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News Archive
2004-2005 Press
Releases
Ray, Kunz team for Gas
City midget triumph
GAS CITY, Ind. – Different driver, same result for the Keith Kunz
Motorsports squad Friday at Gas City I-69 Speedway.
Davey Ray of Davenport, Iowa, replacing Thursday’s Lawrenceburg Speedway
winner Jay Drake who is competing in Saturday's IRL Menards Infiniti Pro
Series race at Pikes Peak International Raceway, led all but the first two
laps in an entertaining 30-lap feature at the quarter-mile, the second
night of “Indiana Midget Week.”
Ray held off Shane Cottle over the final five laps to win his third USAC
National Midget Car Series feature of his career, running the bottom of
the track over the entire distance.
“I knew it was going to be there on the bottom, because the moisture kept
the track tacky,” said Ray, who drove the No. 67 Keith Kunz Motorsports
Vital Express/Fontana Automotive Bullet/Fontana. “I knew it was the short
way around the track, and everyone would have to go to the top to get by
me, so all I had to do was close the door.”
The race, the first for the USAC National Midget Car Series in its 50-year
existence, started with a bang as three drivers shared the point over the
first three laps. The first of that trio was Ray’s Kunz teammate and
polesitter Darren Hagen, who topped the field by beating Michael Pickens
through the second turn and taking the point for Lap 1.
Pickens struck back on Lap 2, diving low for the lead in Turn 2 and taking
possession. But the two-time New Zealand Midget champion didn’t hold his
new position long.
Ray, who started third as a result of the six-car inversion formed after
the Top 16 points getters transferred from the heats to the feature,
wrestled the advantage away on Lap 3 and began following the short way
around the Grant County dirt oval.
However, he didn’t increase his lead right away. Hagen and Critter Malone,
battling for Top 5 positions, flipped simultaneously in the second turn on
Lap 4, bringing out the first of two red flags. Both drivers escaped
serious injury, and Malone returned to the track, moving to 11th by race’s
end.
Ray defended his spot on the restart, keeping the low line, and built a
pair of short leads before a yellow involving John Wolfe on Lap 5 and a
red flag on Lap 8 halted his prowess. The red was displayed after series
points leader Josh Wise and Matt Westfall tangled, sending both into duel
somersaults down the backstretch, eventually stopping in Turn 3. Both
drivers exited their cars under their own power.
Ray, Hines and Brad Kuhn kept charge on the restart, while Pickens dealt
with a hard-charging Shane Cottle, who started 12th but had made his way
to fifth. He bolted around Pickens for the fourth spot on Lap 15 only to
have his pass negated by Jeremy Warren’s stalled machine in Turn 4.
Cottle finally took fourth on Lap 17, and set his sights on the lead trio.
Hines and Kuhn fought for second, both vying for the low line, before the
two tangled going through Turn 4. Hines spun and brought out the yellow
flag, while Kuhn soldiered on into second.
But that second-place move wasn’t enough to overhaul the early leader. On
Lap 23, he slipped up the track and nearly stalled his engine in the
process. The slip cost him three spots, sending him to fifth, while Ray
increased his margin over Cottle. He took the win with over a second to
spare, and was trailed by Cottle, Pickens, Kuhn and Coons.
Despite an agile machine prepared by the Kunz stable, Ray said he was a
moving target on every restart.
“They had a shot at me every time we restarted, as they could stick their
noses under me,” Ray said. “But with the great car that Pete (Willoughby)
and Keith gave me, I knew I just had to keep the car out front.”
The win was especially a boost for Ray, who goes into Saturday’s Clabber
Girl “Hut Hundred” at the Terre Haute (Ind.) Action Track as one of the
favorites. Ray finished second last year to Bobby East and the No. 9
machine, the same one he’ll try to best the rest of the 33-car starting
field in Saturday.
“We’ve got a lot of momentum going into Saturday, even though I’ll be in a
different car.” Ray said. “But it was the best car last year, and with
last year’s car winner and tonight’s driving winner, it should be a tough
competition, hopefully one that we can take to Victory Lane. The ‘Hut
Hundred’ is differently one of the top races on the charts for me to win,
and I look forward to the challenge.”
