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Mike Cope Racing ready for Daytona International Speedway

November 13, 2014

Poitras and Keith to battle for coveted year-end podium spot, LaCroix ready for challenge

(Team Release) DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Nov. 13, 2014) – Mike Cope Racing Enterprises (MCRE) returns to familiar ground this coming weekend at Daytona International Raceway for the 2014 Trans Am Finale. The MCRE team will be well represented this weekend, with the trio of Ron Keith, Kevin Poitras, and Brian LaCroix all on hand for what should be a climatic end to the season.

While it has been over a month since the last round of the Trans Am Championship, the MCRE team has had plenty of work on their hands.

“We’ve been busy building cars,” said Mike Cope, team owner. “We’ve had plenty of inquiries about next year, a few major commitments, a few looking to run a majority of next season, and we’re working hard and really looking forward to next year. But for now, all our attention is focused on this weekend and the track here at Daytona.”

Teammates Kevin Poitras, driver of the No. 73 Post Plastics Chevrolet Camaro, and Ron Keith, in the No. 25 Offsite Image Management Ford Mustang, will garner much of the attention in the TA2 class as they face off for third place in the 2014 Trans Am TA2 Championship point standings.

Poitras currently leads Keith by only five points, with both drivers eager for year end glory and a place in the Trans Am history books. The way the points stand, only Poitras or Keith can capture the coveted third position—assuring a MCRE driver ends on the year end podium, but both drivers are expected to compete—as they have all year.

“These guys have become good friends here,” said Cope, “but they’re also great competitors. When they’re out on the race track I expect nothing less that good, hard, clean racing with both of them looking to run upfront. Our drivers always want to do well, to win, and to be in situations like this, racing for year-end glory. I’m excited for the race and for them.”

“We’re having fun with it,” said Poitras. “We joke around; take jabs at each other all the time. But it’s cool to be battling, it’s no fun to be here and not have something to race for. To be battling with my good buddy Ron, well, that’s pretty neat. And when I was on the podium for a race, he wasn’t, and when he was, I wasn’t; so it would be nice to get up there together this weekend, no matter who finishes where.”

“We’re good friends,” said Keith. “But when it comes to racing, we’re going to race. I don’t know what’s going to happen, but I’m excited. Kevin was telling me I have to beat him by two positions to overtake him in the points. I’ve got to drive extra hard to pull that off, and I think that’s going to take a first place finish—I just know he’s going to end up on the podium at the end of the race.”

Poitras made his Trans Am debut here last year, finishing fifth in the TA2 class—a mark he aims to build on this weekend.

“Last year was my first time racing in Trans Am and my first time on this track,” said Poitras. “It was an interesting start; I was still trying to make up my mind on racing in Trans Am. We battled a lot of issues that weekend but worked hard and finished fifth. It’s nice coming back, this year Trans Am has only run on three tracks that I really know; the rest I’ve had to learn on the fly.”

At the same time, Keith, Poitras and LaCroix will be working to navigate a 50-car Trans Am field on what has been a slippery track during the test days.

“The track has been presenting its own issues this weekend too,” said Keith. “It’s been incredibly slick out there. We’ve had plenty of cars go off course in the test sessions; and in my car, it’s been tough to handle just from the track conditions in the infield. If we have the same conditions come race day, I think we’re going to take a patient approach to the race once we’re in there. Like any other race, you need to be there at the end, so we’re going to manage the car on the infield, the banking doesn’t take any management, it’s full out all the way.”

Brian LaCroix, in the No. 13 Mike Cope Racing Chevrolet Camaro, is ready to make the most of his time at Daytona, ready to put his road course knowledge to the test on the speedway’s course.

“I really haven’t done a lot of oval racing in my career,” said LaCroix, “but I’m looking forward to the challenge. The car feels great so far in testing, and I’ve got my eyes on a GT2 Championship next year so we’ll be racing here again. This weekend is a great time to start getting a feel for the course and the sheer speed of the track. It’s been an experience, and we’re going to keep working hard on our lap times and our goals.”

“We’re fortunate to have three very talented drivers with us this weekend,” ended Cope. “All of them are capable of putting on a show, and we’re going to make sure they have the best cars possible underneath them come race day. Either way, we’re extremely proud of what our team and drivers have accomplished this year.”

The MCRE team first takes to the track at Daytona International Speedway for practice on Thursday, November 13, at 11:00 a.m. EST followed by a second practice at 4:45 p.m. later that day. Qualifying will take place on Friday at 12:30 p.m. in preparation for the 103.24 mile, 29-lap race on Saturday, November 15, at 10:30 a.m. for Round 11 of the 2014 Trans Am Championship, the season finale.

Twitter: @mikecoperacing
www.mikecoperacecars.com

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About Mike Cope Racing Enterprises:

Perhaps no other team has worked so diligently to achieve success over the course of 30 years as MCRE. Over the years, they have successfully launched corporate sponsorships in national series, developed short track and SCCA Road race champions and mentored young upcoming drivers. Lead by Mike Cope, he brings the same enthusiasm, dedication and knowledge to his race team that made him victorious in his own racing career.

Mike Cope Racing Enterprises is based in Clearwater, Florida.

MCRE Driver Partners and Sponsors:

Ron Keith and the No. 25 Offsite Image Management Ford Mustang

Offsite Image Management, www.offsiteimagemgt.com

Offsite Image Management, one of the nation’s leaders in vendor neutral image archiving for critical access hospitals, actually has a great deal in common with the Trans Am race philosophy. Through DICOM technology, Offsite helps hospitals eliminate compatibility and efficiency problems. They offer a vendor neutral, fully accessible solution that allows for immediate patient image sharing to any doctor or hospital, anywhere, anytime.

Townsend Corporation, www.townsendcorporation.com

Headquartered near Indianapolis, in Parker City, Indiana, Townsend has grown five-fold since 1993. With a workforce in over 30 states, Townsend continues to safely deliver results and solutions that address the power industry’s most pressing issues.

Townsend provides a wide range of services, expertise, and innovative technology to its specialized core markets - vegetation management, power line clearance, custom blending and repackaging of herbicides, electric utility line construction, storm-damage relief, and process automation.

Kevin Poitras and the No. 73 Post Plastics Chevrolet Camaro

Post Plastics, www.postplastics.com

Post Plastics is an environmental solutions provider specializing in the collection, recovery and redistribution of waste plastics from industrial processes such as manufacturing, fabrication and sign/display replacement.

With the goal of becoming Ontario’s most recognized and trusted brand for full service recycling, Post Plastics’ journey begins with a credible environmental policy that aligns with those of their client-partners.

Post Plastics’ commitment is to be a part of the waste-diversion solution with a working quality management program in place and a management team that understands and embraces its purpose.

Brian LaCroix and the No. 13 Mike Cope Racing Chevrolet Camaro

Mike Cope Racing Enterprises is based in Clearwater, Florida.