Back by popular demand, ARCA returns to Elko Speedway
for second annual Akona 250; adds 50 laps to race distance;
discount tix on sale across 36 Menards stores in Minnesota
(TOLEDO, Ohio) - Back by popular demand, the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards is returning to Elko Speedway for the second annual Akona 250 presented by Federated Car Care coming Saturday, June 1.
Race fans were treated to spectacular and continual two- and three-wide spectacle in last year's race; and despite being the shortest track on the ARCA tour at three-eighths of a mile, there were only four cautions for 26 laps during the 200-lap short track thriller.
That's precisely why series officials have increased the length of the race from 200 to 250 laps, giving race fans that much more of what they'll be coming to see.
"We're looking to make the Elko event an annual stop on the ARCA schedule and feel adding 50 laps to the race will make it just that much more exciting," Track Enterprises President Bob Sargent said. "In addition, we have some other pretty cool things planned for the first Saturday in June."
A near capacity crowd in 2012 witnessed Venturini Motorsports development driver Brennan Poole capture the checkered flag in a lightning-quick 200-lap race, which took just an hour to complete.
To give the show even more kick, officials from TCC Materials, Track Enterprises and ARCA announced jointly that Akona would again sponsor the race in 2013.
"We're fortunate to have a corporate sponsor in Akona help bring the ARCA Racing Series back to Elko Speedway," added Sargent, who also promotes ARCA races at the Illinois State Fairgrounds and the DuQuoin State Fairgrounds.
TCC Materials® Akona® brand of concrete repair products will be the race title sponsor ARCA's second visit to Elko.
"We are looking forward to working in partnership with Menards to sponsor the second Akona race to be held at Elko Speedway," said Brian DiGrado, Marketing & Business Development Manager of TCC Materials/Akona. "This exciting venue gives us an excellent opportunity to highlight our Akona brand of concrete repair products, which are manufactured locally in Minnesota and are available at Menards stores across the region."
A fabulous and intense championship points battle is already taking shape in 2013 between nine-time series champion Frank Kimmel and SCOTT Challenge Rookie of the Year contender Mason Mingus.
Kimmel, driver of the No. 44 Ansell-Menards Toyota for ThorSport Racing, is 51, while Mingus, driver of the No. 32 811 Call Before You Dig Toyota for Win Tron Racing, is not yet 19. Win Tron is based out of nearby Lakeville, Minnesota.
Race tickets are currently available at 36 Menards stores throughout Minnesota, and will be on sale for $20 - a $10 discount off the at-track price - until Friday, May 31, the day before the race.
The ARCA Racing Series will hold two practices on June 1, from 2-2:45 p.m. and 3:15-4. Menards Pole Qualifying presented by Ansell will follow at 5:30, and every driver in the starting field will sign autographs for fans on the track from 6:30-7:30. The 250-lap race will begin at 8. All times are Central.
The Automobile Racing Club of America (ARCA) is among the leading auto racing sanctioning bodies in the country. Founded in 1953 by John and Mildred Marcum, the organization administers more than 100 events each year in multiple racing series, including the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards, the ARCA/CRA Super Series, the ARCA Truck Series and the ARCA Midwest Tour, plus weekly racing at Toledo and Flat Rock Speedways.
About ARCA
The Automobile Racing Club of America (ARCA) is among the leading auto racing sanctioning bodies in the country. Founded in 1953 by John and Mildred Marcum, the organization administers more than 100 events each year in multiple racing series, including the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards, the ARCA/CRA Super Series, the ARCA Truck Series and the ARCA Midwest Tour, plus weekly racing at Toledo and Flat Rock Speedways.