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AUSTIN THERIAULT: Theriault, BKR Head To CRA Speedfest 200 This Weekend

Brad Keselowski Racing development driver Austin Theriault of Fort Kent, Maine, makes his 2012 season debut in the CRA-sanctioned Speedfest 200 at Watermelon Capital Speedway in Cordele, Ga., on Sunday, January 29. Theriault is making his third career start in the BKR No. 29 Checkered Flag Foundation Dodge Super Late Model after two races in the seat for the team late in 2011, but it will mark Theriault's first career appearance at Watermelon Capital. The .375-mile banked oval plays host to Speedfest for the first time in 2012, after NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Kyle Busch won back-to-back Speedfest 200's at Lanier National Speedway in 2009 and 2010 and Chase Elliott won last year's event.

AT RACING: Austin Theriault Announces Plans For 2012 Season

FORT KENT, Maine – Austin Theriault of Fort Kent, Maine, will try and complete some unfinished business this season while also setting out on a new venture in his racing career.

Theriault will run the complete ACT Late Model Tour schedule in 2012 as he chases his first career Tour championship, while the 17-year-old will also run more than half a dozen Super Late Model events as a development driver for Brad Keselowski Racing.

“We've had all kinds of good opportunities in the last couple of years and learned from all of them,” said Theriault, who made his debut with BKR in the World Crown 300 at Gresham Motorsports Park in Jefferson, Ga., last November. "I know it all has happened fast, but I feel everything happens for a reason and I'm ready for the challenge.

“I'm really looking forward to this season."

GRIP: Seminar To Examine The Truth About Aerodyamics This Week

PORTLAND, Maine—Every short-track race team is constantly looking for any bit of speed it can find, and GRIP plans to help racers find that edge.

Kentucky native Sammy Sanders brings nearly 20 years of design, fabrication, body hanging, driving, and aerodynamic experience to the Seasons Event and Conference Center in Portland, Maine, this coming January 19-22 for the first annual GRIP Seminar presented by Hypercoil Springs. While the four-day short-track racing seminar will explore suspension information, brake technology, spotting technique, driver development and marketing, it will also place a premium on explaining how to take advantage of body hanging and bracing to maximize downforce and aerodynamics on short tracks across the United States and Canada.

Sanders, who is the lead designer & fabricator for Aluminum Racing Products – ARbodies – will address aerodynamics and downforce, as well as how to maximize both through proper body hanging and bracing procedures, and the use of aerodynamic enhancing accessories.

“This is a really exciting opportunity for short-track teams,” said Jason Enders of RE Suspension, one of GRIP's co-founders. “What somebody like Sanders has learned over the years is invaluable, and he has the ability to debunk popular myths about aerodynamics as they pertain to short-track racing while also getting the best for teams in terms of actual on-track performance.”

GRIP presented by Hypercoil Springs: Seminar Shines Light On Spotting

PORTLAND, Maine – The eyes in the sky will come into sharp focus when the first annual GRIP Seminars presented by Hypercoil Springs takes place later this month.

Frank Bolter has worked the spotter's stand from the top levels of NASCAR to the Indianapolis 500 to short-track Saturday nights, and he will join GRIP this Jan. 19-22 at the Seasons Event & Conference Center as one of the event's keynote speakers. While the four-day short-track racing seminar will explore suspension information, brake technology, aerodynamics, driver development and marketing, it will also put an emphasis on spotting technique and its importance to a race team's overall success.

Bolter, who has been involved with eight Indianapolis 500s and was the spotter for Kyle Busch's TD Bank Oxford 250 win in 2011, works as a spotter and team consultant in NASCAR. Bolter will make a formal presentation during a 90-minute session on Sunday morning of the seminar, and he will also be available each day to answer individual questions from race teams in attendance.

GRIP: Hypercoil Springs Offers 3-For-1 GRIP Ticket Deal

PORTLAND, Maine – Hypercoil Springs is offering teams the chance to make the most the first annual GRIP Seminar.

In announcing that GRIP – “Get Racing's In-Depth Perspective” – is now joined by Hypercoil as the title sponsor for the four-day short-track racing seminar held at Portland's Seasons Event & Conference Center from January 19-22, the company is also announcing an exciting offer. For each four-day ticket sold to the seminar between now and Jan. 19, Hypercoil will match the purchase by offering two FREE accompanying tickets.

Now, three people will be able to attend all four days of GRIP for the price of just one ticket.

“We absolutely believe that short-track racing teams will benefit from GRIP,” said Kelly Falls of Hyperco, the company which produces Hypercoil Springs. “And because we believe that teams will benefit from what they will learn at GRIP – in all aspects of the racing world – we want to send as many people as possible.”

