SCCA Style,
Steve Fox Sings in the Rain
Berwick, PA (August 17, 2010)- Most people in the racing world
know Steve Fox this season as the driver of the #50
FireHouse/Universe Towing and Autobody Dodge Charger in the ARCA
Racing Series presented by RE/MAX and Menards. However, after
making his Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) start with his Van
Diemen RF96 Formula Continental last weekend, Fox can also be
known as a road racer, as he finished in the second spot while
competing in the rain on the road course at Pocono International
Raceway in Long Pond, PA.
It was the 40th Anniversary SCCA National Championship SCCA
races at Pocono and after competing at the facility two weeks
prior in the ARCA event, Fox hoped to get a great finish for
Universe Racing and all of the teams supporters. Despite the wet
track conditions, Fox drove consistently to score a runner-up
effort, which is his career best.
“After the weekend we had here two weeks ago with the ARCA car
it feels great to get a good finish for Universe Racing and all
of our guys”, noted Fox.
He was also impressed with the Van Diemen RF96 Formula
Continental that he raced for the very first time.
“To run this well at a national event my first time in this car
really makes me feel good about our chances for some solid
performances in the future. I’m hoping that our sponsors,
supporters and fans are as happy as I am. Afterall, we share the
same sponsors between our ARCA and SCCA efforts”.
For more information on Universe Racing and all of the team
supporters, including Universe Towing and Autobody, FireHouse,
AFR Productions, American Truck, Valve Tech Sales LLC, Tri State
Towing Equipment, Himmer Graphics, Weigand Combat Handguns,
Alex’s Lemonade Stand, G-Force Racing Products, Long Island
Skydiving, Eibach Springs and StockCar Racing Experience at
Pocono Raceway, please visit
www.universeracing.net
Good Run Ends Three Laps Short for Steve
Fox at Pocono
Berwick, PA (August 2, 2010)- Following a mediocre run in June,
Steve Fox and the Universe Racing team made wholesale changes to
the #28 Universe Towing/FireHouse Dodge Charger and headed to
Pocono International raceway last weekend with high hopes of a
strong run in the Weis 125 with the ARCA Racing Series presented
by RE/MAX and Menards.
Fox started 24th on the grid moved into the 19th
spot following a caution flag on the first lap. Compared to the
last Pocono event, the driver seemed much happier and more
content with the car.
“The car was very good all day”, said Fox. “We made a lot of
changes since our last visit to Pocono and all of the hard work
really paid off”.
Fox came into the pits for service under the second caution flag
and headed back on track with hopes of a solid top 20 finish.
Those hopes were smashed with three laps remaining when the
right front tire on Fox’s car blew out and short the car into
the turn three wall.
“The car felt funny in turn one and then it was fine in turn
two”, the driver recalled. “When I got in three it just shot up
the track. I barely had time to react, it just happened so
fast”.
Fox was taken to the infield care center before being
transported to a local hospital for x-rays. Fortunately, his
only injuries are bruised ribs and a tore up racecar.
“It really stinks and I hate it for the team and all of our
sponsors and supporters”, said Fox. “We’ll just have to tear the
car down to see exactly what we’ve got ahead of us, but as for
now it might be a while before we get back on track with the
ARCA car”.
Robb Brent added his name to the list of first-time winners in
the series this season when he picked up the Pocono victory over
Dakoda Armstrong. Fox was forced to settle for a 31st
place finish.
For more
information on Universe Racing and all of the team supporters,
including Universe Towing and Autobody, FireHouse, AFR
Productions, American Truck, Valve Tech Sales LLC, Tri State
Towing Equipment, Himmer Graphics, Weigand Combat Handguns,
Alex’s Lemonade Stand, G-Force Racing Products, Long Island
Skydiving, Eibach Springs and StockCar Racing Experience at
Pocono Raceway, please visit
www.universeracing.net.
Fox and Universe Racing Set for Return to
Pocono
Berwick, PA (July 10, 2010)- Steve Fox and the Universe Racing
Team are ready to do action in the Weis 125 with the ARCA Racing
Series presented by RE/MAX and Menards on Saturday, July 31 at
Pocono International Raceway.
