ARCA - It's More Than Just Racing At Talladega To Will Vaught

TALLADEGA, April 12, 2011: Known as one of the best dirt racers in the Midwest, Will Vaught will take a break from slipping and swinging on the clay and return to stock car territory as the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards resumes their 2011 season at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway for Friday afternoon’s 3 Amigos 250.

Vaught, the Crane, Missouri native has several agendas heading into the second of 19 ARCA Racing Series races this season. After just missing the season-opener at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway, Vaught and his Will Vaught Racing (WVR) team have spent nearly two months bettering their equipment and forming an alliance with Phoenix Racing and owner James Finch, as Will “The Thrill” Vaught will attempt to make his third career ARCA start at the 2.66-mile superspeedway.

Vaught, 24 will not only be racing for a good finish on Friday afternoon but he’ll be racing for a bigger cause as Cureduchenne.org has leaped aboard his No. 51 Chevrolet Impala for his restrictor plate debut.

Cureduchenne.org was founded by Paul and Debra Miller whose son was diagnosed with DMD (Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy) in November 2002. Paul Miller is a vice-president of a food company and Debra Miller was in advertising sales before giving up her career to become a stay-at-home mom. Today, the Millers effectively use Cureduchenne.org as a way of communication to bring further attentiveness and funding for DMD.

“It’s really important to me to spread the word about Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy,” said Vaught who last competed in the ARCA Racing Series in 2006. “It’s a tough thing to deal with for anyone; not to mention parents. Hopefully we can put our No. 51 Cureduchenne.org Chevrolet up front and in contention not only for a good finish but to bring further attention towards this illness.”

WVR will welcome David Carter McClain who currently suffers from DMD to Talladega along with members of his family. Vaught’s automobile will also feature a picture of McClain on the hood of his No. 51 Chevrolet bowtie as part of the campaign to grow support and research of DMD. “David is a strong kid,” offered Vaught. “He is coming with his family and we are thrilled to have them as our special guests. It will be a day of excitement, tons of smiles and hopefully a memorable trip to victory lane.”

Despite not participating in the open-test at Talladega last month, Vaught and his team are confident in their car’s capability; especially since the significant detail that the team has finessed in order to give Vaught a shot at stardom in one of the biggest races of the season.

“I’m anxious to get to Talladega, because I’ve never been there,” sounded Vaught. “I love restrictor plate racing. It’s fits into the racing family, because it’s intense racing; which reminds me of some of my dirt races. We’ve also been fortunate enough to work with Phoenix Racing for this race and they obviously have had some great success on these bigger tracks, so we’re hoping that their assistance will help us with a finish we’ll all be proud of.”

At the tender age of 19, Vaught made his ARCA Racing Series debut at Kansas Speedway in a car fielded by Vision Racing and Johnny Leonard Racing. Vaught also made one more start that season at Gateway (Ill.) International Raceway.

In 2011, his family-owned team will participate in a limited ARCA Racing Series schedule with engines supplied by long-time ARCA supplier and winner Clements Automotive.