Venturini drivers tackle Toledo during test
Venturini drivers tackle Toledo during test
(TOLEDO, Ohio – May 8, 2014) – J.J. Haley is about to experience a whole bunch of firsts.
The Winamec, Ind. race car driver turned 15 on April 28. Six days later he won the JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour Presented by Chevrolet Performance season opener at Springport (Mich.) Motor Speedway in his series debut.
Next week, Haley’s rapid development continues when he makes his first ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards start with the Menards 200 presented by Federated Car Care at Toledo Speedway. Haley spent much of the day Thursday at Toledo Speedway with the crew from Venturini Motorsports as he tested an ARCA car for the first time.
“I’ve never raced in anything like it,” Haley said of the 3,400-pound, 800-horsepower ARCA stock car.
When Haley races at Toledo Speedway, he will become the youngest driver in series history. 
Currently Kyle Benjamin holds that distinction for his start last year at Mobile. But, Haley is even younger. He said he will get to have a live pit stop for the first time in the ARCA race and shifting on a re-start will be new to him as well.
“I think I’ll be alright,” Haley said. “The Venturini’s have helped me a lot.”
Two other Venturini Motorsports drivers were on hand at Toledo with Haley – reigning SCOTT Rookie of the year Justin Boston and 2014 SCOTT Rookie Challenge competitor Cody Coughlin.
Coughlin will be making his ARCA debut at Toledo, but has raced a couple of times at the high-banked, half-mile, including in April when he competed in the 7UP 150, the super late model race involving the ARCA Midwest Tour and ARCA/CRA Super Series. He said he’s still learning the differences between a stock car and late model, but is happy with the progression.
“This will only be my third race coming up,” he said. “We’ve got to just keep digging.”
Coughlin said the JEGS No. 55 car worked on qualifying runs during the Toledo test to help him improve when it comes to Menards Pole Qualifying presented by Ansell on Saturday, May 17.
“I’ve got a pretty good idea of what I need to do,” he said.
Boston, in the No. 25 ZLOOP Toyota, finished fourth last year in the Menards 200 after qualifying 11th.
“Toledo is a fun place to race and we really had a good turnout here last year so we’re hoping for some good things this year,” Boston said. “Our car has been really good. We’re putting our car through the paces and making sure it’s ready to go for next weekend.”
- By Doug Donnelly, arcaracing.com