ROMANO MOVES TO SECOND IN NASCAR LATE MODEL CHAMPIONSHIP

ATHERTON, CALIFORNIA (July 19, 2011) – 20 year-old Nik Romano added to his impressive 2011 rookie season in the NASCAR Late Models at TOYOTA Speedway by finishing second in Saturday night’s 40 lap feature in Irwindale, Calif.  The Ron Sutton’s Winner’s Circle development driver is en route to his fifth career Rookie of the Year title driving the #51 NASCAR Late Model for Tim Huddleston’s High Point Racing.

This is Romano’s fourth season in the Ron Sutton’s Winner’s Circle program, which develops drivers for a career in motorsports after an extensive application and tryout process.  Romano joined the program in 2008 when he began in Formula Fords before advancing through USAC Ford Focus Midgets and NASCAR Modifieds before arriving in the NASCAR Late Models.

Romano came into Saturday night’s events with four straight podium finishes including his first NASCAR Late Model win on June 11.  The 2010 NASCAR Modified Rookie of the Year qualified third with an 18.898 second lap around the state of the art half-mile oval.

Competing against a strong 21 car field, Romano maintained second place throughout the entire feature although he was unable to close in on teammate and race leader Brandon Davis.  Davis went on to a three second victory over Romano for a High Point Racing 1-2 finish.

Romano trails behind points leader Davis by 48 points as the season continues this Saturday night July 23 with another main event on tap.  The second place finish also boosts Romano in the NASCAR Whelen All- American Series national standings.

“Consistency is the key to success in NASCAR racing and Nik has demonstrated that,” Driver Coach Ron Sutton said.  “Nik has put himself in striking distance of the points lead and is ready to capitalize!”

Race fans can follow Nik Romano at www.nikromano.com

Nik Romano Racing and Ron Sutton’s Winner’s Circle thank partners: Dr. John Romano Cosmetic Surgery, ROMOLD, MTFX Graphics, Dr. Glass, Bretco Trucking, K&N Filters, Scribner Plastics, Allstar Performance, Sunoco Race Fuels and Star Racing Supply.

For more information on Ron Sutton’s Winner’s Circle, log on to www.winners-circle-racing.com

About Ron Sutton’s Winner’s Circle:

Ron Sutton's Winner's Circle is an established talent scout and development program, providing long term, comprehensive racing and career development for up and coming drivers focused on professional Stock Car careers. RSWC drivers are raced, coached, groomed, trained and molded, within a professional racing environment, into what top teams look for when hiring drivers. Drivers involved in the program race in a variety of cars, including USAC Young Guns Focus Midgets, USAC Ford Focus Midgets, NASCAR Grand American Modifieds, NASCAR Late Model stock cars and NASCAR K&N Pro Series stock cars.