Archive for ◊ August, 2011 ◊

Author: RWHill
• Wednesday, August 31st, 2011

This weekend the eyes of the NASCAR world will be on Atlanta:

http://www.ajc.com/sports/marketers-race-to-atlantas-1151923.html

As the article notes:

“NASCAR comes to Atlanta this week, bringing with it companies pitching everything from pizza to pharmaceuticals to a new mango-strawberry energy drink. More than 100 companies have marketing or sponsorship deals with Atlanta Motor Speedway in conjunction with Sunday night’s AdvoCare 500 race, according to AMS vice president of sales Greg Walter.”

NASCAR is a marketer’s dream. It has fans and plenty of media exposure. There has never been a better time to get involved with NASCAR than right now!

Author: RWHill
• Monday, August 29th, 2011

As readers of this blog know, Randy Hill Racing has teamed with a great young driver named Casey Roderick:

http://www.nascar.com/2008/news/features/08/19/future.star.casey.roderick/index.html

This article is from 2008. And it tells the story of Bill Elliot taking Casey under his wing. Listen to what Bill said about the young driver:

“Casey Roderick is the genuine article. He’s won over 100 races and several titles, but more importantly, he has the attitude and work ethic it takes to be a champion in this sport.”

I couldn’t agree more. That’s why Randy Hill Racing is proud to be partnering with Casey Roderick. And we have every intention of winning championships on the track.

Author: RWHill
• Friday, August 26th, 2011

For some time now, I have been telling anyone who will listen that NASCAR is the future of racing. It looks like someone agrees with me:

http://www.kansascity.com/2011/08/25/3099676/danica-patrick-commits-to-a-full.html

Danica Patrick is easily the biggest star of the Indy Series. And now, she is switching full-time to NASCAR:

“’I go where my heart tells me, where my gut tells me, where I’m enjoying my life the most, where I feel I can have the most success,’ Patrick said at a news conference outside Phoenix, the home of her sponsor, GoDaddy.com. ‘I’ve truly enjoyed my experience in NASCAR to the point I want to do it full time.’”

NASCAR is heading for even bigger things in the future. And now Danica will be a part of it.

Author: RWHill
• Wednesday, August 24th, 2011

One of the best tracks in NASCAR is about to get even better:

http://espn.go.com/blog/dallas/motorsports/post/_/id/812/2012-tms-sked-twin-irl-races-two-cup-races

Texas Motor Speedway is going to have one of the most exciting schedules ever in 2012:

“The IndyCar Series twin race format will return to Texas Motor Speedway in 2012, and the track’s two NASCAR stops will be highlighted by a Saturday night spring race and the eighth Chase race, it was announced Tuesday night.”

That’s a lot of racing for North Texas racing fans. If you live in the area, do yourself a favor and check out TMS. Eddie Gossage does a great job running the track and it’s one of the best in all of NASCAR. It looks like TMS will be the place to be in 2012!

Author: RWHill
• Monday, August 15th, 2011

WATKINS GLEN, New York (August 14, 2011) – - Making a NASCAR Nationwide Series (NNS)  debut at a road course is not exactly the norm, but that is the challenge rookie driver Casey Roderick, Randy Hill Racing (RHR) and Go Green Racing (GGR) faced at Watkins Glen International for the Zippo 200.

The 19 year-old Lawrenceville, Georgia native had recently competed in the previous three ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards events with Randy Hill Racing and Spraker Racing Enterprises before entering Watkins Glen.

Roderick and his No. 39 Abilene Christian University Ford Mustang team faced a battle during practice. While fighting a free racecar, Roderick had no testing experience in a Nationwide Series car and was forced to learn on the spot in the weekend’s only two hour practice session. Roderick turned twenty laps and posted his fastest lap, good enough for 22nd overall on his last lap in practice.

Qualifying in group five, Roderick picked up from his practice time by nearly three tenths of a second, and continued to show great improvement with limited track time. Roderick qualified 24th, the best qualifying effort for the No. 39 team in the past five races.

