Post-Race Press Release on Daytona ARCA 200

Here is a press release distributed on Tim's behalf following the Daytona ARCA 200:

TIM MITCHELL STEADY IN FIRST ARCA DAYTONA RACE
Patience pays off with finish in 21st position

DAYTONA BEACH, FL (2-09-08) – When Tim Mitchell arrived at Daytona International Speedway earlier this week, he was excited yet realistic about his chances in the first ARCA RE/MAX series event of the 2008 season. Tim enjoys coming to Daytona, “It’s every driver’s ultimate dream to race at Daytona,” he said. But, that dream had never been fulfilled for Mitchell as he had never made the starting field. This year was different as he was able to use a provisional to start in 42nd position.

With almost the entire field in front of him, Mitchell knew that patience would be needed if he had any hope of moving toward the front. His strategy paid off as incidents that knocked out several cars in the first half of the race enabled Mitchell to move the #06 into the top 20. Spark plug problems ended his day after 69 laps and resulted in a 21st place finish. “We just couldn’t finish. We would have finished around 16th if we did not have the spark plug problem,” Mitchell said about his result.

Despite a disappointing end to what was shaping up to be a very good day, Mitchell knows his solid finish was important. In addition to giving his team positive momentum to start the season, being in the race and finishing in the position that he did allows the #06 team to accumulate valuable points. “Driver points are always important, but they become more important after the first five races,” according to Mitchell. It is at that point of the season that provisional spots are awarded based on this season’s point standings, not 2007’s standings.

In past years, missing the Daytona race had put added pressure on Mitchell’s team to perform in the races that followed. This season, the team has points in hand as it looks ahead to the Kentuckiana Ford Dealers 200 by Federated Auto Parts on April 13th.

About Tim Mitchell
Tim Mitchell resides in Fayetteville, Tennessee, where he owns and operates Star Wheels Skating Center. Tim is a veteran of the U.S. Army and a 1973 graduate of Middle Tennessee State University. Tim is single and has two children. Mitchell drives the #06 car for Wayne Peterson Motorsports in the ARCA RE/MAX series. He has made 114 starts in the ARCA RE/MAX series since 1997.