Category: Other Series Racing

LAKE BALBOA, CALIF.(February 9, 2011)– Joey Licata, Jr. has announced that WRONG Clothing will sponsor his #77 Cunningham Motorsports Dodge in his ARCA Racing Series debut at Daytona International Speedway on February 12th.  

W.R.O.N.G. (World Riders on New Ground) is a company embedded in the surf, skate, and MX markets for those who “go big and invent new challenges.”  Licata’s debut at Daytona will be his chance to go big as he looks to challenge for the win as a rookie.  

The ARCA Racing Series cars travel at speeds nearing 200 miles per hour at the newly repaved Daytona International Speedway.  Licata ran the sixth fastest lap in the Daytona testing sessions, with an average speed of 185.670 around the 2.5 mile “world center of speed.”  

“I am excited to begin this new relationship with W.R.O.N.G. Clothing,” Licata said.  “This is a great fit for me and I am proud to represent them in the world of stock car racing.”  

Race fans can tune in to SPEED live on Saturday at 1 p.m.Pacific time for the “Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200” to see Licata driving the W.R.O.N.G. Dodge.  

“I am hoping that the ARCA and NASCAR fans will get behind W.R.O.N.G. as they help support our awesome sport!” Licata said.   Licata, 19, is a member of the Ron Sutton’s Winner’s Circle driver development program based in Sacramento, CA.  Ron Sutton’s Winner’s Circle is a NASCAR-oriented program that works with an international roster of talented drivers who have the commitment and potential to succeed in NASCAR racing.  

Licata is a six-time IKF Grand National champion and two-time ASA TRUCK SERIES champion.  Throughout his career he has accumulated 90+ wins.  

Joey Licata, Jr. Racing and Ron Sutton’s Winner’s Circle thank partners: W.R.O.N.G. Clothing, K&N Filters, Scribner Plastics, Allstar Performance, Sunoco Race Fuels, and Star Racing Supply.  Licata would also like to thank supporters Jordan Kidushim and Luke Forstmann.  

Joey Licata, Jr. Racing is online at www.joeylicata.com   For more information on Ron Sutton’s Winner’s Circle, log on to www.winners-circle-racing.com

The No. 63 CITGO Dodge is looking for a strong start to kick-off 2011 racing season DAYTONA BEACH, FL  (February 8, 2011) – Milka Duno may be an ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards rookie, but she is certainly no ordinary rookie driver. As a record-setting, winning driver in the American Le Mans Series and Rolex Sports Car Series, as well as an IndyCar Series competitor, the Venezuelan-native has proven she has what it takes to get to the front of the field. Duno comes to Daytona with a championship team, championship crew chief and the 2010 ARCA Racing Series champion, Patrick Sheltra, as team owner.  Combined, Duno and the Sheltra Motorsports team will be ones to watch when the green flag drops on the Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 Saturday, February 12th at Daytona International Speedway. In 2007, with a 2nd-place overall result, Duno earned the highest finish ever by a female driver in the history of the legendary 24 Hours of Daytona.   Duno took to Daytona International Speedway’s high-banks during the ARCA Racing Series test in January making a strong showing with the Sheltra Motorsports team.  While much of the three-day test session was devoted to single car runs and getting Duno reacquainted to a stockcar, she ended the test session 13th on the speed charts in a field of 58 drivers.  “I’m very excited to get to Daytona,” said Duno. “The team has worked very hard since the test in preparation for the race.  We are looking forward to a good result this weekend at the Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200.”   With only one previous start in the ARCA Racing Series (Daytona, 2010), Duno will be sure to rely on advice from team owner, 2010 champion Patrick Sheltra, to help get her No. 63 Dodge to the front of the pack.  “Daytona is tricky,” said the current champion, Sheltra. “I enjoy the superspeedways and will be there to give Milka all the help I can give to get her to the finish line first.  Jon Wolfe (crew chief) is one of the best at what he does, and we have the same crew we won the championship with last year. Milka will have a great opportunity to bring home a good finish.”   Milka Duno and the No. 63 CITGO Dodge Fast Facts: Duno at Daytona:  Duno made her ARCA Racing Series debut at Daytona’s 2.5-mile Superspeedway in 2010.  Luck was not on Duno’s side as she was the victim of a lap six wreck that relegated her to a 43rd-place finish. This Week’s Dodge:  Milka Duno will be piloting chassis No. SM. 001 at Daytona International Speedway. This chassis came from Richard Childress Racing and was converted to a Dodge.  Patrick Sheltra last used this car to score a fifth-place finish at Daytona and a second-place finish at Talladega Superspeedway in 2010. CITGO Did You Know?: CITGO is more than just your friendly neighborhood gas station providing a good deal on good fuel. CITGO is also major supplier and refining giant with a directly owned or operated refining capacity of 750,000 barrels per day. For more information about CITGO logon to www.citgo.com. Autographs:  Fans will have the chance to meet Milka Duno and all of their favorite ARCA Racing Series drivers on Saturday, February 12 from 12:30 – 2:00 p.m. EST during an all-access open garage. Keep Up With Milka: Want to learn more about Milka Duno?  Logon to her official website at www.milkaduno.com.    Tune In: The green flag will drop for the start of the Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 at 4:30 p.m. EST. ARCARacing.com will have live audio and timing and scoring coverage with SPEED carrying the live race broadcast beginning at 4:30 p.m. EST. Crew Chief Jon Wolfe on Daytona Expectations: “I am looking forward to helping Milka gain valuable rookie experience in the ARCA season opener at Daytona.  A top-10 finish would be a really good, realistic goal for us. With the new track surface and the different strategies that will play out now, really anything is possible. I was encouraged with Milka’s progress during the test, and I’m looking forward to a great weekend.”  ###

