Music: {allcanada} ARCA: Hessert Tops Ranger in Final New Jersey Practice

Saturday, June 30, 2012

{allcanada} ARCA: Hessert Tops Ranger in Final New Jersey Practice

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(MILLVILLE, N.J. - June 30, 2012) - Tom Hessert flexed his muscle on his home track, leading the final practice at New Jersey Motorsports Park's Thunderbolt Raceway with a late lap of 1:22.232 to top Andrew Ranger.

Ranger (No. 53 RRT Design & Construction Dodge) had finished atop each of five practice, qualifying, and race sessions to open his ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards road racing career. Last season, he led both practices and won the Menards Pole Award presented by Ansell one day before earning a win in his ARCA debut at New Jersey. After leading the first practice this afternoon and holding the lead for much of the second, Ranger appeared well on his way to repeating that feat.

Hessert (No. 52 Federated Auto Parts Chevrolet), however, edged Ranger by 0.02 second. His average speed of 98.502 mph is the top for the day, just ahead of Ranger's 98.478-mph effort. Hessert is from Cherry Hill, N.J., a short drive from New Jersey Motorsports Park.

"(Crew chief) Donnie (Richeson) kept adjusting the car through the first practice and again through the second practice and I am really pleased with the way the car is performing right now," Hessert said. "We qualify in a couple hours, so hopefully we'll be able to back up the time and put our car on the pole. One thing is for sure: We definitely have a short at winning the race tomorrow afternoon."

Chad Hackenbracht was third in the final session, just ahead of Alex Bowman and Will Kimmel. Nelson Canache, Chris Buescher, Steve Minghenelli, Brandon Davis, and Chase Elliott filled out the top 10.

Nine-time ARCA champion Frank Kimmel was 14th and points leader Brennan Poole finished 17th.

Menards Pole Qualifying presented by Ansell will begin at 5:30 p.m., with live timing and scoring coverage available at ARCARacing.com. Groups are formed by practice speeds, with the top five drivers going first, the second five following, and so on until all entered drivers are slotted into a qualifying group.

ARCARacing.com will post the full qualifying order shortly.