Tom DeVette Photography
Two-Time Tony Bettenhausen Memorial Winner heading back to Illiana Motor Speedway
Wyoming, Michigan (Monday, May 18, 2015): Brian Campbell has already scored the ‘hat trick’ in three races so far during the 2015 racing season. After wins at Toledo Speedway in the 2015 ARCA/CRA Super Series Powered by JEGS season opener, the 7-Up 100 Presented by Royal Truck & Trailer Sales at Toledo Speedway (OH) on April 11th and then in the Boyne Machine Company Super Late Model Series season opening 60-lap feature at his home track of Berlin Raceway (MI) on May 2nd, Campbell made it three for three back at Berlin on May 16th.
The third race of the year for Campbell and his Lakeshore Motorsports Team was back at the historic Marne, Michigan speed plant for the Berlin 125. It was also the third race of the season for the ARCA/CRA Super Series and 20th all-time appearance by the Salem, Indiana based series at the tricky 7/16s (0.437) mile semi-banked paved oval. In 19 races conducted in West Michigan, Campbell had won six of those events, including his last CRA victory at his home track back on May 31st, 2014. So going into the event, Campbell was the odds on favorite and he didn’t disappoint.
The 36-year-old driver and home track favorite at the fairgrounds oval led three times for a total of 75 laps as he emerged out in front for the final time on lap 65 and pulled away to his second victory of the season in the ARCA/CRA Super Series and his 16th career ARCA/CRA triumph, good for fifth all-time and just two out of third on the all-time wins list. Of those 16 trips to victory lane, seven have come at his home track.
“What can I say, I love this place. Its home. We were fast all weekend long from the moment we unloaded the car off the hauler on Friday for practice day. We had to avoid a couple of wrecks and some other moments there, but we got through it all. Seems like no one wanted to lead for too long, so we kept getting out in front and later in the race the car just kept getting better and here we are, again.” Smiled the Great Lakes State standout. “It is always fun to be able to come here and race now. I grew up racing all of the local divisions and it just means a lot to be able to come back here again and be able to bring home another win.” He added.
The next race on the schedule for Campbell is at another track where he’s enjoyed success. The fast 1/2 (0.500) mile semi-banked paved oval of Illiana Motor Speedway, located south of Gary, Indiana and east of the Illinois / Indiana state line in Schererville, Indiana. The Calypso Lemonade Chicagoland Showdown on Memorial Day Monday, May 25th will see the ARCA/CRA Super Series and ARCA Midwest Tour go head to head in a unique triple 50s format. A 50-lap main for the ARCA/CRA teams and one for the Midwest Tour. Then the top 12 finishers from each race plus provisionals will make up the 30 car field as each series goes head to head in the final 50-lap main. Races start at 2:30p.m., Central Time.
“We’ve always been good there, especially lately and if it wasn’t for a flat tire in this race last year, we might’ve have had two wins there last year,” The two-time reigning Tony Bettenhausen Memorial winner added. “Really looking forward to racing with the ARCA Midwest Tour teams again. They’re hard-nosed racers that’s for sure and it’ll be a challenge to take the Tommy Gunn back to Michigan against that field. But I think we’re up to the task and can continue this good start to the season we’re on.” He ended.
For the remainder of the 2015 racing season, Campbell’s familiar white #47 Lakeshore Motorsports / Ford Fusion will carry sponsorship decals and support from Merritt Speedway as well as Enterprise Iron & Metal, Rusche Trucking, McGunegill Engine Performance, Sweet Manufacturing, Port City Racecars, Penske Racing Shocks, Driven Racing Oil, Handy Wacks Products and M.P.H. Promotions. You can follow Campbell throughout the remainder of the 2015 season by going to the team Twitter page located at: www.twitter.com/CampbellBrian20
