Ross Kenseth, Kelly Bires & Boyne Machine Racing Team Up For The 2014 Racing Season

Wisconsin Duo Heading to Michigan; Planning on Aggressive Schedule (Special from Boyne Machine Racing)

December 11, 2013

Jenison, Michigan (December 11, 2013) – Ross Kenseth has accomplished quite a bit in

his young career with victories in three of the biggest short track events in the country; the

Winchester 400 and the All-American 400 as well as the Redbud 300 during the 2012

season. In 2013, Kenseth continued his knack for scoring the big wins with a victory at

Lucas Oil Raceway during Brickyard Speedweeks. As a new season approaches,

Kenseth is seeking out a new challenge. One that will firmly entrench Kenseth's name

into the upper echelon of the short track racing world as he continues his climb up the

ladder.

For the 2014 racing season, Kenseth will be piloting the #77 Boyne Machine Racing

entries, owned by veteran Car Owner, Mike Blackmer in several high-profile events

throughout the Midwestern United States from the new 10,000 square foot Boyne Machine

Racing shop located in Jenison, Michigan. After purchasing three Hamke Race Cars

chassis from Keyser's Port City Racing, a busy schedule will include shows within the

ARCA/CRA Super Series as well as the ARCA Midwest Tour. In addition, Kenseth also

looks to make select appearances in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East as well as the

ARCA Racing Series.

Boyne Machine Racing will officially start the new season down in the Sunshine State during 2014 Speedweeks as Kenseth will hit the track for the first time at the 48th annual World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing at New Smyrna Speedway in New Smyrna Beach, Florida from February 14-22nd. The Super Late Models will race seven of the eight nights that make up the World Series with the highlight of the week coming on the final night, Saturday, February 22nd with the first Bruce Gowland Memorial 100.

"I'm really excited about this new page of my racing career. I really appreciate Mike Blackmer for giving me the opportunity to come up to Michigan and race." The 20-year-old Kenseth stated. In his last race, he finished eighth in the 46th annual Snowball Derby at Five Flags Speedway (FL) on December 8th. "I appreciate every opportunity that has come my way in my career up to this point and this move is a new chapter in the book of my racing career." He added.

As Kenseth prepares for his move from North Carolina to Jenison, Michigan, he will take some time away from his schooling at Clemson University to focus on the new race team. "We've got good equipment, a solid team and I'm really looking forward to working with Kelly (Bires) on a full-time basis." Kenseth continued. "I can't wait for the season to start. We're going to hopefully make our presence known at all of the big shows in the country." He added.

Kenseth and Bires have teamed up off and on since the 2012 season as Bires a former competitor in the NASCAR Nationwide Series from 2007-2012 who also has three starts in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series in 2012 to his credit, has adapted well to the role of Crew Chief in recent seasons. Both Kenseth and Bires are from the state of Wisconsin and Bires, who's originally from Mauston,  Wisconsin, feels that's vitally important as they teams moves forward.

"We have a great relationship and a lot in common with both of us being from the same state and I can relate to a lot of what Ross (Kenseth) is going through as a driver who is up and coming in the industry as far as providing guidance as he continues on with his career," The 29-year-old, who was the 2006 champion in what was the ASA Late Model Challenge Series while driving for famed crew chief, the late Howie Lettow. "I was his age when I was racing for Howie and I can relay some of what I learned during that time and help make Ross even better than he already is."  Bires added.

Blackmer and Kenseth have teamed up before on a few occasions starting in 2011 when they got together in what was then the Boyne Machine Super Late Model Series race at Kalamazoo Speedway (MI) during the prestigious Kalamazoo Klash. The Boyne Series, for Template Super Late Models, now known as the Budweiser Super Late Models Series, is held primarily at near-by Berlin Raceway (MI), but would make their first appearance outside of Berlin that year.

Since then, Kenseth and Blackmer again teamed up at Kalamazoo in the 2012 version of the Kalamazoo Klash while in 2013, that relationship expanded to include more events throughout the course of the season. Now for 2014, it's a full-time deal and Blackmer is more than excited for the new season to begin.