As the race began, Roderick quickly made timely moves and picked up two positions on lap one and found comfortable track position in 22nd to gain experience in the early stages. With lap times constantly improving, Roderick was looking for a way to crack the top 20 as he moved up to 21st in the No. 39 Abilene Christian University Ford. Before the team’s first green flag stop on lap 19, the Georgia native reported that his No. 39 Ford Mustang was snug in most corners but began to free up as the run went along.

Roderick learned a valuable lesson coming into his pit box, as he slid through his sign, but chalked it up to experience. Quickly after the round of pit stops, the race’s first caution flew at lap 25, which left Roderick one lap down.

A long green flag run through the middle portion of the Zippo 200 gave Roderick the opportunity to gain spots back lost on pit road. By lap 60, Roderick had moved back to his starting position of 24th and found himself racing for the Lucky Dog position to get back on the lead lap. However, the cautions did not fall the ACU Racing team’s way, even with Roderick posting his fastest lap of the day on lap 74.

Just shy of the white flag, Roderick’s learned another rookie lesson after spinning in the inner loop with two laps to go, running 23rd forcing just the second yellow flag of the day. Recovering from the spin and surviving a green-white-checkered finish, Roderick finished his Nationwide Series debut 25th.

“I was just glad to make a lot of progress throughout the race and the weekend,” Roderick said. “After never running a Nationwide car at any time, I felt like we really made progress and we were the most competitive near the end of the race. At this point, that’s what I look for, is to keep getting better and better every time we get on the track. It was real fun to have Abilene Christian University on the car this weekend, and it’s neat to see a different type of organization be involved in NASCAR and I feel very fortunate to be a part of it with Randy Hill Racing.”

Team owner Randy Hill was more than pleased with the overall weekend with Roderick and Go Green Racing at Watkins Glen International.

“I’m so pleased to be with Casey and be a big part of his growing career,” Hill said.  “We came here to get more experience under our belt as a team, Casey as a driver and myself in an ownership type role. Watkins Glen is a great venue and everyone at Abilene Christian University have been a pleasure to work with to promote mobile learning and we enjoyed working with them every step of the way this weekend. I couldn’t be more proud of Casey and especially the Go Green Racing team for their effort this weekend.”

Randy Hill Racing will take a brief break from competition and begin preparing for a stretch of races this fall with Roderick at the helm.  The team’s official plans will be announced in the coming weeks.

For more on Randy Hill Racing, please visit randyhillracing.com.

Join the team on Facebook by clicking here (Randy Hill Racing).

Tweet with us through Twitter at @RandyHillRacing.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

NAME: Chris Knight, Knight Motorsports Management

PHONE: 239.834.9797

EMAIL: chris@chrisknightpr.com

NAME: Josh Weinrich, Knight Motorsports Management

PHONE: 636.236.9687

EMAIL: josh@chrisknightpr.com

Author: RWHill
• Friday, August 12th, 2011

WATKINS GLEN, New York (August 11, 2011) - – The Lone Star state will be well represented this weekend at Watkins Glen International (WGI). NASCAR Nationwide Series car owner Randy Hill will unveil a purple and white Ford Mustang with 19-year old Casey Roderick at the helm boasting the colors of Abilene Christian University (ACU).

“It’s such a blessing for me to be a part of the NASCAR Nationwide Series,” Hill said. “The opportunity to bring Abilene Christian University on-board for our debut seems only fitting. The university has done so much for me and others; I want everyone to know just how great of a place ACU really is and what they can offer to others.”

Hill is a strong supporter of education and helped initiate a program that provides iPads to schools. Hill began the initiative last December at Dallas Christian School by helping to donate iPads to teachers.  He later helped create a similar initiative at Abilene Christian School.  This week, he received national press attention for partnering with Abilene Christian University and Dallas Christian School to provide iPads 2 to students at Dallas Christian School.

“This is about giving back,” Hill said. “Sure, we’re going racing this weekend to have fun in our No. 39 Abilene Christian University Ford Mustang. But off the track, it’s about what more Randy Hill Racing and its associates can do not only now but for the future when it comes to education.”

This is the first K-12 school in America to implement a universal iPad initiative. Hill followed up at ACS in January 2011.