People who have already purchased four-day tickets to GRIP Seminars presented by Hypercoil Springs will also be presented with this opportunity.

“We're beyond excited to have Hypercoil Springs on board with us,” said GRIP founder Gary Crooks of Crooks Racing Inc. “We know that short-track teams are conscious of every penny they spend as they try and bring their programs to the next level, and it goes without saying that Hypercoil is making it very easy for teams to commit to our program.”

GRIP: Seminar Offers Team Chance To Air Things Out With Wind Tunnel Expertise

PORTLAND, Maine – Short-track race teams continue to look for any aerodynamic advantage they can find, and the first annual GRIP Seminar – “Get Racing's In-Depth Perspective” – will help racers find an edge.

David Salazar brings nearly a decade of wind tunnel expertise the Seasons Event & Conference Center in Portland, Maine, this coming January 19-22. While the four-day short-track racing seminar will explore suspension information, brake technology, spotting technique, driver development and marketing, it will also place a premium on explaining why aerodynamics are important on North America's short ovals.

Salazar, the general manager of A2 Wind Tunnels, will discuss aerodynamics and downforce, as well as their impact on overall performance, during the seminar. He will also be available each day to address individual concerns teams may have.

“I think that this is one of the really significant components of GRIP,” said Gary Crooks of Crooks Racing Inc. “Sometimes we tend to think of aerodynamics as only being part of speedway racing, but there's a lot that can be gained by teams that understand all aspects of how aero packages and downforce affect their cars, even on short tracks.”

GRIP: Seminar Takes Closer Look At Suspension With Jason Enders

PORTLAND, Maine – With so many suspension package options facing race teams week in and week out during the season, finding the hot setup is a difficult task. With one of the world's leading suspension specialists on hand for the first annual GRIP Seminar – “Get Racing's In-Depth Perspective” – drivers and crews will get answers next month.

Jason Enders of RE Suspension will be at the Seasons Event & Conference Center in Portland, Maine, this coming January 19-22. While the four-day short-track racing seminar will explore setup information, brake technology, spotting technique, driver development and marketing, it will also place a heavy emphasis on suspension.

Enders will discuss shocks and shock dynamics, springs bump stops, wheel loads and coil binding during the seminar. He will also be available each day to address individual concerns teams may have.

“I'm really looking forward to GRIP,” said Enders, who joined Gary Crooks of Crooks Racing, Inc., in creating the unique seminar on the short-track racing industry. “Every team out there is searching for that edge, and I honestly believe that this is a way for them to sort through all of the question marks and find what works for their own programs.”

GRIP: Driver Development On Seminar Slate

PORTLAND, Maine – As driver development takes on a more prominent role on the short-track racing secne, more and more questions arise among teams seeking to make the most of the opportunities ahead of them. That's where Wayne Setterington comes in.

Setterington, of Brad Keselowski Racing (BKR), will be one of the several industry insiders on hand at the first annual GRIP Seminar – “Get Racing's In-Depth Perspective” – held at the Seasons Event & Conference Center in Portland, Maine, this coming January 19-22. While the four-day short-track racing seminar will explore setup information, suspension and brake technology, spotting technique and marketing, it will also feature a focus on driver development.

Setterington will let teams know how to make their own racing resumes stand out to the people making the decisions on the next generation of NASCAR stars. He will attend the seminar from Friday, January 20 through Sunday, January 22.

“This will be a great opportunity for people to get face-time with somebody who understands every element of how driver development works,” said Gary Crooks, founder of GRIP. “We're excited that Wayne will be at the seminar. He's going to explain what teams are looking for, and he'll be available to anyone at the seminar who wants to talk one-on-one about how to jumpstart their own racing careers.”

AUSTIN THERIAULT: Theriault Impresses In Brad Keselowski Racing Debut

CONCORD, N.C. – Austin Theriault finished 12th in the PASS-sanctioned Mason-Dixon Meltdown 200 at Concord Motorsports Park on Saturday, wrapping up an impressive debut with Brad Keselowski Racing (BKR) this month.

Theriault made his first start with the team in the crash-marred World Crown 300 at Gresham Motorsports Park in Jefferson, Ga., two weeks earlier.

“The opportunity to race for BKR is something not a lot of people can say they have,” said Theriault, 17, of Fort Kent, Maine. “Just being able to show your talent on the southern stage is something a lot of people want to be able to do. Anything we can do in the future with (Gary Crooks and Wayne Setteringon) at BKR will be great for us.

