Team CTR Thread

ChargerTec Racing is now "Team CTR"

ChargerTec Industries, LLC is no longer in control of the team which bore its name. The company, which is facing financial troubles, released the team into the control of Tom Bennett and Silvio Franco, team managers. They have since declared that the team will be known as "Team Connecticut Racing" in keeping with its abbreviation and its location. All driver contracts will be honored.

As a result, the team has renamed its current CRL and M-Pire Developmental Teams to "CTR Development".

Joe Olenick, lead driver for the team, has stated that "the current year's been...well, a bit challenging to say the least. But Tom and Silvio know what they're doing so I'm confident we're going to continue to do well. It's a good change."

(OOC: Mostly because I'm bored, but partly because my real-life job is facing financial issues and reality is a good inspiration)

Mixed bag at Spa

The 2012 Spa Grand Prix was a mixed bag for the CTR bunch. Joe Olenick seemed to have a faster car and was working his way forward when Patrick Arceneau, the current Dash Cup points leader, turned Olenick's STS Arrow and spun them both hard into the tires. Olenick climbed out and walked to the garage to watch the conclusion of the race.

Jess Zander, meanwhile, avoided trouble (despite it seeming to break out all around her) several times to finish in 11th. Zander avoided making many of the mistakes that other debutante drivers made, and kept her #92 STS clean.

ASCC and CRL Successes Prompting Expansion?

With the ASCC and CRL programs delivering wins and strong finishes thus far into the season, Team CTR will likely be expanding. Reports are that the team is considering fielding two cars in either the CRL or ASCC, and will attempt to field cars in most of the mid-tier racing series.

"We're not looking to enter the TM Master Cup just yet," said Tom Bennett, "but we're certainly seeing ARLA and Dash Cup as attractive options for some new development programs."

When asked about the status of the RROL team, Bennett was less than enthusiastic.

"To be honest, that series is such a mess we're not sure what to do. If we can become more competitive there, we'll stay around next year; there's really no decision to be made until the season is over."

With rumors that Zander will be moved into one of the upper-tier series (likely Dash Cup) and Olenick will be attempting a part-time ARLA schedule in addition to his ASCC duties, Team CTR will be looking to make big gains in 2013.

It's Official: Team CTR will Join the Dash Cup in 2013

CTR Development will open a team in the European-based Dash Cup series. The team, which will be headquartered in Prato, Italy, will field two cars: the full-time #23 Covidien STS Arrow for American Jess Zander, and the part-time #06 Tim Horton's STS for Canadian Tyson Lautenschlager.

Said Tom Bennett "We believe the Dash Cup is a great opportunity for our drivers to hone their skills. We're especially lucky to have a talent like Tyson come on board, as his extensive racing experience will help us get pointed in the right direction."

RROL Update: LaVerne and Zander Break Through at Martinsville

Team CTR had the best day of its maiden RROL season, with Henrietta LaVerne and Jess Zander both top tens, and LaVerne locking up the team's first ever podium in the series.

The team will be looking to improve on this strong run quickly to attract a new driver to fill Jess Zander's seat in the 34 when she moves to the European Dash Cup series in 2013. LaVerne is still safe with the team "if she wants to return", as team officials have stated in the press; they are reportedly very happy with both drivers' progress so far.

Olenick Misses the Field at Indianapolis

Current ASCC driver Joe Olenick missed the cut for the TM Master Cup Series Round of Indianapolis. Olenick, driving the #06 Azzatek Matthews M12 Aspira, finished 38th in the 42 car field for the qualifying race, six spots shy of transferring into the main show.

Matthews Motorsports team owner Ryan Matthews stated, "I really thought we'd have had a good shot at making the race after our pre-qualifying gift [of Cody Keaton failing tech]. It wasn't meant to be, I guess."

"We'll try it again at Decatur," he added. "That place has been lucky for us in the past, so who knows."

The soft-spoken Olenick stated that "I didn't get the job done, but we'll try again at Decatur" before wishing his fellow ASCC drivers (including former TM Master Cup champion Tony Durbin) the best of luck.

Move to Lenard in Dash Cup a "Sign of Things to Come"?

With Team CTR moving to Lenard for the 2013 Dash Cup season, the team has been relatively silent on the issue.

"We won't tell you what to make of this, you're capable of doing that yourselves," said current ASCC driver Joe Olenick, who drives a Bolden Chaser in that series.

Current rumors say the team will switch to the Lenard R20 Cheyenne chassis over the 2012 - 2013 offseason in all series; however, neither Lenard nor CTR officials were willing to comment on the story.

Team CTR/CTR Development to Honor Victims of Newtown Tragedy

The Connecticut-based team, located just 20 minutes from the Sandy Hook Elementary school, will have honor the victims of the tragedy on all of their 2013 ASCC, NRC and CRL liveries.

"Being so close to it makes it all the harder to fathom," Joe Olenick said in an interview, "We're going to do what we can to make sure these kids are not forgotten."

The team offered no further comment at this time.

(This story is retroactive to the Hanmore World Championships)

Joe Olenick Releases Statement on Hanmore World Championships

"I would like to keep this brief. Not because that's my 'thing', as the media has dubbed it, but because in the face of this latest tragedy, words - especially my words - feel meaningless.

The Matthews family and myself have become good friends over this past season. I've had the good fortune to work with both Ryan and Tiffany while preparing for both the unsuccessful Karjala bid and the close run at Indianapolis. That's what makes the unfortunate events that took place in Texas all the more painful to have witnessed.

Tyson and I only met a few times as he was preparing for the 2013 Dash Cup season. I wish I could say I knew him as well as many other people have. He was focused and driven, and I could tell he was genuinely enthusiastic about running with us in 2013.

I want to extend my deepest condolences to Ryan, Kellan and the Lautenschlager family. I know it doesn't mean much, but I also want all of you to know that if you need anything from myself, Jess [Zander, RROL driver] or Team CTR, we will do everything in our power to oblige and help you.

We've lost seven drivers in the last two years. All of us involved in the racing community need to demand that things start getting better, because they can't get much worse."

Post retroactive to Decatur

Olenick Makes the Decatur Field, Finishes 23rd in Master Cup Debut

Team CTR driver Joe Olenick made his TM Master Cup Series debut in the season finale at Decatur raceway. Olenick, driving for Matthews Motorsports, worked his way from 39th to finish 23rd on the day.

"It was a great run. We kept our car clean and out of trouble. Ryan [Matthews] and the guys gave us great equipment to work with," Olenick said in an interview after the race.

CTR Wants to Sign...TOM DELGADO??

The hottest rumor surrounding the 2013 ASCC Season is the purported return of The American Devil, Tom Delgado. Delgado has said his interest is "exploratory", but the New York driver has landed squarely on Team CTR's radar.

"If Tom wants to give the ASCC a shot, we would love to make it happen," Team President Tom Bennett said in a radio interview. "Obviously it's a risk, but with Joe [Olenick] running so well, we think adding Tom to our stable would be a risk well worth taking."

The team has stressed that there have been no official talks between the two parties at this time, and that all the rumors were still just rumors. Still, as Olenick pointed out, "Sometimes rumors create the truth."

(OOC: Just having fun with the storyline for now)