The Zippo 200 at the Glen (82 laps / 200.9 miles) is the 23rd of 35 races on the 2011 NASCAR Nationwide Series tour. Practice beings Friday, August 12 with a two-hour session planned from 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Qualifying is set for race day on Saturday, August 13th set to launch at 9:45 a.m. The field will take the green flag shortly after 2:00 p.m. with live coverage on ESPN, MRN Radio and SiriusXM NASCAR (Satellite) Radio (Channel 90). Pre-race coverage of the contest lifts off at 1:00 p.m. also on ESPN.

For more on Randy Hill Racing, please visit randyhillracing.com.

Join the team on Facebook by clicking here (Randy Hill Racing).

Tweet with us through Twitter at @RandyHillRacing.

About Abilene Christian University:

ACU hoisted in Abilene, Texas just on the outskirts of Hill’s hometown of Baird, Texas. Their mission is to educate students for Christian service and leadership throughout the world.  ACU is a national leader in Christian higher education and a place where students, faculty, staff and alumni change the world.

Furthermore, ACU is a vibrant, innovative, Christ-centered community that engages students in authentic spiritual and intellectual growth, equipping them to make a real difference in the world.

PHOTO CAPTION: NASCAR Nationwide Series car owner and Texas entrepreneur Randy Hill.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

NAME: Chris Knight / Josh Weinrich – Knight Motorsports Management

PHONE: 239.834.9797 / 636.236.9687

EMAIL: chris@chrisknightpr.com / josh@chrisknightpr.com

Author: RWHill
• Wednesday, August 10th, 2011

MOORESVILLE, North Carolina (August 10, 2011) - – Officials from Randy Hill Racing (RHR) and Go Green Racing (GGR) jointly announced today that the two entities will pair up for Saturday afternoon’s Zippo 200 at the Glen with 19-year old rising star Casey Roderick at the helm.

Randy Hill Racing, a newly formed team with plans to compete in select NASCAR Nationwide Series (NNS) events this season before stepping up their involvement in 2012, has paired with the Mooresville, North Carolina-based team for the event on the 2011 calendar after RHR elected to forgo utilizing its own equipment to concentrate on their upcoming efforts.

“Randy Hill Racing is a professional organization and if we feel like we cannot come out to the track and give 100 percent on and off the track, we will stay put,” said Nationwide car owner Randy Hill. “However, I made a promise to Casey (Roderick), NASCAR and a lot of folks in Texas that we would be racing at Watkins Glen and I am a man of my word.”

RHR heads to Watkins Glen International (WGI) on the heels of three consecutive outings in the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards in the No. 08 Randy Hill Racing entry led by Jeff Spraker and his Spraker Racing Enterprises (SRE) trio. In those three races, Roderick and his posse showed incredible speed which included leading the lone practice session this past weekend at Pocono (Pa.) Raceway. While circumstances beyond its control halted a good finish, the team is excited about moving up the Motorsports ladder.

“The pairing with Archie (St. Hilaire) and Go Green Racing (GGR) for Watkins Glen is fitting,” added Hill. “We are committed to running under the Ford banner this year and the team (Go Green Racing) has a strong fleet of racecars. Undoubtedly, we’re appreciative to have formed this partnership with them and look forward to having a respectable run on Saturday.”

Roderick, a native of Lawrenceville, Georgia native is no stranger to success in road racing. Last year in the ARCA Racing Series, Roderick, driving for NASCAR legend Bill Elliott, scored his first career pole in his road racing debut at Palm Beach (Fla.) International Raceway in February. Roderick had the stoutest car in the field and appeared to be headed to victory but a faulty transmission in the final stages of the event would bring their strong weekend to a halt.

Later in the year, the Bill Elliott Racing team tackled New Jersey Motorsports Park (NJMP) where again the team suffered misfortune. With just a handful of laps under his belt in practice, the engine expired in his No. 51 Dodge Charger forcing the team to make an overnight trip back to Georgia to obtain a new motor and return to NJMP in time for Roderick to start the event. Starting shotgun on the field, Roderick soared his way to the front and ultimately took the victory.

