News

2013 Marketing Opportunities

Kannapolis, NC — Fresh off his successful mid-December ARCA test and driver certification at Daytona International Speedway, Garrett Smithley announces sponsorship opportunities for the 2013 racing season. Smithley recently partnered with Brian Keselowski Motorsports for the Daytona test and intends to compete in the opening ARCA race at Daytona in February. “This is a huge opportunity for me and an even bigger opportunity for a quality company looking to partner with a new and fresh personality in professional racing with a high profile team,” Smithley remarked.

Last year’s Daytona ARCA race had over three million television viewers and is an excellent venue for brand exposure. Thousands of loyal racing fans journey to Daytona International Speedway for Speedweeks and various races, including the ARCA Lucas Oil Slickmist 200, which is held a week before the Daytona 500. D.J. Lyon, CEO of Racerboost.com, LLC (one of Smithley’s current sponsors,) attributed some advantages to coming on-board with Garrett. “He is a super strong marketing tool and will be a great spokesperson for any company who is willing to take advantage of not only his driving skills, but also his diverse background in public speaking and theater,” Lyon noted. “Garrett has such a positive and likeable personality that translates to very attractive attributes for any sponsor looking to help promote their product.”

Companies interested in sponsorship details should contact Garrett Smithley at g43racecar@yahoo.com or visit his website at www.garrettsmithley.com for additional information.

Smithley Has Successful Test at Daytona

Daytona International Speedway—Garrett Smithley completed a highly successful trip to stock car racing’s most famous venue for his first ever test session in an ARCA car. Smithley, driving the Kurzejewski Motorsports #54 Dodge Charger, took full advantage of a star-studded team facilitated by Keselowski Motorsports that included crew chief Bob Keselowski and car chief Joey Arrington. High-quality instruction and coaching was also provided by current NASCAR driver Dennis Setzer and NASCAR owner Jay Robinson, who served as his spotter.

Following two days of testing Smithley said, “This was an excellent opportunity for me and it taught me a lot about restrictor plate racing. Working with a talented crew helped me adjust to the car and track quickly and I felt comfortable learning the best lines and techniques to drive Daytona.” Garrett did very well, posting a fifth place lap time on day one of testing out of a total field of 44 cars. Day two was cut short due to technical issues, but Smithley was very pleased with the overall performance. “Along with securing an ARCA driver’s license, I think I showed that I can compete in this series,” Smithley stated. “Our goal is to run ARCA’s season opener, the Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 in mid-February at Daytona and team efforts are now underway to secure a quality sponsor to make it happen.”

Family and friends were in attendance to see Garrett drive the high banks of Daytona, including two former sponsors who facilitated his successful career in Legend and Bandolero cars. Garrett concluded, “I am excited about the prospects of running in the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards. It’s a quality series and I’m looking forward to working with some great people and acquiring valuable knowledge to further my racing career.”

Bob Keselowski said, “2013 has the potential to be a pivotal year for Garrett so keep an eye on him as he begins a new chapter in his climb to NASCAR.”

If you would like further information on sponsorship opportunities with Garrett Smithley Racing, please contact Garrett Smithley at (678) 644-4639 or g43racecar@yahoo.com.

Smithley Signs with Brian Keselowski Motorsports; Will Test Daytona

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Brian Keselowski Motorsports announces newest driver Garrett Smithley, to participate in the ARCA Racing Series, Presented by Menards test session at Daytona International Speedway, partnering with Kurzejewski Racing.

Huntersville, NC (December 11, 2012) – Brian Keselowski Motorsports, welcomes aboard Garrett Smithley to its roster of drivers for the 2013 season. Smithley began his racing career in October of 2007, driving a Bandolero with the Legends of Georgia. He won the Thursday Thunder Bandolero “Rookie of the Year” Award in 2008. Smithley went on to capture four Championships in the next two years in the Outlaw Division. He won the INEX points title for Georgia, was 4th in INEX National points and placed 3rd at Bandolero Nationals in the Outlaw Division. He debuted in a Legend car in 2010 and competed in two simultaneous series as a Semi-pro; Thursday Thunder at The Atlanta Motor Speedway and The Georgia Grand at Lanier National Speedway. He posted his first victory in his first start at the “Legend at Lanier” in June 2010. Smithley was selected to participate in Richard Petty’s Drivers Search II in September of 2010. His best lap time was 32.25 at Charlotte Motor Speedway in his Richard Petty Sprint Cup COT Stock Car.