Following a decent appearance at the “Tricky Triangle” back in
June, Fox and the entire team are focused on the upcoming event,
which will take place immediately after the running of the
inaugural Camping World Truck Series event at the facility.
“We have all of the body damage repaired and we’re set for our
return to Pocono”, noted Fox. The car is at Wiz’s shop (Crew
Chief) and he’s putting the race set up in it. We’ll be in good
shape for this one”.
To say the least, Fox was disappoint with his outing in the June
race at the track. However, he feels that the team’s luck will
turn around. “We had a better car than what the end result
showed in June”, he said. “We had some radio and pit problems,
which hurt because I couldn’t let the crew know what the car
needed during pit stops. We’ve got that all taken care of and
I’m really looking forward to a good showing for all of our
great sponsors and team supporters”.
Speaking of which, the band FireHouse, is a huge supporter of
Universe Racing. FireHouse will be performing with Skid Row at
Penn’s Peak, in the Pocono area on Friday, July 30 at 8 PM. Race
fans and rock-n-roll lovers alike are invited to come out to
enjoy the evening after Menards Pole qualifying at Pocono.
The #28 FireHouse/Universe Racing Dodge Charger will hit the
track for practice and qualifying on Friday, July 30. Drivers in
the Weis Markets 125 ARCA Racing Series event will take the
green flag at 3 PM EST and the race will be shown live on SPEED.
Frustration Results in 22nd
Place Effort for Fox at Pocono
Long Pond,
PA (June 6, 2010)- Steve Fox and the Universe Racing headed into
the weekend at Pocono International Raceway for the
Messina Wildlife Animal Stopper 200 in the ARCA Racing Series
event, presented by RE/MAX and Menards with three goals in mind.
The First was to qualify through time and second, to bring the
car home in one piece. The third was to earn a top 20 finish,
which nearly happened for
the #28 FireHouse/Universe Towing Dodge Charger. As the old
saying goes, ‘two out of three ain’t bad’.
Fox time trialed 21st quickest on Friday and felt
that he had a good piece for Saturday’s 200-mile event. Saturday
morning Fox, along with several competitors, signed autographs
prior to the drivers meeting before taking to the speedway.
Typically plagued with yellow flags, the team set up the racecar
for short runs. The plan for Fox was to take is easy over the
first half of the event and then kick it up a notch for the
second half. However, the cautions never fell into place and
Mikey Kile, who led most of the race, set a blistering pace and
nearly lapped the entire field.
“Compared to Friday we were off all day”, said Fox. “The first
half of race was pretty decent. The car ran well, but it was
really loose in turn three”, he said. “The crew tried to adjust
on it and it didn’t get any better”.
There was added frustration during a green flag stop when the
car fell off of the jack. “I got really frustrated at that point
because we were running decent”, noted Fox. “That’s the way it
goes and we’ll take what we learned and make it much better for
July”.
The timing of first caution flag didn’t help matters.
“Many of the teams have already pitted and then the yellow came
out”, said Fox. “It hurt us and we lost laps on those exchanges
also”.
Fox brought out the second and final yellow with 11 laps
remaining. “The car was so loose in three and very tight in turn
one. I drove it into one too hard and just scraped the wall and
then went around”, said the driver.
“At least the car’s in one piece and we have something to go off
of for July when ARCA returns to Pocono. “We’re down a little
bit on power, but didn’t show what we’re capable of. I expected
a better result from the team and a better result for our great
sponsors”, he said. “I feel like we let them down”.
Fox summed up the day a positive note and has begun to focus on
the next event in seven weeks. “It’s not the finish that we
hoped for and doesn’t reflect on how well we could have run. All
I can say is that we’ll get them next time”.
Despite having a finish that was not to his liking, Fox praised
team owner Tony Aquilino for all that he’s done. “Tony put a lot
into this effort and he’s excited about returning in July. I
really appreciate everything that he’s done for us”.
