Maryeve Dufault - The Real Thing or Just Another Incredibly Beautiful Face? Here's the Top 20 Racing Stories About Her

Former game show model to make her NASCAR debut this weekend

SPRINGFIELD, IL - August 16, 2011: Officials from Tony Marks Racing announced today that the team is forgoing its plans to compete in Sunday’s Allen Crowe 100 at the Illinois State Fairgrounds in order to allow its driver Maryeve Dufault to concentrate on her NASCAR Nationwide Series debut this weekend in Montreal.

The decision was a hard one for the Mooresville, North Carolina-based team as the freshman organization has recently surged into the ARCA spotlight with speed and solid finishes from primary driver Maryeve Dufault, part-time development driver Jared Marks and reining ARCA champion Patrick Sheltra. However, logistically the decision to skip the 14th race of the season offers a sense of relief for all parties involved.

“Of course, this was not an easy decision,” said car owner Tony Marks. “But, we’re looking at the best interest of the team. While we’re not running for points in the ARCA Racing Series right now, skipping Springfield allows Maryeve to fully concentrate on her efforts for her inaugural NASCAR Nationwide Series debut in her home Country.

We’ve spoken with all of our marketing partners and the team in great length about the decision and everyone has stood by it 100 percent. Anything could happen as far as weather, travel delays, etc., so it was just a smart decision for us to do this.”

Currently, the TMR team is strategically working on a plan that will satisfy ARCA Racing Series officials for the team’s No. 12 entry to be used by another competitor in order to keep the team’s current owner points active and in a competitive position.

Marks concluded by saying, “On behalf of the entire TMR team and our marketing partners, we are wishing Maryeve the best this weekend at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. She is grabbing a lot of attention for all the right reasons, so we will all be glued to the race and cheering her on in the Napa Auto Parts 200 presented by Dodge!”

Dufault will drive for MacDonald Motorsports, a longtime competitor in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) and NASCAR Nationwide Series. The team’s current position in the NNS car owner standings will guarantee her a starting berth in the No. 81 Quebec Dodge Dealers Dodge Challenger R/T on Saturday afternoon

TMR is expected to return to the ARCA Racing Series scene in the 15th race of the season for the inaugural running of the Herr’s Live Life With Flavor 200 at Madison International Speedway on Friday, August 26.

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For more information about Maryeve, her team and her sponsors visit www.maryeveracing.com.