“Another reason I was so adamant about running Watkins Glen was because I know of Casey’s success there,” offered Hill, a Texas Rancher, inventor and entrepreneur. “I believe he has all the right ingredients to spread the word about Randy Hill Racing but also find himself in position to give Go Green Racing a strong finish.”

The former Legend Car Series driver remains humbled about the opportunity placed in front of him. “I have to thank Randy (Hill) for this opportunity,” Roderick said. “I am grateful to Archie and the Go Green Racing team for allowing us to form this partnership and go to Watkins Glen and try and turn some heads. I just hope we can stay on the track and be around for the end.”

It was also announced today that the team’s No. 39 Ford Mustang will be decked out in the colors of Texas’s Abilene Christian University. Hill, a former graduate from ACU, is utilizing Saturday’s event to bring awareness to one of the most prominent Universities in the state.

“We’re thrilled to be partnering with ACU for this one event,” sounded Hill. “The university’s passion for bringing mobile learning to the next generation of student leaders parallels our desire to become a recognized leader in NASCAR for its newest generation of fans.”

Future plans for the Randy Hill Racing’s remaining 2011 NASCAR Nationwide Series schedule will be announced in the coming weeks.

The Zippo 200 at the Glen (82 laps / 200.9 miles) is the 23rd of 35 races on the 2011 NASCAR Nationwide Series tour. Practice beings Friday, August 12 with a two-hour session planned from 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Qualifying is set for race day on Saturday, August 13th set to launch at 9:45 a.m. The field will take the green flag shortly after 2:00 p.m. with live coverage on ESPN, MRN Radio and SiriusXM NASCAR (Satellite) Radio (Channel 90). Pre-race coverage of the contest lifts off at 1:00 p.m. also on ESPN.

For more on Randy Hill Racing, please visit randyhillracing.com.

Join the team on Facebook by clicking here (Randy Hill Racing).

Tweet with us through Twitter at @RandyHillRacing.

Additional input on Go Green Racing is available by logging on to gogreenracing.net or gogreenracing.org.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

NAME: Chris Knight / Josh Weinrich – Knight Motorsports Management

PHONE: 239.834.9797 / 636.236.9687

EMAIL: chris@chrisknightpr.com / josh@chrisknightpr.com

Author: RWHill
• Tuesday, August 09th, 2011

LONG POND, Pennsylvania (August 9, 2011) – - In their third consecutive ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards race, Randy Hill Racing has shown it can be a threat. Under the direction of Spraker Racing Enterprises and crew chief Jeff Spraker with driver Casey Roderick, the RHR team competed at Pocono (Pa.) Raceway this past weekend. Unfortunately, the team continues to be snakebitten by bad luck.

After two consecutive races of running the No. 08 Randy Hill Racing Chevrolet Impala, the RHR team showed up this week at the 2.5-mile oval with an eye-opener No. 08 Randy Hill Racing Ford Fusion decked out in electrical blue flames.

With one practice session set for the ARCA competitors, Roderick and Spraker knew that they had to make the best of the time allowed to dial in their Ford Fusion. Their machine was more than dialed-in; it was “hooked up” as refereed by the driver. After stalking times in the top-five, Roderick surged to the top of the leader board where the RHR finished the session.

The team didn’t have much time to get jubilant about its effort as it shifted their focus towards qualifying, which they knew that had a shot at the pole. In time trials, Roderick, the avid Late Model pilot, maneuvered his automobile around the track in 53.967 seconds at 166.769 miles per hour, surging the team to the top of the qualifying rundown. Many, including RHR, expected the time to stand but as time trials pressed on, the air temperatures dropped considerably which allowed the track to become more faster and that led to the  No. 08 Randy Hill Racing Ford Fusion slip to third overall in the final lineup.

While disappointed that they didn’t obtain the pole for the 13th race of the season, the team still knew that they had a good car for race day.

Just two hours before the Pennsylvania ARCA 125 was set to take the green flag on Saturday, Mother Nature stormed her way into eastern Pennsylvania where she completely drenched the 2.5-mile oval leaving the race in jeopardy for the day. Shortly after 5:00 p.m., officials from ARCA and Pocono (Pa.) Raceway elected to postpone the race until after the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series dash, which was also delayed until Sunday morning.

