When Tony Blanchard announced he needed a driver for the Daytona ARCA race there was no shortage of candidates. After careful deliberation Blanchard will team with veteran North Carolina racer Tom Buzze in a one-race agreement with Buzze and marketing partner Lane Southern Orchards.
“Tom is the perfect driver for what we are trying to do,” said Blanchard. “I want someone with experience on big tracks and someone I can communicate with about the car. Tom provides everything we need to do well in Daytona.”
Blanchard will campaign the #3 entry in the ARCA Racin Series presented by Menards with Midwest teenage racer Karl Weber behind the wheel during most events. But with Weber not eligible to compete on the superspeedways Blanchard found a void in his program. A partnership with Buzze allows Blanchard to earn valuable points, and it also will create opportunity to develop set-up notes when the Ambia, Indiana, pilot is able to compete at the bigger tracks.
“This is a great opportunity to work with a veteran crew chief at the biggest ARCA event of the season,” said Buzze. “I am thrilled that Lane Southern Orchards came on board to support our effort. We have high expectations for the Lucas Oil 200 at Daytona.”
Success with his ARCA racing program is important enough to Blanchard he postponed the 2014 RACE 101 program to focus on the performance of the race team.
“We have built a solid brand with RACE 101,” said Blanchard. “Our graduates are fine young racers, and we are proud of their accomplishments.
“I feel it is now time to return to the race track and find success. We will focus 100 percent on the ARCA team, and we will use everything that we teach in the program to make it a success both on the track and for our marketing partners as well.”
Marketing opportunities are available on the RACE 101 entry, and no driver has been named for superspeedway events later in the 2014 ARCA schedule.
“We need to focus on Daytona, and then our priority is the success of Karl Weber and the 3 car,” said Blanchard. “I am confident we will have competitive equipment at the race track, and that speaks louder than anything. My goal is provide a race car that is competitive enough people will step forward to drive it. It is time to go racing again the way we used to.”Prior to forming RACE 101 in 2009 Blanchard served as a crew chief and mentor to NASCAR star Joey Logano. Four classes have graduated from RACE 101 since that time, and while helping young racers learn the craft is rewarding for Blanchard the competitive fire still burns within the Denver, North Carolina, crew chief.”We are ready to step up this season,” said Blanchard. “The goal is to come out of the box strong in Daytona, and we will continue to improve all year.”
Race 101 PR
