short-track mentality goes into effect for every race.

“Finish and patience are the two words that best describe short-track racing,” Merrell said. “If you don’t use your head, you won’t be around for the finish. We played it smart at South Boston; just had a circumstance that was out of our control. This weekend, we’re heading back with the same goals in mind, but we need to rack up some points so we can be in contention for the championship at the end of the season.”

Entering 25th in the championship standings and 96 points from the top-spot, Merrell knows he has some work to do.

“We’re behind, but don’t write us off just yet,” Merrell said. “We will bounce back and gain some much needed points.”

Win-Tron Racing’s Nate Thiesse is excited about the team’s return to The Milwaukee Mile and is looking forward to capturing a victory in only the team’s second USAR event.

“I think we proved that we are a strong force at South Boston,” Thiesse said. “The Milwaukee Mile presents another opportunity for us to chase the victory. We’ve had some success at the track in the past, which should play into our benefit this weekend. Matt has done everything he’s needed to do. The crew has been on their game, they all work together and everyone is on the same page. I think we’ll have a strong showing.”

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

The Sears Auto Center 150 is set for Saturday. An optional practice session has been etched into the schedule for Thursday from 2-4 p.m. CDT. An additional session is 4:30- 7 p.m. CDT. Normal practice picks-up on Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. with qualifying slated for 5:30 p.m., all CDT. The season's second event will take the green flag on Saturday shortly after 5:30 p.m. CDT.

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