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ARCA Trucks Ready to Take Off

5 March 1998

The Automobile Racing Club of America (ARCA) recently announced the ARCA Lincoln Welders Truck Series. The touring series centered in the Midwest, will utilize production based pickups powered by four cylinder engines. Capitalizing on the pickup truck's popularity and the four cylinder engine's economy, the series promises to be desirable for fans, drivers, sponsors and promoters. In the few short days following the organization's December 6th press conference, interest in the series has been overwhelming. ARCA president, Ron Drager believes the organization has a winner in the fledgling truck series.

Stepping Stone

The ARCA Bondo/Mar-Hyde Series has proven successful as a training ground and stepping stone towards Busch Grand National and Winston Cup competition. The growing ranks of Legend Car, Dwarf Car, Mini-Sprint, Street Stock and Mini-Stock drivers in the Midwest are craving a series that represents the next step. The ARCA Lincoln Welder Truck Series promises to deliver the next step by providing it's competitors with a professional format, a variety of tracks, media coverage and increased purse money while maintaining costs. Proponents of the series foresee the series quickly developing into a premier Midwest short track series and a stepping stone towards the big time.

Interest from fans, competitors and sponsors remain the driving force behind auto racing today. Early indications certify that the ARCA Lincoln Welders Truck Series will attract the attention of a diverse audience of fans, competitors and sponsors. It is rare for a series to attract a sponsor the quality of Lincoln Welders in its first season, however Lincoln Electric's Director of Motorsports Marketing, Carl Peters has already announced his company's commitment to this new series. Peters explained, "I believe the popularity of the pickup truck will be attractive to fans and competitors alike. The very same elements that have drawn my company to sponsoring the series will benefit competitors as they seek sponsorship for their efforts. Additionally, ARCA's rich history provides an instant air of legitimacy to the whole program." ARCA official Jim Clarke has been overwhelmed by the level of interest from area promoters. "Before we ever made a formal announcement regarding the series, I had received calls from many of the Midwest's premier short track paved ovals", said Clarke. One of the series top truck builders, AJ Pate of Pate Manufacturing, has seen strong interest from competitors in the form of inquiries and orders. Pate finds the diversity of inquiries he has received most encouraging. "I have received calls from not only mini-stock drivers, but also Dwarf car, Legend, mini-sprint and modified drivers", explained Pate.

Currently plans have the series debuting in 1998 through a number of exhibition races at popular Midwest tracks. In 1999 the series will explode on the scene as a premier touring series. ARCA official, Jim Clarke, explains, "our methodical approach to introducing this series is intentional. We are investing the time and resources to build a product that will be a part of ARCA for many years to come. Announcing a series a year in advance provides ample time to educate fans and competitors, build policies and procedures and construct and test safe, quality racing trucks. " Keep your eyes peeled as the ARCA Lincoln Welder Trucks coming roaring into a short track near you.

For more information contact AJ Pate at 513-860-1141 or visit their website at www.cincy-racing.com/pagemfg.