Justin Marks drives on rain tires during the ARCA RE/MAx Tire Kingdom 150 at Palm Beach International Raceway. (Photo: ARCAracing.com)

"Based upon the feedback we got from both the teams and Hoosier, we are pleased with the performance of the new rain tire," commented Joe Wells, ARCA VP of Competition. "This has truly been an historic day for our series."

Race winner Marks agreed.

"It was awesome - great rain tire," Marks explained. "Hoosier has always built a good rain tire. This tire was very consistent. It had great grip. What is great about it is that when you have Hoosier rain tires, you worry about driving the car, finding grip on the racetrack and having good rain racetrack, you never worry about the tire. You never have to worry about driving around on an ill-handling tire. It's just consistent and you know it's going to be there for you."

Robb Brent finished second in ARCA's first visit to Palm Beach, a career best for the Shelby Township, MI driver. A pit road infraction might have caused him a chance at the win, after the 2nd year driver was forced to bring his #36 JAM Dodge back down pit road on lap 24 after a tire got away from the team on pit road.

"Unfortunately, we had a pit error," Brent admitted. "Our tire got out of the box, so we had to restart at the tail end of the lead lap, which pretty much eliminated us from the win."

Rookie Blake Koch, in his first career ARCA Racing Series presented by RE/MAX and Menards start, finished third in the #6 ESR Racing Toyota.

"We had a real good car, especially in the dry conditions," Koch stated. "It started coming down hard, and we put that rain tire on, and we weren't set up for it. But, for a road course in the rain, I'm happy with a third. I'll take it. I just want to thank Tire Kingdom and Eddie Sharp Racing."

Menards Pole Award winner Casey Roderick saw a very impressive weekend washed away on lap 40 while leading the race. Roderick, a Bill Elliott Racing Development Driver from Lawrenceville, GA, slipped coming off of turn 11 on lap 40, giving the lead up to eventual winner Marks. Just 5 laps later, Roderick pulled the Monolith Hospitality Dodge down pit road and into the garage, done for the day with a broken axle. He would wind up finishing 21st.

"We had the best car out there," the seventeen year old Roderick stated. "We were rolling, but I lost first gear which caused me to slow down. Justin Marks got by me, and I was just dealing with second [gear] through the slow turns. I was hanging right there with him. I thought I might pressure him a little bit, and he'd make a mistake. Then, we lost third, and then, it just quit. It's unfortunate for this Monolith Hospitality team, Bill Elliott Racing and Phoenix Racing. Everybody's done a heck of a job. It's just unfortunate.

SPECIAL AWARDS:

- Aaron's Lap Leader: Justin Marks

- Messina Halfway Leader: Casey Roderick

- Cometic Crew Chief: Klotz Engine Mechanic: Mike Chaffee

- Menards Pole Award by Ansell: Casey Roderick

- RE/MAX Rookie of the Race: Mikey Kile

- CGS Hard Charger: Tim Cowen

Top-10 Points:M 1) Justin Marks 420; 2) Steve Arpin 390; 2) Robb Brent 390; 4) Patrick Sheltra 385; 5) Tom Hessert 360; 6) Mikey Kile 355; 7) Bryan Silas 335; 8) Tim George, Jr. 325; 9) Joey Coulter 305; 10) Nick Igdalsky 285.

The ARCA Racing Series presented by RE/MAX and Menards will take a six week hiatus prior to its next event, scheduled for Sunday afternoon, April 11 at Salem Speedway.

RESULTS Tire Kingdom 150