Rookie Points Battle Continues For 17-Year-Old Paul Shafer Jr., Another New Track; Flat Rock Speedway Next
Hoosier State teenager firmly in second in ARCA/CRA Super Series Rookie title chase (Special from Shafer Motorsports)
August 15, 2014
Portage, Indiana (August 15, 2014) – As the 2014 racing season continues for 17-year-old
Paul Shafer Jr., and the Shafer Motorsports Team, Shafer Jr., knows he's learning on the
fly while competing with some of the best drivers in the country week in and week out. In
addition to the step up in competition, a whole new batch of race tracks to learn has been
another step in his progression throughout the year.
In the last two races at Columbus Motor Speedway (OH) on August 2nd as well as at
Kalamazoo Speedway (MI) on August 13th, the Portage, Indiana driver has had to
overcame adversity to maintain his standing not only in the 2014 ARCA/CRA Super Series
Rookie of the Year title chase, but also the overall standings. While the finishes haven't
been to his liking, the experience gained will pay dividends down the road.
"Results are certainly on the way. We had a top five car at Columbus, but still not much to
show for it." Explained the Hoosier State teenager. "Within the first 50 laps, something hit
the power steering line, busting the line and leaving me without power steering. I pulled in
and the crew took all the belts and power steering stuff off. I went back on the track 43
laps down to just make laps and try to learn something for next time." He stated upon
reflecting on the Columbus race.
"Then at Kalamazoo, bad luck struck again. After qualifying a poor 18th and driving up to seventh, a flat tire ended the day. It just seems like we can't catch a break." The 2013 Illiana Motor Speedway (IN) Super Late Model Track Champion continued. "One of these days we will have a finish to show just how good and competitive we were. We're close, have been all season, it's just the results haven't shown that."
So far in nine ARCA/CRA Super Series points races, Shafer Jr., is solidly in second in the chase for the 2014 Rookie of the Year title. He has three top 10 finishes as two of those are seventh place efforts at Illiana on Memorial Day Monday, May 26th and in the Redbud 300 at Anderson Speedway (IN) on June 14th. He is also fifth overall in the title chase. While he has some ground to make up on freshman points leader, Wes Griffith Jr., there's still time left with five points events remaining.
The next race on the schedule will be at yet another new track for Shafer Jr., and the team; the fast 1/4 (0.250) mile semi-banked paved oval of Flat Rock Speedway, located south of Detroit in Flat Rock, Michigan on Saturday, August 16th. The 7-Up 125 will present another new challenge for the team before the series takes a well deserved break after a stretch of five races over a five week span.
"I'm not sure what to expect from Flat Rock. Just a solid finish with no bad luck would be a great place to start." Shafer Jr., laughed. "Flat rock will be another challenge because again, I've never been there. In the videos I've watched it looks more like a normal race track. Either way, we have a busy week ahead, with the possibility of racing Friday night at Grundy County Speedway (IL) in the Frank Welch Memorial race as well." He ended
For the remainder of the 2014 racing season, Shafer Jr.'s popular black and purple #7 Shafer Motorsports / Chevrolet which is a Pathfinder Chassis with horsepower under the hood from Hamner Racing Engines will carry sponsorship support and decals all year long from Southlake Body as well as Maxim Powersports, Genesis Energy Consultants, Paul's Auto Yard and M.P.H. Promotions.
For more information about Paul Shafer Jr., and the entire Shafer Motorsports Team, please call Car Owner, Paul Shafer at: (219) 406-0067. A new website is under development. You can still 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
