For Immediate release:

Claucherty Claims First Truck Win
Ft. Wayne, IN (July 9th, 2006)

Second year truck racer Justin Claucherty drove a smart, smooth, and flawless race in earning his first ever truck feature win in ShortTrackTrucks.com Challenge Series competition this past Saturday evening at Baer Field Speedway. Doug Vander Vliet and Paul Schaffer turned in strong performances as well to finish second and third. Toby Grahovec was the top finishing Zander Radio Systems Rookie of Race after finishing fifth behind Keith Wioncek in fourth.

IURL regular Tom Miller edged out Joey Shuryan for the fast qualifying time of the event. Shuryan, however, captured the Turbo Blue Racing Gasolines Pole Award for the ShortTrackTrucks.com Challenge Series over Justin Claucherty and Doug Vander Vliet. Miller pulled out the first heat race win while Ray Axsom brought home the win in heat race two.

The twenty-five truck field took the track for the main event under beautiful twilight Indiana skies. As Justin Claucherty led the field to the green for the start of the fifty lap main event, mayhem broke out at the rear of the field. Natascha Thompson and Matt Thompson came together in turn one, losing bodywork and causing a restart. Joe Axsom made good use of the restart to jump out into the early lead.

Joey Shuryan was a man on the mission, clearly having the fastest truck in early stages. He stalked Axsom for a lap before disposing of him with a great outside pass in turns three and four. From there, Shuryan set out to put distance from the field.

Before halfway Shuryan's fortunes had shifted and the man on the move was the IURL's leading racer, Joe Hill. Hill had the speed needed to track down Shuryan's once dominant Ford. Hill closed to the bumper of Shuryan quickly as the crowded track and lapped traffic slowed the leader. The two former late model racers then proceeded to put on a great show for the packed Baer Field Speedway stands. Just before halfway, Hill was able to put his nose to the inside of the tailgate of Shuryan and come alongside down the backstretch. The tandem put on a driving clinic for the next three laps as they raced side-by-side with nary a wheel rub. Shuryan and Hill traded the lead several times during the fight with Hill holding the inside and Shuryan going the long way around the outside.

As the leaders thrilled the fans, further back in the field John Wicks tagged Rod Morrison sending Morrison spinning through turn two as the leaders approached. Still locked in their side-by-side battle with lapped traffic to the outside, Shuryan was caught in the middle when he saw Morrison sitting idle in the middle of turn two. Unable to avoid Morrison, Shuryan clipped the front of Morrison's Chevy with the resulting contact dropping both competitors from the race.

Back under green, it was Hill by himself cruising comfortably at the point followed by the tight fight for second with Axsom, Miller, Kerry Roseman, and Claucherty all wanting the runner-up spot. At the end, the order remained locked with Justin Claucherty picking up the ShortTrackTrucks.com Challenge Series win with Doug Vander Vliet, Paul Schaffer and Keith Wioncek all climbing forward for second, third, and fourth. Toby Grahovec finished fifth claiming the Zander Radio Systems Rookie of the Race.

The MPH Promotions Hard Charger Award went to Keith Wioncek for passing the most ShortTrackTrucks.com Challenge Series competitors throughout the race. Jim Idema was award the St. Clair Engine Hard Luck Award for his transmission woes. The Engine Pro Lucky Dog was Rod Morrison.

The ShortTrackTrucks.com Challenge Series races specially prepared racing trucks at the finest short tracks across the Great Lakes area. The fastest growing truck racing class in the region, the Challenge Series offers professional oval track racing in an exciting, fast-paced, fender banging formula. The next event for the trucks will be Friday, July 28th at Dixie Motor Speedway in Birch Run, MI. Information on the ShortTrackTrucks.com Challenge Series events, schedule, and drivers can be found at www.ShortTrackTrucks.com.