Full Throttle

Some folks are headed to the closest grill for a holiday BBQ this July 4th holiday weekend, while others are heading to the beach. Five-time Daytona ARCA 200 winner Bobby Gerhart has definitely opted for “The Beach” - Daytona Beach to be more specific. As it turns out, Gerhart has dusted off his NASCAR Nationwide Series car for the running of the Subway Jalapeno 250 powered by Coca-Cola Friday night.

The Lebanon, Pennsylvania veteran is entered in the Bob Schacht Motorsports #75 Chevrolet with support from long-time sponsor, Lucas Oil.

“Daytona is definitely one of my favorite places to race,” said Gerhart. “So when we had the opportunity to come here with the Nationwide car I was extremely excited. We know that Schacht Motorsports has a good program so we expect to be competitive. Daytona is a fun place to race and I’m looking forward to running there under the lights.”

This will be the second Nationwide Series race of the season for the Gerhart - Schacht combination. Their first outing was at Talladega in April where Gerhart had moved up to 8th place with 4 laps to go before being collected-up in a wreck when Justin Allgaier spun down into his Lucas Oil Chevrolet.

“We’d like to extend a special thank you to the folks at Lucas for making the jump to the Nationwide Series with us,” said Crew Chief Bill Gerhart. “They’ve supported us for quite a while and to have them on the car at Daytona, where we’ve won with them several times before, means a lot to the team.”

The race will be broadcast live on ESPN Friday at 7:30 PM ET.

Current fulltime ARCA RE/MAX Series driver Patrick Sheltra, as previously announced here at ARCAracing.com, is also entered in the Nationwide Series race at Daytona.

Here’s what some of the other ARCA members are up to this July 4th holiday weekend:

Frank Kimmel will be heading to Rockingham Speedway for the weekend to head up the field for the Cherry Bomb 200 for the Frank Kimmel Street Stock Nationals. He’ll rush back home after the race as his son will be racing at Salem Speedway in the Super Stock class on Sunday the 5th.

“It’s really cool that we get to go out to a racetrack like Rockingham and celebrate the 4th of July with a big field of competitors in the Cherry Bomb 200,” said Kimmel. “This will be our fifth event and we hope for a great turnout. After the race, we’ll jump back in the car and head to Salem Speedway where Frankie (Frank’s son) will be racing in the Fire Cracker 200. So overall, it’s a huge racing weekend for the Kimmel family.”

Frank’s brother and crew chief Bill Kimmel, along with some of the crew, will be heading to the river to engage in some tubing on the water. Bill is such a tight wad (LOL) that he invites the crew so they can pay for the gas.

Parker Kligerman: “We’re down the beach Friday night to watch the fireworks. We go to Compo Beach on the Long Island Sound. Family and friends. Then, probably watch the Cup race Saturday.”

Joey Coulter: Joey is scheduled to be a guest on one of Charlotte’s top-ranked sports TV shows, Fox Sports “Got Game” this Saturday, July 4th, 2009 at 10:30 PM EST. Coulter, driver of the No. 16 Darrell Gwynn Foundation-Tempest Cycles Chevrolet, will be interviewed one-on-one by Bruce Snyder, on-air talent and Sports Director for Fox Sports Charlotte.

Most of the full time Hixson Motorsports crew, to include Team Owner Wayne Hixson, Drivers Jeremy Petty and Ron Cox, Crew Chief Jon Griese, Car Chief Mike Ross, Team Manager Roy Shipley, Scorer Crystal Bates, and their respective families will be attending a cookout held by Wayne at his home. Burgers, hotdogs, and racing stories will be passed around in great supply, and there will be lots of swimming and water sports as Wayne’s house overlooks the Tennessee River. As the day winds down, everyone goes back to the race shop, which is in perfect position to watch the City of Soddy Daisy’s annual fireworks show, which kicks off just after dark.

Brad Smith: “I will be spending a majority of my July 4th holiday with Gene Patient of Gene Patient Fabrication in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. We have 2 short-track cars down there currently being worked on. When I go down to pick up the first one I will be dropping off a third short-track car for him to work on. Two of the three need front clips so Gene will be pretty busy on his holiday also.

“Sounds like a “Michigan-Indianapolis-Tennessee-North Carolina-back to Michigan” trip is in store starting Friday. I will be dropping off sheet metal and picking up a transmission at Uncle Bucks, proceeding to Gene’s to exchange cars, and off to North Carolina to pick up a race car. Then hopefully get back home in time to squeeze in a quick barbeque with the family. Hope everyone at ARCA has a safe & relaxing holiday!”

Steve Arpin is headed back to his dirt track modified roots as the Fort Frances, Ontario driver will be competing in the Minnesota Modified Nationals in Alexandria, Minnesota over the July 4th weekend. Then his plans will take him back to Rochester, Minnesota to race in the Gopher 50 at Deer Creek Speedway, which is a charity race for the modifieds and World of Outlaw late models.