Under overcast conditions, the field took the green flag shortly after 10:15 a.m., with Roderick falling to fourth by the completion of lap one. A massive mêlée ensued behind Roderick entering turn one which froze the field with the yellow flag being displayed.

Not wanting to take any unnecessary chances early on, Roderick and Co. we’re not concerned about losing a position on the track.  When racing resumed on lap 14, the former Legends ace would move back into third before having to battle Chad Hackenbracht on lap 20. Settling for fourth, Roderick would soon have to fend off fellow Ford teammate Chad McCumbee a few laps later.

Roderick’s day would begin to take a sour turn after making contact with the wall: the Lawrenceville, Georgia native would have to make a green flag pit stop for four tires, fuel and a chassis adjustment. Frustration would soon spread in the pit area as the caution flag would waive just two laps later.

Spraker elected to keep his driver out on the race track which theoretically put the No. 08 Randy Hill Racing Ford Fusion on the tail end of the lead lap.

On the restart, Roderick would fight leaders Ty Dillon and Max Gresham hard to maintain a spot on the lead lap but an unexpected tap from Gresham would send the No. 08 spinning wildly in turn one before making contact with the wall. Heavily damaged, Roderick climbed from his machine and made the mandatory trip to the infield care center where he was checked and released. The team had to settle with a 30th place finish.

“I don’t really know what to say,” said Roderick. “Randy Hill Racing, Spraker Racing Enterprises, Jeff (Spraker) and his team gave me an absolutely phenomenal racecar. We just can’t seem to catch a break. I’m pretty upset about the wreck, just because I feel it could have been avoided. I was trying to be respectful, but racing for something I knew we could earn. It’s a shame to see a good-looking car like we had all tore up. The car was tight there at the beginning of the race, but we were riding around just waiting to pit and then she just took off towards the wall coming out of the corner. That was the start of a good weekend gone haywire.”

Spraker also showing the same emotions as his driver offered. “We just can’t buy a break. Casey did a great job. To unload and go out there and set the fastest lap at a place that you’ve never been before that says a lot about his driving abilities. The crew did a good job and I want to thank Randy (Hill) for continuing to believe in us. We’ll just head back to the shop and regroup.”

For Randy Hill, a Texas Rancher, inventor and entrepreneur, his early experience in racing has definitely mounted the good and the bad, but he continues to be confident about his decision to go racing. “Racing is like any business, you’re going to go through some trials and tribulations. The team did a great job with the car. We were bad to the bone fast. I can’t ask for much more than that. It really would have been nice to have seen the checkered flag with a good finish, but we can’t dwell on this, we just have to stay motivated and move forward.”

Moving forward includes Randy Hill Racing making its presence known with Roderick in the NASCAR Nationwide Series (NNS) next Saturday afternoon at Watkins Glen (N.Y.) International for the Zippo 200 at the Glen. The 2.45-mile paved road course is the next step towards RHR structure of building a successful NASCAR team. Further information about their Nationwide effort will be released soon.

Next up for the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards is the first of two dirt races of the season. The 14th race of the year steers the teams to Illinois before landing at the Illinois State Fairgrounds (Springfield) for the running of the Allen Crowe 100 set for Sunday, August 21.

Exiting Pocono, Roderick made his 10th career ARCA Racing Series start. In those 10 outings, Roderick has scored one win (New Jersey Motorsports Park), two top-fives and three top-10s. He also hoisted a pole in his road racing debut at Palm Beach (Fla.) International Raceway in February 2010.

For more on Randy Hill Racing, please visit randyhillracing.com.

Join the team on Facebook by clicking here (Randy Hill Racing).

Tweet with us through Twitter at @RandyHillRacing.

PHOTO CAPTION 1: The No. 08 Randy Hill Racing Ford Fusion driven by Casey Roderick at Pocono (Pa.) Raceway in the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards for Randy Hill Racing in a collaborative effort with Spraker Racing Enterprises.