“I am really excited to work with Brian and Bob Keselowski. I’m hoping to gain a lot of experience and knowledge from them considering they are ARCA winners and know exactly what it takes to make it in this series. Daytona is the biggest track I will have driven on so far so I’m really looking forward to it and hope to race a number of races with them in 2013.” stated Smithley.

Brian Keselowski Motorsports will partner with Kurzejewski Racing for the ARCA test session at Daytona. Smithley will be driving Kurzejewski’s No. 54 Dodge Charger with Bob Keselowski as crew chief.

Brian Keselowski Motorsports is actively seeking all levels of sponsorship for their ARCA programs, NASCAR Nationwide Series and NSCAR Sprint Cup Series team. They offer comprehensive sponsorship packages that will work for any budget. Packages may include some or all of the following: decal of their company’s name or any name they would like to be placed on various parts of the race car, complimentary all access passes for the entire race weekend of their choice and other hospitality amenities.

For sponsorship opportunities please contact:

Jennifer Calandrillo,
Brian Keselowski Motorsports
P.O. Box 1612
Huntersville, NC 28070
Office: 704-912-7916
Jen.BKMotorsports@gmail.com

Garrett Strong at Nationals

For Immediate Release
7 November, 2012

Atlanta Motor Speedway—U.S. Legend Car International Driver Garrett Smithley journeyed to AMS for the highly competitive Semi-Pro division in the #43 car, assisted by long-time sponsors Peachtree City Golf Cars and Xelk Visual Communications. Despite being back on his home track on the flat ¼ mile Smithley was clearly an underdog to the first third of a 26 car field, many of which were well-funded, perennial powerhouse teams.

Wednesday practice showed that there was more set-up work to do if Smithley was going to be competitive with the front-runners. Capable adjustments were made for practice on day 2 by Clanton Racing’s Rusty Clanton, resulting in marked improvement with speed charts in the top 5. Late day qualifying for Garrett yielded a good 8th place out of 26.

The first semi-pro heat race on Friday saw Garrett crossing the line with a strong second place finish. Starting at the rear of the second 10-lap heat, the #43 car was great, with Smithley steadily picking his way through traffic. Coming to the line out of turn #4 for the white flag, he took the lead, only to be spun on the back stretch by a local driver. With a disappointing 9th place finish in what had been an excellent showing, Garrett’s starting position fell from 4th to 11th for the Semi-pro feature. “We had a great car that was peaking at the right time so our finish was really disappointing,” Smithley said.

The #43 car rolled off the trailer Saturday morning with optimism that the car had been strong the day before, with no damage found from the spin. Just a few hot laps in the “last chance practice” verified that the car was still good and fast.

From the green flag to lap #16 of the 40 lap feature, Garrett picked-off car after car, advancing from 11th to 2nd place when what can only be termed a “wreckfest” ensued. Following the first caution, #43 was spun and went to the pits to check the car, with no significant damage found. Restarting in last place Smithley again steadily advanced to mid-pack of the 26 car field. However, there was wreck after wreck, racing wheel to wheel with other cars and Smithley suffered a hard hit on the left side in middle of turn #3, brining out the caution with yet another restart from the back.

Over the next 11 laps, Garrett again advanced in the field, earning unofficial honors from the pit crew for most cars passed. Track officials grew weary of caution after caution and with the feature exceeding one hour in duration the word was given on lap 26 that there would be four laps remaining for 30 total, shortening the race by 10 laps. At the checkered flag, Garrett took a strong 7th place finish right on the tail of the 6th place car, a former AMS champion. “I really wish we had those last 10 laps back, because I know we had a top 5 car,” he remarked. “It would have been interesting to see how far up I could have gotten.”

Garrett sincerely thanks Dave and Terri Marin of Peachtree City Golf Cars, Inc. for the amazing opportunities to represent them not only at Nationals, but for the past several years in the #43 car. “It has been an awesome ride,” Garrett said, “and I can’t thank them enough.” He also would like to thank Curtsinger Trailers and Storage, Zelk Visual Communications, Racerboost.com, Mom, Dad and brother Kurtis for all their dedication, help and support. He is looking forward to a bright future with some potentially big things to come in 2013. Stay tuned!

