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Amber Balcaen to Race for Martin-McClure Racing in NASCAR K&N Pro Series East for 2017
Abingdon, VA – February 1, 2017
Martin-McClure Racing, owned by former NASCAR Xfinity Series drivers Hal Martin and Eric McClure, announced today that Amber Balcaen has joined the organization for the 2017 NASCAR K&N Pro Series East season beginning with the Jet Tools 150 at New Smyrna Speedway on February 19, 2017. Balcaen will pilot the No. 39 Shead Racing, Glen McLeod & Son Transportation, and Winner’s Circle Sports Bar Toyota Camry in the season-opening event.
Balcaen, who hails from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, is a third-generation driver who began her racing career at the age of 10 in dirt oval karting. Among Balcaen’s accolades include the 2014 NOSA Sprint Car Rookie of the Year Award, as well as distinction as the only Canadian driver to compete in the 2014 NASCAR Drive for Diversity Combine and the 2015 Bill McAnally Racing Drivers Expo. Balcaen most recently competed in the NASCAR Whelen All American Series where she was awarded the Motor Mile Rookie of the Year honors in 2016 after securing her first NASCAR-sanctioned win at the same track. Balcaen now has aspirations of being the first woman to win a NASCAR K&N Pro Series East event.
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Eric McClure:
“As a father of six (soon to be seven) daughters, having a female driver in our car strikes a personal chord with me. I want my girls to grow up knowing that if they dream big and work hard they can achieve anything. Having Amber living this before our eyes proves this is true to my daughters as well as thousands of other young female race fans. Beyond being a female driver, Amber is a talented athlete and will continue to do impressive things behind the wheel as she moves forward in her career and as a competitor in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East.”
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Hal Martin:
“Amber has proven herself to be a fierce competitor in the NASCAR Whelen All American Series. She also exhibited extreme car control during her days as a sprint car driver. We welcome her and her diverse skills set to the MMR organization and are excited to be able to field a strong female competitor on the track. I look forward to working with her as she continues to hone her craft and work her way up the NASCAR ranks.”
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Amber Balcaen:
“What an amazing opportunity Martin-McClure Racing has given me in the season opening race at New Smyrna in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East. This will be the pinnacle point in launching my NASCAR career. I am putting a ton of pressure on myself as I want to do well and prove that a Canadian woman driver belongs here.
I am so thankful for Shead Racing, Glen McLeod & Son Transportation, and Winner’s Circle Sports Bar joining the MMR team later this month. I’m focused on a successful race, and looking forward to having additional partners join us for the rest of the race season.”
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About Martin-McClure Racing:
Martin-McClure Racing is a NASCAR K&N Pro Series team that was created with the objective of providing a competitive, professional NASCAR team for up-and-coming drivers to showcase their talents under the guidance of former NASCAR Xfinity Series drivers Eric McClure and Hal Martin. The race-winning organization is based in Abingdon, VA and housed in the former Morgan-McClure Motorsports complex.
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