Casola Considers Pocono ARCA 200 A "Game of Survival"

HOLMDEL NJ (6-6-07)--Young Garden State racer Dominick Casola is optimistic, excited and well prepared. The former Wall Township Speedway racer is set to make his first appearance at the huge (two-and-one-half mile) Pocono Raceway when the ARCA RE/MAX Series presents their POCONO 200 on Saturday, June 9th.

"This is my home track and there is going to be a lot of family and friends in the stands," said Casola.

"That puts some extra pressure on me. I don't want to embarrass myself. I just won't allow any outside distractions. In fact we hope to turn some heads in this race."

Car owner Andy Belmont has put together a great car with strong horsepower for Poconos.

Actually Casola's efforts to race at Pocono and all the other events on the ARCA RE/MAX schedule started a while back. In November of 2005 the 19-year-old weighed in at about 220 pounds. He was getting tired in just short distance events. That is when he had a talk with himself and started a physical fitness program.

"I watched what I ate. No late night snacks," Dominick said. "I have been doing some running (about 15 miles a week), doing some weights and eating the right foods. I am now down to about 140 pounds and I hardly break a sweat driving the A. CASOLA FARMS No. 1 Ford in ARCA events."

Casola is looking forward to Pocono. It will be his first appearance on the huge triangular-shaped banked asphalt oval.

Actually the young racer feels the short track events are far more demanding. He does feel that the 200-miler at Pocono could be a challenge especially if heat becomes a factor.

"It will be a mental race. I will have to keep my concentration," said Casola. "The crew has prepared me a great car so I have to make sure I pay attention and use some patience."

A top ten finish would be great. A win, of course, would be fantastic. In recent ARCA events the team has had fast running cars but bad luck has kept them from getting higher finishes. As the season progresses the team is getting more comfortable with each other.

"Andy Belmont has been a huge help to me. We have a good chemistry," was the comment from Dominick. "Everyone is important to the success of the team."

The former Hooters Tour racer feels that if they stay out of trouble, doesn't get caught up in someone else's problems, and sticks with the team game plan they can come home with a top ten.

"The Pocono 200 is going to be a game of survival, "said Casola. "If you are running at the finish you can have a great finish. A good finish here will get us really excited about coming back in August."

Practice for the Pocono 200 is for 10:15 am on Friday, June 8th, with SIM Factory Pole Award Qualifying slated for 1:45 p.m. The Pocono 200 gets the green at 1:00 pm on Saturday, June 8th with the race being televised same-day on SPEED at 8 pm eastern.

Ticket information is available at 1-800-RACEWAY or check in at http://www.poconoraceway.com/.