Competition Has Heated Up in ARCA

Tim's challenges to qualify toward the front of the field each race has turned into a challenge to make the field, period! According to Tim, one reason is because the competition in ARCA has gotten tougher. "As we look at our performances lately, we see improvement over how we have been running the past few years," said Tim. "The problem is that other teams our running better, too. And, there are some teams that are coming out of NASCAR shops, and that has raised the bar for all ARCA teams."

The more competitive teams have forced Wayne Peterson Motorsports to step up their efforts. Tim and the team are encouraged by their improved showing, but it will continue to be an uphill climb as the competition in ARCA is likely to continue to be strong, if not get even stronger.

- Don

Cover Story - The Phoenix Magazine

The June issue of The Phoenix magazine features a cover story on Tim Mitchell. The Phoenix is a publication dedicated to covering people and topics important to ostomy patients. As many of you know, Tim had a colonostomy in 2003 following a diagosis of colon cancer. More information about The Phoenix can be found at: http://www.uoaa.org/Phoenix.shtml

I have not seen a copy of the article yet, and Tim has not seen it, either. Needless to say, he is proud of being profiled in the magazine. He hopes his comeback story will motivate other people who are experiencing adversity.

Congratulations, Tim, on being recognized for the remarkable journey you've made the past four years.

- Don

37th Starting Position in Michigan

Tim made the field for tomorrow's Racing for Wildlife 200 at the Michigan International Speedway by taking a provisional. He will go off in 37th position. The #06 was 38th fastest in qualifying earlier today.

In the past few races, Tim has had good luck to start near the back and move up in the field. Fortunately, he has been able to avoid crashes and major mechanical problems and run until the finish.

Good luck Tim!

- Don

#06 Takes 21st at Pocono

Tim Mitchell finished 21st in the Pocono 200 race on Saturday. Another good showing for the #06 considering he began the race in 34th after taking a Provisional. "Overall, we had a good run Saturday," said Tim. "I had a problem with a low right rear tire. It never went flat, but because it was low I had to be careful with the car. We decided to wait to take care of it, hoping a caution would come out. Luckily, we got it."

Now, it is on to Brooklyn, Michigan, for the Racing for Wildlife 200 at Michigan International Speedway on Friday. Tim is hoping for better luck at Michigan this year. He made the race last year, but an oil leak prevented him from ever getting on the track. Tim is currently 21st in the season points standings after 8 of 21 races. Tim's made the field for 6 of the 8 races so far. That fact is not noteworthy for many teams, but for Tim and his underfunded team making the field is never taken for granted.

- Don

Another race, another running at finish for the #06. Tim Mitchell finished in 29th position in today's Hantz Group 200 by Federated Car Care run at Toledo Speedway(click here for race results). Tim's day began in the 32nd position as he used a provisional to take a spot on the starting grid. Today's finish should keep Tim in 21st in the season's point standings.

ARCA takes the next two weekends off. The next race is the Pocono 200 on June 7. The season is 1/3 complete. Look comments from Tim soon about today's race and how the first part of the season has gone.

- Don

Kentucky 150 Wrap Up

The Drive Smart! Buckle Up Kentucky 150 was held earlier this evening. Tim Mitchell finished in 26th position (click here for race results). While it may seem odd to be excited about a 26th place finish, one must keep Tim's performance in perspective. This time last year he struggled weekly just to make the field. When he did make races, it seems he had misfortune of some kind that took him out of races.

The weekend did not start out well as Tim turned in the 38th fastest time in practice and took a provisional to start 36th. Congrats to Tim for completing the race and continuing to rack up points. There is one more race in the current string of races on six consecutive weekends, the Hantz Group 200 by Federated Car Care, at Toledo Speedway next Sunday.

Tim Takes 24th at The Rock

The #06 turned in another solid finish today in the Carolina 500 at Rockingham Speedway with a 24th place finish (race results). The result was good considering Tim began in 39th position. Better yet, Tim finished the race (for the fourth time out of five races in '08) rather than struggling with mechanical problems like he has in past years.

Tim was pleased overall with today's outcome. "We had a pretty good day today," he said. "The car handled decent and we avoided trouble." In particular, Tim stayed out of a major wreck that left him with only minor damage after scraping the inside wall to avoid the mishap. Tim's first race at The Rock was a good one; "if we come back here to race again I will have good memories from today's race."

Now, it's on to Kentucky Speedway outside of Cincinnati next Saturday for the Drive Smart! Buckle Up Kentucky 150. "Kentucky is one of the nicest facilities where we race, but I have had mediocre runs there," according to Tim. Hopefully, his recent streak of solid performances will continue at Kentucky.