About Sheltra Motorsports: Sheltra Motorsports, established in 2007, is in the midst of its fifth season of ARCA Racing Series competition.  Owned by Florida-native, Patrick Sheltra, the owner-driver team captured the 2010 ARCA Racing Series driver and owner’s championship titles on the strength of two wins, 12 top-fives and 17 top-10 finishes in 20 events.  Sheltra Motorsports is headquartered in Mooresville, N.C., with additional operations in Indiana and Florida.  For more information, visit www.sheltramotorsports.com.  About CITGO: CITGO, based in Houston, is a refiner, transporter and marketer of transportation fuels, lubricants, petrochemicals and other industrial products.  The CITGO familiar orange and blue triangle has been an enduring American success story since 1910.  Today CITGO operates nearly 7000 gas stations owned by a loyal group of 800 local business men and women.  CITGO has given back to the communities of the USA and the world through its Simón Bolívar Foundation.   For more information visit www.citgo.com

DAYTONA BEACH, Florida (February 9, 2011) – – The Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 is the Automobile Racing Club of America’s (ARCA) version of the Daytona 500, the Super Bowl of Stock Car Racing and with Stuart, Florida native nestled just two and a half hours away from the 2.5-mile superspeedway, it’s no wonder he has already been tapped as a pre-race favorite for the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards season opener at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway.  

And, if he isn’t a pre-race favorite because of his notoriety of being a native of the Sunshine State, his team’s announcement of hoisting the historic National Speed Sport News (NSSN), America’s Motorsports Authority as the primary sponsor on the team’s No. 11 Ford Fusion in Saturday afternoon’s race is bound to draw some attention which equals waives of new fan support.

Silas, always known for being one of the series’ most popular drivers will help spread the word of Andy Hillenburg’s Fast Track Blue Collar Hero Driver Challenge presented by Speed Sport News.

Andy Hillenburg’s Fast Track Blue Collar Hero Driver Challenge presented by Speed Sport News is the newest creation in an effort to find racing’s next future star. Set to begin in March and conclude in June at the track known as “The Little Rock” in Rockingham, North Carolina, the challenge is out to breed the next up-and-comers, who will have one shot during the three month contest (25 days of competition will be held during the three month run) and advance from a Fast Track High Performance Driving School car to a full-executed ARCA Racing Series stock car against one of racing’s finest stars all in one day. The overall winner will be approved to compete in ARCA’s return to Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis for the running of the Ansell Protective Gloves 200 on Thursday, July 28, 2011 live on SPEED. The best part is, it’s affordable!  

