First Appearance For 17-Year-Old Paul Shafer Jr., At Anderson Speedway Up Next
New Tracks to be the norm for Hoosier State teenager in the ARCA/CRA Super Series (Special from Shafer Motorsports)
April 22, 2014
Portage, Indiana (April 22, 2014) – The 2014 racing season is officially under way for 17-
year-old Paul Shafer Jr., and his Shafer Motorsports Team. He's running for the Rookie of
the Year title in the ARCA/CRA Super Series Powered by JEGS and with advancing to a
premier traveling series, new tracks will be the standard operating procedure for the
Hoosier State teenager. As was the case with the 2014 season opener at Toledo
Speedway (OH).
In addition to the ARCA/CRA Super Series races, Shafer Jr., will also run in as many
events with the ARCA Midwest Tour. He got a glimpse of both tours sanctioned by ARCA
in the 2014 season opener for both on April 12th at the historic 1/2 (0.500) mile high-
banked paved oval in Toledo, Ohio. Border Wars I - 7-Up 150 was the first of two
combination races pitting the ARCA/CRA Super Series head to head with their ARCA
Midwest Tour counterparts.
After qualifying an impressive 10th quick out of the 42 cars on the property, Shafer Jr.,
would begin the 150-lap main from the outside of the fifth row and surrounded by some of
the best drivers in the country. With Eddie Hoffman flanking his inside, plus the top two
qualifiers in front of him in Brian Campbell and Chad Finley and finally with Anderson Bowen and Steve Wallace starting in the next row behind him, Shafer Jr., knew he was in the 'big time'.
"Toledo was definitely interesting. We did well in qualifying and made the race on time. I thought we had about an eighth place car during the race, but the car got looser and looser on entry." Shafer Jr., explained. "During the break, we tightened the car up a little bit, but it was still really loose on entry. I lost a few spots and ended up 13th. I’m happy with where we ended up though. I think we could have done a little bit better, but for our first time there, I don’t think we did bad. (Crew Chief) Chris (Purdy) and I both learned a little bit and I think that will translate over to other races this season." He added.
The next race on the 2014 ARCA/CRA Super Series schedule is another new track to Shafer Jr., and the team; the fast 1/4 (0.250) mile high-banked paved oval of Anderson Speedway (IN) on Saturday, April 26th for the Anderson Properties 125 Presented by Great Deals Savings Magazine. A tight 1/4 mile and the type of track that he has very little experience on, having raced primarily at the big 1/2 mile of Illiana Motor Speedway (IN).
"I’ve never been to Anderson. From what I hear, it is a really small bullring. I heard it is narrow and hard to race, but I haven’t even seen the track." Laughed the Portage, Indiana teenager as he and his team continue preparations for the trip to Central Indiana. "I’m looking forward to racing there though. It will be a learning experience for sure. We just have to do our thing when we get there." Shafer Jr., ended.
At just 16 years old, Paul Shafer Jr., won the 2013 Illiana Motor Speedway Super Late Model Track Championship against a strong field of weekly Super Late Model competitors. The Portage, Indiana rising start then ended the year by qualifying into the 46th annual Snowball Derby at Five Flags Speedway (FL) where he finished 17th in the biggest race in the country for Super Late Models after qualifying into the show in 15th out of 57 of the best drivers in the country.
For the rest of the 2014 racing season, Shafer Jr.'s black and purple #7 Shafer Motorsports / Chevrolet which is a Pathfinder Chassis with power under the hood from Hamner Racing Engines will carry sponsorship support and decals from Southlake Body as well as Maxim Powersports and M.P.H. Promotions.
For more information about Paul Shafer Jr., and the entire Shafer Motorsports Team and to inquire about sponsorship opportunities for the remainder of the 2014 campaign, please call Car Owner, Paul Shafer at: (219) 406-0067. A new website is under development and will be available later in the season. In the meantime you can go to the Shafer Racing Facebook Page located at: www.facebook.com and search for "Shafer Racing" as well as the Twitter page which can be found at: www.twitter.com/ShaferRacing7
