RACE REPORT: ARCA Tire Kingdom 150 presented by ModSpace
PALM BEACH

RACE REPORTS:
Koch 3rd; Goess 13th

Koch Finishes Strong in ARCA Racing Series Debut During Rain-Shortened Tire Kingdom 150

Blake Koch

JUPITER, Florida (Saturday, February 27, 2010) - Blake Koch, driver of the No. 6 Eddie Sharp Racing Tire Kingdom Toyota, finished third in the inaugural ARCA Racing Series presented by RE/MAX and Menards race at Palm Beach International Raceway. The Tire Kingdom 150 presented by ModSpace proved to be an extra special event for Koch, who was honored by having the title sponsor of the race support his first ARCA Series appearance.

After just 11 laps in an ARCA Series car, he impressed his competitors by qualifying third. The road-course qualifying differed from normal formats, with groups of 5 drivers qualifying on the road course at one time. Koch, however, missed his qualifying group and was forced to start the race at the back of the pack.

The threat of rain showers loomed over the 2.034-mile road course prior to the 1 PM start time, but the race got underway without delay.

Although he started at the back, Koch worked his way up to ninth place by lap 6 as the rain began to cover the entire course. A full-course caution fell on lap 6, however Koch and the No. 6 team decided not to come into to pit road to change to "wet" tires because the shower appeared to be moving quickly.

On lap 11, the No. 6 Tire Kingdom Toyota gained speed and continued to push past much of the top-ten. Koch hit his fastest speed of 91.929 MPH on lap 15, completing the lap in just 79.222 seconds. Rain began to fall more furiously, but Koch continued to push on without rain tires as he moved up to the fourth position on lap 19.

"We had a real good car, especially in the dry conditions," Koch said. "Then, it started coming down hard. "

As the rain worsened, an all-course yellow-flag fell once again on lap 21. Pit road opened the next lap as Koch came in for his first ARCA Series pit stop, along with the rest of the leaders, to get gas and four "wet" tires. The team utilized the Hooiser Short Track Radial "Slick" tires, and this was the first time in the 58-year series history a "wet" tire compound was used.

Koch was determined to work his way to the front after a successful pit stop, and by lap 26, the No. 6 was in second. At the half-way marker, the rain began to subside, and Koch settled in at the third position, remaining there for the duration of the race.

As the rain began to pick up again on lap 57, the No. 6 pitted for a "gas-and-go" stop. By lap 67, Koch began to complain that the rain was coming down so hard that he could not see through his windshield. His two spotters helped guide him through the track successfully as the final caution fell on lap 68.

Series officials were forced to end the race five laps short of the original distance, throwing the checkered flag on lap 70 of the 75 laps advertised. Koch finished in third behind Justin Marks and Robb Brent.

"We put that rain tire on, and none of us were set up for it," said Koch. "But, for a road course in the rain, I'm happy with a third. I'll take it. I just want to thank Tire Kingdom, Eddie Sharp Racing, and my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ."

Owner Eddie Sharp agreed that the rain was not easy to overcome; however he is proud of Koch's first showing in the ARCA Racing Series. "Koch showed determination in his first race. I am proud of his third-place finish, and his team did a great job keeping up with the leaders."

Craig Goess Finishes 13th in Rain-shortened Tire Kingdom 150

Craig Goess

JUPITER, Florida (Saturday, February 27, 2010)-- Craig Goess, driver of the No. 81 Toyota of Greenville Toyota, finished 13th in the Tire Kingdom 150 presented by ModSpace, the inaugural ARCA Racing Series Presented by RE/MAX and Menards event at Palm Beach International Raceway.

The No. 81 got caught up in a lap one incident, causing the Eddie Sharp Racing driver to fall from 10th to 22nd position. As he battled back, the first yellow flag of the race was waved on lap six finding the No. 81 in the 20th position. Although rain started to drizzle, Goess did not pit yet to change from dry to wet tires. When the green flag waved, Goess showed the decision to stay with dry tires was worth the risk as he climbed to the 12th position by lap 15.

As the rain started to fall more heavily, the second yellow flag came out on lap 21. The No. 81 pulled into the pits, and the crew put on the Hooiser Short Track Radial "Slick" tires. This is the first time in the 58-year ARCA Racing Series history that a "wet" tire compound has been used.

Goess competed against the rain, bobbling between the 15th and 16th positions for 25 laps, before eventual race winner Justin Marks passed the No. 81 on lap 50, putting him a lap down. He then pitted under green for fuel only on lap 57 and continued to hold his ground in the 15th position.