Darrell Basham will be joining his granddaughter Miranda at the races Friday night, then it’s back to work on his car for Iowa Saturday and Sunday. Basham’s been all over the country over the last week delivering product as an independent trucker - to Texas, to Las Vegas and to Michigan.

Stan & Judi Rosen: “We’re trying to get a motor into the truck so that we can race at Iowa. As you know, we burned a piston at Mansfield. Maybe, I’ll have time to cook us some turkey burgers!

Duane Bischoff: “We plan on working on our ARCA truck for the Iowa race and getting our NASCAR Camping World Truck ready for our first race at ORP in Indy. Hope everyone is enjoying the racing season.”

Bill Venturini: “Next weekend for the 4th of July we are probably going to Rockingham for the ASA race. We have a couple of our development drivers racing there.

Larry Clement: I will be racing in a 135-lap Great American Stock Car Series (GASS) race at Iowa Speedway on July 4th. It is the third and final series race at Iowa this year. The series also races on West Coast tracks. The races are taped and shown on Fox Sports channels.” Clement, a nine-time ARCA RE/MAX Series car owner champion, won the GASS race at Iowa back in June.

Tina Wilcox: “This July 4th my husband and I are going to the lake house and having a picnic/party with some of my family and co-workers. Plan on hitting the water, fishing, ski boarding, etc.. Thanks for asking!”

“I would be at the track or cooking out with the family, but my Aunt lost her battle with cancer this morning so that takes care of things this weekend. Thanks again for the credential at Toledo and the continued emails.” Brian Deitz, WOBL/WDLW Radio Sports Director

Stephan Fox: “I will be busy with my real job, General Manager and Chief Instructor at StockCar Racing Experience at Pocono Raceway. We have a very busy day planned for this Sat July 4th. I am also going full speed ahead in my race shop getting the 2007 Dodge Charger we just purchased ready for Universe Towing’s first race at Pocono on August.”

Dan Bellaire: “Pitting on Derrick Sheppard’s Enduro car at Flat Rock on Saturday. I figure since he comes out and spots for us when his dad [Rick] is driving my outlaw late model that I can return the favor and help him.”

Hal Martin: “My 4th of July plans have me racing in the ASA Challenge Series race Cheerwine Cherry Bomb 200 at Rockingham Speedway. I will be racing in the Frank Kimmel Nationals for Lorz Motorsports.”

Scott Cameron/ALWTS Tech Director: Wow, a holiday weekend that we aren’t racing somewhere is pretty rare. I will probably catch up on the honey-do list and have some friends and family over for a barbeque on the 4th.

Don Radebaugh: “I’m taking my daughters to a pool party at a good friend’s house Friday night for the Sylvania, Ohio fireworks display. Saturday will be some chores around the house I’ve been wanting to do, and then a night of relaxation, I hope. I’ll be checking in on the laptop to update the ARCAracing.com site too. I will also take time to think about our Founding Fathers, who created and signed the Declaration of Independence, which is the reason we celebrate the holiday. It’s amazing to me, that the two men most responsible for creating the document - John Adams and Thomas Jeffereson - died within hours apart on July 4th, 1826, the 50th anniversary of Independence Day.”

Daren Havens: “I am planning on attending the Annual “Try to burn down Joe Well’s back Yard” party. Then I will spend the rest of the weekend recovering and spending time with family, and Jenn.”

Pierre Bourque: “Greetings from Dunrobin, Ontario … and Happy Canada Day to both ARCA friends and fans alike. For those who don’t know, July 1st is Canada’s 142nd birthday, our July 4th. It’s a downtime day for us north of the border. You may have heard I am racing the Aaron’s Dream Machine in the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series this season, but I have my ‘09 ARCA license and I am close to a deal to race ARCA this summer. Meantime, July 4th will see me with family and friends, alternately at home, at the gym, at the BBQ, and (hopefully) in the hammock. God Bless.”

Lisa Morgan: “Yes, spending time with family but would love to go to the race in Daytona!! Please tell my friend Pat who works on the Joey Logano ARCA team we said hi and we miss him!

“We are going to our place on Lake Wawasee and watch the tape of my husband Kent Schenkel’s first ARCA race at age 59…to us…he won the race.”

Harry Shafer: “My family and I are heading up to Watkins Glen to watch the Indy cars put on a hell of a show. If I had satellite in my RV I would be watching a sprint cup and F1 and whatever else is on.

“Going boating over the 4th, and getting ready to go to Kentucky in a few weeks to watch my nephew Andy Quillan go over the wall.” (Go Brad #26)

Chris Taylor: “I will be heading to the Upper Peninsula with my daughter to fish, ride quads, and cut wood with my dad.”