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ARCA RE/MAX Series first up at Nashville Superspeedway

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

March 30, 2001

TOLEDO, OHIO – With an entry list as diverse as the series itself, the ARCA RE/MAX Series will be first-up when the gates swing open at the new Nashville Superspeedway for the inaugural April 13 PFG Lester ARCA 150.

The upcoming event, the first of two appearances for the RE/MAX Series on the new $125 million, 1.33-mile concrete superspeedway in 2001, will serve as a prelude to the next-day NASCAR Busch Series Pepsi 300 race.

Entries have already been received from former RE/MAX Series champions’ Frank Kimmel and Tim Steele as well as veterans’ Andy Belmont, Norm Benning, Joe Cooksey, Mark Gibson, Shawna Robinson, Mike Swaim Jr, Ron Cox and Franklin, Tennessee driver Randal Ritter.

Expected rookie entrants include third generation drivers’ Steadman Marlin out of Columbia, Tennessee as well as Hickory, North Carolina driver Jason Jarrett. Marlin, son of NASCAR Winston Cup veteran Sterling Marlin, will be making his first attempt in RE/MAX Series competition while Jarrett, son of 1999 Winston Cup champion Dale Jarrett, will be making his third RE/MAX Series start. Jarrett is slated to run the complete season in the RE/MAX Series for ML Motorsports based out of Winona Lake, Indiana with an assist from team consultant Red Farmer.

Additional rookies entered include Nashville driver Chase Montgomery, Clearwater, Florida driver Donny Morelock, Kansas City, Kansas driver Randy Briggs, Feasterville, Pennsylvania’s Kevin Belmont and Mooresville, North Carolina driver Philip Kranefuss. Kranefuss, also attempting to make his career-first RE/MAX Series start, is the son of NASCAR/ARCA team owner Michael Kranefuss. Chesapeake, Virginia driver Jeffrey Falk, son of Winston Cup team owner Joe Falk, is another driver looking to make his first RE/MAX Series start at Nashville. Falk’s car will be lettered with the familiar #91, the same number the senior Falk uses in Winston Cup competition. Bowling Green, Kentucky rookie Stuart Kirby is also entered in a Bob Schacht Motorsports Ford. Kirby made his first RE/MAX Series start back in February of this year at Daytona and finished a solid fifth.

With a weekend off from the NASCAR Winston Cup world, seven-time RE/MAX Series winner Ken Schrader has entered his own Federated Auto Parts-sponsored Pontiac while NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series veteran Rick Carelli has entered a RE/MAX-sponsored Chevrolet. Other notable entrants include second-generation drivers’ Billy Venturini and Todd Bowsher. Venturini’s father Bill was a two-time RE/MAX Series champion while Bowsher’s father Jack earned three RE/MAX Series driving championships before capturing two car owner championship with son Bobby. Mooresville, North Carolina driver AJ Alsup, son of Indy 500 veteran Bill Alsup, is another second-generation driver entered for the inaugural event.

Old Milwaukee Pole Award qualifying is scheduled for 10:30 AM local time Thursday, April 12 while the PFG Lester ARCA 150 is slated to roll of at 4 PM Friday afternoon, April 13.

The race is also scheduled to air on Speedvision on May 11th at 9 PM eastern time.

Text provided by ARCA

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