Venezuelan, Nelson Canache Jr. Signs with Venturini Motorsports for 2012 ARCA Season

Posted on 1/24/2012

January 24, 2012 (Concord, NC) – Nelson Canache Jr., a two-time champion in the Venezuelan Super Touring GT Class Series has signed with Venturini Motorsports (VMS) in the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards for the upcoming 2012 season.

“The ARCA racing series gives me the best opportunity to make the transition into stock car racing and prepare me for NASCAR Tucks or Nationwide racing in the future. Venturini’s reputation and the success they’ve had working with many drivers was a major factor in my decision to join the team and the series,” says Canache.

Canache, a native of Caracas, Venezuela is a standout driver on the international stage and is ready to take the next big step in his professional racing career under the guidance of VMS’s competition director, Billy Venturini.

“It’s an honor to represent my country and build more awareness to US stock car racing. I feel I have the support of everyone back home and look forward to making them proud,” added Canache.

“It’s going to be a challenge but working with the best team gives me the confidence I need to succeed at this level and prepare myself for the future. I have limited oval racing experience; every week will be a challenge and test me physically and mentally. Driving for Venturini gives me the best chance to learn and show people here in the states my skills.”

Canache, who spent his 2011 season competing in the Seat Leon Super Cup in Mexico and the NASCAR Whelen All American Series under the Lee Faulk Racing banner, is now looking to bolster his racing resume and pursue the highest ranks of American stock car racing.

“There’s no question ARCA and NASCAR has attracted world class talent to our sport. Nelson has proven himself as an international driver and comes to our team with tremendous talent and determination to succeed at this level in a relatively unknown series. He’s a true professional and student of his craft; he’s eager to learn and unwilling to fall back on past accomplishments,” says Billy Venturini. "I expect him to fit into our program well and compete strongly against his competition."

Canache will drive full time for Venturini; competing in all 20 events listed on ARCA’s 60th Anniversary Season schedule, making his ARCA debut on February 18th at Daytona International Speedway.

ARCA, considered the most diverse racing series on the planet, is the only touring series to include a variety of style race tracks to test the skills and preparation of both drivers and teams competing. ARCA’s schedule showcases a mix of speedway (1.5 mile+), short track (1 mile or less), dirt track and road course events to determine a national champion.

Canache, who participated in a Chevrolet - Venturini Motorsports prepared car left a solid impression after three days of ARCA Racing Series testing at the famed Daytona International Speedway. Canache finished the weekend with a fast time of 48.212 seconds (186.676 mph), securing the 7th fastest lap time (out of 53 drivers) of the entire weekend test session.

Venturini Motorsports unloaded 5 cars in all during the December test and posted the top speed overall with Alex Bowman’s 188.336 mph lap. Venturini cars finished the weekend test session with all 5 cars inside the top-7 positions.

In addition to running the ARCA series, Canache will make his first ever Rolex 24 at Daytona behind the wheel of the No.51 APR Motorsports Audi R8 Grand-Am for this year’s 24 hour classic. Canache will join teammates, including ‘Endurance Race’ icon, Emanuele Pirro, Dion Von Moltke, Ian Baas and Dr. Jim Norman.

Canache will also join Ian Baas in the No.41 APR Tuned Audi S4 in the Grand-AM Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge GS class leading up to the Rolex 24.

Canache will make his ARCA Racing debut with an added sense of national pride, when the series returns to Daytona International Speedway on February 18th for the season opening event, driving the No.35 Venturini prepared - Venezuela sponsored Chevrolet. The event will be televised live on SPEED Channel starting at 4:30 EST. Check your local times and listings for broadcast information.

International flair nothing new to Venturini Motorsports as the team’s on-track success has attracted drivers from all over the globe. In 2011 the team featured a total of 21 different drivers including four import drivers; Steve Arpin (Canada), Miguel Paludo (Brazil), George Meideke (Australia) and Ali Jackson (Ireland). Arpin and Paludo are both competing in the ranks of NASCAR in 2012.