PHOTO CAPTION 2: Casey Roderick, driver of the No. 08 Randy Hill Racing Ford Fusion in the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards for Randy Hill Racing in a collaborative effort with Spraker Racing Enterprises.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

NAME: Chris Knight, Knight Motorsports Management

PHONE: 239.834.9797

EMAIL: chris@chrisknightpr.com

Author: RWHill
• Monday, August 08th, 2011

Over 200 students to receive iPads at Dallas Christian

DCS ChargerTech initiative enters Phase II

iPads have already revolutionized the way we use computers.  Now they’re changing the way we teach and learn.

Every teacher at Dallas Christian School in Mesquite received an iPad in December as part of ChargerTech, a school-wide initiative to incorporate tablet computers into the classroom environment.  This week, DCS launches Phase II.

On Monday, August 8, at 7 p.m., every high school student at Dallas Christian School in Mesquite – more than 200 young people in all – will be given their own iPad2. Beginning on the first day of school, those students will weave use of the tablet device into their classroom, home-based and on-the-go learning experiences.

“This initiative will help our students prepare to live and work in a digital world,” says Dr. Colleen Netterville, president of Dallas Christian.  “We are diving into an area that will take our entire school fully into the 21st century.  The world is changing before our eyes, and we have to change with it.”

The initial distribution of 60 iPads to teachers was made possible by a gift from Texas entrepreneur and DCS alumnus Randy Hill (Class of ’86).  He has joined in helping DCS parents, friends, and alumni fund the purchase of the student units as well.

Hill believes Apple’s iPad and devices like it have the potential to revolutionize how teachers teach as well as how their students access their course work, notes and raw data from the Internet.

“We can’t keep giving our kids the kind of instruction I received in the 80’s, let alone giving it to them essentially in the way it was delivered in the 1880’s,” says Hill.  “I’m thrilled to be able to help DCS accomplish its goal of becoming a more innovative institution – a school that will get these students ready for the jobs they will want in the future, many of which don’t even exist right now.”

“From the very start, Randy has been the guiding force behind this initiative,” says Steve Bivins, vice president of Dallas Christian.  “We anticipate our entire campus will be utterly transformed by Randy’s gift.”

For the past eight months, teachers at DCS have been working with experts from Abilene Christian University, a recognized leader in the area of Mobile Learning, to prepare for complete integration of the iPad devices into the education process.

“Students at ACU are successfully using mobile learning as a part of their critical thinking and problem solving skill set,” says Dr. Billie McConnell, director of ACU’s K-12 Digital Learning Institute.  “It will be a true advantage for students in a high school setting to have this experience in and out of the classroom at such a pivotal age.”

Throughout the 2011-12 school year, DCS teachers and administrators will track how integration of iPads effects the classroom learning environment.  “It will be important for us to quantify our findings so we can build on the success of ChargerTech and, in so doing, better serve our students,” says Dr. Netterville.

Author: RWHill
• Saturday, August 06th, 2011

Yesterday Casey Roderick had a strong practice run and will start today’s race third on the pole.  Take a look at the video:

http://www.arcanation.com/videos/2054

Author: RWHill
• Friday, August 05th, 2011

This weekend Randy Hill Racing heads to Pocono for an ARCA race at one of the most unusual tracks in the world:

http://www.arcaracing.com/news.php?contentid=11176

As the article notes:

“Known primarily for its unusual triangular shape and a crafty mix of oval track and road course characteristics, Pocono Raceway has – below the general radar – endured criticism in recent years for safety shortfalls. Before the 2011 season, however, track officials decided to do something about that.”

That’s right: Pocono features a triangular track that makes for some exciting racing. But that doesn’t mean it’s not a safe track:

“For example, over a mile of new catch fence is now in place around the track’s outside, meant to keep any objects – such as an airborne car – from flying out of the race track in an incident.”

Be sure and watch the excitement this weekend on the Speed Channel and look for the Randy Hill Racing 08 ca

Author: RWHill
• Wednesday, August 03rd, 2011

LONG POND, Pennsylvania (August 3, 2011) – - While Casey Roderick, Spraker Racing Enterprises (SRE) and Randy Hill Racing have collectively proven that they are capable of running up front in the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards, the group looks to turn their strength into a strong performance in Saturday’s Pennsylvania ARCA 125.