Just before the final caution of the race fell on lap 68, Goess gained key positions as the rain began to fall harder, and drivers complained of unsafe conditions due to not being able to see out of the windshield.

"I can't believe how hard it was raining during portions of the race," Goess said. "Towards the end of the race, it was getting difficult for me to see."

The rain forced Series officials to end the race five laps short of the original distance, throwing the checkered flag on lap 70. Goess and the No. 81 Toyota of Greenville team finished the inaugural ARCA Series race at PBIR in 13th place.

"It was a good run considering the rough conditions," said Goess. "I'm proud of everyone on the No. 81 Toyota of Greenville Eddie Sharp Racing team. They really helped me maintain composure during my first experience driving in the rain."

Owner Eddie Sharp agreed the rain made it tough for all drivers, but he is excited about improvements he sees in Goess. "I think Craig did a great job, especially considering the weather and that he is not a road course racer. I'm excited for his next race at Salem Speedway."

After a six-week break for the ARCA Racing Series drivers, Goess and the No. 81 Toyota of Greenville Eddie Sharp Racing team will race next at Salem Speedway on April 11, 2010 in Salem, Indiana.

QUALIFYING:
Koch Starting 3rd
Goess Starting 10th

Goess, Koch eighth-ninth in practice

MOORESVILLE, NC (February 26, 2010) - In his first visit to the twisty, 11-turn road course at Palm Beach International Raceway, ARCA rookie Blake Koch qualified his N0. 6 Tire Kingdom Toyota 3rd on the grid for tomorrow's race. Eddie Sharp Racing teammate Craig Goess qualified his No. 81 Greenville Toyota of NC Toyota tenth.

Craig Goess

PREVIEW:
Off to the Beach!

Craig Goess, ESR and the ARCA Series visit a new twisty track in Florida

MOORESVILLE, NC (February 22, 2010) - Craig Goess and the Eddie Sharp Racing No. 81 Greenville Toyota of NC Toyota will take the track at the Tire Kingdom 150 presented by ModSpace at Palm Beach International Raceway on February 27 at 1 PM.

BAD LUCK IN DAYTONA- Goess and the No. 81 team had bad luck at the Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200. On lap 16, a car blew a tire in front of the No. 81 Greenville Toyota of NC, and Goess could not navigate through the wall of smoke. He collided with Dakota Armstrong, causing substantial damage to No. 81. The damage was too substantial to fix, and Goess finished in 34th. Goess and the No. 81 team are looking for better luck this week at the second race of the season.

ROAD COURSE RACING- As the ARCA Racing Series drivers get ready to race on a newly added track, Goess prepares for his third road course race. In 2008, Goess competed in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East. During his impressive rookie season, Goess raced in his first road course race at Watkins Glen and finished 14th. He finished the season 16th in points. Goess competed in the ARCA Racing Series in 2009 and ran his second-ever road course race, finishing 10th at the New Jersey Motorsports Park.

FIRST TRIP FOR GOESS- Not only is this the first race at PBIR for the ARCA Racing Series, it is also the first time Goess will drive at the track. Goess is a former Legends Car star, competing for more than 10 years in Semi-Pro and Pro divisions. With a 98-percent win ratio and Legends Car feature wins at more than 24 tracks, Goess hopes to make PBIR his first ARCA Racing Series win. The first time he will be on the track is practice and qualifying on Friday, Feb. 26.

NEW STOP FOR ARCA - This will be the first time the ARCA Racing Series will race at Palm Beach International Raceway. The event at PBIR is ARCA Racing Series' 13th road course race since 1958. The first road course race was at the now defunct Meadowdale Raceway in Carpentersville, Illinois, in 1958 and was won by Fred Lorenzen.

TRACK FACTS
PALM BEACH INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY
Location	Jupiter, FL
Address	17047 Beeline Hwy., Jupiter, FL 33478
Phone:	561 622 1400
Length	2.034 mile road course
Turns	11
First ARCA Race	2010
EVENT SCHEDULE
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 26th
11:30-2:30 PM	ARCA Series Practice
4:00 PM	Pole Qualifying (All Positions / 2 laps)
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 27th
8:30 PM:	ARCA Tire Kingdom 150 presented by ModSPace (150 miles / 75 laps)

Live Timing and Scoring with Live Streaming Video/Audio on ARCANation.com