“What an honor it is to be associated with a respectable and award-winning organization like National Speed Sport News,” said Silas, who will make his fifth career start at the 2.5-mile superspeedway Saturday. “Also, what a neat idea Andy (Hillenburg) has created with the Fast Track Blue Collar Hero Driver Challenge. It’s an affordable contest with unimaginable results. Andy has always been on the racer’s side and this challenge fits right into his platform. I’m just thrilled to be associated with it.”

The ARCA pro knows that in order to put his owner’s newest conception into the spotlight, he must have an equal performance from last February. After qualifying a stout and superspeedway career-best of fifth, the Fast Track Racing pilot survived the chaos of the 80-lap event to notch a ninth place finish, his best ever on the 2.5-mile oval.

Silas speaks out freely about last year and how important it would be to kick off his fifth season of ARCA competition again in the right direction. “Last year was a lot of fun,” added Silas, who will make his 92^nd ARCA start this weekend. “We had a good car and were able to capitalize on a strong weekend with a top-10 finish. This year, I’m looking for a little bit more as far as our finishing position is concerned. I’m hoping we can sneak in a top-five or maybe even earn that first win!”

Should Silas be able to pull off the biggest win in his racing career by capturing the checkered flag in the Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200, the splashing of Gatorade and cheers and celebration from victory lane would be nothing new to the Fast Track Racing team as two-time DIS winner and former ARCA champion Andy Hillenburg will return to his duties as the primary spotter for the 23-year old sensation.

“It’s always refreshing to have Andy spot,” Silas mentioned. “He brings a sense of calmness over the radio, especially in a very intense and demanding type of race like Daytona. Dave (McClure) will crew chief the car this weekend, so it’s going to feel like old times again. I’m looking forward to having some fun and hopefully kick off the 2011 race season in S-T-Y-L-E!”

Rockingham (N.C) Speedway join National Speed Sport News as an additional sponsor of Silas’s Ford Fusion.

The Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 at Daytona (80 laps / 200 miles) is the first of 19 events on the 2011 ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards schedule. The 48^th ARCA race held at Daytona is a three-day show. Practice begins Thursday, February 10 with a four hour practice session planned from 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Menards pole qualifying presented by Ansell is set for Friday, February 11 slated to begin at 2:00 p.m. A forty-five minute final practice session is etched in on Saturday, February 12^th from 10:00 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. The event will take the green flag later that day shortly after 4:30 p.m. The race will be televised live on SPEED with additional race coverage including live timing and scoring and radio broadcast through the ARCA Racing Network (ARN) online at arcaracing.com.  All times are local.

For more on Bryan Silas please visit, BryanSilasRacing.com.

For additional information on Andy Hillenburg’s Fast Track Blue Collar Hero Driver Challenge presented by Speed Sport News, please visit FastTrackRacing.com or call 704.455.1700. Hurry fast, because space is limited for this opportunity of a lifetime!

Be sure to get in the groove with NSSN and click online at NationalSpeedSportNews.com.

PHOTO CAPTION: Bryan Silas, driver of the No. 11 National Speed Sport News / Visit NSSN Online / Rockingham Speedway Ford Fusion.

DRIVER CONTACT:

NAME: Chris Knight, Knight Motorsports Management  

PHONE: 239.834.9797

EMAIL:  chris@chrisknightpr.com

FAST TRACK HIGH PERFORMANCE DRIVING SCHOOL CONTACT:

NAME: Christa Bowsher, Fast Track High Performance Driving School

PHONE: 704.907.4631

EMAIL:  Christabowsher21@aol.com

Jason Bowles will take to the track for his ARCA Racing Series debut this week at Daytona International Speedway. The Ontario, Calif., native will pilot the No. 6 Rusty Wallace Racing Experience Toyota Camry for Eddie Sharp Racing.
 