Kunz, who now has provided the cars for the last two USAC National Midget
Car Series feature winners, said the chips are starting to fall in place.
“We’ve been good all year,” said Kunz, who said he expects to run three
cars Saturday despite a pair of bruised cars from Friday’s events. “We’ve
been near the top in just about every race, and something’s come and bit
us. We’ve just needed some breaks, and we’re finally getting them.”
Pickens, Hines, Ray and Kuhn won 10-lap heats, while Coons and Jason Yount
scored 10-lap semifeature victories.
Despite his flip, Wise continues to hold captive the series points lead
over Coons. Back-to-back Top 5 feature performances have landed Kuhn the
points lead in the three-race “Indiana Midget Week” swing heading into
Saturday’s finale at Terre Haute.
Ray teams up with Klatt
Enterprises
7.12.05 by Ray Productions
Davey Ray of Davenport, Iowa will team up with Klatt Enterprises for the
2005 Belleville Midget Nationals coming up this July 29th-30th. Plans
between Ray and car owner Terry Klatt were made early this week to make a
run for the $12,500 at the famous highbanks, along with the July 26th
event at Eagle Raceway in Lincoln, NE.
Ray is confident going into the two events after strong runs at both
tracks just a year ago. Ray was victorious at both Eagle Raceway and
Junction Motor Speedway in 2004 but suffered a blown right rear while
running second at the swift Belleville Highbanks. The first three years of
competition, Ray recorded a fifth and sixth place finish along with an
engine failure in 2003. Ray looks forward to getting another chance at the
high-speed track in the No. 4 Klatt Enterprises Beast, powered by an Ed
Pink Ford.
“I’m excited to be in one of Terry Klatt’s potent machines,” said Ray.
“His quality of car definitely gives me the opportunity to try to win
these races.”
Klatt’s car entrants have also done very well at the Belleville Midget
Nationals winning two preliminary events with Bobby East in recent years
but have yet to take home the trophy for Saturday night’s main event.
Ray currently has one feature win and ten top five finishes in 2005. He
sits fourth in National Midget Driver of the Year point standings. For
more information, including team owner or sponsorship opportunities,
please visit
www.daveyray.com.
Win number seven for Davey Ray
8.22.04
The "Flying Five"
was back and alive this weekend at Angell Park Speedway after suffering
engine problems during last Sunday’s events. Davey Ray scored his seventh
win of his 2004 racing season at Angell Park Speedway piloting the RaJo/Wilke
Stealth Sesco Mopar.
Ray qualified eighth quick with a 14.980, and won his 10-lap heat race
transferring himself into the feature event. Ray set the pace taking the
lead on the first lap from the pole starting position. The first of three
cautions came on lap 20 with lapped cars separating second place, Aaron
Fiscus and third place, Aaron Fike from Ray on the restart. No one could
stop Ray as he claimed the Governor's Cup "Corn Fest" 50-lap feature
sponsored by Johnsonville Brats and Miller Lite. Ray has said the 50-lap
events are his favorite, and he has proved they are his specialty.
Only three events remain for the BMARA midget series with Scott Hatton
leading the point standings, and Ray in second. For more information,
please visit:
www.bmara.com,
www.angellpark.com
Ray
hustles to hump day payday at Junction
7.28.04 by Jeff
Nun, WhoWon.com
McCOOL JUNCTION,
Neb. -- So far, the "Road to Belleville" for Davey Ray has been paved with
gold. Ray, who captured Tuesday night's Midget feature at Eagle (Neb.)
Raceway, completed an undefeated tour through the Cornhusker State with a
thrilling victory Wednesday at the Junction Motor Speedway in McCool
Junction, Neb.
The 25-year-old
pilot from Davenport, IA started on the pole for Wednesday's 25-lap
Gateway Open Wheel Racing Series nightcap, but had to survive multiple
challenges and a late-race caution to secure the $2,000 victory for the
no. 11 Wilke-PAK Mopar team.
