Jupiter: Patrick Sheltra news 2010-02-26

Patrick Sheltra Lends Personal Vehicle To Lead Field At PBIR

JUPITER, Florida (February 26, 2010) - - ARCA Racing Series veteran driver Patrick Sheltra has been using the word "excited" leaning into Saturday's race at Palm Beach (Fla.) International Raceway (PBIR) but the Indiantown, Florida native will turn-in and trade that word for "honored" tomorrow as Sheltra's personal vehicle will be the official pace car for Saturday afternoon's Tire Kingdom 150 presented by ModSpace.

Sheltra has donated his 2009 Ford Mustang 500S Sherrod to ARCA for the second event of the season tomorrow and while it will be hard for Sheltra to see someone else driving his "baby", the 23-year old Floridian and hometown favorite is honored for the opportunity.

"I received a call this week and asked if I was interested in loaning my car out to be the pace car for Saturday's race," sounded Sheltra. "Really, there was little hesitation on my part -- It was a real honor to be asked and it's a real honor for my car to be leading the ARCA field."

Sheltra received his pride and joy from his parents (car owners Richard and Grace Sheltra) following a splendid performance at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway in December 2008 when his Sheltra Motorsports posted the fastest time in the three-day ARCA pre-season testing at the 2.5-mile superspeedway.

"The car really doesn't have about 1,200 miles on it," continued Sheltra. "It gets me in trouble every time I climb behind it, that's why I don't drive it as much (smiles). It's a slick piece but again I'm honored and humbled about the opportunity."

Sheltra jokingly pointed out, "this is not a weekend where I want to or try to hit the pace car!"

Sheltra's blue and white Ford Mustang will be driven by long-time ARCA Racing Series pace-car driver and official Jack Gritter.

-source: sheltra motorsports