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Toyota All-Star Showdown Champion: Bowles started the 2011 racing season with a win in the Toyota All-Star Showdown at Irwindale Speedway.  The race for the victory came down to the last restart, where Bowles lined up second with seven laps remaining in the 225-lap race. Holding off NASCAR Canadian Tire Series Champion DJ Kennington, Bowles had a great jump on the restart and took the checkered flag for the championship victory.
 
ARCA Racing Series Debut: Bowles will make his entrance into the ARCA Racing Series at DIS. The event, which will also be Bowles’ first event at DIS, will not be his first time on the newly-paved track. Bowles and the ESR team tested at the 2.5-mile speedway in January to prepare for the event.
 
Team ESR: Bowles will reunite with Eddie Sharp Racing for the ARCA Racing Series event. Last season, Bowles piloted the No. 46 ESR Toyota Tundra at Texas Motor Speedway in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series event.
 
Experience: Bowles is coming off a busy 2010 season. He competed in the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and NASCAR K&N West Series. The driver competed in the K&N West Series full-time from 2007-2009 with nine wins, 10 poles, 26 top-fives, 32 top-10s, 2007 NASCAR K&N Pro Series West Sunoco Rookie of the Year and the 2009 Championship. Bowles also made history in 2009 with an average finish of 4.2, the best in series history since 1995 for drivers with 13 or more starts. Bowles began racing go-karts in 1994 and gained experience driving in the Cooper Tires Zetec Championship and Grand-Am Cup ST class. Bowles soon transitioned from open-wheel racing to stock cars and competed in late models and the NASCAR K&N West Series.
 
Rusty Wallace Racing Experience: The Rusty Wallace Racing Experience operates a one-of-a-kind racing school at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, Calif. The school utilizes NASCAR COT Sprint Cup cars and Triad Racing Technologies Sprint Cup engines incorporates a spotter-driver system instead of the traditional lead-follow format of other schools. The authentic racing experience takes the driver to his or her limits at speeds over 175 mph. For more information, check out www.racewithrusty.com
 
Follow the Action:  Get live updates from the track throughout the weekend at www.facebook.com/teamesrand www.twitter.com/TeamESR. Follow Jason at www.twitter.com/bowlesjason.
 
Tune-In: The Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 will be broadcast live on SPEED at 4:30 p.m. EST on Feb. 12, 2011. Fans can also catch the audio broadcast locally on WNDB 1150 AM in Daytona Beach, Fla. Live scoring, timing and audio will also be available on ARCARacing.com throughout the week.
 

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Bowles on Racing at Daytona:
“I’m really looking forward to carrying momentum from the Toyota All-Star Showdown victory to Daytona with Eddie Sharp Racing and the No. 6 team. The test went really well in Daytona and gave me the chance to test out the draft, which I hadn’t experienced at a superspeedway.”
 
On the Biggest Challenge of Racing at Daytona;
“The biggest challenge is going to be the draft – getting someone you work really well with out there and making sure that you are in the right place at the right time, especially at the end of the race. Superspeedway racing is like a chess match, and I’m really looking forward to it.”

