| (Salem, Indiana – September 12, 2016) The Ansell-Menards team, along with driver Matt Kurzejewski, went into the Eddie Gilstrap Motors Fall Classic by Meadow View/Salem Crossing Fueled by the Hoosier Lottery 200 with expectations of bringing home a top-10 finish. They did just that with a seventh place effort during the 100th running of this weekend’s ARCA race at Salem Speedway.
Kurzejewski, the 25-year-old from Mansfield, Pennsylvania placed 11th and sixth respectively during the two practice sessions on Saturday afternoon in preparation for the 200-lap feature under the lights.
“The racecar is very neutral,” stated Kurzejewski after practice. “The car has great balance and hopefully we can bring home a decent finish.”
Menards Pole Qualifying Presented by Ansell was rained out and the field was set by combined practice speeds. This put the No.52 Ansell-Menards Toyota starting in ninth position.
Once the green flag flew on the 100th edition of the ARCA 200, Kurzejewski continued to battle inside the top-10. During cautions the team made adjustments to the car along with bolting on fresh General Tires.
With 30 laps remaining the Ansell-Menards team put on four fresh General Tires to give Kurzejewski a shot at a top-5 finish. In the closing laps, he came up just short and finish seventh in only his second appearance on the high banks of Salem Speedway.
“The car was good, I was riding and trying to save my tires throughout the race similar to the spring race and the pace was just a little faster than I anticipated. All and all a good day for our team and we have three more races to get to victory lane.”
Next up for Kurzejewski is the Scott 100, September 15 at Chicagoland Speedway. |
