ARCA Series - Tony Marks Racing Shows Solid Strength In Toledo Practice

TOLEDO, May 15, 2011: 2011 ARCA Racing Series Rookie of the Year candidate Maryeve Dufault, drive of the No. 12 VR-12 / Dodge Motorsports Dodge Charger and her Tony Marks Racing (TMR) teammate Jared Marks, driver of the No. 8 VR-12 / Dodge Motorsports Dodge Charger both made excellent strides today at Toledo Speedway in preparation for tomorrow’s Menards 200 presented by Federated Car Care.

Mother Nature thwarted the days schedule after persistent rain showers soaked the half-mile oval throughout the morning forcing ARCA Racing Series officials to revise the itinerary, which now included two practice sessions and the cancellation of Menards pole qualifying presented by Ansell.

In the first practice session, Marks, a Napoleon High School sophomore maneuvered the 13th fastest lap with Dufault, the Sorel, Quebec Canada native tucked close behind in the 15th position.

In final practice, Marks negotiated the 15th fastest lap with Dufault on the bumper of her rookie teammate in 16th.

“The No. 12 VR-12 / Dodge Motorsports Dodge Charger is good,” said Dufault. “I really don’t want the guys to change a thing. The only thing was I had to give it a lot of wheel going into the turns, but I am getting used to it the way that it is and just want to get comfortable driving it how it’s currently set up. The team did a really great job setting the car up for the track. Overall, I am really happy with the car.”

“We were good from the time we unloaded considering we came here and tested Monday”, said Marks, who will make his inaugural ARCA Racing Series debut in the Menards 200. “We made a couple of adjustments to the track bar and the left rear spring and we were good to go. I really just wanted clean laps out here considering this is my first time in a 3400 pound ARCA car. I’ve been here before in a late model but, I’m just focused on getting comfortable in these cars. Overall I’m really happy with the No. 8 VR-12 / Dodge Motorsports Dodge Charger and the way it’s performing. I’m excited about the race, being in this series and anticipating a clean race tomorrow.”

For Ohio entrepreneur, team owner and former race car driver himself, Tony Marks he was pleased with the day. “Both Jared and Maryeve did an exceptional job today. The Tony Marks Racing team have busted their tails off preparing our VR-12 / Dodge Motorsports Dodge machines and to be as competitive as we are off the trailer makes me feel real good. Hopefully, we can have a good day tomorrow with both drivers learning a lot and giving VR-12 and Dodge two really good finishes.”

Because time trials was cancelled because of inclement weather, Marks will start his machine from the 31st position with Dufault a positions ahead in 29th.