Kentucky II: BCR Racing race report

BCR Racing Leaves Statement At Kentucky; Focused On Future

HOLLY, Michigan (July 23, 2009) - - The Click It Or Ticket. Buckle-Up Kentucky 150 is over but BCR Racing is still reaming the benefits of the most recent ARCA RE/MAX Series event as the part-time team emerged as a serious threat in the 11th race of the season with development driver J.R. Heffner at the controls.

Despite finishing 14th in the event, the result doesn't show the strength the Michigan-based team showed. A new car for the team acquired from Dale Earnhardt Inc. (DEI) gave the team some momentum and a positive test at the 1.5-mile oval two weeks prior to the event had the team steering in the right direction heading into the race weekend.

Posting the 10th and 17th fastest times overall in practice; the BCR development team owned by ARCA veteran Howard Bixman knew that had not shown their full potential leading up to qualifying. In time trials, the team stepped up to the plate and delivered.

Heffner, a familiar face on the dirt knocked out what the team could call a home-run with a sixth place qualifying effort, posting a time of 30.486. The run was a career best for Heffner, a native of Pittsfield, Massachusetts. During the race, Heffner stayed in contention and hovered in the top-10 for a majority of the race but damage to the front of the car made for a tight-handling No. 74 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS forced the backslide in the running order. Still the top-15 effort is a season best for the rookie. More importantly though, the performance was a step in the right direction.

"I'm very proud of the BCR team," said Bixman. "J.R. really showed maturity as a driver at Kentucky. After our second race of the season at Kentucky, we sat down and talked about what we needed to do to make this team better. Checking off the goals one by one, we came to Kentucky last weekend on top of our game and it showed."

Bixman continued, "It was a strong field. J.R. doesn't have a lot experience on the bigger tracks so we worked at the test to get him familiar with the car and the racetrack at the same time. The more laps he posted the more comfortable he became. We came back for the race and we conquered all of our goals. Now, we'll build on Kentucky and look towards our next race at Chicago."

Heffner, himself was equally pleased with Kentucky.

"It felt good to be running near the front and being in the mix," remarked Heffner, a 2007 and 2008 Modified Champion. "Howard has really done a great job on making the car comfortable for me and I've stepped up my focus on what we need to accomplish each time we come to the race. Now we can build on this and be ready to meet our next challenge soon."

With the noteworthy performance in the books, BCR Racing isn't done. They want more. A lot more.

"We're going to keep testing and when we come back ARCA racing, we're going to be even better than we were at Kentucky. Working hard pays off. Determination equal results. We've practiced and qualified in the top-10, now it's time to finish inside the top-10. Chicagoland here we come," quoted Bixman, who also holds the role as crew chief and driving coach for Heffner.

BCR Racing is expected to compete in the Ansell Cut Protection 150 at Chicagoland Speedway on August 28th. The team plans to end their season on a positive note at Kansas Speedway for the Kansas Lottery 150 set for October 1st.

-credit: bcr racing