Security Tight For Guinn's ARCA Truck Title Fight

Security Tight for Guinn's ARCA Truck Title Fight; 3-Time Series Champ Receives Top Honors at Awards Banquet

TOLEDO OH (10-30-04) One of the closest presidential races in American history met face-to-face with the unequivocal closest title fight in ARCA Lincoln Welders Truck Series history Saturday night in Toledo, Ohio.

In the midst of an ultra-tight security force, bomb-squad dogs and throngs of secret service agents in protection of Vice President Dick Cheney, the closest and most exciting title fight in ARCA Lincoln Welders Truck Series history came to a conclusion Saturday night in the Grand Ballroom of the Radisson Hotel in downtown Toledo where Chad Guinn was officially crowned 2004 series champion during the sixth annual championship awards banquet.

Cheney, along with an assortment of Republican politicians, was there for an overnight stay at the same hotel in preparation for an early morning campaign speech, just one day after President Bush spoke at the adjoining Seagate Center in the all-important Ohio swing state.

While no high-profile politicians made banquet stage appearances, ARCA's highest-ranking official, ARCA President Ron Drager, presented Guinn with his championship trophy and offered up his own "State of the Union" speech reflective of the overall positive direction of the series, which had just renewed its title sponsorship with Lincoln Electric through the 2009 season. Drager also introduced Lincoln Electric Motorsports Director Mickey Holmes who spoke on behalf of Lincoln Electric, celebrating its 110th year.

Newcomer Brett Rowe, who ended the season tied in points with Guinn, received runner-up honors as well as the Hoosier Racing Tire Rookie of the Year title.

However, by virtue of a better average finish throughout the year, Guinn earned the title for a record third consecutive season.

"I want to thank my Mom and Dad for this opportunity, and for standing by the program," said Guinn from the stage. "It's amazing to me sometimes all this recognition we get for driving in circles, but I love it; racing is so much a part of who I am. And it's my parents who make it happen for me. Chuck Carroll is the best crew chief in the garage, and we're just so fortunate he's on our side. I want to thank Bob Towers too; Bob's very sharp and always there to help. Big thanks to Lincoln Electric for being the title sponsor of the series, and all their support. I also want to congratulate Brett Rowe for winning Rookie of the Year. I really enjoyed racing with him. He did a great job all year."

Guinn, in his father and champion truck owner Larry Guinn's BFI-M&M Heating & Cooling-Harwood Buick/Pontiac Chevy S-10, posted five victories among eight top-five finishes in ten series starts in 2004. In addition, the all-time series winner, with 23 career victories in 66 starts, led 322 laps in eight races this year.

Rowe, of Barboursville, West Virginia, wasted no time adapting to the touring truck division and matched Guinn's season win total with five victories of his own. In addition to the runner-up honors and the $1,000 Hoosier Rookie of the Year prize, Rowe was honored as the Pork Pole award champion for his season-high mark of four poles and as the Cloyes Gear Halfway Lap Leader. "I'd like to thank my crew chief Keith Ross for all his hard work this year," said Rowe. "I also want to congratulate Chad Guinn on the championship; we sure enjoyed racing with him. We had a great time this year; this is a great little series and we appreciate the opportunities that ARCA provides. I'd also like to thank Lincoln Electric for supporting the series."

Rowe's brother Brian, who drives for ARCA Truck chassis builder AJ Pate, was honored as third place driver. Mark Otting picked up fourth place driver awards as well as the Holley Performance Most Improved Driver and the Stoner Car Care Products Best Appearing Truck honors. Kevin Reeb was recognized for his fifth place points finish. 1999 series champion Bill Withers made the stage for his sixth place points finish as did the remaining top-10 drivers to include John Kasmierski in seventh, Rick Knowles in eighth, Craig Meyers in ninth and Brad Yunker in tenth. Meyers also received the Performance Race Fuels Sportsman of the Year award presented by Rich Dunn. The Lincoln Welders Spirit Award went to 12th place driver Norm Weaver. In all, the top 20 drivers and owners were welcomed to the stage to receive their respective honors.

Guinn's crew chief Chuck Carroll received the $2,000 Holley Performance Crew Chief of the Year Award while Guinn's engine builder Doug Miller earned the $1,000 Clevite-Victor Reinz Engine Builder of the Year honors. ARCA PR/Media director Don Radebaugh received ARCA's Golden Circle award.

In addition to Guinn's $5,000-plus point payout, the Erie, Michigan racer received an additional $1,000 from Damon Motorcoach plus a new Lincoln Electric wire welder from series sponsor Lincoln Electric. Additional prizes for Guinn included a Harris torch set and regulator, ignitions boxes from Nelson Specialties, a digital air gauge compliments of Intercomp Scales and a certificate to Andy Hillenburg's Fast Track High Performance Driving School. Guinn also won the Racing Electronics Lightning Challenge Award. Championship rings and championship team jackets accompanied the on-stage celebration.

In addition, there was a handsome assortment of door prizes given away including two additional wire welders from Lincoln Electric, an electric Beverage Box cool unit by Gladiator GarageWorks, a T-10 Transmission by Tex Racing, digital tire gauges by Intercomp, torch sets and air wrench regulators by Harris, a complete truck body from Pate Manufacturing, a chassis from Ed & Company, plus prizes from Razor Performance, Hedman Hedders and ARCA.

On the strength of the ARCA/Lincoln Electric ongoing union, several tracks have already signed on for the 2005 series schedule including Toledo Speedway, Salem Speedway, Flat Rock Speedway, Lake Erie Speedway, the VIRginia Int'l Raceway road course, Mansfield Motorsports Speedway, Kentucky Speedway and the DuQuoin mile-dirt.