Kerry Earnhardt: “I’m very excited about returning to the ARCA RE/MAX Series”
Mooresville, North Carolina
Sep 21, 2007
Officials from GLOCK, Inc. and Spraker Racing Enterprises (SRE) announced today that four-time ARCA RE/MAX Series (ARS) winner Kerry Earnhardt will drive the No. 37 GLOCK Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS for the ARCA RE/MAX 250 at Talladega Superspeedway on Friday, October 5.
Earnhardt is substituting for GLOCK’s primary driver Michelle Theriault who will utilize the final speedway event of the ARCA season to learn and communicate from the sidelines with Earnhardt.
Earnhardt, the eldest son of the late Dale Earnhardt, Sr. will attempt to make his 12th career ARCA start and return to the series after a six year absence. Under the direction of car owner Jeff Spraker, the team will unload the same machine that NASCAR veteran Mark Martin finished second with in the 2007 Daytona 500. Dale Earnhardt, Inc. (DEI) will also supply the horsepower for the 22nd event of the 2007 ARCA RE/MAX Series calendar.
“Our initial plan was to run Michelle (Theriault) in the ARCA RE/MAX Series race at Talladega, but after careful review and consideration we all felt it was in the best interest of the team and sponsor to bring a veteran to the event. Michelle has done an absolutely phenomenal job for Spraker Racing Enterprises and GLOCK this year, ” said car owner Jeff Spraker. “As an organization we did not believe it was fair to throw her into a “restrictor plate” event without more speedway experience. Michelle will be with us at Talladega to support Kerry and endorse GLOCK. ”
“We are grateful for Kerry Earnhardt stepping in to aid all of us. With his knowledge and experience of Talladega Superspeedway, we feel he will be an incredible mentor to Michelle and will help her prepare for more speedway races in the future. We’re also excited about bringing a great piece and a stout motor to the final speedway race of the season and hope we can deliver with a top-10 finish, ” sounded Spraker.
The anticipated ARCA RE/MAX Series thriller won’t be the first time that Spraker and Earnhardt have united at the Alabama speed plant. Back in 2005, Spraker and Earnhardt competed in the NASCAR Busch Series (NBS) Aaron’s 312 event which produced outstanding results. After running in the lead pack all day, the team was in contention to grasp the victory but had to settle for fifth.
Earnhardt is equally excited about the opportunity to return to the ARCA RE/MAX Series while also reuniting with Spraker Racing Enterprises. “I just want to thank GLOCK, Jeff Spraker and Michelle Theriault for the opportunity to drive for the team at Talladega, ” said Earnhardt. “I’m glad to step in and assist the team as they continue to develop Michelle into one of the finest female drivers in stock cars. ”
He continued, “We’ve been able to bring all the components together to have a great race. I also want to work with Michelle and teach her things that will only help her future in racing. I also have a job to go out there and try to put GLOCK in victory lane and we are aiming to do that. I’m very excited about returning to the ARCA RE/MAX Series. It’s an awesome series to compete in and it’s been a long while since I’ve raced over there. I would be lying if I said I wasn’t looking forward to it. ”
Earlier this year, Spraker and Earnhardt gelled by competing in the NASCAR Busch Series Winn-Dixie 250 presented by PepsiCo event at Daytona International Speedway on July 7. With another chance at the thundering 2.666-mile Alabama facility, both driver and owner are excited about their chances for the ARCA RE/MAX 250 on October 5.
