Alger, WA—August 24, 2007--By: Tony Veneziano, World of Outlaws PR Director
 
After missing the last three World of Outlaws events due to a concussion sustained at the Knoxville Nationals, Chad Kemenah and the Hard 8 Racing team will return to action today at Skagit Speedway in Washington as part of the 2007 Gold Rush Tour. Last season at the high-banked 3/10-mile, the reigning World of Outlaws Kevin Gobrecht Rookie of the Year finished fifth on both nights of racing.
 
In addition to returning to the track, Hard 8 Racing also announced that Kemenah will finish the season in the No. 8K car and also will be the full-time driver of the machine next season on the complete World of Outlaws circuit.
 
Kemenah, a native of Findlay, Ohio joined the team in early July after Kevin Gobrecht Rookie of the Year contender Zach Chappell of Talala, Oklahoma sustained an injury to his left knee that eventually required extensive surgery. Chappell, a former American Sprint Car Series (ASCS) National Champion is still recovering from the surgery.
 
"Zach and I had lunch the other day where he informed me that his doctor wants him on crutches for one more month," explained Jon Kantor, owner of Hard 8 Racing. "At this point Zach doesn't know if he can even walk pain free. Zach did not cause this scenario to unfold the way it has, his injury did. I feel bad for him. He is an excellent driver with great personal character as well and hopefully a bright racing future ahead of him. I asked him to remain a part of the Hard 8 Racing family and he indicated that he would." 
 
Kemenah has two straight Top-10 finishes with the team, including a third-place performance at K-C Raceway in Ohio and a sixth-place effort in his last World of Outlaws event at Charter Raceway in Wisconsin, which wrapped up the "Summer of Money" on ESPN2. Paired with veteran crew chief Ray Brooks, Kemenah continues to mesh with the team, as they continue to grow on and off the track.
 
"Ray and I determined that due to Zach's unavailability and Chad's early success with Hard 8 that our team's future would be enhanced significantly with a driver of Chad's status," said Kantor. "It makes us an instant contender every night we race. Chad's racing family brings a lot of positive benefit to Hard 8. He makes us more marketable as we move closer to securing sponsorship for the balance of this season and for the upcoming 2008 WoO campaign."
 
Kantor, who is a very successful businessman, and has built Hard 8 Racing from the ground up, noted that the team will continue to stand behind Chappell 100 percent in his recovery.
 
"Zach did not getfiredfrom his ride," reiterated Kantor. "I had to make a difficult decision that was inevitably going to hurt someone. It is never easy, especially when you are dealing with good people."
 
In an effort to continue growing as a team, Hard 8 Racing also has purchased the assets of Toni Lutar Racing. The team will now utilize a 53-foot Featherlite Super-Stacker Trailer that will allow them to transport two additional race ready sprint cars, as well as storage capacity for two extra engines and spare parts.
 
"Right now we are set to start the season next year right now," said Brooks. "Chad is back 100 percent now. We took a little time off to let him heal up. With the purchase of Toni Lutar's equipment we are certainly a stronger team. We are knocking on the door and cannot wait to get a shot at running up front."
 
The team has two Top-Five finishes on the season, with Chappell earning a career-best fifth in his first visit to Tri-State (Ind.) Speedway earlier in the season and Kemenah earning a third-place finish at K-C Raceway in his home state of Ohio. Also, Chappell set fast time in time trials twice this season with the team at Lake Ozark Speedway in Missouri and at Tri-City Speedway in Illinois, where he set a new track record.
 
Kemenah has 10 Top-10 finishes on the season, driving for three different teams, including his own. He is glad to now be able to focus entirely on racing and know that he will have all the tools he needs to win races this season and next.
 
"We're ready to get back racing," said Kemenah. "They wanted me to take a few extra days when we got out of the hospital at Knoxville. My mind is at ease and I can concentrate on racing the rest of the year. We've had some pretty good runs and Jon (Kantor) has gone the extra mile to help us get what we need to compete at the level we are trying to compete at. That's the main thing in this game."
 
The Hard 8 Racing team will be back in action for the first time since the Knoxville Nationals on Friday, August 24 and Saturday, August 25 at Skagit Speedway as part of the 2007 Gold Rush for the World of Outlaws, with both nights being taped for broadcast on SPEED.