Ray's first hurdle came just a few laps into the 24-car main event when
Australian phenom Adam Clarke shot past Ray for the lead. Clarke proceeded
to stretch his advantage to 10 car-lengths as he paced the field through
lap 16 when a caution flag waved for a tangle in turn 2 involving fifth-
and sixth-place running Craig Carey and Brad Kuhn.
On the restart, Ray squeezed by Clarke for the top spot with Jerry Coons
Jr. in tow. Ray's lead was again short-lived as Coons, who started 12th,
captured the lead on lap 18. However, a timely caution flag reset the
field from the previously scored lap and Ray would again pace the restart.
This time Ray protected the bottom groove and maintained his lead as the
field regained momentum. Two laps later, Coons dropped from the fight with
mechanical trouble, propelling Jay Drake into second place.
While Ray maintained a two car-length advantage, Clarke re-entered the
fray with a wheel-to-wheel pass of Drake as the leaders entered turn 1
with two laps remaining.
Clarke's pass was negated as a caution flag slowed the field once again.
That didn't seem to bother the "Down Under Wonder" as he flashed ahead of
Drake on the restart, then set his sights on Ray as hey raced down the
front stretch with one lap to go.
Ray continued to run the low side, but Clarke was able to sneak a nose
under Ray as they entered the final turn. As the two crossed the finish
line, Ray beat Clarke by a nose to maintain his perfect record for the
week.
Drake steered the Ventura Racing machine to a third-place finish, with
19th-starting Jerry Hammock taking fourth while local favorite Don Droud
Jr. rounded out the top 5 finishers.
Clarke, Drake and Ray won the three heat races.
Rain began to fall minutes after the completion of the Midget feature,
forcing cancellation of the Stock Car and Modified features. Prior to the
Midget feature, Ryan Gilland bested Jason Koch to capture the Hobby Stock
main event.
Next up on the state-of-the-art Junction Motor Speedway 3/8-mile oval will
be Cornerstone Bank Day on Saturday, Aug. 7, featuring the MLRA/NCRA Late
Model Shootout. Start time is 7:30 p.m. Tickets go on sale at 6 p.m.
Ticket prices are $15 for adults, $5 or kids ages 6-12, and children 5 and
under are admitted free. Pit passes are $25 and the pit gate opens at 5
p.m.
Ray
wins "Mid-Summer Midget Classic
7.27.04 Lincoln,
Neb.
Davey Ray of Davenport, Iowa held off a hard-charging Josh Wise for his
second career USAC National Midget Car Series victory Tuesday, picking up
the win in the “Mid-Summer Midget Classic” at Eagle Raceway in Lincoln,
Neb.
Ray, who led the 40-lap race from start-to-finish, gave Wilke-Pak
Motorsports its second straight victory at the 1/3-mile track, as he drove
the Team Mopar – Kenny’s Carbon/Stealth Stanton Mopar to the win from the
pole.
“I started on the front row, and I don’t think in the past I was as savvy
as I am now,” said Ray, whose first victory came last month at Limaland
Motorsports Park. “Even though the track was good tonight, it’s tough to
know where to go to stay ahead of these guys. At the end, I went down to
the lane I had been running and just held on.”
Starting from the pole, Ray checked out from the field and held a large
gap over Greg Lueckert and Josh Wise after the first 10 laps. The caution
flag came out for the first of two times on lap 11, and on the restart
lap, a three-car tangle slowed the field again.
As Ray pulled away again on the restart, Lueckert and Wise staged an
exciting battle for second. The two ran within three car lengths for the
next 11 laps before Wise made the pass on lap 22.
The caution flag flew for the final time on lap 34 for a stalled car. On
the start, Wise shadowed Ray’s every move, and during the ensuing laps,
caught Ray when the No. 11 bobbled.
But Wise slid too high in the second turn of lap 38 to make any attempt
for the lead. He held on to second ahead of Lueckert, Brad Kuhn and Dave
Darland.