Craig Goess took the lead following the last caution flag and
took the checkers for his first career ARCA victory. Fox crossed
the strip in the 22nd position.
In conjunction with Alex’s Lemonade Stand and following the
event, Fox and a fellow competitor headed to a local Quarter
Midget track to sign autographs for a child with cancer.
Fox also noted
that the team would have never been able to complete in the
event if it weren’t for the
team
supporters, which include Universe Towing and Autobody,
FireHouse, AFR Productions, American Truck, Valve Tech Sales
LLC, Tri State Towing Equipment, Himmer Graphics, Weigand Combat
Handguns, Alex’s Lemonade Stand, G-Force Racing Products, Long
Island Skydiving and StockCar Racing Experience at Pocono
Raceway.
Steve Fox
and Universe Racing will hit the track again on Saturday, July
31 in the running of the Weis Markets 125 at Pocono. The ARCA
Racing Series event is slated to begin at 3:00 PM (EST) and will
be televised live on SPEED.
Steve Fox Times 21st Quickest
at Pocono
Long Pond,
PA (June 4, 2010)- Steve Fox and the Universe Racing team took
the #28 FireHouse/Universe Towing Dodge Charger out to Pocono
International Raceway Saturday for Menards Pole Qualifying on
Friday with hopes of making the field for the
Messina Wildlife Animal Stopper 200 in the ARCA Racing Series
event, presented by RE/MAX and Menards.
“The car was pretty good in the morning practice, but it was a
little loose in turn three”, said Fox. The Universe Racing crew
went to work and made some adjustments before Fox returned to
the speedway.
Evidently the talented crew did their job well, as Fox picked up
a half second from his quickest practice lap. He laid down a lap
of 58.28 (154.427 MPH), which was good enough for the 21st
starting spot. Mikey Kyle grabbed the pole position for the
200-mile show.
Fox was happy with his effort, yet felt that he left a little on
the table. “I probably could have driven it just a little
harder. It drove the best that it did all day and we have a
great car for the race”.
There’s no doubt that the entire team recognizes all of their
supporters for their first start of the season, which include
Universe Towing and Autobody, FireHouse, American Truck, Valve
Tech Sales LLC, Tri State Towing Equipment, Himmer Graphics,
Alex’s Lemonade Stand, G-Force Racing Products, Long Island
Skydiving and StockCar Racing Experience at Pocono Raceway.
Steve Fox and the Universe Racing
FireHouse Dodge Charger will start the
Messina Wildlife Animal Stopper 200
in the ARCA Racing Series event at 1:00 PM (EST). The race will
be aired on SPEED at 4:00 PM (EST)..
Universe Racing can also be visited on the
web at
www.universeracing.net.
You may also connect with both Universe Racing and many of the
team supporters through Facebook.
Following Show with FireHouse, Universe
Racing is Ready for Pocono
Clearfield, PA (May 12, 2010)- ARCA Racing Series presented by
RE/MAX and Menards driver Steve Fox, along with team members
from Universe Racing joined FireHouse last Saturday at the
Clearfield PA Outdoors and Sports Show for a meet and greet with
the popular band members. It was a momentous occasion in a sort,
as it was the first time that the band saw the FireHouse Dodge
Charger that Fox will use for competition in the upcoming ARCA
200 at Pocono International Raceway on June 5.
Despite threatening rain showers and damaging winds, FireHouse,
who was the opening act for Winger, took to the stage and went
on with the show. Meanwhile, the FireHouse Dodge Charger sat
below the grandstands where concertgoers were able to take
photographs and receive autographs from Fox.
Thanks to Pocono International raceway, Universe Racing team
members were able to give away tickets for the upcoming ARCA
event at Pocono.
Known for their appreciation of and interaction with the fans,
FireHouse members CJ Snare, Bill Leverty, Michael Foster and
Allen McKenzie joined the fans for a meet and greet session
following their performance. They also headed over to see all of
the work that the Universe Racing team put into the car for the
upcoming event at Pocono.
