Bill Pullen, Bob Slaughter, Chris Weaver, Scott Shuttlesworth (Nudraulix), Bill Tunnell, Executive Director USS Alabama, Mark Dodson, District Sales Manager FedEx and ARCA Driver Thomas Praytor
photo by Ashley Rowe, official photographer of the ARCA Mobile 200
ARCA Driver and teams will make their first official stop of the 2014 ARCA Mobile 200 race weekend at the USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park on Thursday, March 20. ARCA teams will have their cars and haulers on display from 4-6: p.m. with a driver autograph session from 5-6 p.m. inside that Aircraft Pavilion at no charge.
“We hosted the ARCA teams for the first time last year and the response from the fans was incredible,” said Bill Tunnell, executive director of USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park.
“We had so many people in March we are extending the hours of the Battleship that day so fans can enjoy both.”
The ARCA Mobile 200 has not only put Mobile on the racing map, but it has rapidly become one of the most anticipated stops on the ARCA Series tour.
“Our teams, fans and officials have made Mobile a ‘must attend’ destination on the tour, based on the region’s attractions and the Southern hospitality we receive during race week, said ARCA President Ron Drager. “Visiting the USS Alabama is a great opportunity for our series to pay respect to our US Armed Forces while expanding our growing fan base along the Gulf Coast. This event has been so well received by our competitors that we will pre register drivers and crews at the Battleship on Thursday night.”
“Last year we brought out the big guns of the USS Alabama to kick off race weekend and the response was incredible. Once again fans will get a chance to see the ARCA cars and drivers up close before they get down to business on Friday,” said ARCA Mobile 200 promoter Tommy Praytor. “The Battleship is one of Alabama’s crown jewels of tourism and we’re proud they are part of the ARCA Mobile 200.”
After the autograph session, Mobile County Sheriff Deputies will lead the ARCA haulers from the Battleship in a Hauler Parade to Mobile International Speedway to prepare for Friday’s on track activities.
The fastest week in Alabama begins on March 15, with a day-long test session for all ARCA teams and culminates with the drop of the green flag of the ARCA Mobile 200 at 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 22, 2014 at Mobile International Speedway. The ARCA Series is the most versatile racing series in the world competing on Superspeedways, Speedway, Short-tracks, Road Courses and Dirt. Mobilian’s Cale Gale & Grant Enfinger won the first 2 ARCA-Mobile 200s. The first 2 ARCA Mobile 200s have drawn fans from 22 states including two provinces in Canada. Race fans have occupied over 2,900 hotel nights generating a 3.6 million dollar impact to the areas economy.
Previous ticket holders will have an opportunity to renew tickets until Dec. 9, by calling 251 343-2929 or at the ARCA-Mobile ticket office at 4742-C Airport Blvd. in Mobile.