Darland was on the move after starting far in the back. The Lincoln, Ind.
native sliced through the field from the 21st starting spot and pulled
into the “top ten” by the halfway point. He continued to battle Kuhn and
Lueckert over the final five laps as the three cars raced through the
turns side-by-side.
National Midget Car Series point leader Bobby East finished ninth after
starting in the back, and continues to hold the lead in the standings over
Wise. Western Midget Car Series point leader Johnny Rodriguez failed to
make the feature after qualifying second quick. Rodriguez encountered
problems during the second heat race.
It was a good tune-up for Ray, as he and fellow competitors warmed their
motors before heading southwest to compete in the Bud Racing “Belleville
Midget Nationals” Friday and Saturday in Belleville, Kans.
“This definitely brings the whole team’s confidence up because we know
we’re working well together,” Ray said. “We have a pretty decent setup at
the tracks that we’ve been at so far, and getting this win here tonight
leads us into this week as the contenders for the win.
“We’re definitely looking forward to going to Belleville together, and
with Mopar engines and Wilke-Pak supporting me, we’ll have ‘em tuned up
for this weekend and have something to work with.”
Rik Forbes won the six-lap qualifying race, while eight-lap heats went to
Don Droud Jr., Wally Pankratz, Darland, and Cole Carter. Garrett Hansen,
who set the fast time in qualifying at 14.304 seconds, won the 12-lap
semifeature.
The National/Western Midget Car Series continues with the “Belleville
Midget Nationals” Friday and Saturday. The USAC Ford Focus Midget Car
Series divisions open the three-day program Thursday with heats and a
100-lap feature event.
Ray
races home to Davenport, Iowa
7.01.04 -Davenport, Iowa is the hometown of race car driver, Davey Ray who will be
making a special trip back home to race at Davenport Speedway on Saturday,
July 3, 2004 for the Badger Midget Auto Racing Association midget event.
Last year, Ray and his BMARA car owner's, Ralph Wilke and Joe Vukelich of
RAJO/Wilke, won the Badger Midget Auto Racing Association Championship
scoring six wins at four different tracks. Two of the tracks that
the team won at last year, Hales Corners Speedway, and Pecatonica Motor
Speedway, are no longer on this year's schedule. However, Davey was
happy to see the series add Davenport Speedway to the list. Maybe
because he remembers watching the BMARA midgets race at Davenport Speedway
in 1994 when his father, Dave Ray, won the feature event in front of his
hometown fans. It would mean a lot to Davey to win the same race his
father won exactly ten years ago.
"I remember my dad
winning that race at Davenport Speedwat. It was an exciting win for
him with all our friends and family there." says Davey. I
can't wait for the midgets to race at Davenport Speedway. It would
definitely mean a whole lot to me to win in front of my hometown fans."
Davey was named
after his father, but that's not all he inherited from his dad.
Davey's passion for racing and winning races shows in him much like it
does in his father. Just ask the lady who knows them both the best.
"Davey and his dad
are very similar in their passion for racing." explains Davey's
mother, Debbie Ray. " They both have the desire to be the best in the
sport, and they both feel they were given the skills and they want to use
them to the fullest. I believe that is why Davey has so much
confidence in himself. There isn't a time that he ever straps into a
race car without thinking he can win it."
Dave Ray started
racing midgets in 1973 and earned the BMARA "Rookie of the Year" award. He
then went on to win the 1977 BMARA Championship with John Heisdorf
(Davey's maternal Grandfather) as the car owner. Twenty-six years
later, Davey won the same Championship title. Dave's last year racing
midgets was in 1996 even though he didn't exactly plan on retiring from
racing that year. It just kind of happened that way after he gave
his son a chance to race the family owned midget in 1997.
"I believe Dave now
feels like his real destiny is to help Davey because he is even more
passionate than he was." says Debbie. "Davey reminds me of Dave in
that they both have so much knowledge for all the fine details of the
sport. The way they think about the handling of the car and the
changes to make. I can always tell when there's something that is
really on their minds at the track or in the garage. They get that
same "intense" look in their face of deep contemplation." With a
grin, Debbie adds, "And don't try to talk to them when they're in that
zone because they won't hear you!"
