Tim's First Race Car

Here's evidence that Tim is no rookie at driving a race car. He recently gave me a print publication from the Winchester (TN) Speedway. It is labeled as Vol. 1, Number 8 and dated Saturday, July 11, 1964. On page 2 there is a section with pictures of new cars racing at the track, and Tim's #50 Ford is shown. The #50 was his first race car. Tim drove the car in the Sportsman division.

This picture leaves little doubt that racing is in Tim's blood. He is just as passionate about racing today as he was when he first began 44 years ago! Thanks for sharing this pic, Tim.

- Don

Tim's Favorite Tracks

Not much to report given that ARCA hasn't raced since February 9th at Daytona. The next race at Salem is now less than 4 weeks away. To bridge the long break between Daytona and Salem, I have gotten Tim's take on several different questions.

Among the questions I asked Tim is "what are your favorite tracks on the ARCA circuit?" Here is what he had to say:

Short tracks. "I like running short tracks because the driver makes more of a difference in the outcome of the race." At superspeedways a driver's equipment (and thus the money available to spend on equipment) is important. "Salem is one of my favorite short tracks. I'm looking forward to racing there."

Dirt tracks. "I enjoy racing on the dirt tracks at Springfield and DuQuoin. Like with other short tracks, driving skills can make a difference in the outcome of the race."

More to come. We will be posting more often when we get back into the schedule.

- Don

Daytona Follow-Up

Thanks to the many people who have called me since the Daytona race. I have gotten calls from people in Kansas, Indiana, New Jersey, Florida, and Tennessee. I appreciate the encouragement everybody has given me.

After the race, I spent a few days on a cruise. Some people who found out I was going on a cruise asked if I was celebrating making the Daytona race. Actually, I booked the cruise a few months ago thinking it would be a way to forget about the disappointment of not making the race. As it turned out I got to celebrate instead.

Thanks again to everyone for your support.

- Tim

Passing of Sarah Peterson

Sarah Peterson, wife of Tim's car owner Wayne Peterson, passed away Saturday shortly following the Daytona ARCA 200. Below is the text of a release posted on the ARCA web site. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Peterson family.

Condolences to the Family of Sarah Peterson
ALBERTVILLE AL (2-12-08)—Sarah Peterson, 67, of Pulaski, Tennessee, wife of long-time ARCA RE/MAX Series car owner Wayne Peterson, died Saturday, February 9th, 2008.
Peterson’s husband, Wayne, has been a car owner and driver in the ARCA RE/MAX Series since 1983, most recently finishing 23rd in final car owner's points in 2007. He fielded the No. 06 Star Wheels Skate Center Chevrolet for veteran driver Tim Mitchell during Saturday’s ARCA 200 at Daytona Int’l Speedway.

Sarah Peterson is survived by her husband Wayne Peterson; sons Michael, Brian and Kevin Peterson; five grandchildren; and brothers Bob, Bill, Roger and Danny Greene.

Visitation is at Albertville Memorial Funeral Home in Albertville, Alabama from 5-8 p.m. on Wednesday, February 13th, 2008. Services are at the Albertville Memorial Funeral Home Chapel at 1 p.m. on Thursday. Albertville Memorial Funeral Home is located at 5011 Hwy 431 S., Albertville, AL 35950 (256) 878-2424.

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.

Daytona ARCA 200: Tim Takes 21st

Tim finished 21st in today's ARCA Daytona 200, won by Michael Annett (see results). His strategy to be patient in the early stages of the race paid off as several incidents in the first half of the race took out many drivers in front of him. Tim ran as high as 12th and just missed his goal of a top 20 finish. Not a bad day for someone who arrived at Daytona as a long shot to even make the field. Way to go, Tim!

Great Article from Detroit Free Press

Mike Brudenell wrote a nice article about Tim that appeared on the Detroit Free Press web site today. To read the article, click here.

The article gives a glimpse into Tim's remarkable story. There has to be a potential sponsor out there that will read about Tim and realize his inspirational journey would be a good match with its company's values!