Toledo: Michael Simko preview

Michael Simko heads to Toledo aiming for victory.

Clarkston, MI (May 2nd, 2003) - ARCA RE/MAX series driver Michael Simko is heading to Toledo Speedway this weekend, hoping to improve his sixth place performance from 2002 and roll his No. 75 into victory lane for the first time in his young ARCA career.

"We had a good race at Toledo last year, we stayed out of trouble and finished the race," noted Simko. "This year, I am confident as ever as we have a stronger car than last year, and I have a feeling that if we beat any obstacles that we face, we'll be in victory lane."

The veteran of super late model and limited late model divisions made his first start of the 2003 season last weekend from the tricky short track of Salem Speedway. After qualifying a solid 15th, Michael was able to maneuver his Chevrolet Monte Carlo through all the attrition and collect a tenth place finish, behind race winner Shelby Howard.

"We had a good weekend at Salem," added Michael. "There were a few scary moments throughout the race, but all in all, I am not going to complain."

He heads to Toledo this weekend attempting to make his sixth career ARCA start. Simko has been competing on the tour since 2001 and in the process has racked up three top ten finishes, all-coming on the short tracks of Toledo and Salem. His worst finish in five races is 20th at Toledo back in 2001.

The son of former ARCA RE/MAX series competitor David Simko also hopes to set a new record for himself this weekend. "I want to qualify this Michigan Steel Erectors Chevrolet in the top ten." He also mentioned.

"We've had some decent qualifying runs in the past, but we want to leave Toledo knowing that we qualified well and raced well."

Michael Simko plans to compete in as many seven ARCA RE/MAX series events in 2003, including last weekend at Salem, Toledo, Kentucky, Michigan, Salem (fall), Chicago and Lake Erie.

"We've got some support to do some races this year, and we would like to do some more, but at this stage it's one step at a time."

The mail goal for Toledo. "I want to avoid all the wrecks, be around when it counts and hope to put this No. 75 Chevrolet into Victory Lane, where it counts!"

In addition to Michigan Steel Erectors sponsoring the team this weekend, Mound Steel and Supplies has also jumped on board as a sponsor the Auburn Racing team.

The fifth race of the 2003 ARCA RE/MAX series season rolls into Toledo Speedway this Sunday, May 4th, 2003. This will be the first one-day show event of the year. The GFS Marketplace 200 presented by Federated Car Care will take the green flag at the. 5-mile short track shortly after 2:00 PM EST.

-ar-