Spencer Wauters will be driving a second TK Racing entry tonight in the LisaThomas Salon 100. The race will be held in Illinois at Illiana Speedway.

Great article on SPEED 51

NASCAR Cup Driver Almirola Throws

His Hat into the Howie Lettow Memorial 150 Ring

Former Florida Short Tracker Almirola Set to Race for Richie Wauters at Milwaukee

51 Sports PR
Aric Almirola may be a household name to fans who enjoy watching the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series events every weekend, but short track fans knew about him far before his days in the NASCAR spotlight. The Florida native that now competes in the famed No. 43 Ford for Richard Petty Motorsports cut his racing teeth like many of his Sprint Cup brethren on the bullrings of America, winning races in his native Sunshine State and beyond.

http://www.speed51.com/2012_Stories/ASA_MT/Almirola_Lettow_Announcment_5-17.html

‘Recent Duke Graduate Embarks on Full Time NASCAR Career’

Paulie Harraka will pilot the No. 5 Wauters Motorsports NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Ford F150 at Charlotte Motor Speedway Friday, May 18, 2012 for the running of the NC Education Lottery 200.

Harraka may have a racing history but the recent Duke University graduate will embark on his first race of his full-time NASCAR racing career.  Harraka graduated on May 13th and joins a handful of NASCAR drivers that have college degrees.

Harraka has raced go karts on the interior road course at the Concord, NC track but will be making his first start on the asphalt surface.

“I can’t wait to get to Charlotte” Paulie Harraka said. “I grew up racing go karts on the road course in the infield, and won some of my biggest races (including 4-for-4 in 2002) there.  Every time we were there, it seemed like there was a Sprint Cup car on the track, whether for testing or for driving schools. Obviously, as a little kid chasing wins in a go-kart, I’d look at those cars longingly, hoping I’d get to drive one someday. To be racing one of our trucks is a dream come true. Kansas was a huge learning experience for me, having been my first event on a 1.5 mile track. I’m excited to apply what I learned at Kansas, and believe we’ll run well in Charlotte.”

Harraka may have finished college but is sure to gain an education from team owner Richie Wauters on the 1.5-mile Charlotte Motor Speedway.  Wauters in his tenure as a crew chief has guided a NCWTS team to two pole-position starts, two wins, three top-five and six top-10 finishes in seven events at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

“We’ve been fortunate to have some awesome drivers at Charlotte that helped with that success,” Richie Wauters said. “Charlotte is the fastest track we’ve run so far other than Daytona.  The track is sensitive to the sun – first practice you will feel like superman with all the grip – second practice you will lose grip and qualifying during the hottest part of the day the truck will be real free but grip will return during the race.  You really need to be able to arc the corners to be fast.  Coming into Charlotte with a rookie driver is a bit more challenging but with seat time and laps logged I’m sure that Paulie will adapt quickly.”

Paulie Harraka will be the featured driver during the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Set-up Show beginning at 7:30 pm broadcast live on SPEED with continuing coverage of the NC Education Lottery 200 beginning at 8:00 pm Friday, May 18, 2012.  MRN and Sirius Satellite Radio are slated to begin live coverage at 7:45 pm.

SPEED will televise NCWTS final practice Friday, May 18 at 10:30pm with qualifying live beginning at 4:00pm.

For more information on Paulie Harraka and Wauters Motorsports visit www.PaulieHarraka.net, Facebook: Paulie Harraka, Twitter: @PaulieHarraka,  Facebook: Wauters Motorsports and Twitter: @WautersMotors5

Check out Wauters Motorsports team member Darin Bavery as the crew member spotlight on MRN NASCAR Performance Live radio broadcast! Darin Bavery_NPL_crew member spotlight 042512