Smithley Invades Nationals

Kannapolis, NC — U.S. Legend Cars International Driver Garrett Smithley will be back in action at the Legends Nationals competition at the Atlanta Motor Speedway (AMS) this week. Driving his original #43 signature black and gold Peachtree City Golf Cars/Curtsinger Trailer and Storage car, Smithley returns to his former home track at AMS in the USLCI Semi-Pro division.

Garrett ran an ambitious summer schedule, competing simultaneously in the Charlotte Motor Speedway Summer Shootout series in the Mr. E Performance #1 car and the Atlanta Motor Speedway Thursday Thunder series in #43. He is hoping to build on his AMS Thursday Thunder 2nd place finish, where he edged out several former semi-pro championship drivers in a hard fought battle. “Despite some chronic early mechanical issues, we perservered, overcame the hurdles and had a solid finish at Thursday Thunder,” Smithley remarked. “It is said that if you can do well on the tough AMS quarter mile that is really saying something so we are ready to put our best foot forward at USLCI Nationals,” he added.

Feature races for USLI Nationals at AMS will culminate with division champions to be crowned on Saturday, 27 October. Visit www.legendsofga.com for the full race schedule. Smithley is a former AMS Semi-Pro Winter Flurry Champion in both Legend and Bandolero cars. He is currently employed as an instructor with Richard Petty Driving Experience at the Charlotte Motor Speedway. Come on out to the Atlanta Motor Speedway this week and cheer on Garrett in the #43 car!

Garrett gives family ride of their lives

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact: DJ Lyon
DJ@Racerboost.com
(814) 730-5890

Atlanta Motor Speedway—
Monday, 17 September, 2012

Hampton, GA -- Aspiring NASCAR driver, Garrett Smithley, was at the Atlanta Motor Speedway (AMS) early in September with his employer, Richard Petty Driving Experience. Smithley instructed or “pulled” a number of driver/customers around the 1.5, high-banked oval mile (alluding to the company’s “Lead-Follow” program), before settling in for his first ever “ride-alongs.” Notably, his first rider was 18-year old brother, Kurtis Smithley, of Peachtree City, Georgia for the 165 m.p.h. circuit around AMS. A video of the three lap drive is posted at www.garrettsmithley.com.

Garrett kept the family affair going with rides for mother, Bethanie and father, R.K. in the milestone event. “It is pretty wild to be going full bore into turn one at AMS with your son at the wheel and then right up against the backstretch wall,” Bethanie remarked. “He was very smooth on the wheel and gave me a great ride!” R.K. noted, “It was not lost on me that we started the Petty ride on pit road, right where Garrett won multiple Bandolero and Legend Championships and won many races on the AMS quarter-mile track. This was a historic day for us all.”

Smithley was appropriately driving a #43 Petty car, the same number he had on his signature black and gold #43 Bandolero and Legend cars. In addition to AMS, he has recently been instructing for the Richard Petty Driving Experience at Charlotte Motor Speedway and Bristol Motor Speedway in Tennessee. Next up for Garrett is Legends Nationals competition at AMS in late October in the #43 Peachtree City Golf Cars/Curtsinger Trailer and Truck Sales Legend car.

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Smithley to run full Thursday Thunder Season

Kannapolis, NC -- Georgia native, Garrett Smithley, has been tapped by the Peachtree City Golf Cars racing team to pilot the #43 Sedan at Atlanta Motor Speedway for the 2012 Thursday Thunder Season. When asked about driving at his home track for his old team, Smithley smiled and said, "It's good to be coming home, we have won a lot at Atlanta and we look forward to getting Peachtree City Golf Cars back into victory lane!"

Smithley has been behind the wheel of the #1 Sedan for Mr. E Performance out of Kannapolis, NC and as of May 31st, will be looking to also run that car in the 2012 Summer Shootout at Charlotte Motor Speedway (NC). Garrett had much success last year in this highly competitive racing series and looks to capitalize on the experience he gained last year to take the checkered flag in the #1 car in 2012.

