Brennan Poole Tops First Practice Chart at Toledo
Brennan Poole Tops First Practice Chart at Toledo
(TOLEDO, Ohio - October 15, 2011) - Even at fourth in the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards owner point standings, Venturini Motorsports' No. 25 team has been close to a victory, but hasn't quite secured a win this season. Brennan Poole knows that this weekend at Toledo is one last shot for 2011.
Poole led the first practice for tomorrow's Federated Car Care 200, driving a lap of 16.352 seconds (110.078 mph) to top Grant Enfinger, Ryan Wilson, Jared Marks, Tom Hessert, and the rest of 41 cars that participated over 45 minutes.
Enfinger's best lap came in 0.119 second behind Poole; Poole was the only driver in the session to top 110 mph in the session, which took place under cool temperatures and considerable wind.
Having never raced at Toledo, Poole said the track reminded him of his home circuit.
"It's pretty cool," Poole said. "The track's different and it reminds me a lot of Hickory (Motor Speedway), which is kind of like my home track back in North Carolina. Fortunately, Hickory's been really good to us. We started off practice really good and the car's going really, really good. Billy Venturini is the crew chief and he's done a great job with this thing right off the truck."
Poole won at Hickory in UARA-STARS competition in March, and finished second in June. He currently leads that series' point standings.
Poole, who won at Salem, mentioned that the traffic on Toledo's half-mile oval presented a challenge.
"The traffic was a little hectic, but I guess it's getting us a little more prepared for the race," he said. "I hear that's what the race is going to be like; we'll be in traffic a lot. I'm just trying to get used to everything and feel the track out. I've got to be happy with being on the top of the board after the first 45 minutes on track."
Carrying Venturini's signature No. 25, he hopes that leading practice isn't it for this weekend.
"I'm excited for this team. This is the 25's last opportunity to get a win this year, and I get to be behind the wheel, so it's a blessing and I hope we'll be able to get it done for these guys."
Chad McCumbee, Chad Hackenbracht, Chris Buescher, Clint King, and Sean Corr rounded out the top 10. Nine-time Toledo winner Frank Kimmel was 12th, and series points leader Ty Dillon finished the session 14th.
The second ARCA Racing Series practice will begin at 1:40 p.m. and last until 2:25.