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02/26/2014 |
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ROB FULLER
MOTORSPORTS FINE TUNES #15 CHEVROLET AT
DAYTONA & NEW SMYRNA RACES TO KICK OFF 2014 NASCAR SEASON
Team Partner, 15-40
Connection features Josh Bell, Cancer Survivor, on Race Car |
 The
start of the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour season
kicked-off in Florida with three races for Rob
Fuller Motorsports (RFM) and team partner, 15-40
Connection. Owner / driver Rob Fuller has a new team
for 2014 and this was the first opportunity for the
crew to race and learn what to expect from each
other both on and off the track.
First up was the UNOH Battle At The Beach, a
nationally-televised exhibition race for the NASCAR
Whelen Modified Tour taking place on a 0.4-mile
short track oval on the backstretch of Daytona
International Speedway. Fuller qualified the No. 15
Chevrolet in 23rd position. Starting at the back of
the field was a challenge and the No. 15 Chevrolet
was involved in a few early cautions during the
100-lap race. But, by the end of the race, Fuller
was running lap times as fast as the leaders and
finished a respectable 16th. RFM teammate Doug Coby
won the race; his first win at Daytona International
Speedway and the first race with his new team, Mike
Smeriglio Racing.
“I was disappointed with the finish, but starting in
the back and getting caught up in a few cautions -
its tough to come back from that,” said Fuller. “I
didn’t have radio connection with my spotter which
was a challenge but by the end of the race, our lap
times were just as good as the Top-5 cars. That gave
me confidence and determination to finish out the
week strong.”
Following the Daytona International Speedway event,
the No. 15 team headed 12 miles south to New Smyrna
Speedway to race in two feature events — a 75-lap
race on Feb. 19 and a 100-lap feature on Feb. 21.
The additional races gave the 15-40 Connection team
more time with the car and allowed crew chief, Jeff
Deminck, to make adjustments that led to strong
finishes at the 1/2-mile oval track. During the
Wednesday night John Blewett III Memorial 76-lap
race, Fuller started 12th and finished 10th.
The Richie Evans Memorial race on Friday night was
the finale to the World Series of Asphalt events at
New Smyrna Speedway. This 100-lap event was filled
with top modified racers from around the country.
Qualifying was rained out and the No. 15 team was
forced to start in the back of the field. But with
two races under his belt, Fuller had a powerful run
in the No. 15 - staying out of trouble on the track
and passing competitors to move up and finish in
sixth place.
“I’m really proud of the team and the way they
worked to improve the car throughout the week,”
Fuller said. “Jeff, Phil and the guys stuck with it
and gave us a great ride for the Richie Evans
Memorial race. Finishing in sixth place is very
strong considering the top-level competition and
we’re just getting started with the season.”
In addition to seeking solid finishes on the race
track, the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour owner/driver
put a focus on on telling the story of a Leukemia
survivor during his time in Florida. Through his
partnership with 15-40 Connection, Fuller named Josh
Bell, 24, an honorary crew member and featured a
photo of him on the rear deck lid and quarter panels
of the No. 15 Chevrolet.
15-40 Connection is committed to raising awareness
of the fact that cancer survival rates in teens and
young adults ages 15 to 40 have barely improved
since 1975 in large part because of delays in
diagnosis. It is empowering individuals with
knowledge that will save and improve lives through
early cancer detection.
“Having Josh on the car was great,” Fuller said. “We
actually had a bunch of teams ask about him and how
he was doing so it was a good deal. He's a celebrity
now. He might sign more autographs than I do at the
next race!”
Rob Fuller Motorsports is scheduled to compete in 11
more races on the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour (NWMT)
and Modified Racing Series (MRS) this season. The
schedule includes:
Date Track (Series)
4-6 Thompson Icebreaker (NWMT)
5-29 Thompson (MRS)
6-20 Stafford (MRS)
7-12 Loudon (NWMT)
7-18 Stafford (MRS)
8-13 Thompson (NWMT)
8-20 Bristol (NWMT)
8-29 Stafford (MRS)
9-20 Loudon (NWMT)
10-18 Thompson (MRS)
10-19 Thompson (NWMT)
Before these races get underway, Rob Fuller
Motorsports is hosting a “Race Season Kickoff Party”
to benefit team partner 15-40 Connection on March 1
at Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park in
Connecticut. Proceeds benefit 15-40 Connection
(www.15-40.org) and sup-port programming to empower
15 to 40-year-olds with the knowledge of what an
early warning symptom of cancer can look or feel
like. The event will begin at 5:30 p.m. with a
reception and silent auction, followed by dinner and
live band until 11:30 p.m. More information and
tickets are available at the event website:
https://awareness.15-40.org/pages/rfm-race-season-kickoff-party. |
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Source: Nealie Stufflet /
Rob Fuller Motorsports
Posted:
February 26, 2014 |
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