Russ Dugger Heading to Texas for ARCA Rattlesnake 150

March 18, 2010 - PRLog -- Since lap seven of the ARCA season opener in Daytona, Russ Dugger has been hungry for his shot at redemption.  That chance has finally come.


Russ Dugger, the rookie driver from Owasso, Oklahoma is pleased to announce that he will be driving the Accell Construction Chevrolet Monte Carlo in the Rattlesnake 150 at Texas Motor Speedway, with the ARCA Racing Series Presented by Re/Max and Menards on April 16th, 2010. 


Steve Todhunter, owner of Claremore, Oklahoma's Accell Construction, knows that Dugger has unfinished business on the track.  Todhunter couldn't pass up the opportunity to give Dugger another shot to show the world how much talent and potential he has.  


An avid race fan and automobile enthusiast, Todhunter is also savvy businessman who knows talent when he sees it.  Dugger's passion and dedication have caught his attention, and he has taken an active interest in further developing Dugger’s racing career.


With Texas Motor Speedway being a short drive south from Oklahoma for Dugger and Todhunter, the race provides both men a perfect opportunity to bring their full entourage to the track.  


"I couldn't be more excited about having the privilege of racing in front of my family, my parents, Mr. Todhunter, and the great people at Accell Construction, especially at such an incredible facility," said Dugger.  "This really is a tremendous opportunity, and that fact hasn't escaped me.  I could not be more motivated.  I wish the race was tomorrow."


The Rattlesnake 150 will see Dugger reunited with DGM Racing and team owner Mario Gosselin, who served as crew chief for Dugger at Daytona this year.  Gosselin and his DGM Racing team has been fielding winning cars in the ARCA Racing Series since 1999. It has two poles, four wins and multiple top 10’s to its credit. In addition to fielding entries in ARCA, DGM Racing also competes in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series with Gosselin behind the wheel of its No. 12 Chevy Silverado.


Dugger has had a singular focus since meeting the DGM team in 2007, and that was to drive for "Super Mario".  That goal was achieved in February, when russ made his rookie ARCA debut at Daytona in the #12.  


Gosselin, an seasoned crew chief and successful NASCAR driver himself, was impressed by the fact that Dugger gave them such accurate descriptions of the car’s handling and performance during the open test in December - especially considering that Dugger had so little speedway seat time to his credit.


"He just knows how to go fast.  That’s all there is to it," said Gosselin.


Their dreams of a strong Daytona finish were, unfortunately, shattered too soon.  Dugger was the fastest man at Daytona for the ARCA Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 before retiring after the first “big one” on lap 7.  His lap time of 48.283 seconds stood as the fastest of the race, quicker by a full tenth of a second than any other driver in the February ARCA season opener.


“That wreck at Daytona stung, a lot,” said Dugger.  “In part because it was a good lick – the black box said 17 G’s – but also because we were so, so fast and I wasn’t able to bring it home.  It was a huge disappointment." 


"That’s why getting back to the track at Texas has been so important to me.  So many friends and family are so close, having their support in person, will be amazing,” Dugger said.


Despite the disappointment of Daytona, Gosselin also remained optimistic that he and Dugger would be working together again soon.  


"Russ proved that he has a lot of talent, all during the December tests and even in the race before he got taken out.  We love working with him, the whole team does.  He has a really great feel for what the car is doing and what it needs," said Gosselin.


The spike in interest Dugger received following Daytona, especially online, served as a testament to the power of motorsports marketing.  He has gained an enormous amount of momentum and recognition through his website and pages on ARCANation.com and Facebook. 


One online forum poster was quoted as saying that Russ Dugger was the “greatest stock car name I have ever heard” – a phrase that stuck so quickly among Dugger fans, that it has been made into a t-shirt bearing his logo and name.


DGM Racing will be fielding two cars for the Rattlesnake 150, partnering Dugger with fellow ARCA rookie Nur Ali who will be making his first start in stock cars in front of his hometown fans.  Ali, who is an experienced open wheel driver, will be driving the Budweiser / Tara Energy Chevrolet Monte Carlo in front of what should be hundreds of his personal guests who have never been able to see him race in-person.


Russ Dugger will get his chance for redemption, even if not as soon as he would like, at one of motor racing's fastest and most exciting venues.  Dugger will take the wheel of the #12 Accell Construction Chevrolet Monte Carlo, again, on Friday, April 16th, for the ARCA Rattlesnake 150 at Texas Motor Speedway.






About DGM Racing

Team owner Mario Gosselin and his DGM Racing team has been fielding winning cars in the ARCA Racing Series since 1999. It has two poles, four wins and multiple top 10’s to its credit. In addition to fielding entries in ARCA, DGM Racing also competes in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series with Gosselin behind the wheel of its No. 12 Chevy Silverado.



About Accell Construction

Accell Construction is a Claremore, OK based company specializing in excavation, and is owned by Stephen Todhunter.




On The Web

http://www.RussDugger.com
http://www.MarioGosselin.com

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Russ Dugger is a professional racing driver. His goal is to provide organizations a better way to energize their marketing efforts, by blending the excitement of motorsports with first-class, unparalleled customer experiences.