(TOLEDO, Ohio) – Officials from the Automobile Racing Club of America (ARCA) and Cars and Stars Promotions (CSP) announced today a formal partnership to bring the Midwest Tour – a Midwestern-based, pavement super late model series – under ARCA sanction.

The ARCA Midwest Tour presented by SCAG Power Equipment and Lester Buildings will make stops at 11 different tracks in 2013, spanning Wisconsin, Illinois, and Minnesota. The sanctioning agreement between ARCA and CSP reflects ARCA’s interests in supporting and strengthening the sport of stock car racing.

“We respect what Tim Olson and Steve Einhaus have established and developed with the Midwest Late Model Tour, and their long-term dedication to the sport,” said Ron Drager, president and CEO of ARCA. “Their decision to join efforts with ARCA and our sanctioned properties is gratifying.

“We’ve worked hard to establish and build the ARCA brand over 60 years in the sport, and while we’re proud of our history, we strive to be relevant and vital today and into the future. From several perspectives, the Midwest Tour joining our family of ARCA properties fits both companies’ future strategic plans, and we look forward to working with Tim and Steve in 2013 and beyond.”

The newly-branded tour, founded in 2006 by short track racing veterans Tim Olson and Steve Einhaus and formerly known as the ASA Midwest Tour, is based in Lake Geneva, Wis. The ARCA Midwest Tour joins the ARCA CRA Super Series and ARCA Truck Series on a developmental level to support ARCA’s top division, the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards.

The Midwest Tour races at historic venues such as the Milwaukee Mile, the LaCrosse Fairgrounds, Madison International Speedway, and Elko Speedway. Major events like the 2012 Howie Lettow Memorial at the Milwaukee Mile brought a record 80 entries and over 12,000 fans.

“We are really excited for our next chapter of Cars and Stars Promotions,” said Tim Olson, president of CSP. “We feel this will give our competitors an easier path to the top levels of the racing industry, creating a natural progression from the short tracks of the Midwest to the high banks of Daytona. Our future with ARCA as our sanctioning body will bring lots of excitement to everyone involved.”

A unique aspect to the series is its “Touring Stars” program, which recognizes the top drivers committed to racing the entire Midwest Tour schedule. Touring Stars are featured throughout the year in promotion of the series and are eligible for pay bonuses. Additionally, at each track the series visits, there exists a local super late model division with an identical rules package developed by the Midwest Tour. Local racing heroes are able to compete against the tour’s traveling stars, creating fan excitement and a loyal following.

Many of racing’s top stars have appeared in the Midwest Tour, including Matt Kenseth, Rusty Wallace, Tony Stewart, Kyle Busch, Ken Schrader, Aric Almirola, David Ragan, David Stremme, Kelly Bires, Kevin Harvick, Landon Cassill, Jeff Green, Ron Hornaday, Travis Kvapil, Todd Kluever, Johnny Sauter, Erik Darnell, Scott Wimmer, Tim Sauter, Jay Sauter, Dick Trickle, and Rich Bickle.

“We couldn’t be more excited about our future with ARCA and the extensive marketing opportunities that they bring to the table to make our series stronger,” said Steve Einhaus, vice president of CSP. “We were ready to take this series to the next level and it’s clear that our partnership with ARCA will strengthen our marketing package and provide our race teams with extensive promotion and opportunities to advance their racing careers. This partnership makes super late model racing stronger than ever and we are very pleased to be joining the ARCA family.”

Super late models used in the ARCA Midwest Tour will follow composite ABC body rules and straight rail chassis specifications. Engine specifications range from a 10:5.1 compression aluminum concept engine (ACE) to an open 9:5.1 and spec-style engines, with tight specifics regulated by the builders and the series. Weight packages range from 2750-2800 lbs., with the cost-effective 4412 carburetor required, designed to provide longer lasting engine performance while keeping expenses under control.

The partnership will provide participants in the ARCA Midwest Tour with ARCA member benefits, including Participant Accident Insurance. ARCA will provide public relations, race operations, and marketing support to its new formal partner, while expanding and strengthening an already strong developmental racing base.

For more on CSP, please find information at Facebook.com/midwesttour and/or Twitter.com/midwesttour.

Founded by John and Mildred Marcum in 1953 in Toledo, Ohio, the Automobile Racing Club of America (ARCA) is recognized among the leading sanctioning bodies in the country. Closing in on completing its sixth decade after hundreds of thousands of miles of racing, ARCA administers over 100 race events each season in four professional touring series and local weekly events.

More information about ARCA is available at ARCARacing.com, on Twitter at Twitter.com/ARCA_Racing, or on Facebook at Facebook.com/ARCARacing.