None of this would be possible without marketing partners. Garrett and team are currently looking for anyone that wants to come on board and help them with both the Shootout and Thursday Thunder. The Shootout, which is a prestigious Legend Car event, will be televised this year and will offer more brand recognition then ever before.

We are looking for anyone who would like to join the team and be part of both. If you are interested in this marketing opportunity please contact Garrett at: g43racecar@yahoo.com or 678 - 644 - 4639

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SMITHLEY DOGFIGHTS WAY TO TOP FIVE FINISH AT HICKORY

KANNAPOLIS, NC – Georgia INEX driver Garrett Smithley and his Mr.E Performance team traveled to the historic Hickory Motor Speedway to race on the night of the annual Easter Bunny 150. However, the mood was anything but festive as Smithley soon found himself in a dogfight in the middle of a blistering Legends race that saw him bring home another top-5 finish.

Smithley and his team were forced to overcome a major parts failure before qualifying a respectable 5th out of 18 cars. As the green flag flew, it became clear that the race leaders were setting a blistering pace. "I had my hands full today. Not only is Hickory a unique track with turns 1 and 2 being slightly different from 3 and 4, we also had to contend with lap after lap of Late Model rubber that had been laid down on the track," exclaimed Smithley. "It became pretty clear early on that the front runners were setting a blistering pace. So I was fighting hard to keep up with them. At the same time, I was running in a pack of cars that saw numerous passes back and forth."

Alluding to the battle around him, Smithley lost one position to Pro driver CJ Hulsey but held off Pros Cody Humphries and teammate Dennis Kiser to maintain his 5th place spot. At the checkered flag, Smithley retained his 5th overall position and secured a 2nd place finish in semi-pro.

"Anytime you can come to a historic track like Hickory, it's special. But to go out there and get another top-5 finish and a 2nd place in my class with all the obstacles that we had to overcome is a true testimony to how good this Mr.E Performance team is."

Garrett would like to thank the Mr.E Performance crew for all of their hard work. Smithley would also like to thanks Advanced Auto Parts of Hickory, James Edwards, Dwayne Mash, and all of his supporters.

GEORGIA HOT SHOE GARRETT SMITHLEY MAKES BOLD CHARGE AT ANDERSON SPEEDWAY

KANNAPOLIS, NC – Georgia INEX driver Garrett Smithley and his Mr.E Performance team ventured into the Palmetto State to race Anderson Speedway last Sunday and came home with an impressive 2nd place Semi-Pro finish after dramatically charging through the field on a track he had never raced and on a weekend he had planned to race elsewhere.

“Tell you what, I cannot thank my team, Mr.E Performance, for getting my car ready on such short notice,” exclaimed Smithley making reference to a last minute decision to race Anderson Speedway. Starting 10th in a combined field of Pros, Semi-Pros, Masters, and Young Lions, Smithley charged through the field to find himself in 2nd place with nine laps remaining. “With nine to go, I tried to make a run on race leader Andrew Brown but we made some contact that knocked the toe out of my car. From there, I focused on securing the 2nd place Semi-Pro finish.”

“I’m really proud of the effort we made at Anderson. We didn’t know we were coming here until Saturday night. We had to make a motor change and I only got about 10 laps of practice in before qualifying and the feature. But I had a wicked fast car,” noted the Georgia native. “If Andrew Brown and I hadn’t made contact late in the race, I’m certain that I had the car to win. But my hat is off to him for driving a great race.” Garrett would like to thank MR. E Performance and crew for making the trip possible and all of the hard work leading up to the successful weekend.

Smithley will return to action this coming Saturday in the Carolina Competition Series (CCS) INEX Legends race at Hickory Motor Speedway following completion of the Pro All Start Series (PASS) Super Late Model race.

Garrett in Florida

Kannapolis, NC -- MR E Performance driver, Garrett Smithley, made a surprise visit to the Auburndale Speedway this week for the legends Winter Nationals. Although this was a last minute decision to go down to Florida for the races, Garrett plans to compete in the rest of the weeks events and possibly run at Atlanta Motor Speedway on the drive back to North Carolina. We can't thank our new sponsor, Black Water Integration enough for the help and support for getting Garrett to Florida for this race.

Stay tuned for more updates and results from the track!