So far, the trio has competed in the last two ARCA events at Iowa Speedway and Lucas Oil Raceway. Neither speed nor talent has been a problem for the No. 08 Randy Hill Racing Ford Fusion. However, tire issues in both contests have relegated the new operation to finishes not worthy of their performance.

They are hoping to change that statistic in the 13th race of the season Saturday afternoon.

“I’ve never raced at Pocono, but I’m extremely excited about the opportunity to do so,” said Roderick, a former winner in the ARCA Racing Series at New Jersey Motorsports Park.  “It’s going to be a shootout, if you will, with the number of laps that we’ve been given, so we really have to make the best of that situation in the No. 08 Randy Hill Racing Ford Fusion.”

Experience is crucial at any racetrack but the upside for Roderick is knowing that he has a veteran driver and crew chief like Jeff Spraker on his side.

“It’s been great working with Jeff,” Roderick added. “We seem to really gel together. He’s given me fast race cars at both Iowa and Lucas Oil Raceway. Unfortunately, we’ve been hit with some bad luck, so we don’t have the finishes to show for it. We’ll get it turned around this weekend though and look to bring home a gratifying finish.”

When not focused behind the steering wheel, Roderick is hands-on with his Randy Hill Racing team, which includes during the week between races. Roderick can often be found at the Mooresville, North Carolina shop assisting the crew and further enhancing his technical knowledge about the racecars.

“I think anytime a driver has an opportunity to learn about some of the different logistics on a racecar he should act on it,” offered the Lawrenceville, Georgia native. “I don’t mind getting dirty and helping the guys. It’s not only a way for us to all bond, but it’s also a way for me to learn. I’m learning something every day and that’s important to me as I try and build my racing career.”

“In a sense, you kind of can compare to Pocono to a road course,” crew chief Spraker added. “That’s good for Casey, since he excels on road courses. The place is incredibly fast with a lot of room to pass. Each corner is different, so it may take a little bit for Casey to get used to that, but I think with the practice on Friday, he’ll find the groove quickly and we can begin working towards having a good run on Saturday.”

For Randy Hill, a Texas Rancher, inventor and entrepreneur, seeing the team advance from short track racing to one of the most technical tracks on the circuit shows just how determined they are to make a statement in racing.

“There isn’t a question in my mind that we can find ourselves contending on Saturday,” Hill offered. “Casey and Jeff are really working well together and they enjoy being around each other and that’s a key to any relationship. It’s been great to see our No. 08 Randy Hill Racing Ford Fusion fast and competitive at Iowa and Lucas Oil Raceway. On the other hand, it’s a shame that we endured some tough luck that kept us from showing our true potential. We’re not going to get discouraged by any means; we’re just going to keep ourselves focused and hope that this time everything will pan out for us.”

Entering Pocono, Roderick will make his 10 career ARCA start on Saturday afternoon. In his previous nine outings, Roderick has scored one win (New Jersey Motorsports Park), two top-fives and three top-10s. He also hoisted a pole in his road racing debut at Palm Beach (Fla.) International Raceway in February 2010.

The Pennsylvania ARCA 125 (50 laps / 125 miles) is the 13th of 19 events on the 2011 ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards schedule. The 53rd ARCA race at Pocono Raceway is a two-day show. Practice begins Friday, August 5 with a one hour and twenty minute practice session planned from 1:40 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Menards Pole by Ansell qualifying is slated to begin later in the day at 5:40 p.m. The field will take the green flag shortly after 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, August 6. The event will be televised live on SPEED beginning at 3:00 p.m. EST. Live timing and scoring throughout the 1,325th race for the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards since it was formed in 1953 will be available through the ARCA Racing Network (ARN) online at arcaracing.com presented by ARCANation.com. All times are local.

Author: RWHill
• Monday, August 01st, 2011

CLERMONT, Indiana (August 1, 2011) – - Casey Roderick, Jeff Spraker and Randy Hill Racing proved they can be race contenders with their second straight ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards.  However, bad luck once again plagued the No. 08 Randy Hill Racing Chevrolet Impala in the Ansell Protective Gloves 200 at Lucas Oil Raceway (LOR).