July 3rd will be
Davey's first time racing on Davenport Speedway's 1/2 mile, but he's no
rookie when it comes to the big tracks. Earlier this year in March,
Ray competed at Phoenix International Raceway for his first pavement race
on a mile, where he earned a top 10 finish taking home 9th place.
Last season he won on Pecatonica Motor Speedway's 1/2 mile in Pecatonica,
IL, he scored a 2nd place finish at Terre Haute Action Track for the "Hut
100," took home a 3rd place finish at Eldora Speedway's 1/2 mile on June
19th, and is always tough competition at the Belleville Highbanks for the
"Belleville Midget Nationals." When it comes to driving, Davey can
steer a race car around the bottom when he needs to, but running the high
side fits his driving style a little better. Especially with the
power he gets from the Mopar racing engines.
"Davey reminds me
of Dave when he runs the cushion at Sun Prairie!" Debbie recalls. "A
lot of fans don't know, but Dave used to run the cushion a lot. I
can remember several times in my dad's car when Dave started back in the
field and had the lead coming out of turn 2 passing everyone on the
outside. Although my dad always said he liked it best when the track was
dry slick, because that "separated the men from the boys," and that's when
Dave would really shine!"
There's no doubt
Davey would like to shine on July 3rd at Davenport Speedway, and he can
count on his hometown fans for support. Davey currently resides in
Loves Park, Illinois after living in Brownsburg, Indiana for two years to
scope out the racing world in Indianapolis. He decided to make the
move to Illinois where it was an easier drive each way to help out both of
his car owners; RAJO/Wilke out of Milwaukee, WI, and to his father's
garage in Davenport, IA.
However, the Badger
Midget Auto Racing Association recently postponed the Davenport event, and
is looking to reschedule for another date. Check back soon for updates on
the event. It will be an exciting show for the midgets
Ray
captured Badger thriller
6.20.04 by Bryan
Gapinski
Defending Badger
Midget Series Champion Davey Ray scored a thrilling victory using lapped
traffic to capture the 25-lap feature Sunday Night at Angell Park
Speedway.
Kevin Doty jumped into the lead at the start closely followed by Jerry
Coons Jr.. On the third lap Ray moved into third place. Two laps later the
events only caution appeared for a stalled car.
On the restart Doty led Coons, and Ray. On the sixth lap series point
leader Scott Hatton moved into fourth. The four drivers pulled away from
the field. On the tenth lap Coons passed Doty entering turn two but as
they exited the corner Doty re-took the lead. The leaders began lapping
the tail of the field on the one lap later, and at the midway point four
car lengths separated the top four. The leaders continued to work heavy
lapped traffic with Ray moving into second on the 15th lap.
On the 20th lap Doty was squeezed between two lap cars allowing Ray to
take the lead. The final five laps Ray led the trio through heavy lapped
traffic. At the finish Ray led Doty by 1.24 seconds driving the
Rajo-Wilke-PAK/Stealth-Seco Mopar entry. Hatton, Coons, and Chad DeSelle
completed the top five. Eleven cars finished on the lead lap, with all but
one of the starting field of 22 cars finishing the event.
Davey Ray's cousin Robbie Ray,captured the 30-lap USAC Midwest Ford Focus
Midget Car Series Feature. In the first ever appearance at the facility
for series. Ray traded the lead several times with runner-up Trenton
Darland over the final half of the race. Brandon Hartsell, Brice Kenyon,
and Jordan Noblitt completed the top five.
Ray
wins wild feature at Lima
6.18.04
USACracing.com
Davey Ray of Davenport, Iowa ended Dave Darland's five-race winning streak
in the USAC National Midget Car Series edition of the "Buckeye Nationals",
scoring his first series victory Friday at Limaland Motorsports Park in
Lima, OH,
Ray passed Scott
Hatton on lap 25 of the caution plagued 30-lap feature and led the final
six laps in the Wilke-PAK Racing/Team Mopar -Auto Meter Stealth/Mopar.
