Sheltra Pledges To Make A Difference For Toys For Tots

DU QUOIN, September 2, 2010: Even though Christmas isn’t officially for another three and a half months or so, ARCA Racing Series (ARS) presented by RE/MAX and Menards championship contender Patrick Sheltra will make a stop at the American Legion Post 306 in Metropolis, Illinois on Sunday, September 5 to start spreading awareness and gather interest for this year’s “Toys for Tots” campaign.

The 24-year Sheltra, the winner of the two most recent ARCA Racing Series events at the Illinois State Fairgrounds (Springfield) and Chicagoland Speedway respectively will sign autographs, promote the upcoming (Monday, September 6) Southern Illinois 100 presented by Federated Car Care at the Du Quoin (Ill.) State Fairgrounds with local media while also converse with the veterans of yesterday and today that allows Sheltra the freedom to do what he loves best, race.

“I’m really looking forward to Sunday,” said Sheltra, who notched his first speedway victory on August 27 at Chicagoland Speedway in the Ansell Protective Gloves 150. “I’ve done a lot of appearances in my racing career but this will be my first trip to an American Legion Post. I’m expecting to have a lot of fun but we plan to bring awareness not only to the ARCA race on Monday but also bring further attentiveness to the quickly approaching “Toys for Tots” program.”

The mission of the “Toys for Tots” program is to collect new, unwrapped toys during October, November and December each year, and distribute those toys as Christmas gifts to needy children in the community in which the campaign is conducted. The primary goal of “Toys for Tots” is to deliver, through a new toy at Christmas, a message of hope to less fortunate youngsters that will assist them in becoming responsible, productive and patriotic citizens.

“When the Holidays approach it’s hard to forget about the “Toys for Tots” program,” sounded Sheltra, the Indiantown, Florida native. “It’s a neat program and really hits your heart knowing that you are doing some great for a child on Christmas day. Our goal on Sunday is to encourage the attendees to bring a new unwrapped / unopened toy that will give us a jump start on this year’s mission. I’m going to help launch the program by bringing a handful of toys myself.”

Sunday’s event officially kicks off at 1:00 p.m. with Sheltra scheduled to sign autographs beginning at 2:00 p.m. The American Legion Post 306 is located at 321 Market Street in Metropolis, Illinois 62960-1829, about an hour and a half from the Du Quoin State Fairgrounds. The American Legion will also have food and snacks available for purchase with the proceeds going towards the 2010 edition of “Toys for Tots.” Further information about the event is available by calling 618.771.7316.

With five events remaining on the 2010 ARS calendar, Sheltra sits third in the championship standings just a mere 10 markers behind championship leader Craig Goess. Sheltra enters Monday’s contest as the only ARCA driver with 12 top-10 finishes in the first 15 events this season.

Multiple cost-effective marketing partnership packages are still available for the Du Quoin State Fairgrounds and the remainder of the 2010 ARCA Racing Series and NASCAR seasons for Patrick Sheltra. Let Sheltra Motorsports show you how to find victory lane in more ways than one! For additional information on how to be apart of our winning organization, please contact Brandon Hinson (brandon@patricksheltra.com) or email marketing@patricksheltra.com.

Entering Du Quoin, Sheltra has 82 ARCA Racing Series presented by RE/MAX and Menards starts to his credit with three career victories at Salem (Ind.) Speedway (April 2009), the Illinois State Fairgrounds (August 2010) and Chicagoland Speedway (August 2010). During his ARCA tenure, Sheltra has accumulated 18 top-fives and posted 34 top-10 finishes. A second place qualifying effort at Chicagoland Speedway (August 2010) is Sheltra’s best time trials effort to date. He has controlled the ARCA field nine times for 273 laps.

The Southern Illinois 100 presented by Federated Car Care (100 miles / 100 laps) is the 16th of 20 events on the 2010 ARCA Racing Series presented by RE/MAX and Menards schedule. The 28th ARCA Labor Day event held at the Du Quoin (Ill.) State Fairgrounds is a one-day show. Practice begins Monday, September 6 with a one hour practice session planned from 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. Menards Pole by Ansell qualifying is slated to begin at 11:00 a.m. The field will take the green flag Monday afternoon shortly after 1:00 p.m. The race will not be televised but race coverage including live timing and scoring throughout the day will be available through the ARCA Racing Network (ARN) online at arcaracing.com presented by ARCANation.com. All times are local.