Overcomes odds with a little help from his friends to get to Daytona MOORESVILLE, N.C.  (February 7, 2011) – Darrell Basham has been a fixture in the ARCA Racing series presented by Menards garage since 1972, but after he lost almost everything in a mid-November race shop fire, Basham thought his racing career had come to a heartbreaking halt.  When Basham rolls into Daytona’s famed 2.5-mile Superspeedway for the Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 on Saturday, Feb. 12, it will be thanks to the help and hearts of the ARCA community. While Basham was away, his race shop erupted in flames, burning to the ground.  Losing almost everything, he was faced with the harsh reality that his 30-year racing career, could be coming to an end. Doubtful for the future, Basham’s faith was restored when he received an unexpected phone call from a fellow member of the ARCA family.   “My building burnt down over the weekend,” explained Basham. “That Monday, Monday morning, Andy (Belmont) called me and said, ‘We’re going to get you to Daytona, trust me. We’re going to get you to Daytona. I’ve already talked to Nick Ramey (Roush/Yates Engines) about you.’” Belmont, who knows all about keeping racing in the family, has two of his sons getting in on the act this weekend at DIS. Andrew and Kyle Belmont will be teaming up together to tackle crew chief and car chief responsibilities for the No. 34 Industrial Depot Ford.   “Whatever he (Belmont) can help me with I’ll take his advice, he’s a good racer,” said Basham. “I really like Andy as a person, and I love his kids. He’s got the best kids that ever lived. They’re great.”   Running a superspeedway car given to him by Andy Belmont Racing equipped with an engine Roush/Yates Engines donated, Basham comes to Daytona with renewed spirit and high hopes for a good finish.  “I’m excited about this- this is better equipment than I have ever owned. We have a Roush/ Yates engine, which are some of the best out there. I have some pretty high expectations with this car, and I think I am going to be able to pass some cars this year.”   Darrell Basham and the No. 34 Industrial Tools Ford Fast Facts: Basham at Daytona: DarrellBasham has made 10 starts at Daytona International Speedway throughout his ARCA Racing Series career.  To date, The Henryville, Ind. native has two ninth-place finishes at DIS (1976, 2009).   A Family Affair: Continuing the tradition of Belmont’s family-run team, Andrew and Kyle Belmont will be splitting crew chief and car chief duties on the No. 34 Industrial Deport Ford for the Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200. At only 18 and 16 years old, Andrew and Kyle are sure to be the youngest crew chief/car chief combo in the garage but certainly not the most inexperienced.  This Week’s Ford:  Darrell Basham will be piloting the car named “Christi”. It was formerly a Yates car that was purchased from Christi Passmore. This car has been driven in the ARCA series by Brett Butler and Andy Belmont. The body was a lift- off body from Wood Brothers/JTG Daugherty racing.   Industrial Depot On Board: Basham will sport Industrial Depot on his Ford at Daytona International Speedway.  Industrial Depot and Andy Belmont Racing have had a long-standing relationship, but this will be the first time they are on the hood of an ABR car as primary sponsor.  Autographs:  Fans will have the chance to meet Darrell Basham and all of their favorite ARCA Racing Series drivers on Saturday, February 12 from 12:30 – 2:00 p.m. EST during an all-access open garage. Follow Andy Belmont Racing: Follow Andy Belmont Racing at the track or in the race shop by logging on to facebook.com/Andy-Belmont-Racing/250609156945. Follow every race weekend for live updates and photos from the track and throughout the race.  Tune In: The green flag will drop for the start of the Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 at 4:30 p.m. EST. ARCARacing.com will have live audio and timing and scoring coverage with SPEED carrying the live race broadcast beginning at 4:30 p.m. EST. Basham Explains: It was a group effort to get to Daytona: “My building burnt down over the weekend. That Monday, Monday morning Andy called me and said ‘We’re going to get you to Daytona, trust me. We’re going to get you to Daytona. I’ve already talked to Nick Ramey about you.’ I was really, really down. And I just said Andy, let’s just see what happens and he said look, let me make this offer to you. I’ve got a car and I’ve already talked to Nick, he’s going to work on a motor and maybe we can get it and maybe we can’t. So, that made me feel some better but he can’t do that. How are you going to get all this together? I needed transmissions and gears and he did it. It’s beyond me that anyone would have enough goodness in their heart to do this. Andy and Nick together made this happen. I sure hope I don’t tear his whole car up.”   Kyle Belmont, Crew Chief/ Car Chief, on goals for the No. 34 for Daytona: “We hope to keep him out of trouble. We already have a game plan set up for how the race is going to go and what we are doing for practice and because it is Daytona you kind of just run what you got.” ###