“That’s just so cool”, said Foster with a huge smile when he saw
the racecar. Foster is an avid race fan and also the band’s
drummer. He wrote and sings the vocals for the song “Door to
Door”, which was written specifically around automobile racing.
“All of the people that I met in Clearfield were really great
and seem very supportive of Universe Racing”, noted Fox. He
continued, “I’m really happy that we had the opportunity to
head out there to be with FireHouse. All of the guys seem really
pumped about the race at Pocono and I hope we do well for them
and all of our other supporters”.
Having the Universe Racing FireHouse Dodge Charger on display at
the show also helped the race team show case all of their
supporters this season, which includes Universe Towing, American
Truck, Valve Tech Sales LLC, Tri State Towing Equipment, Himmer
Graphics, Alex’s Lemonade Stand, G-Force Racing Products and
StockCar Racing Experience at Pocono Raceway.
Shown in photo above (left to right):
Bill Leverty, Steve Fox, CJ Snare, Michael Foster, Allen
McKenzie
Universe Racing
Names Alex’s Lemonade Stand as Official Team Charity
BERWICK, PA- Universe Racing and driver Steve Fox are proud to
announce the Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation as the official
team charity this season. Founded by the late Alexandria “Alex”
Scott, who passed away from cancer at the age of 8, the charity
was designed to help find a cure for children who suffer from
cancer.
Shortly before her first birthday, Alex was
diagnosed with neuroblastoma, a type of childhood cancer. By her
second birthday, Alex was crawling and able to stand up with leg
braces. She worked hard to gain strength and to learn how to
walk. She appeared to be beating the odds, until the shattering
discovery within the next year that her tumors had started
growing again. In the year 2000, the day after her fourth
birthday, Alex received a stem cell transplant and informed her
mother, "When I get out of the hospital I want to have a
lemonade stand”. She said she wanted to give the money to the
doctors to help them find a cure. True to her word, she held her
first lemonade stand later that year and raised an amazing $2000
for what she called "her hospital”.
Throughout the latter stages of her battle with the horrible
disease, Alex had raised over $1 million to help find a cure.
Alex's family-including brothers Patrick, Eddie, and Joey and
supporters are committed to continuing her inspiring legacy
through Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation.
Supporting the effort that Alex started nearly ten years ago,
Fox, of Hazelton, PA instantly decided to donate to the cause
through his racing efforts. In conjunction with Universe Racing,
Fox promised to donate $1 for each lap that he completes while
driving the Universe Racing/FireHouse Dodge Charger in ARCA
Racing Series prented by RE/MAX and Menards this season. Aside
from the nationally acclaimed series Fox also competes in the
populat Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) road racing events and
plans to match the same amount for those races as well.
“I’m very fortunate to have the opportunities that I do in
racing”, said Fox. “As soon as I heard about Alex’s Lemonade
Stand I knew that this would be the charity that the race team
and I need to not only support, but also help promote”. He
continued, “Working with Alex’s family on such a great cause is
an honor”.
Alex's Lemonade Stand provides a meaningful and fun way to make
a difference in the lives of others. As Alex once said, "holding
your own Alex's Lemonade Stand is easy and fun!" It is also an
inspiring way for caring people of all ages to support
our mission of curing childhood cancer, one cup at a time!
Please visit
www.alexslemonade.org to read
more regarding Alex’s Lemonade Stand. Donations are accepted
through the website. Universe Racing can also be visited on the
web at
www.universeracing.net.
You may also connect with both organizations through Facebook.
FireHouse and Universe Racing to ROCK
Clearfield, Pa
BERWICK, PA (3/26/10)- Universe Racing and the multi platinum
recording band, FireHouse are proud to announce that the ARCA
Racing Series presented by RE/MAX and Menards FireHouse/Universe
Racing Dodge Charger will accompany the band to the Central PA
Outdoors and Sports Show in Clearfield, Pa on Saturday, May 8.
Set to rock the stage with Winger, FireHouse members CJ Snare,
Michael Foster, Bill Leverty and Allen McKenzie are excited
about seeing “their” race car before it takes to the track on
June 5th at the Pocono International Raceway in Long
Pond, Pa.
