Simko Steers Towards Career Finish In Salem
Simko Steers Towards Career Finish In Salem Salem, Indiana - - If there is one track where Michael Simko is waiting to return, it’s Salem. The second-generation driver returns to the Indiana based track looking for vengeance after a powerful start to his last trip to the track last fall ended with a poor finish. Simko along with his Auburn Racing team look to rebound from their season opener 21st place finish last month at Nashville Superspeedway and prove once again their dominance on the short tracks is no joke. More importantly, the Clarkston, Michigan native heads in to the Kentuckiana Ford Dealers 200 announcing he will try to become the 2005 ARCA RE/MAX Series Rookie-of-the-Year. It was 20 years ago, 1985, that his father, David, won the ARCA Rookie-of-the-Year honor. Michael would like nothing more than to match his father’s feet and be this year’s top rookie. "I'm really excited to get in the mix this early in the ARCA season. We have decided to announce our run for the 2005 Rookie of the Year chase. We were fairly satisfied with our run at Nashville, and with that we are certain we can contend for this year's honors. As for Salem, after our success at the fall race we are really looking forward to returning for even more success. It has been a pretty friendly track for me and I think come April 24th, we'll have something to show all the big teams in the series,�?? said the driver of the No. 45 Chevrolet Monte Carlo. In preparation for the first short track event on the RE/MAX schedule, Simko and his team tested at Toledo Speedway earlier this week hoping to find a comfortable setup, which will aid them towards a top-ten finish on Sunday. “We are coming to Salem with high hopes after a pretty fast test at Toledo Speedway on Monday. Comparing our test speeds with last year’s race speeds, we know we're certain to be a contender with this car. It is a 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix on a Hendrick chassis, which speaks for itself. We really need a good run at Salem coming into a pretty serious stretch of races,�?? added the former avid late model competitor. “Next up is the Kentucky test followed by the Kentucky race, then the Toledo race. After that our schedule is pending on how those races go. Hopefully with some early success, we can land the much needed sponsor to get us over the hump and into victory lane." Mound Steel Supplies and Diamond Racing will serve as sponsor’s on Simko’s automobile for the second time this season. “It’s great to have Mound Steel & Supplies, and Diamond Racing back on board with us. We’re looking for more help. It’s our intent to hopefully find enough sponsorship so we can run the remainder of the ARCA schedule. Every year we compete our team gets better. We all have full time jobs and spent countless amount of hours working on the racecars. If we found the perfect advertising partner we could really turn some heads,�?? concluded Michael. The Kentuckiana Ford Dealers 200 is the third of 23 events on the 2005 ARCA RE/MAX Series schedule. Practice begins Saturday, April 23rd with an extensive morning session planned. Qualifying is also on tap for Saturday afternoon with the race set to take the green flag Sunday, April 24th, 2005. While the race won’t be televised, look for the latest news and results from the track at ARCARacing.com