Maryeve Dufault Optimistic About ARCA Short Track Debut

SALEM, April 28, 2011: ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards Rookie of the Year candidate Maryeve Dufault and her Tony Marks Racing (TMR) head to Salem (Ind.) Speedway this weekend hoping to build on the momentum of a solid 12th place finish at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway two weeks ago.

Dufault’s performance at the 2.66-mile superspeedway was impressive enough to catch the eyes of many. The Sorel, Quebec Canada native now soars into one of the toughest short tracks on the circuit hoping to keep her season on the straight and narrow in the No. 12 VR-12 / Dodge Motorsports / Victory Water Dodge Charger.

The Tony Marks Racing driver has never been to the intimidating half-mile oval but the former NASCAR Canadian Tire Series star will rely on the expertise of her crew chief and long-time Motorsports advocate Darren Wolfe.

“I’m optimistic about this weekend for sure,” said the pilot of the No. 12 VR-12 / Dodge Motorsports / Victory Water Dodge Charger. “It’s without hesitation that going from such a huge track like Talladega to a bull ring like Salem can present it challenges. Thankfully, I have an incredibly strong team in Tony Marks Racing that I can rely on.”

A short hour and a half practice session is on tap for Saturday afternoon and with zero laps around Salem’s high banks, Dufault looks to keep her No. 12 VR-12 / Dodge Motorsports / Victory Water Dodge Charger on the asphalt as much as possible. “Practice will be about learning and getting comfortable,” she added. “I plan to be very open to talking to some of the drivers for advice. I’ve been told that Salem can come up and bite you when you least expect it, so paying attention will be critical towards success this weekend. We had a super run for VR-12, Dodge and Tony Marks Racing at Talladega and I just want to keep going in the right direction.”

Knocking on the door to enter the top-10 in the championship standings, Dufault hopes that she can complete all 200 laps that will not only help her prepare for more short track racing this season but also for a return trip to the Southern Indiana track this fall.

“Salem is one of tracks that we’re going to twice this year, so gathering seat time and logging laps is important,” sounded Dufault. “The competition in ARCA this year has been very competitive and it appears that Salem will be no different. We just have to go out there and do our best to stay focused and accomplish our goals for VR-12, Dodge and all of our TMR supporters.”

Tony Marks, owner of Tony Marks Racing and a former race car driver himself is being realistic about Sunday’s Kentuckiana Ford Dealers 200.

“I don’t think there will be anything we cannot overcome this weekend at Salem,” said Marks, one of the newest multi-car owners in ARS competition. “Short track racing of course provides some bumps and bruises but I know that with Maryeve’s determination and eagerness to learn and the team’s faith in her we should have a good solid result on Sunday afternoon.”

Dufault, a former open-wheel ace will make just her third ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards start on Sunday and first at Salem (Ind.) Speedway. She will be one of two females entered for this weekend’s activities.

The Kentuckiana Ford Dealers 200 (200 laps / 111 miles) is the third of 19 events on the 2011 ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards schedule. The 86th ARCA race held at Salem Speedway is a two day show. Practice begins Saturday, April 30 with an hour and half practice session planned from 12:30 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. Menards pole qualifying presented by Ansell is set for later in the day slated to begin at 3:30 p.m. An on-track autograph session has been etched in before the contest on Sunday, May 1st set to launch at 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. The event will take the green flag shortly after 2:15 p.m. The race will not be televised but race coverage including live timing and scoring and radio broadcast will be available through the ARCA Racing Network (ARN) online at arcaracing.com. All times are local.