TOLEDO, Ohio (May 15, 2015) – – On the heels of her first career top-10 finish two weeks ago at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway, ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards driver Sarah Cornett-Ching (@scornettching) heads to Toledo Speedway this weekend looking for a duplicate performance in Sunday’s Menards 200 presented by Federated Car Care.
The SCOTT Rookie of the Year candidate has been able to let her greatest achievement yet in stock car racing sink in during the short break, but the aspiring driver is ready to get back to business.
Short track style.
“These past few weeks have been really good for myself and our RACE 101 team,” said Cornett-Ching who finished a career-best eighth in the International Motorsports Hall of Fame 200 on May 1. “Eighth is great, but a top five at Toledo would be even better.”
This weekend’s scenario will be similar to what the popular ARCA driver has had to embrace for much of her freshman season of competition. Experience.
The driver of the No. 2 RACE 101 Chevrolet enters the sixth race of the season with limited experience at the half-mile oval of Toledo Speedway. Luckily, Cornett-Ching and her team, led by Tony Blanchard were able to participate in a private test session at the northern Ohio racetrack, giving the rising phenom some much needed acquaintance time.
“The Toledo test went really well,” offered Cornett-Ching who sits seventh in the ARCA Racing Series championship standings entering Sunday’s race. “We really hit on something suspension wise that gave me a good feel and we were able to turn some competitive laps. Toledo is another track I’ve never been to, so our goal as always to improve all day and try to be in contention at the end.”
Adapting quickly is something that the newly turned 24-year old has been able to make the best of, especially under racing conditions.
Carrying an average finish of 15th leading into Sunday’s race, Cornett-Ching boasts four straight top-15 finishes and has been running at the end of every race. The RACE 101 driver knows that you can’t learn if you aren’t on the track and she’s been able to capitalize on that, propelling her through the standings. This is highlighted by the fact that of all her competitors she is currently leading the ARCA S&S Volvo Laps Completed Challenge, a huge accomplishment for the rookie.
“It would be nice to think about where we would be sitting in points if Daytona turned out differently, but that’s the past,” added Cornett-Ching. “We corrected the mechanical issue at Daytona and took the checkered flag. Since then, we’ve finished well in each of the races. There’s room for improvement though.
“We were ecstatic with our finish at Talladega, but that’s plate racing. Now we get back into the core of the season, short tracks, speedways, dirt tracks and even a road course. We need to make sure we’re capitalizing on every race and every scenario possible. We will need a little luck but being able to test these new tracks has really aided our efforts as well.”
Since hanging up her welder’s shield full-time in January, Cornett-Ching has been focused on building an on-track resume that pops, while also establishing herself as a household name.
Sunday’s race is expected to have some flash with the debut of two sons of NASCAR drivers, Cornett-Ching though is hoping to race her way into the spotlight and spark some flash of her own.
“Sunday’s race will be competitive, there’s no hiding behind that,” sounded Cornett-Ching. “That’s one of the main reasons we tested. We started the day on a similar setup to what we ran at Salem. As the day went on and I got more comfortable we were able to adjust the setup. Tony (Blanchard) worked with me on drivability and by the end of the day we were running some really quick laps.”
Blanchard is equally excited about the fourth short track race of the season.
“Toledo is a track that fits Sarah well, she has run mainly on similar tracks before racing in the ARCA Racing Series, and being able to test here (Toledo) before we race is always a huge benefit. A top-10 finish isn’t out of the picture Sunday afternoon, Sarah has the confidence now, she is feeling comfortable and is finding the speed in these cars.”
The Menards 200 presented by Federated Car Care (200 Laps/100 Miles) is the sixth of 20 races on the 2015 ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards schedule. Practice begins for the two-day show on Saturday, May 16 from 11:45 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. A second practice session has been etched in from 1:00 p.m. – 1:45 p.m. Later, Menards pole group qualifying presented by Ansell takes place at 3:30 p.m. The event will take the green flag the next day just after 2:00 p.m. ARCA’s hometown race will be televised live on CBS Sports Network. ARCARacing.com will stream live timing and scoring throughout the entire weekend festivities. All times are local (Eastern).
Follow Sarah Cornett-Ching on Twitter @scornettching.
