RWMS News

Bookmark this page to get the latest and greatest news from RW Motorsports!

Toyota Partners with RW Motorsports RacingOne Report

Toyota announced that RW Motorsports, based in Fairmount, Ind., will be the first team to utilize Toyota 360 V8 engines in the 2008 USAC Silver Crown division.

The Toyota 360 V8 made its USAC Sprint Car debut on Turkey Night, November 22 at Irwindale Speedway. Bobby Santos III, driving a car entered by Western Speed Racing of Fresno, Calif., qualified 3rd and took the lead with nine laps to go in the 40-lap main event to post Toyota’s first-ever sprint car victory.

"We had already made the decision to go with Toyota power in our 2008 Silver Crown cars prior to Santos’

victory at Irwindale," stated RW Motorsports team owner Steve Weirich. "Seeing how competitive the engine was right out of the box obviously gives us a lot of confidence in that decision."

Les Unger, National Motorsports Manger for Toyota Motor Sales, USA welcomed RW Motorsports to an ever-growing list of teams who utilize Toyota race engines in USAC competition. "Steve has made a substantial commitment by converting his Silver Crown race team to 100% Toyota power," stated Unger. "We are extremely happy that a team the caliber of RW Motorsports will be the first to carry the Toyota brand into Silver Crown competition beginning in 2008."

"Turkey Night showed that the Toyota 360 V8 has a bright future in sprint car racing on the short tracks," added Gary Reed, vice president of Special Racing Projects at TRD, U.S.A. (Toyota Racing Development). "Now we’ll switch our development emphasis to working with RW Motorsports and our technical partners at Ed Pink Racing Engines to tune for the longer tracks, up to 1.5 miles in length, featured on the Silver Crown schedule."

LEDERACH, Penn. (June 27, 2007) – After driver Mat Neely’s solid run on Darlington Raceway’s pavement, both he and RW Motorsports (RWMS) teammate, veteran Jerry Coons, Jr. are ready to head east to Richmond International Raceway to compete during the Indy Racing League’s Sun Trust Indy Challenge this weekend, June 29 and 30.

Finishing fifth at Darlington Raceway in Darlington, S.C. during the NASCAR Nextel Cup weekend, Neely is heading into the event at RIR more confident in the C&R Racing, HG Associates Chevy-powered machine than he has been at any time since he took over driving duties of the #17 machine mid-way through the 2006 season.

“We ran so well at Darlington, and our practice and qualifying speeds and times have been improving,” said Neely. “I'm very confident that if we can stay out of trouble, we will have a solid run at Richmond—my goal is the podium.”

After an issue forced Coons to give up his second-place qualifying effort at Darlington to start at the tail of the field, he was able to forge an eleventh-place finish in the C&R Racing Stanton Mopar car. Veteran Mike Randol is serving as the crew chief on the #27 car, and he wants to get to Victory Lane just as bad as anyone.

“It was a very frustrating day at Darlington—we qualified so well but had to start at the rear of the field,” noted Coons. “I know that we have great equipment and I know that my Stanton Mopar puts out ample horsepower, we just need to transfer it to solid finishes.”

Scheduled to compete in the Hoosier Hundred at the Indiana State Fairgrounds during Indy 500 weekend, both of the RWMS drivers were in the top-five during practice when rains washed out the remainder of the program, which will not be rescheduled.

Both cars are prepared and crewed trackside by Scott Benic of Benic Enterprises, located in Fairmount, Indiana. Benic serves as the crew chief for the #17 car driven by Neely.

Rotondo Weirich (RW) is a specialty contractor that produces high quality, pre-finished, concrete housing modules. Over the past decade, RW has melded the qualities of a plant-based pre-cast operation with that of an onsite contractor to become the only company that mobilizes the entire production and finishing processes to the project site. RW's success with "on-site" production is proven in the nearly 55,000 modules which they have produced for projects located throughout the United States and internationally.

For more information on available partnerships with RWMS, contact MO Communications at marie.osborn@gmail.com or visit www.17racing.com. More information on Mat Neely can be found at www.matneely.com and more information on Jerry Coons, Jr. can be found at www.jerrycoonsjr.com.

RWMS Facts:

- Mat Neely garnered the lone USAC Silver Crown victory for RWMS in 2006 at the Mopar Thunder at the USAC Four-Crown Nationals in September, en route to winning the USAC Rookie of the Year award at the end of the season.

- Jerry Coons, Jr. was named the USAC National Midget Car Series champion in 2006, driving for Wilke-Pak Motorsports. Coons battled to three victories, all on dirt, on his road to the championship.

- RWMS turned to C&R Racing for their expansion to a two-car team for 2007. They also added Stanton's Mopar power to the second car for 2007.

- Benic Enterprises is responsible for the maintenance and preparation of both the #17 and #27 cars for the entire season.

- Coons is currently 13th in USAC K&N Filters Silver Crown series action, while Neely improved to 9th after the event at Darlington Raceway.