Thanks to Pocono Raceway, a select number of show goers will
have the opportunity to receive a free pass to the Pocono 200 in
June.
Steve Fox of Hazleton, Pa pilots the FireHouse Dodge and he
will be in attendance to sign autographs and talk with fans.
The Central PA Outdoors and Sports Show features hunting and
fishing products, plus information on outdoor sport and camping
retreats, supplies, boats, RV’s, ATV’s and more. The event runs
all weekend from May 7-9 at the Clearfield County Fairgrounds.
Beginning at 7:00 PM on Saturday night, FireHouse will take the
stage, followed by Winger. Concert tickets are only $20 and are
available at the Clearfield County Fairgrounds office.
Running ‘Door to Door’ this season, come out and witness the
collision of rock-n-roll and stock car racing!
Visit
www.universeracing.net
for up to date information on the FireHouse Dodge Charger. For
the complete FireHouse touring schedule, please log on to
www.firehousemusic.com.
Information on the Central PA Outdoors and Sports Show can be
viewed at
www.centralpaoutdoorshow.com.
Running “Door to Door”, FIREHOUSE Teams up
with Universe Racing
BERWICK, PENNSYLVANIA- Like baseball and hotdogs, rock-n-roll
and auto racing go hand in hand. Keeping that tradition alive,
Universe Racing, an ARCA Racing Series Presented by RE/MAX and
Menards race team is pleased to announce its alliance and
marketing partnership with the multi-platinum recording band,
FireHouse for both ARCA events at Pocono International Raceway
this season. In conjunction with Tyler Jett Motorsports
Marketing, the partnership has been agreed upon, with the
possibility of the team running more than just the events at
Pocono this year.
Consisting of band members CJ Snare, Bill Leverty, Michael
Foster and Allen McKenzie, FireHouse has been a force on the
hard rock music scene for over two decades. Most fans remember
their rockin’ hits like “Don’t Treat me Bad”, “Love of a
Lifetime”, “Live my Life for You” and “When I Look Into Your
Eyes”, among others. After all of these years together, the band
continues to tour, make new music and entice new fans while
maintaining the same fan base they’ve had for years.
FireHouse are no strangers to auto racing. They have performed
at numerous racing events including Bristol Motor Speedway and
Iowa Speedway. Drummer, Michael Foster has always been an avid
fan of auto racing. Front man and Pennsylvania native, CJ Snare,
commented, “We are very proud to support Universe Racing. As a
young man growing up in PA, we always heard about the Pocono
Raceway and for Firehouse to play a small part in the races is
an honor. We are all race fans but by far the biggest fan is our
drummer, Michael Foster”, noted Snare.
Matter of fact, the band released “Door to Door” on their CD
labeled “Prime Time”. The song is specifically written around
racing. Along with many other FireHouse favorites, “Door to
Door” is available for download at iTunes.
Owned by Bronx, New York businessman, Tony Aquilino, Universe
Racing is entering its first season of competition with
Hazleton’s Steve Fox at the controls. Fox has over 30 years
under his belt in many forms of racing. He began racing
motorcycles and snowmobiles and has since competed at many local
short tracks in the Northeast. He also has a handful of ARCA
Racing Series starts at Pocono International Raceway, where he
is the General Manager for the Stock Car Racing Experience.
“This is great”, exclaimed Fox when asked about the newly formed
alliance. He continued, “I’m thrilled to be working with
FireHouse, one of my favorite bands. When FireHouse burst on the
scene in the 90s they really went right to the top. They have
proved that they have staying power with how popular they still
are today. I’m really looking forward to having a lot of fun
with this and I hope they are as well. Looks like this season
we’ll have to ‘Reach for the Sky’ “.
FireHouse will be in the Pocono area the night prior to the
Pennsylvania 125, which is slated for July 31. Along with Skid
Row, FireHouse will be performing at Penn’s Peak, a popular club
in nearby Jim Thorpe, PA.
