Mobile’s rising star Cale Gale will return to his hometown to race in the Mobile ARCA 200 at Mobile International Speedway (MIS) on Saturday, March 10, 2012. The up-and-coming NASCAR driver will take a break from his first full-time season in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) to pilot Eddie Sharp Racing’s ARCA No. 33 Rheem Chevrolet at his hometown track. The event will also mark the debut of ARCA Racing at MIS. To underscore the importance of this race and his love for his hometown, Gale jumped at the chance to support the event by becoming the first official entry in the race according to MIS track promoter, Rick Crawford.
“Obviously, we are all very excited about having the opportunity to run at Mobile International Speedway,” commented Cale Gale, driver of the No. 33 Rheem Chevrolet. “It’s a track that means a lot to me—it’s where I got my first stock car experience while I was growing up. It’s where I watched my dad race, and where I watched all of my local heroes while I was a kid. I think it’s going to be one of the biggest events that Mobile International Speedway has ever had. I hope to see a lot of my fans out there so I can personally thank them for a lifetime of support. You can be sure that I’ll do my best to give them a great show.”
As a young racer in Mobile, Ala., Gale logged countless laps around the half-mile MIS track under the direction of his father and grandfather. Known for their success behind the wheel, the Gale family raced at tracks across the Southeast, and Cale became the third generation of the Gale family to find success at MIS. In fact, Gale’s father, Bubba, was a six-time track champion at MIS and achieved five championships in a row during the mid-1990s. However, by 2002, Cale was the one driving the family name further into the record books by becoming the first driver in MIS history to win both the track championship and the rookie of the year title in the same year.
“I think it’s great that Cale can come back to Mobile after graduating from here to the higher ranks of NASCAR,” commented Rick Crawford, promoter of Mobile International Speedway. “It will be great for him to come back to his home track, compete in front of hometown fans and all the other fans of Cale Gale and his family. Everyone’s excited to watch his talent on the stage of big league racing. We expect this to be the biggest racing event ever at MIS and I think it will all play itself up to be a real homecoming for Cale.”
“We’ve had a lot of success with our short track ARCA program and to be able to take Cale to his hometrack with winning equipment and the loyal sponsorship commitment of Rheem is very exciting for all involved,” commented Eddie Sharp, owner of Eddie Sharp Racing. “It will be a lot of fun and should be a great weekend. We’re going there for one reason—to win.”
Gale is expected to take part in several activities around Mobile during the week leading up to the big event. Fans are invited to meet him during an appearance at the Robertsdale, Ala., Camping World Store from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 8th. Gale will spend Wednesday with local students during a stop at his alma mater, Baker High School, and Causey Middle School. He will spend the day talking to students about working toward their goals and reaching for their dreams. Gale will also spend time with nearly 100 kids from the Boys and Girls Club of South Alabama—Cale Gale and Rheem will provide tickets to the race, host a lunch, and give each child a special commemorative t-shirt.
Gale will utilize the opportunity to pay tribute to all of his fans and loyal supporters that helped launch his career into the world of NASCAR, including his longtime sponsor, Rheem. Cale Gale will also unveil a special “Mobile Appreciation” message on the largest billboard at MIS that will remain in place throughout 2012.
“This very special Mobile weekend showcases the 200-year Mobile spirit of working together to achieve great things,” commented Ed Raniszeski, Rheem Corporate Director Strategic Relationships. “We at Rheem are honored to be a part of Mobile County’s bicentennial celebration and MIS’s success in bringing ARCA racing to this great area. We are especially proud to be associated with Cale Gale – one of Mobile’s finest – who is an outstanding example of what can come from the relentless pursuit of one’s dream.”
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