Armed with the same car the team participated with two weeks prior at Iowa Speedway, Roderick and Co. set out to make a statement in the lone practice session at the historic short track. Making noise is exactly what they did as Roderick soared his No. 08 Randy Hill Racing Chevrolet to the top of the board for much of the practice before having to settle for fourth quickest overall.

Knowing that they had a good race car, Roderick and Spraker consulted and made a few minor adjustments hoping to give the team a chance at their first pole. Giving it his all in qualifying, Roderick whipped his machine around the track to a time of 22.641 miles per hour or 109.076 miles per hour, landing them exactly where they practiced, fourth.

At the drop of the green flag, Roderick hovered safely in the top-five. Finding himself in torrid battles with some of ARCA’s finest, the Lawrenceville, Georgia native continued to maneuver fast lap times.

Spraker opted to bring his driver down pit road on lap 62 for four tires and fuel but the driver slid through his pits forcing him to back-up before his team could service his vehicle. Roderick was also ticketed for entering pit road too fast which forced the No. 08 Randy Hill Racing Chevrolet Impala to start at the tail end of the longest line.

Mired deep in the field but in the high teens on the race track, Roderick had to show patience as he worked his way through the field. Cleverly maneuvering his way through his contenders, Roderick had climbed into the 12th position by lap 68.

The yellow flag waived a lap later with Roderick picking up another spot and hoisting the 11th position. Spraker kept his protégé on the race track, restarting with his sights set on bolting back towards the top-five.

Roderick’s night turned tragic on lap 81 when his right front tire gave way sending him into the outside wall. The former Legends star was able to drive his Chevrolet bowtie back to the pits where the team changed tires and sent their driver back on the race track. Ultimately though, Roderick would return to pit lane and make the turn into the garage as suspension issues would keep the team from completing the 12th race of the season.

The team would be credited with a 31st place finish.

“I have to thank Jeff Spraker, Spraker Racing Enterprises and Randy Hill Racing for the opportunity to drive here at Lucas Oil Raceway,” sounded Roderick.  “Our car was really, really good. I messed up by overshooting the pits and speeding and I’m sorry to the guys about that. We were able to work our way back towards the front when without warning the car just shot up into the wall. I hate it. We’ll head to Pocono next weekend and see if we can’t get a finish that we rightfully deserve.”

While also disappointed with the outcome, Spraker continued to praise his pilot. “Casey is such a joy to work with,” the NASCAR veteran said. “He’s fast everywhere he goes. He made a mistake, but that’s bound to happen with a rookie. I think he learned from it though. Nothing we could do about the tire failure, it’s just one of the flaws to racing.”

For Randy Hill, a Texas rancher, inventor and entrepreneur, he was  pleased with the day, despite the end result. “This is racing and stuff like this is going to happen, but everyone knew we were here again,” he said. “Casey, Jeff and the crew should be proud of themselves for having such a stout race car even though we didn’t finish where we wanted to. We’ll go to Pocono and just see if we can’t steal the spotlight.”

Next up for the ARCA Racing Series is a return to trip to the “Tricky Triangle” at Pocono (Pa.) Raceway for the running of the Pennsylvania 125.  The 50-lap shootout is set for Saturday, August 6 with live coverage on the SPEED channel beginning at 3:00 p.m.

Exiting LOR, Roderick made his 10th career ARCA start on Thursday night. In his previous nine outings, Roderick has scored one win (New Jersey Motorsports Park), two top-fives and three top-10s. He also hoisted a pole in his road racing debut at Palm Beach (Fla.) International Raceway in February 2010.

For more on Randy Hill Racing, please visit randyhillracing.com.

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Tweet with us through Twitter at @RandyHillRacing.

PHOTO CAPTION: The No. 08 Randy Hill Racing Chevrolet Impala SS driven by Casey Roderick in the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

NAME: Chris Knight, Knight Motorsports Management

PHONE: 239.834.9797

EMAIL: chris@chrisknightpr.com