With FireHouse Music on the hood of the
FireHouse Music Dodge Charger for both Pocono races this season,
and if agreed upon by the management at Penn’s Peak, Fox and
others from the Universe Racing team may be on hand at the Jim
Thorpe venue for concert-goers to check out the full bodied
stock car and the great rock band that helps support their
efforts in the ARCA Racing Series.
Both Fox and the entire Universe Racing team look forward to the
summer events at Pocono and hope to obtain backing to run more
races this season. Thanks to FireHouse, Universe Towing, Valve
Tech Sales and G-Force Racing Products, they’re off to a great
start.
Please visit
www.universeracing.net for more
information regarding Universe Racing and view the entire
FireHouse schedule at
www.FireHousemusic.com.
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Universe Racing Signs Tyler Jett
Motorsports Marketing to Handle Team PR
BRONX, New York (February 8, 2010)- Tyler Jett Motorsports
Marketing has been named the official PR and marketing company
for a new team in the ARCA Racing Series presented by RE/MAX and
Menards. Universe Racing and driver, Steve Fox, are looking
forward to a great 2010 season with the new addition to their
team.
Located in Berwick, Pa, Tyler Jett Motorsports Marketing will
focus on public relations, website maintenance and sponsorship
negotiations for the team. In conjunction with their marketing
efforts, specific events to showcase the team sponsors away from
the racetrack through media and corporate outings are the number
one priority.
Fox, who is no stranger to the ARCA Racing Series is excited to
compete in a handful of races this season and is very content
with the way Universe Racing is coming along.
“Probably the most important piece in this puzzle of putting a
team together, a PR and media person, is being handled by
someone who I know is the right choice, Gene at Tyler Jett
Motorsports Marketing. He really is top notch. I have dealt with
many people who try and work in the same field as Gene does and
I was impressed by him from the start”, noted Fox.
He continued by saying, “He is doing a great job for us and I
know he would do the same for any other team smart enough to
sign up with him.”
Although the team hasn’t landed a primary sponsor for their 2010
select schedule of events just yet, they’re thrilled to welcome
Valve Tech Sales, LLC, G-Force Racing Gear and Universe Towing
as associate sponsors so far this season.
Fox will take to the speedway for his first ARCA Racing Series
event of the season with the running of the Pocono 200 at Pocono
International Raceway in June.
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Universe Racing Gearing up for Partial 2010 ARCA Racing Series
Run
Bronx, NY- A
new ARCA Racing Series presented by RE/MAX and Menards
team will
compete part time in 2010. Owned by Bronx, NY businessman, Tony
Aquilino, Universe Racing is slated to make its first start this
summer at Pocono International Raceway with Steve Fox of
Hazleton behind the controls.
Fox has over 30 years under his belt in many forms of racing. He
started out racing motorcycles and snowmobiles and has competed
at many local short tracks in the Northeast. He also has a
handful of ARCA Racing Series starts at Pocono International,
where he is the General Manager for the Stock Car Racing
Experience. He has a SCCA National License and says road racing
is his second favorite behind the ARCA Series.
Both Aquilino and Fox are very excited about the upcoming
season. Fox has won races on two wheels and four, on dirt and
asphalt and both road courses and ovals. He hopes to see some
similar success in 2010 with their 2007 Dodge Charger. In
addition to races at Pocono, there’s a possibility that the team
will compete in other events if they can secure sponsorship.
“I’ve competed in a couple of ARCA Racing Series events in the
past and they are the best. From the other competitors to the
ARCA Racing Series officials to everyone involved, top notch
professionals all the way”, noted Fox. “In what other series can
a guy run some of the same tracks as the NASCAR boys, and still
be in front of the popular regional fan base”, he noted. “It’s
also a great opportunity for motorsports marketing with huge
rewards at a fraction of Sprint Cup sponsorship”.
For more information on Motorsports Marketing with Universe
Racing, dates on team and show car appearances and to keep up
with all that they have going on, visit
www.universeracing.net
or contact their PR and Media director at Tyler Jett Motorsports
Marketing.
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