January 3, 2011 | 2:55 P.M. EST
The ARCA Racing Series recently tested tires at Daytona International Speedway. (Photo: DIS)
With the holidays in the rearview mirror, all eyes now turn to Daytona International Speedway, where the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards will kick off its 59th consecutive season of competition on Saturday, February 12. While Danica Mania garnered the lion’s share of the media attention last year, in the end, the cameras had no choice but to point toward series veteran Bobby Gerhart, who picked up a record sixth victory at the “World Center of Racing.”
Prior to the race, ARCA teams have the option to participate in a three-day open test at Daytona on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, January 11-13.
Gerhart, whose ARCA tenure reaches back to 1988, has always fielded his own team. The annual open test at Daytona has proven critical, if not paramount to Gerhart’s success.
“We always come out with some very positive info,” said Gerhart. “We know our set-up is very solid for the race. We understand our baseline very well, but there are so many small adjustments anymore on these cars that translate into on-track performance. It’s those several incremental adjustments that we gain on going to these tests.
“Overall, the information we’ve gleaned from the tests has worked for us, so we’re not going to try and fix it.”
This year’s 48th annual Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 marks Gerhart’s 24th consecutive ARCA race at Daytona, an all-time record among all drivers. In addition to his six wins, he has four Menards Pole Awards and has led in 11 of the last 13 races at Daytona. Gerhart also qualified on the front row six times and has started no worse than eighth since 1998.��
“I’ve been swinging my own bat for a long time. I’m obviously very involved financially myself. And with my businesses at home, all with their own challenges, it’s tough to keep everything going. Having said all that, we should be as strong as we’ve ever been at Daytona. I can’t wait to drive the rig through the gates. It’s just what I need right now.”
Other drivers expected to test for the season opener include rookie Ty Dillon, grandson of Richard Childress, as well as series veterans Mark Thompson, Chad McCumbee, Frank Kimmel, and Tom Hessert, who recently announced that he will drive for Ken Schrader Racing in 2011.
ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards
Open Testing, Daytona International Speedway (January 11-13)
Tentative Entry List
No.����� Driver�����������������������Team��
1���������Chad McCumbee��������� Andy Belmont Racing
1���������Chad McCumbee��������� Andy Belmont Racing
2�������� Kevin Swindell�������������Eddie Sharp Racing
3�������� Brent Brevak����������������Brevak Racing
5�������� Bobby Gerhart Bobby���Gerhart Racing
5�������� Bobby Gerhart Bobby�� Gerhart Racing
5�������� Brian Smith Bobby������ Gerhart Racing
6�������� Jason Bowles�������������� Eddie Sharp Racing�
10������ Ed Pompa������������������� Fast Track Racing�
10�������Rick Clifton������������������Fast Track Racing�
11������ Bryan Silas������������������ Fast Track Racing�
12������ Maryeve DuFault���������� Tony Marks Racing
12������ Chase Austin����������������Tony Marks Racing
12������ Jared Marks�����������������Tony Marks Racing
14������ John Graham�������������� Andy Belmont Racing
14������ John Ferrier�����������������Andy Belmont Racing
15������� Kyle Fowler�����������������Venturini Motorsports
16������ Randy Renfro�������������� Coulter Motorsports
16������ Joey Coulter�����������������Coulter Motorsports
17������ Chris Buescher������������� Roulo Brothers Racing
18������ Ryan Glenski�����������������Fast Track Racing�
18������ Tyler Speer������������������ Fast Track Racing�
21������ Todd Bowsher�������������� Mooi Motorsports�
23������ Rob Jones���������������������Hixson Motorsports
25������ TBA�����������������������������Venturini Motorsports
28������ Tony Clark��������������������Hixson Motorsports
31������ Tim George Jr.������������� Richard Childress Racing
32������ TBA�����������������������������Win-Tron Racing�
36������ TBA�����������������������������Jam Motorsports
41������ Ty Dillon��������������������� Richard Childress Racing
42������ Scott Stenzel�����������������Spraker Racing�
42������ Joey Gase���������������������Spraker Racing�
42������ TBA�����������������������������Spraker Racing�
44������ Frank Kimmel����������������Kimmel Racing
48������ James Hylton����������������Hylton Motorsports
49������ Jimmie Nowell������������� Nowell Racing
52������ Tom Hessert�����������������Schrader Racing�
54������ Will Vaught������������������ Vaught Racing�
55������ TBA�����������������������������Venturini Motorsports
58������ Chad Hackenbracht��������CGH Motorsports�
62������ Drew Charleson�������������Hollenbeck Motorsports�
63������ Brian Rose��������������������Sheltra Motorsports�
66������ Mark Thompson������������Venturini Motorsports
68������ Steve Blackburn�������������Blackburn Motorsports�
73������ John Sendo������������������ Stratus Motorsports�
75������ Hannah Baker��������������� BS Motorsports�
75������ Benny Chastain������������� BS Motorsports�
77������ TBA�����������������������������Cunningham Motorsports�
82������ Sean Corr���������������������Empire Racing�
95������ Tommy Joe�Martins�������Martins Motorsports�
97������ Matt Lofton������������������ Strutmasters Racing�
08������ James Hylton����������������Hylton Motorsports
09������ Grant Enfinger�
���������� Miguel Paludo�������������� Red Horse Racing��
���������� Brent Cross����������������� Cross Motorsports�
���������� Brett Hudson����������������Russell Henderson�
���������� Ricky Byers������������������BS Motorsports��
���������� Hal Martin������������������� Venturini Motorsports
�
MotorRacingNetwork.com: News
- November 30, 2010 | 2:19 P.M. EST The Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 will open the season for ARCA on Feb. 12 at Daytona Int'l Speedway. (Photo: ARCA R...
- By: Pete Pistone on December 16, 2010 | 3:41 P.M. EST Drivers spent two days testing tires at Daytona International Speedway. (Photo: DIS) ...
- December 15, 2010 | 8:47 P.M. EST Drivers turned laps on the storied 2.5-mile-tri-oval in both single car and drafting sessions. ...
Source: http://www.zimbio.com/MotoGP/articles/GG6kffDt6_E/Daytona+Testing+on+Tap
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