KINGSPORT, TN (8/14/11) – Making only his third career asphalt start, and first with Coulter Motorsports as part of their esteemed Driver Development Program, Eric Turner’s true grit and determination turned head’s at Kingsport Speedway. Piloting the No. 16 The Great American Dirt Track, Thermal Core Chevrolet Impala SS in Saturday’s (8/13) UARA-STARS Courtesy Chevrolet 150, Turner finished an impressive eighth and enroot to his first career UARA top-ten finish, was awarded the Holley Performer of the Race award.

“We couldn’t be more proud of Eric and the tremendous effort he put forward during the entire race weekend,” commented Coulter Motorsports crew chief Jon Wolfe. “He gave great feedback and really adapted quickly to pavement racing in theses UARA cars. Everyone at Coulter Motorsports looks forward to working with Eric in the future, and having the chance to put him in victory lane.”

Turner and his Coulter Motorsports team, participated in the UARA-STARS open test session Friday (8/12) at Kingsport, to allow the Springfield, MO dirt-track star, more time to adapt to the new car and track. Turner did just that, logging over 100 laps in the afternoon session, and placing times towards the top of the board. Friday’s test closely correlated to Saturday’s practice sessions, as once again Turner continued to log laps, working on race runs with Wolfe, in preparation for the evenings 150 lap race. Sunoco Pole Qualifying followed the day’s practices, where Turner would place his No. 16 The Great American Dirt Track, Thermal Core Chevrolet Impala SS in 17^th after running a fast lap of 15.701 seconds at 85.983 MPH.

After taking the green flag to start the UARA-STARS Courtesy Chevrolet 150, Turner setout to prove his tremendous dirt-track experience could translate to his new found love of pavement racing, by earning the respect of his new peers and garnering a top-ten finish. Battling the tight .4-mile oval, some of the fiercest competitors in short-track racing and numerous cautions, eventually leading to a green-white-checkered finish, Turner realized all of his lofty goals, crossing the finish late Saturday night in eighth place, without a scratch on the car.

In lieu of such a hard fought, well deserved finish, UARA-STARS officials, along with presenting sponsor Holley, awarded the Coulter Motorsports Development Driver the prestigious Holley Performer of the Race award.

“I can’t begin to thank Coulter Motorsports enough for this amazing opportunity,” said Turner. “Everyone on the crew made me feel right at home and took me under their wing, and these boys provided me with an awesome racecar. I cannot wait to get back in this UARA-STARS late model and compete for the win. I also want to thank my sponsors, The Great American Dirt Track and Thermal Core, without them none of this would be possible.”

In 2011, Coulter Motorsports has competed with their No. 16 Chevrolet in the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards, along with their No. 16 Chevrolet in the UARA-STARS Series. Opportunities to become part of one of the most respected Driver Development Programs and gain valuable seat time in either the ARCA Racing and/or UARA-STARS Series still exists for the 2011 season and all interested parties are encouraged to contact Coulter Motorsports.

MEDIA CONTACT

Nic Moncher

Coulter Motorsports

Director of Public Relations/Driver Development

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