- Coons drives a C&R Racing machine with Stanton Mopar Power under the hood, and Neely’s car is a C&R Racing chassis with a HG Associates Chevy motor.

Coons and Neely Drive the RW Motorsports Team to the "USAC Silver Crown Showdown" at Darlington

LEDERACH, Penn. (May 8, 2007) – After a successful test earlier this season at Darlington Raceway in Darlington, South Carolina, RW Motorsports drivers Jerry Coons, Jr. and Mat Neely are looking to begin their ascent in the United States Auto Club (USAC) Silver Crown series points standings during the USAC Silver Crown Showdown at the Darlington Raceway this week.

Solidly putting his car on the outside pole at Iowa Speedway, Neely's day was cut short by a broken throttle linkage during the main event. While he had fallen back, he was starting to work his way back toward the front of the pack when the #17 machine had to be limped back to the pit area.

"We qualified well, and then a two dollar part broke and took us out of the race," said Neely. "It was by far nobody's fault, and obviously our HG Associates motor was strong, as we qualified on the outside pole at this fast, fast racetrack," finished Neely.

Qualifying fifth, Coons took advantage of his Stanton Mopar power to put his #27 C&R Racing car as close to the pole position as it's been all season long. However, on lap 78, Coons was forced to bring his car pitside, as his motor began to let go.

"It was a rough weekend for the RWMS team, and I know that we are all looking forward to going to Darlington," said Coons after the event at Newton, Iowa. Mat and I are both ready to start putting these cars in Victory Lane, as much for the team as us—Mike (Randol, Jerry's Crew Chief) and Scott (Benic, Mat's Crew Chief) and all of the guys have been working their tails off to make these go, so it's time to make it happen," continued Coons.

The USAC Silver Crown Showdown at Darlington Raceway is scheduled to kick off with practice at 12:15, qualifying at 5:30 and racing at 8:00 pm. The NASCAR Busch Series practices at 3:30, 4:30 and 6:30 pm. A complete schedule, maps and ticket information can be found at www.darlingtonraceway.com

Rotondo Weirich (RW) is a specialty contractor that produces high quality, pre-finished, concrete housing modules. Over the past decade, RW has melded the qualities of a plant-based pre-cast operation with that of an onsite contractor to become the only company that mobilizes the entire production and finishing processes to the project site. RW's success with "on-site" production is proven in the nearly 55,000 modules which they have produced for projects located throughout the United States and internationally.

For more information on available partnerships with RWMS, contact MO Communications at marie.osborn@gmail.com or visit www.17racing.com. More information on Mat Neely can be found at www.matneely.com and more information on Jerry Coons, Jr. can be found at www.jerrycoonsjr.com.

RWMS Facts:

- Mat Neely garnered the lone USAC Silver Crown victory for RWMS in 2006 at the Mopar Thunder at the USAC Four-Crown Nationals in September, en route to winning the USAC Rookie of the Year award at the end of the season.

- Jerry Coons, Jr. was named the USAC National Midget Car Series champion in 2006, driving for Wilke-Pak Motorsports. Coons battled to three victories, all on dirt, on his road to the championship.

- RWMS turned to C&R Racing for their expansion to a two-car team for 2007. They also added Stanton's Mopar power to the second car for 2007.

- Benic Enterprises is responsible for the maintenance and preparation of both the #17 and #27 cars for the entire season.

- Coons is currently 13th in USAC K&N Filters Silver Crown series action, while Neely is tied for 14th with Ryan Moore.

- Coons drives a C&R Racing machine with Stanton Mopar Power under the hood, and Neely's car is a C&R Racing chassis with a HG Associates Chevy motor.

LEDERACH, Penn. (March 20, 2007) – RW Motorsports (RWMS), of Lederach, Pennsylvania, returns to Homestead-Miami Speedway (HMS) this week bigger and better than the same event during the 2006 season. Showcasing two brand-new C&R Racing Inc. cars, along with drivers Mat Neely and Jerry Coons, Jr., the RWMS team is ready to continue their march to the United States Auto Club (USAC) Silver Crown Championship.

Neely, driving a C&R pavement car powered by a HG and Associates Chevy motor and Coons, driving a C&R car with a Stanton Mopar, are both confident in their new cars.

"I'm excited to take this new C&R to Miami with us," stated Neely. "We didn't make it for the Miami test last month, but we were able to test at Darlington, which gave me a chance to get comfortable in the new car."

With Scott Benic of Benic Enterprises serving as Neely's crew chief, it's a combination that proved potent during the 2006 USAC Sprint Car season, garnering the Buckeye Nationals crown, as well as two victories on the national circuit.

Coons, Jr., a long-time veteran of USAC open-wheel racing, will be behind the wheel of the second RWMS car, a C&R chassis with Stanton Mopar power under the hood.

"I'm looking forward to running at Miami," said Coons. "This track is fast, and I'm confident that the RWMS guys will be able to give me a car that I can take to the front."

