Bobb Brent Toledo, DuQuoin preview

Robb Brent Preparing To Make Some Noise In ARCA Double Dose

TOLEDO, Ohio (September 3, 2009) - - Just six races remain in the 2009 ARCA RE/MAX Series (ARS) season and two of those final six events will occur in three days when the competitors tackle Toledo Speedway Friday night before trucking to their traditional Labor Day activity at the Duquoin State Fairgrounds on Monday.

For Shelby Township, Michigan native Robb Brent momentum is on his side steering towards ARCA's double dose of competition beginning with a stop at ARCA's hometown track in Toledo, Ohio.

Brent fresh off his best performance of the year last weekend at Chicagoland Speedway turns to the tricky short track looking to better his eighth place run at Toledo in the Spring. The finish was the best effort for the avid racecar driver in three prior starts in the Buckeye State.

"Believe it or not, I'm actually excited about going back to Toledo this weekend," said Brent, who is juggling his busy ARCA RE/MAX Series schedule between cramming in the books trying to earn a college degree. We had a solid car in May but I think with the support of my crew chief Dave Leiner, we have the potential to be sitting in a brighter picture."

He added, "even though we had fuel pick up issues on the last lap and finished 15th last weekend at Chicagoland, we had a good day. The car was near the front all day long and we would have had a good finish. We were disappointed with the outcome but encouraged with the performance. This stretch we look to connect all the dots."

Speaking of Leiner, the newest addition to the Justin Allgaier Motorsports (JAM) camp has rejuvenated the enthusiasm and confidence of not only the driver behind the wheel but the entire Springfield, Illinois based operation as well.

"I've had two races with Dave and I've already felt a difference," explained Brent who heads into the Holiday weekend occupying 10th in the ARCA RE/MAX Series point standings. "The communication is getting better and the changes he has made to the car have responded with us going to the front. I'm looking forward to these last six races."

With a good head on his shoulder's entering Friday's anticipated thriller, Brent is also keeping points on his mind with the goal of advancing his team to ninth in the championship chase. "Toledo is a race where can points can hurt you or hurt you," he remarked. "We saw that in prime fashion last year with Justin (Allgaier) taking advantage of the two front-runners troubles and winning the championship. While we can't give the team another championship we can definitely give them something to be proud about."

From the beating and banging of Toledo Speedway, the series will reappear back in Illinois this time at the Duquoin State Fairgrounds two days later for the running of the Southern Illinois 100. The event will mark the second ever dirt track for Brent.

Last month, Brent finished a solid 13th in his inaugural dirt debut at the Illinois State Fairgrounds in the Allen Crowe 100 behind teammate and JAM car chief Kelly Kovski who is also entered for Monday's slide.

"I'd like to think I knew what I was doing at Springfield but I leaned a lot on Kelly and the team," recalled Brent. "The team gave me a great car which enabled us to have a solid outing. I think I'm going to be better prepared for the dirt on Monday but don't be surprised if I lean on Kelly (Kovski) a little bit more for advice and hope we can battle it out for spots in the top-10 next week."

This season, Brent has five top-10 finishes in 14 starts with a best finish of seventh at Pocono Raceway in June and August. A 15th place qualifying effort at Michigan International Speedway in June is the team's season best thus far. The 22-year old sits just 45 markers from overtaking Tom Hessert III in the ninth position in the championship chase.

Be sure to cast your vote for Robb Brent as the 2009 ARCA RE/MAX Series most popular driver. Visit ARCANation.com and vote for Robb Brent today! Remember, if you are a member your vote counts twice compared to non-members whose clicks only equal one vote.

-credit: rbr