Champion Brands Partners With A Group Of Champions For Talladega

Topics:  ARCA Racing Series 250

Chris Knight
Knight Motorsports Management/Win-Tron Racing
April 4, 2011

LAKEVILLE, Minnesota (April 4, 2011) - - Lakeville, Minnesota based Win-Tron Racing, a full-time team in the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards announced today that Champion Brands LLC will join the team as a primary sponsor of their No. 32 Champion Brands Toyota Camry for the ARCA Racing Series 250 at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway on April 15.

Matt Merrell, the Portland, Texas native who steered the team’s No. 32 entry to a brilliant third place outing in the season-opener at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway will steer the No. 32 Champion Brands Toyota in his debut at the 2.66-mile superspeedway in less than two weeks.

An industry leader for over 50 years, Champion Brands LLC headquartered in Clinton, Missouri produces and blends more than 300 products including fuel, oil and engine additives and lubricants for the automotive, heavy truck, agricultural and specialty markets.

Quality products are more than a commitment at Champion; their high standards define the way they do business.

“We’re ecstatic to be paired with Win-Tron Racing and Matt Merrell for Talladega,” said Mike Reddick, Vice President of Champion Brands LLC. “Win-Tron Racing undoubtedly is an organization that has a lot of the same standards and beliefs that we do. Everyone at Champion Brands is very excited about this new venture and our partnership with Win-Tron Racing.”

Nate Thiesse, co-owner of Win-Tron Racing also commented on the announcement. “Caleb Opalewski (Win-Tron Racing Marketing Director) has done a magnificent job building a top-notch sponsorship program with Champion Brands and we are honored to welcome them to our family. We feel that Matt (Merrell) can get the job done again at Talladega and represent Champion in a way we all can be proud of.”

Merrell currently sits third in the ARCA Racing Series point standings entering the second of 19 events this season. He will make his 15th career ARCA start at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway and eyes his first-career win. The Mike Chafee-led team will once again unleash the same automobile that he steered in the Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 at Daytona.

“It’s very humbling for me once again to have the honor to drive for Win-Tron Racing and represent a great company like Champion Brands,” offered the 26-year old Merrell. “Win-Tron Racing is one of the best in the ARCA Racing Series and I know Champion has found a great home with them. It’s my goal to go out there in the race and prove to them why it’s such a great home.”

Last year at Talladega, Justin Marks wheeled the No. 32 Toyota. After qualifying a stout third, Marks found himself in contention for the win before a late race shuffle in the draft landed him in the ninth position when the checkered flag waived.

The ARCA Racing Series 250 at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway is set for Friday, April 15. Live coverage of the 94 laps / 250 mile-event will air live on SPEED beginning at 5:00 p.m. (Eastern) with additional race coverage available online at arcaracing.com.

Further information including driver opportunities with Win-Tron Racing is available by visiting win-tronracing.com or contacting Nate Thiesse at 952.469.1839.

For more on Champion Brands LLC and their products, please logon to championbrands.com or championsusechampion.com.

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TEAM COMMUNICATIONS CONTACT:
NAME: Chris Knight, Knight Motorsports Management
PHONE: 239.834.9797
EMAIL: chris@chrisknightpr.com