BRANDON HILL WITH GRANT AT TALLADEGA IN APRIL

Mike and Janice did everything they could for their brave son. They could have easily placed Brandon in a facility where they could have been spared the heartache and physical burdens of caring for Brandon. They chose instead to take care of their child on their own, and that care caused Brandon to live as long and well as he did. While Grant is out hustling for sponsorship and trying to make the next race, he, Zac and the other young crew members need to remember how lucky they are to stand up, walk, talk and enjoy their lives. Athletes and race car drivers aren’t real heroes folks like Mike and Janice are.

CREW CHIEF HOWARD BIXMAN WITH GRANT AT CHICAGO

Grant, during the final 10 laps of the race, was faster than the leader and ultimate winner, Patrick Sheltra. Between Sheltra and Grant was the #55 car of Steve Arpin. When Grant came up along side Arpin’s car, Arpin pinned Grant to the bottom, causing Grant’s car to be come “aero–tight” which is a condition caused by the side drafting of the 2 cars. “The car was already tightening up at the end of the race and when Arpin pinned me to the bottom, I just could not stay in the gas and turn the car.” Camping World Truck veteran Rick Crawford watched the race from the BeasleyAllen.com pit and noted that Grant could have taken Arpin out of the race, by spinning the #55, giving Grant 2nd place and providing a clear shot to the front. “I wanted to win the race badly, but I am not going to crash another driver who has raced me cleanly. Besides,we can’t afford to get into a crash contest. We would run out of cars before the other guys use up all their cars.”

While there are remaining ARCA races on television at Kansas (where Grant finished 3rd in 2009) and Rockingham, there are no plans to make those races, although Grant continues to search for sponsorhip for either or both of those races. “We raced an extra race with BeasleyAllen beyond the scheduled races. BeasleyAllen has been one of the most consistent sponsors in the ARCA circuit the past 2 years, and we have tried to give the firm its money’s worth in exposure and support for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. I can’t thank the firm enough for allowing me to pursue my dream of big time stock car racing. I am going to continue to pursue my motor sports career. Whatever I am able to do in the future will be due to a large extent on what BeasleyAllen has done for me.”

Grant posted a decent qualifying time, gaining a starting position of 8th among 39 racers. The race was eventful early with a big lap 7 wreck just ahead of Grant. Casey Roderick, who started 3rd, hit the outside wall on the back stretch. His careened across the track, hitting Mikey Kile’s car which then hit 7th place starter Chad McCumbee. “I can’t believe we missed the wreck and I thought I had flat spotted the tires, because I had to stomp on the brakes.” Grant weaved his way throught he spinning cars, emerging unscathed in 4th place.

Grant was in 3rd place with 20 laps to go and was closing on the leaders and thought he might pull off the big win. He had pulled to the bumper of 2nd place Steve Arpin’s car when a late caution flag flew, restarting the race with only 10 laps to go. “My car tightened up and while I could catch Arpin, I could not pass him. The car was aero-tight around the Arpin car and we had to settle for 3rd place.” Grant was more than 25 laps ahead of 8 time ARCA champion Frank Kimmel when the checkered flag flew.

After that session, the crew will be making final adjustments before qualifying which takes place at 11:30 am CDT. The 6 pm race will be televised live on Speed TV. Live scoring of qualifying & the race will be on www.arca.com.

Thursday will a long day of safety and technical inspections before a short practice session late that afternoon. The final pre-race practice will be early Friday morning, leading to mid day qualifying before the 6 p.m. race. The race will be televised nationally on Speed Channel.

Grant finished 2nd at Chicago last year, by less than a car length, and is determined to have another good run for the race which is likely the last ARCA event he will run this year. Last year’s performance and last week’s test session will form the basis for the practice set up. The crew hopes the “out of the trailer” performance is good, as on track practice is very limited. For more details on the race days, and for live timing of the practice and qualifying sessions Thursday and Friday, visit www.arcaracing.com .