18-Year-Old Brandon Oakley Hopes SpeedFest 2013 Propels Freshman Title Run In ARCA/CRA Super Series

Special from Brandon Oakley Racing

January 24, 2013

SpeedFest has traditionally been the starting point of any racing season in recent seasons starting back in 2005 at the now closed USA International Speedway in Lakeland, Florida. After a move to Lanier International Raceway in Braselton, Georgia back in 2009, the marquee event has found a home, for now, at Watermelon Capital Speedway in Cordele, Georgia.

18-year-old Brandon Oakley is hoping that the long trek from Beavercreek, Ohio to the Peach State on Friday-Sunday,

January 25-27th while the winter weather has overtaken his home state will result in a solid run and in turn, begin

building some momentum for a run at the 2013 Rookie of the Year title in the ARCA/CRA Super Series when the points

start counting at Anderson Speedway in Anderson, Indiana on April 13th.

Oakley and his Brandon Oakley Racing Team, led by Crew Chief and former ASA National Tour star, Gary St. Amant

will make the 10+ hour journey down I-75 to compete in the headlining 200-lap non-points main event for the

ARCA/CRA Super Series at the fast 4/10s (0.400) mile semi-banked paved oval located south of Macon and north of

the Florida / Georgia state line.

“I can’t wait to get down to Speedfest. Gary (St. Amant) and the guys have been working hard this winter to get the

cars ready, and I feel like we have a really good shot at a solid finish.” The Buckeye State teenager stated. “The goal down there is for me to get some laps in the super and adapt to the change. Also we want to get the new cars shook down and be ready to head to Anderson and be competitive in April.”

Despite missing three points races within the JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour Presented by Chevrolet Performance in 2012, Oakley still managed a 12th place finish overall in the points standings while also picking up a third place showing in the Howie Lettow Memorial Rookie of the Year title chase as he finished behind only 2012 Rookie of the Year, Anderson Bowen and rookie runner-up, Brandon Hermiller. He also made a single appearance at Shady Bowl Speedway in DeGraff, Ohio to start the season and broke the track record in qualifying before going on to sweep the entire night by winning the tracks Opening Night Feature.

Oakley began his racing career in 2006 in the MMRA Mini Cups Series and in 2009 he scored three Indiana Kentucky Ohio (IKO) Racing Series Feature Wins and the IKO Summer Sizzler Championship. In 2010, he moved up to full bodies cars in the Modifieds division at Columbus Motor Speedway in Columbus, Ohio as well as Kil-Kare Speedway in Xenia, Ohio.

It was at Kil-Kare where, at just 16 years old, he enjoyed the most success as he finished third in points and in 19 starts, he recorded Two Feature wins, 10 top fives and 15 top 10s and was awarded the Most Improved Driver Award. He also made appearances at Angola Motorsport Speedway, Concord Motorsports Park, Lucas Oil Raceway, North Wilkesboro Speedway, Sandusky Speedway and Winchester Speedway. It was at North Wilkesboro where he set fast time over a strong field of Modifieds from throughout the country.

In 2011 the move up to Late Models resulted in a third place finish in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Ohio State Points as well as a fourth place showing in the National Rookie of the Year chase. He recorded a fifth place finish at Columbus Motor Speedway with three feature wins including the tracks marquee event, the Robbie Dean Memorial. He also finished fifth in points at Kil-Kare Speedway as well with another two Feature win visits to victory lane.

Beginning with SpeedFest 2013, Oakley’s black #51 Brandon Oakley Racing Ford will carry sponsorship support from DKBicycles.com as well as Oakley Black Top, Duncan Oil, Main Auto Parts, McAfee Heating & Air, M.P.H. Promotions, and AR Bodies.

For more information about Brandon Oakley and the entire Brandon Oakley Racing Team, log onto the website at: www.brandonoakleyracing.com You can also go to the teams’ Facebook Fan Page located at: www.facebook.com and search “Brandon Oakley Racing”. The team is also on Twitter as well at: www.twitter.com and by searching “Brandon Oakley.