"We had excellent
track conditions tonight," Ray said in victory lane. "It was really
tacky and just the way I like it. Hopefully the fans are proud."
The race featured
nearly a dozen yellow or red flag periods. Hatton, who sat on the
pole position, led the field three times on a start or restart before
finally completing the first two laps. In one of the incidents,
series point leader Bobby East was involved in a multi-car incident.
He would later climb through the field.
On lap three, Josh Wise passed Hatton for the point, but dropped out of
the lead pack a lap later during a caution when he had to change a tire.
Hatton regained the lead and pulled away several time on the restarts.
He held on when Travis Miniea and Brian Gerster made the battle threefold
in turn three on lap four, but Gerster hit the wall, ending his bid at the
top spot.
Miniea, who passed
Ray for second on lap four, fell out during another caution on lap eight.
The field went another four laps of green-flag racing and during that
time, East surged through the field. East jumped to fourth after 12
laps before another delay.
On the restart,
Hatton pulled away while Ray and Brandon Waelti battled for second.
Meanwhile East ran the high groove and on lap 17, maneuvered past Ray on
the backstretch.
The yellow flag
again flew on lap 20, and on the restart, Ray regained third from East,
then a lap later got around Waelti for second. Finally, on lap 25,
Ray drive around Hatton on the outside as the two exited turn four and led
the rest of the way.
East finished third
after staging a sensational battle with Waelti, Gerster and Brad Kuhn.
The four battled in rows of two over the final five laps of the feature
before East edged Waelti at the flag stand. Gerster inched by Kuhn
for fifth.
Heat winners were
Cole Carter, Ray, Wise and Waelti. Ray Bull won the 12-lap semi
feature.
The "Buckeye
Nationals" continue Saturday at Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio.
MOPAR boasts new faces and new
goals in 2004
4.06.04 by
Misha Geisert, J.R. Thompson Company
Center Line, Mich. - The 2004 Team Mopar members are ready to tackle a
season of firsts as the USAC racing season opens this weekend with the
Copper World Classic at Phoenix International Raceway. Looking to better
the stellar effort of their predecessors, they will be writing a new
chapter in their racing careers. New teams, new faces and new goals will
set the tone for 2004.
Last season, the team combined for an outstanding record in the USAC
National Midget Series, combining for 11 series wins, 34 Top-five finishes
and 49 Top-10 finishes. For Dave Steele, Josh Wise, Davey Ray and Tracy
Hines, this season will become an opportunity to put a one-up on the old
team standard.
Veteran driver Dave Steele will debut his new USAC Midget Series team at
the Copper World Classic, as he and fellow Floridian Bruce Nicholas have
joined forces to form Nicholas Racing. Known as a constant threat and
fierce competitor, Steele is looking forward to getting the season
underway.
"We plan to pick up right where we left off last season," Steele said. "I
am excited about the idea of starting the season with a new team. I like
the challenge of building a new team from the ground up, and we have taken
the steps to ensure that we'll be ready when the green flag drops this
weekend."
Steele will also defend his Copper World Silver Crown title, while fellow
Team Mopar member Jay Drake looks to add that trophy to his own mantle.
"For the most part, if you win races, you'll win the championship," Drake
said. "The guy that wins races is almost always the guy that gets the
title. Not always, but for the most part. Starting with Copper World,
we're going after the wins and the title. It's going to be a good year."
Drake will compete for Stewart-Snider Racing in 2004, piloting the No. 11
USAC Silver Crown Series machine. The team will be looking for a series
championship, after finishing in the top-10 in series points last season.
Tracy Hines, who will return to his open wheel roots during a break from
his NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series schedule, will return to the cockpit of
his familiar No. 11 Mopar from Wilke-PAK Motorsports. The NCTS rookie will
compete in a full USAC National Midget Series pavement schedule under the
Mopar banner this season. Hines will be looking to add to his already
impressive open wheel record, starting with the Copper World Classic in
Phoenix.
