Cypress, Calif. – January 4, 2007 Nitto® Tire North America proudly announces Bob Shepard’s, partnership with Arciero-Miller Racing. Nitto is the primary sponsor of Arciero-Miller for the 2007 season. The Arciero-Miller team will campaign Nitto’s Grappler™ tire line, which they helped test and develop, for the six SCORE races.
Bob Shepard started racing motorcycles, but quickly transitioned to SCORE. He worked up the classes, winning several races, including the 2004 Baja 500. Shepard ventured into SCORE’s prestigious Trophy Truck class in 2005. As a rookie he won both the Baja 1000 and the Trophy Truck championship. In 2006 he continued to prove himself, winning the Primm 300 despite drawing the dreaded last position.
Shepard joins Ryan Arciero, and Mark Miller, who combined have more than 40 years of racing experience. Ryan Arciero has claimed the podium 18 times in the past five years. Mark Miller, began riding in SCORE in 1979 and won his first Baja 1000 in 1981. The Arciero-Miller team has taken home back-to-back wins in the Trophy Truck class in the Baja 500 in 2002 and 2003 and the Baja 1000 in 2003 and 2004. Nitto looks forward to the team’s continued success in 2007 with Shepard on board.
“We’re looking forward to having Bob Shepard join us and the Arciero-Miller team this season. His skills, experience and determination will be a great asset to us,” stated Jonathan Ozeretny, Marketing Supervisor for Nitto Tire.
Arciero-Miller Racing is equally optimistic about the venture. “We are so excited to have the opportunity to bring Bob on as part of the Arciero-Miller family,” said Co-Team Owner, Mark Miller. “He has demonstrated that he is an exceptional driver and will make a great partner.” Teammate Ryan Arciero agrees, “I am very excited to get the 2007 season underway. We now have the opportunity to run all six races in the SCORE season, which will showcase how good the Grappler Series tire is from the deserts of Nevada to the brutal terrain of Baja. It is an honor to be teamed up this year with Bob Shepard. I have so much respect for him and his abilities as a driver. I think the two of us are going to make a great combination this season.”
Look for Arciero-Miller Racing and Nitto Tire Chevrolet Trophy Truck at all six SCORE events held later this year, beginning with the Laughlin Desert Challenge held January 18-21, 2007. The team will campaign the Race-Spec Dune Grappler™ tire they helped test and develop. This specialty tire is engineered to resist punctures and withstand the brutal desert conditions in Baja, Mexico. Nitto has also developed a consumer line of Grappler tires, which are available in retail stores.
Nitto Tire North America develops performance tires for all uses, including racing, off-road and street. Using state-of-the-art manufacturing and testing facilities in both Japan and the United States, the company strives to provide innovative and high-quality performance tires for the most demanding enthusiasts. For more information about Nitto Tire or its products, visit the company’s web site or contact the company directly. Nitto and Grappler tires are registered trademarks of Nitto Tire North America, Inc., located at 6021 Katella Ave., Suite 250, Cypress, CA 90630.