"This is the biggest leap forward in Boyne Machine Racing's history. We're so happy that Ross (Kenseth) and Kelly (Bires) are a part of it," Added Blackmer. "We've got the best equipment we can get; we've got a nice new race shop to work out of. Ross and Kelly will be here full-time and we're looking to start the new season strong and continue on from there. We have an ambitious schedule planned and everyone is going to see the #77 Boyne Machine cars everywhere this coming year." He added.

Boyne Machine Racing has had a hand in just about every level of the auto racing world since 1999 when Car owner, Mike Blackmer entered Randy Parker in an ASA AC-Delco Challenge Series race at Jennerstown Speedway (PA). Blackmer has housed several highly successful drivers over the years including Brian Campbell in the ARCA/CRA Super Series and the old ASA Late Model Series as well as his father, Michigan Motorsports Hall of Fame driver, Fred Campbell and Berlin Raceway standout, Terry VanHaitsma.

Some of the biggest wins in Blackmer's tenure as a Car Owner came in 2008 at the famed Bristol Motor Speedway (TN) when his driver, Brian Campbell made the coveted trip to victory lane in the Thompson Metals 200. Also that season, Campbell would score the Win in the Governors Cup 150 at the historic Milwaukee Mile (WI).

Campbell would also score huge victories in two of the most coveted Outlaw Super Late Model races in the country; the Glass City 200 at Toledo Speedway (OH) in 2007 as he would also Win the Pole Award for the race. Campbell would also take Boyne Machine Racing to victory lane in Main Event XIX at Columbus Motor Speedway (OH) in 2006.

Boyne Machine Racing has two career victories in what is now the ARCA/CRA Super Series with the first one coming when Fred Campbell steered a Boyne Machine Racing entry to victory in the inaugural Boyne at Berlin on September 15, 2007, an event title sponsored by Blackmer. The following year, Brian Campbell scored the popular win in the Boyne at Berlin 125 on October 18, 2008 for the team.

In addition to his time as a car owner, Blackmer was also the promoter of Berlin Raceway from 2009-2011 and in those three years, several improvements were made to the Marne, Michigan speed plant to the tracks infield, with a brand new make-ready chute, tech area and countless capital improvements, double file restarts, weekly Modified division racing and the formation of the Boyne Machine Super Late Model Series for which today is known as the Budweiser Super Late Models Series.

Boyne Machine Company was founded in 1969 by Mel Revoir while in 1994, was purchased by Mike Blackmer and Rusty Parker. To better fulfill their client's needs and promote efficiency, Boyne Machine moved to a new 16,000 square foot climate controlled facility in Jenison Michigan. Owners Mike Blackmer, Rusty Parker and Randy Parker take a hands on approach to ensure a fast and efficient work flow.

Blackmer handles sales, customer service and administration while Rusty Parker takes care of intricate job specifications. With a Degree in Manufacturing Engineering and Randy Parker, an Engineer Graduate, heads the ISO9001:2000 Quality Management System. Boyne Machine Company has strong engineering and manufacturing capabilities and the technical know-how to overcome any obstacles you may face in the production and engineering of complex parts. With more than 40 full time employees on hand and over 19 years of experience, Boyne Machine is ready to tackle your next project. They can be reached at 616.669.7178 or online at: www.boynemachine.com 

Kenseth's #77 Boyne Machine Racing entry with a Ford Fusion body is actively seeking sponsorship for the fast approaching 2014 racing season to go along with Boyne Machine Company as well as Enterprise Iron & Metal, McGunegill Engine Performance, Five Star Racecar Bodies, Fast Signs of Appleton, Wisconsin and M.P.H. Promotions.

For more information about Ross Kenseth and Boyne Machine Racing and to also inquire about sponsorship opportunities for the upcoming 2014 campaign, go to his driver website located at: www.rosskenseth.com You can also follow Kenseth as well as Boyne Machine Racing on Facebook at: www.facebook.com and search for "Ross Kenseth" and "Boyne Machine Racing" Finally on Twitter as well at: www.twitter.com/RossKenseth and www.twitter.com/BoyneMachRacing