Mason Mitchell Motorsports, Austin Wayne Self first to test at Toledo ahead of Menards 200
Mason Mitchell Motorsports, Austin Wayne Self first to test at Toledo ahead of Menards 200
(TOLEDO, Ohio – May 6, 2015) – Testing is officially underway at Toledo Speedway in preparation for the Menards 200 presented by Federated Car Care.
Mason Mitchell Motorsports, the defending ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards championship team, was the first to test. Both Austin Wayne Self and Mason Mitchell, who compared notes, tested a brand new AM Technical Solutions Ford Fusion Wednesday, getting ready for the May 16-17 big show.
“We brought a brand new car here…it’s a good looking one too,” Self said. “We’re figuring it out. The more I get in today, the more l like it. We’re just gunna keep working at it…I think we’re in good shape.”
Self made his ARCA Racing Series debut at Toledo in 2013.
“This one’s a lot of fun. I always forget how much fun it is. The corners are real long and sweeping and it makes the straightaways feel really fast. I mean, you can drive the car into the corners hard. I’m excited to be back here. This was our first ARCA race in 2013, so we have a good baseline here. Good to be back here. We’re excited. We run pretty good here and the crowd’s always good here. I think we’re going to have a real good weekend.”
Self is currently fourth in national championship standings after his DNF last week at Talladega as a result of a crash in the trioval.
“I’m doing alright. We got Brad Smith in our prayers. You hate to see another driver get hurt like that. Let’s hope he gets better soon. And hopefully he gets back to the racetrack real soon.”
In an effort to compare notes, Mitchell, the 2014 ARCA driving champion, also tested the new car. Mitchell, who is not expected to enter the race, finished second in the Menards 200 last year. Self finished eighth last year at Toledo.
Tony Blanchard Racing with rookie driver Sarah Cornett-Ching and Cunningham Motorsports with drivers Tom Hessert and Kyle Weatherman are scheduled to test Thursday. GMS Racing is tentatively inked in for Monday.
Toledo Speedway Weekend Schedule of Events for the Menards 200
The Menards 200 presented by Federated Car Care will spread out over two days, Saturday and Sunday, May 16 and 17. Practice for the Menards 200 will include two sessions from 11:45 to 12:30 p.m. and final practice from 1:00 to 1:45 Saturday afternoon, with Menards Pole Qualifying presented by Ansell at 3:30. The 50-lap Buckeye CableSystem 50th Anniversary ARCA Truck Series feature will follow ARCA Racing Series qualifying Saturday afternoon. Menards 200 raceday festivities get underway Sunday with pre-race ceremonies and driver introductions at 1:30, with the green flag to follow at 2:00. The Menards 200 presented by Federated Car Care is live on the CBS Sports Network.
Discounted Tickets On Sale Now at Menards
Discounted tickets for the May 17 Menards 200 presented by Federated Car Care at Toledo Speedway are now on sale at six Menards stores in northwest Ohio. The tickets are available for the special price of $15 between now and race day if purchased at Menards. The Menards stores selling the discounted tickets include Defiance, Findlay, Holland, Oregon, Sandusky and Toledo. Children under six are free.