The Copper World Classic will also mark a debut for another Wilke-PAK race
driver, as Davey Ray
will begin his tenure with the highly respected team. Ray brings another
personality to Team Mopar, and he is looking forward to getting his shot
at the brass ring this season.
"We're certainly excited about being a part
of Team Mopar," Ray said. "We're also excited about the effort that Mopar
has put behind their program, from the driver development to the engine
program. This weekend will be the start of a great season for us."
The final debut for Team Mopar will come with the addition of Josh Wise to
the racing stable. The 2003 Belleville Nationals Champion will compete for
Tony Stewart Racing Enterprises this season in the No. 20 Mopar. As the
youngest addition to Mopar's open wheel arsenal, Wise, 21 years old,
expects to fit right into the program.
"We're really excited about the start of this season, and I'm especially
excited to be a part of Team Mopar and Tony Stewart Racing," Wise said.
"Everyone has worked so hard to prepare for this weekend; a lot of effort
has gone into this race. We tested in Florida last week, and we're really
focused on running well. It's been a lot of work and a lot of effort to
get ready for Copper World, and we're confident that we've done our part
to prepare."
With all eyes on them as the 2004 racing season gets underway, Team Mopar
is ready to embark on the challenge of staying in their position as some
of the best in the business.
For more information regarding Team Mopar or its drivers, log on to
www.moparspeed.com, www.davesteele.com, www.jaydrake.com,
www.tracyhines.com or
www.daveyray.com.
Mopar is based in Center Line, Mich., and is the exclusive original
equipment supplier of parts and accessories for Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep®
vehicles.
Wilke-PAK
Motorsports' Ray is no rookie
3.11.04 by Misha Geisert, J.R. Thompson Company
Team Mopar Adds to Program Depth with New Addition Center Line, Mich.
- Wilke-PAK Motorsports had a big decision to make at the beginning of the
2004 racing season. The team had a vacant seat, and with the reputation as
a formidable force in the USAC Midget Series, they had to pick a driver
that could continue the team's progress and add to the further development
of Mopar's open-wheel stable. For co-owners Greg Wilke, Mark Wilke and
Kevin Schedule, there was only one driver who met those criteria, and they
named Davey Ray their new hot shoe.
The 2004 racing season won't be the first venture for Ray and Wilke-PAK
Motorsports, as Ray competed for the Ra-Jo/Wilke-PAK team throughout 2003.
Co-owned by Joe Vukelich and team patriarch Ralph Wilke, the Wilke-PAK
satellite team took the Badger Midget Auto Racing Association (BMARA)
Series by storm. Under the watchful eye of the elder Wilke, Ray honed his
dirt track prowess and earned the 2003 BMARA Series title outright. The
maturity and professionalism Ray demonstrated earned the young driver the
nod for the seat vacated by fellow Team Mopar driver Tracy Hines.
"Shortly after the Chili Bowl in January, Hines announced his plans to run
the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, leaving a seat open on the Wilke-PAK
team. I talked with the team owners and let them know I was interested in
driving for them," Ray said. "I was thrilled when Greg [Wilke] told me
their plans for 2004. They have afforded me the opportunity to run the
complete USAC dirt schedule and some pavement events. I'm looking forward
to getting the season started."
Ray's determination to succeed, as well as his ability to communicate with
the team, didn't escape team co-owner Mark Wilke. They expect him to adapt
to his new role quite easily.
"Davey is determined, confident and very skilled, and these
characteristics, combined with his youth, offer Wilke-PAK Motorsports and
Team Mopar a very promising future," Mark Wilke said. "We worked with
Davey in 2003, as he drove for our satellite team Ra-Jo/Wilke-PAK. He
hasn't shown any problems in dealing with pressure, as he won six BMARA
feature events and the series championship. We believe that the 2004
season will be a promising one for our team."
By taking over the No. 11 seat, Ray will compete as a part of Team Mopar
in 2004. The 25-year-old is no stranger to the Mopar powerplant, as he has
several years of experience with the brand. In May of 2001, Ray won the
Angell Park Speedway "Memorial 50" event, the first midget car race ever
won with a Mopar powerplant. As the engine program has continued to
evolve, Ray and the Wilke-PAK team are looking forward to building on
their already successful racing program.