Mike Randol, the crew chief for Coons, Jr., served as the crew chief for the single-car team for the 2006 season.

Rotondo Weirich (RW) is a specialty contractor that produces high quality, pre-finished, concrete housing modules. Over the past decade, RW has melded the qualities of a plant-based pre-cast operation with that of an onsite contractor to become the only company that mobilizes the entire production and finishing processes to the project site. RW's success with "on-site" production is proven in the nearly 55,000 modules which they have produced for projects located throughout the United States and internationally.

For more information on available partnerships with RWMS, contact MO Communications at marie.osborn@gmail.com or visit www.17racing.com. More information on Mat Neely can be found at www.matneely.com and more information on Jerry Coons, Jr. can be found at www.jerrycoonsjr.com.

RWMS Facts:

- Mat Neely garnered the lone USAC Silver Crown victory in 2006 at the Mopar Thunder at the USAC Four-Crown Nationals in September, en route to winning the USAC Rookie of the Year award at the end of the season.

- Jerry Coons, Jr. was named the USAC National Midget Car Series champion in 2006, driving for Wilke-Pak Motorsports. Coons battled to three victories, all on dirt, on his road to the championship.

- RWMS turned to C&R Racing for their expansion to a two-car team for 2007. They also added Stanton's Mopar power to the second car for 2007.

- Benic Enterprises is responsible for the maintenance and preparation of both the #17 and #27 cars for the entire season.

LEDERACH, Penn. (February 7, 2007) -- After ending the 2006 United States Auto Club (USAC) K&N Engineering Silver Crown season with a victory at the prestigious Mopar Thunder at the Four Crown Nationals, the RW Motorsports team looks to continue their success at the Copper on Dirt at Manzanita Speedway in Phoenix this weekend.

Mat Neely, of Robinson, Illinois, scored the lone victory for RWMS in 2006 and is looking to make it two victories in a row with a win this weekend at the famed half-mile speedway. In addition to the Four Crown Nationals victory, Neely was also named the 2006 USAC Silver Crown Series Rookie of the Year.

Jerry Coons, Jr. has signed on with RWMS for the 2007 season, tapped to pilot the second car on a full-time basis. Not only did Coons Jr, a Tucson native, earn the 2006 USAC National Midget Series title, he will also be piloting the Wilke-Pak Mopar midget for the Copper on Dirt event this weekend.

"I'm excited to be a part of the Copper on Dirt at Manzy this year with the RW team," stated Neely. "We couldn't have asked for a better finish to 2006, and I'm really hoping that we can keep it rolling in 2007," finished Neely.

With Scott Benic of Benic Enterprises handling the preparation and trackside maintenance of the equipment, the RWMS drivers know they can be the duo to beat at each and every Silver Crown event in 2007. Neely will be piloting the traditional #17 red, white and blue Beast chassis powered by HG Chevy and Coons will be behind the wheel of the #27 Beast/Stanton Mopar machine.

Rotondo Weirich (RW) is a specialty contractor that produces high quality, pre-finished, concrete housing modules. Over the past decade, RW has melded the qualities of a plant-based pre-cast operation with that of an onsite contractor to become the only company that mobilizes the entire production and finishing processes to the project site. RW's success with "on-site" production is proven in the nearly 55,000 modules which they have produced for projects located throughout the United States and internationally.

For more information on available partnerships with RWMS, contact Marie Osborn at marie.osborn@gmail.com or visit www.17racing.com. More information on Mat Neely can be found at www.matneely.com and more information on Jerry Coons, Jr. can be found at www.jerrycoonsjr.com.

LEDERACH, Penn. (December 26, 2006) -- After a good bit of off-season wheeling and dealing, RWMS has put in place all of the neccessary pieces to expand to a two car team for the complete '07 season. Having spent the last several weeks working out the details of the mechanics, motors, equipment and drivers required to make such a leap, we are set to make a run at the SC title.

First to the drivers... Looking forward to his first full season of Silver Crown action will be USAC's 2006 rookie of the year Mat Neely. Mat was last seen in September at dawn in Victory Lane at Eldora after dominating the Mopar 4 Crown Nationals and capping a run of 5 top ten finishes in 7 starts with RWMS after taking over the driving duties at ORP in August.

New to the RWMS Team this year is Jerry Coons Jr. from Tucson, AZ. He is the reigning USAC National Midget Champ and winner of 19 midget and/or Sprint features in '06.

For the equipment, Neely will start Manzanita in the traditional blue #17 Beast / HG Chevy and Coons in a new Beast / Stanton Mopar registered as #27. When we get to Homestead however, it will be new for both drivers as RWMS has recently inked a deal for C&R Racing to deliver two brand new SC pavement chassis' that will also run HG Chevy power in one and Stanton Mopar in the other.

All of the equipment will be prepared and crewed by Benic Enterprises of Fairmont, IN. Scott Benic will serve a Crew Chief for one team and Mike Randol the other.

Needless to say we could not be more excited about our program this year and can't wait to get to Manzanita.