02.23
DAWSONVILLE, GA (February 23, 2010) — Casey Roderick’s rookie season piloting the No. 51 Monolith Dodge begins this weekend with the running of the Tire Kingdom 150, a 150-mile, 75-lap race on the road course at Palm Beach International Raceway in Jupiter, Fla.
Roderick and his Dawsonville, Ga.-based team are kicking off what could be a pivotal year in the career of a young racer who hopes to one day compete at the top levels of NASCAR racing.
Under ARCA’s rules, Roderick, who is just 17 ½ years old, is only eligible to run on tracks up to one mile in length until Aug. 8, when he turns 18.
But age isn’t the only limiting factor for Roderick and his team this year, as his car owner and driving mentor Bill Elliott explained.
“We only have sponsorship assistance for about five ARCA events, so I looked over the 2010 schedule and decided on the five events that I thought best suited Casey’s talent while giving him the best exposure we could in hopes of bringing along a full- time sponsor in 2011,” Elliott said.
The No. 51 Dodge with sponsorship from Monolith Hospitality will be fielded in a joint effort by Phoenix Racing and Bill Elliott Racing. That pairing produced a strong second-place finish last fall at Rockingham Speedway, where Roderick charged from a last-place start to lead the race before finishing a close second.
His performance at the Rock made quite an impression on the NASCAR-season crew at Phoenix Racing.
“We have really been impressed with Casey,” said Steve Barkdoll, General Manager of Phoenix Racing. “He is just a good, hard working young man, and he won us over last year when we helped Bill get his car ready for the Rockingham race.
“This year we want to help make sure Casey has a car capable of running up front every week.”
Elliott said the team’s goals for the weekend are both optimistic and realistic.
ARCA on track action begins at Palm Beach International Raceway with practice from 11:30-2:30 and Menards Pole Qualifying from 4-6pm. Saturday a 1 pm start time for the running of the Tire Kingdom 150. For the most up-to-date news on the event visit http://www.arcaracing.com/.
For the most up-to-date Casey Roderick news, including his racing schedule and weekly podcast, please visit www.billelliottracing.com.
CASEY RODERICK-2010 ARCA SCHEDULE
DATE TRACK EVENT (SERIES) QUAL START FINISH
2/27 Palm Beach International Raceway ARCA Racing 150 (Road Course-RC)
8/15 New Jersey Motorsports Park South Jersey Building Trades 150 (RC)
8/27 Chicagoland Speedway Chicagoland ARCA 150 (Speed Channel)
9/30 Kansas Speedway ARCA Racing Series 150 (Speed Channel)
10/9 Rockingham Speedway American 200 (Speed Channel)
Congratulations Casey, you are on your way to achieving your dream. With great people
like Bill
Congratulations Casey you are on your way to achieving your dream. With great people
behind you like Bill Elloitt, Ellioltt Driver Developing Program, James Finch, Phoenix
Racing, Russ Sutton, Monolith Hospitality, and all of the other people in the industry
that believe in your ability.
Success is there for the taking. I believe in you, your fans believe in you.
Good Luck at Palm Beach.