FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 28, 2015
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Whitwell Added to Sunoco Rookie of the Year Contender List

MLRA PR
WHEATLAND, MO (May 28) - 2015 has brought a change for racer and team owner Al Humphrey. Last season he fielded a successful operation culminating in the Sunoco Rookie of the Year honor for his driver, Travis Dickes. Dickes has scaled his racing back this season, and Humphrey tapped Tucson, Arizona standout RC Whitwell to fill the ride just prior to the season opening in April.
 
Whitwell has made occasional starts with the Lucas Oil MLRA in previous seasons driving for Jeff Sires and Steve Rushin, but now will be in the seat of the #6 going forward. The team is taking a somewhat cautious approach to the year, but early results have been good for them. They made the first four races of the season and recorded a best finish of seventh. He currently sits fifth in the standings.
 
"Al asked me to drive for him out in Tucson at the Wild West Shootout earlier this season," commented Whitwell. "I was already committed to another team, so I wasn't able too. However once Arizona was over I reached out to him and just prior to the start of the year and we put a deal together. It's still a little bit of a week to week deal, but everything is working out great so far."
 
Whitwell had a change of pace last season. He served as a crew member for eight months with Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Champion Earl Pearson Jr. and his Bobby Labonte Racing team. While driving was out of the question he certainly felt the time away from the wheel was good for other aspects of his career.
 
"It was an awesome experience for me. Those guys really taught me about preparation. They have spares for almost everything, and they are in the trailer and ready to go at all times. All those guys in the series drive so hard too, it was really remarkable to see week in and week out. I also worked in the Longhorn Chassis shop and picked up quite a few things from there too."
 
Whitwell's resume is solid, boasting over 150 Modified wins and six track championships. Currently he holds 22 Late Model wins, but none of those are with the MLRA. His biggest triumph came in 2014 with the now defunct NDRL. He won the first event in their January Winter Extreme at USA Raceway.
 
"I am really happy about my opportunity here. We just need to get some shows in and some more experience under our belt."
 
Humphrey fields Victory Circle and Lazer Race Cars with Kuntz & Company power plants. They receive sponsorship support from Al Humphrey Racing, BSB Manufacturing, Joyce Agronomics, Midwest Sheet Metal and Barnett Harley Davidson.

Whitwell joins Jake O'Neil, Jim Shereck and Dan Shepherd who are also vying for the Sunoco Rookie of the Year title. Racing resumes this weekend with a pair of shows at Park Jefferson International Speedway in Jefferson, South Dakota.

Park Jeff. Int. Speedway Information 5/29/15 & 5/30/15
Gates: Both Days 5:00 PM
Racing: Friday 7:30 PM, Saturday 7:00 PM
Admission: Adults $20, Youth (6-16) $8, Kids (5 and Under) FREE, VIP Adults $35, Children (2-16) $15, Pit Pass $30
Support Classes: Friday - A Modifieds, Stock Cars, Bombers, Saturday - Sport Mods, Hobby Stocks, Sport Compacts
Website: ParkJeffersonSpeedway.MyRacePass.com

For all of the latest news and information fans are encouraged to visit the series website at www.MLRARacing.com.