"We're certainly excited about being a part of Team Mopar," Ray said. "The
Mopar engines are the most powerful in the midget division, and the broad
power that they produce will most definitely be an advantage for us this
season. We're also excited about the effort that Mopar has put behind
their program, from driver development to the engine program. It's great
to be a part of such a well-organized program."
Ray's enthusiasm for the Mopar racing program is shared by his team
owners.
"Wilke-PAK Motorsports is very fortunate to be a part of the Mopar engine
program," Mark Wilke said. "We've been racing midgets for over 25 years
and have found that the Mopar powerplant is second to none. The Mopar
engine has the horsepower, torque and reliability that car owners look for
when choosing an engine. Mopar's success is due to hard work and strong
commitments to open wheel racing, as well as working with teams that are
just as committed to success."
The Copper World Classic, to be held at the Phoenix International Raceway
March 19-20, will mark Ray's official debut with Wilke-PAK and Team Mopar.
In addition to running the full USAC National Midget Series dirt schedule,
Ray will compete in approximately six pavement events in the series.
Though the young race driver has limited pavement experience, both driver
and owners are confident that their strong team communication skills will
contribute to a successful transition.
"Davey is a quick learner, and we believe that he will have little trouble
adapting to pavement racing," Mark Wilke said.
Ray will be relying on the guidance of his team owners, as well as the
advice of teammate Hines in his transition to pavement racing. Though
Hines will be running a full NCTS schedule, he will wear Mopar colors in
selected pavement events for Wilke-PAK's USAC Midget team.
"I will have to adapt their [Wilke-PAK] knowledge to my driving style to
help me get a feel for pavement racing," Ray said. "I will certainly
benefit from Tracy's [Hines] experience on the pavement, and as a teammate
I'm going to have to listen to his advice."
Make no mistake, though, as Ray is no stranger to tough competition. While
he will have to incorporate pavement racing into his arsenal of skills,
Ray has high expectations of himself and his team for the 2004 season.
"We have a great combination for this season, especially on the dirt. Greg
[Wilke] and I work well together, and we look at every race as an
opportunity to win," Ray said. "I would like to make a good showing on the
pavement this year for the team, and we hope to win at least one pavement
race."
As Ray pushes off for the start of the Copper World Classic, he'll have
years of experience on his side. A Mopar power plant under his right foot,
an experienced race team, and his own skill and determination to succeed
will be with him as he circles the one-mile track. With that combination,
the Wilke-PAK/Mopar team will continue to build on its first-class
reputation.
For more information regarding Mopar or Davey Ray, log on to www.mopar.com,
www.moparspeed.com or www.daveyray.com.
Mopar is based in Center Line, Mich., and is the exclusive original
equipment supplier of parts and accessories for Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep®
vehicles.
Hines and
Ray 2004 Wilke-PAK drivers
2.18.04 Milwaukee,
WI
Tracy Hines, and
Davey Ray were announced today as drivers for the Mopar sponsored Wilke-Pak
Motorsports team for the upcoming 2004 USAC National Midget Series
seasons. The announcement was made by the team owners, Kevin Schuele, Greg
and Mark Wilke. Hines the 2003 series runner-up driving for the team, will
run in eleven pavement events, while Ray will run all the dirt track
events along with selected pavement events.
Hines winner of twenty career USAC National Midget features, and six last
season, is driving full-time for the Menards sponsored Rhonda Thorson team
in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. Hines has been the Wilke-PAK driver
for the past three seasons.
Ray won the 2003 Badger Midget Series Championship driving for their
satellite team RAJO-Wilke-PAK. Ray led the series in feature wins, fast
times, passing points, feature laps led, and top five feature finishes.
Ray has eight career midget feature victories.
Wilke-PAK will continue to be an intricate part of Mopar’s short track
program for 2004, with its Mopar Powerplants coming from engine builder
Gary Stanton.
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