(TOLEDO, Ohio - October 11, 2012) - ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards points leader Chris Buescher holds a significant lead in the R.E. Lightning Challenge and is close to clinching the $2500 award for the 2012 season.

Buescher (No. 17 Roulo Brothers Racing Ford) leads Alex Bowman by 290 points in the special award category. In 18 races so far, Buescher has compiled 3140 in-race points, just higher than Bowman's 2850.

The R.E. Lightning Challenge is presented to the driver with the most points as tabulated from race finishes only, provided the driver carries a Racing Electronics decal on their car. Qualifying and lap leader bonuses are not included in R.E. Lightning Challenge scoring, so 200 is the maximum point total for any driver in a single race.

Buescher has series highs of four wins and 12 top-five finishes this season, and his total of 15 top-10s is tied with Frank Kimmel - currently second in overall points - as the highest in the series. Currently, the 19-year-old from Prosper, Texas has the best average finishing position - 5.8 - of the 22 drivers who have made at least 10 starts this year.

Matt Lofton is third with 2690 points, ahead of Chad Hackenbracht (2665) and Tom Hessert (2310).

In addition to its role as an Official Company of the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards, Racing Electronics manufactures and supplies a complete line of race communication products and accessories and has been serving the professional drivers and pit crews, as well as the race fan, for more than 20 years.

In addition to its worldwide headquarters and full showroom in Concord, N.C., Racing Electronics has mobile offices at ARCA and NASCAR events, as well as at events from numerous other series.

The DuQuoin State Fairgrounds dirt in Illinois will host ARCA on Sunday, October 14, in a makeup of the rained-out Southern Illinois 100 presented by Federated Car Care from Labor Day weekend.

ARCARacing.com will feature live timing and scoring coverage throughout the day, and ARCA Racing Network hosts Charlie Krall and Tim Clagg will deliver a live audio call for the 3 p.m. ET (2 p.m. local) race on the site.

Five days later - on Friday, October 19 - the season will close in the Kansas Lottery 98.9 at Kansas Speedway, with race action starting at 8:30 p.m. ET (7:30 p.m. local) on SPEED. ARCARacing.com will also feature live timing and scoring coverage for the season finale.