“Everything's looking pretty decent right now. We came out of these two races looking like there's going to be an ongoing future relationship. I'm not sure about specifics right now – it's too soon to know anything for certain – but I'm excited about whatever the future holds.”

JOEY DOIRON: Broken Clutch Ends Doiron's Bid At Mason-Dixon Meltdown 200

CONCORD, N.C. – Joey Doiron of Berwick, Maine, finished 25th in the PASS National Series Mason-Dixon Meltdown 200 at Concord Motorsports Park in Concord, N.C., on Saturday, November 26. Doiron, who won the last-chance qualifying race and went from 21th to sixth under the green flag in the Mason-Dixon Meltdown 200, retired early from the event with a broken clutch. Following a pit stop early in the race, Doiron lost several laps when his car stalled at the exit of pit road.

JOEY DOIRON: Doiron Ready For Shot At PASS Mason-Dixon Meltdown 200

BERWICK, Maine – Joey Doiron of Berwick, Maine, hopes to finally cash in with a fast race car when he competes in the PASS National Series Mason-Dixon Meltdown 200 at Concord Speedway in Concord, N.C., on Saturday, November 26.

Doiron finished 10th in the final 2011 PASS North Series standings and collected the series' Hard Luck Award at the season-ending banquet earlier this month. It was a testament to the misfortune, mechanical and otherwise, that plagued the driver of the No. 73 JBJ Machine Chevrolet this year.

“I think a race like this definitely can set you up for next season,” said Doiron, who has made two career PASS South Series starts in his career. “It can keep your momentum going. After (the season finale at) Oxford, I just want to get back to race track. That was really disappointing. We ran so well there.

“I want to go out and get a finish we deserve. We were a top-five car every week in the second half of the season, but something always seemed to happen to us.”

JOEY DOIRON: Doiron Finishes Season With Top-10 At Oxford Plains Speedway

OXFORD, Maine – Joey Doiron of Berwick, Maine, finished 10th in the PASS North Series season finale, the PASS Championship 150, at Oxford Plains Speedway in Oxford, Maine, on Saturday, October 15. Doiron, who ran a part-time schedule in 2011, finished 10th in the final PASS North standings after posting Top-10 finishes in five of his last six races. Dorion ran as high as second in the season finale at Oxford, but he lost valuable track position when he was forced to pit under caution on Lap 96 when his car shut down unexpectedly while running caution laps. He restarted at the back of the field and had worked all the way back to the Top-10 when the race was called after 118 laps by rain.

RPM MOTORSPORTS: Brian Hoar Finishes 5th In PASS North Event At Oxford

OXFORD, Maine – Brian Hoar of Williston, Vt., posted his first career PASS North Series Top-5 finish by finishing fifth in the PASS Championship 150 at Oxford Plains Speedway in Oxford, Maine, on Saturday, October. 14. Hoar started on the outside pole after winning his heat race and led a total of 40 laps in the first half of the event, which was shortened to 118 laps by rain. The RPM Motorsports No. 37 GossCars.com Dodge loosened up significantly on the eight-time ACT Late Model Tour champion, who finished 11th in his PASS Super Late Model debut at Oxford back in July.

MULKERN RACING: Scott Mulkern Collects 2nd Career PASS North Series Win

OXFORD, Maine – Scott Mulkern of Falmouth, Maine, led the final 15 laps en route to his second career PASS North Series win with a victory in the season-ending PASS Championship 150 at Oxford Plains Speedway on Saturday.

The race was called by rain after 118 laps. Two unsuccessful attempts were made by series officials to dry the track before the win was granted to Mulkern and the No. 84 Southern Maine Motors/Community Pharmacies Dodge.

“It means a lot. That's where you want to be,” said Mulkern, who dedicated the win to his father, Will Mulkern, who died in June after a battle with cancer. “I just had a great car. Gary (Crooks)'s preparation at the shop and Seth Holbrook at the track is unbelievable.”

RPM MOTORSPORTS: Brian Hoar To Make Second PASS North Series Start

Brian Hoar of Williston, Vt., will make his second career PASS North Series start when the series finishes its 2011 season with the PASS Championship 150 at Oxford Plains Speedway in Oxford, Maine, on Saturday, October 15. Hoar made his PASS debut in a Super Late Model at Oxford in July during TD Bank Oxford 250 weekend and aims to improve upon his sixth-place finish in that event. This season, the RPM Motorsports driver won his record eighth career ACT Late Model Tour championship. Hoar won a total of five points races in the No. 37 GossCars.com Dodge, running his series record total to 33 career wins, plus non-points races at New Smyrna Speedway, Autodrome Chaudiere and Thunder Road International Speedbowl.