About Andy Belmont Racing: Andy Belmont Racing (andybelmont.com) currently fields race cars in the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards.  ABR race cars have been winning races and championships for nearly 35 years.  Currently, the team fields a full-time ARCA Racing series for two-time ARCA winner and NASCAR standout Chad McCumbee in the No. 1 ModSpace Ford Fusion, John Ferrier in the CGS Imaging Ford and Darrell Basham in the Industrial Depot 34 Ford Fusion. About Industrial Depot:  Open since 1973, The Industrial Depot is dedicated to providing all fastener, hardware and shop supply needs.  For more information on the Industrial Depot and Andy Belmont’s race team, please visit:  http://theindustrialdepot.com.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Florida (February 9, 2011) – – Gus Dean may not be a familiar face when racing begins this Friday night at New Smyrna (Fla.) Speedway for the 45th Annual World Series. However, Dean will be surrounded by plenty of experience and knowledge, which should accelerate his learning curve and put him in contention in some of the tightest short track racing in the world over a period of nine days.

  Dean, a promising driver from Bluffton, South Carolina will be guided by USARacing Series Pro Cup veteran A.J. Frank, who for the last six months or so has managed the role as team manager at the shop and crew chief and driver coach at the race track. While Dean hasn’t competed in Annual World Series before, the rookie is taking his lack of experience in stride knowing that he has the comfort in one of the most respected short track racers in the Southeast.

  “I’m very blessed to have A.J. not only as my crew chief and driver coach but as my friend,” said Dean, who first started racing at the tender age of six. “He is such a joy to be around and really has made me become aware of my surroundings inside and outside of a race car. I feel very comfortable going to New Smyrna this week knowing that he’s on my side.”   Indeed, comfortable is a word that the former Allison Legacy Series (ALS) pilot can grasp. With nine tenacious nights ahead of him in all forms of short track racing, Dean plans to earn his respect while not forgetting the real reason that his Gus Dean Racing (GDR) team made the trip to the Sunshine State.

  “We are going to New Smyrna with the intentions that we can run strong and (hopefully) be a factor,” added Dean, who in 2007 earned American Kart Racing Association’s Junior II National Points Series Championship. “We’re sticking to our guns of knowing that if we can keep our nose clean and stay out of trouble, we should be able to improve over the course of the next week or so and let everyone know that we were there at least.”

  Frank praised his young driver’s ambition to get the job done behind the wheel. “Gus is a very smart and dedicated young man,” sounded Frank, who plans to return to racing himself in the USARacing Pro Cup Series in 2011. “He has that “want” when it comes to being a race car driver. Patience will probably be the most annoying word he will hear at New Smyrna, but there is a method to that madness. Keeping our car together will allow us to race more; thus giving Gus the seat time he needs.”   Frank, the Bluffton, South Carolina added, “Realistically, I think we can go run in the top-10 every night and surely you would like to think you can get a top-five or two and maybe even sneak in a win. These races won’t be a piece of cake though. They are short and very demanding races. Gus will learn a lot that will not only help him for the rest of his trip at New Smyrna but for the rest of the racing season as well.”

  In his lone short track venture at Concord (N.C.) Speedway last year, Dean entered the garage showing he meant business. Quickly gaining speed and comfort with the treacherous short track, Dean qualified his machine an impressive eighth and was running in the top six before the engine seized, yielding a disappointing finish.

  In the loosest sense of the word, Dean is hoping to make up for that lost momentum at New Smyrna (Fla.) Speedway.

  “I know I would not be racing without the help of support of our sponsors,” the youngster said. “Whirlpool Cooling and Heating, MODOC Research Group and The CornerStone Grill have been huge supporters of this team and have allowed us the opportunity to go to New Smyrna and try and turn some heads. My goal is to try and bring them home a finish (no matter where that may be) that they will be satisfied with.”

  Ironically, Dean will be carrying the No. 56, the same signage for Frank in the USARacing Pro Cup Series. “The 56 was available and I respect A.J. a lot, so I’m running the number in his honor,” insisted Dean. “He has been a part of our family for a long time now. My family helped support his dirt racing career in the late 1990s and now he’s giving back by helping me. The circle in a racing family doesn’t get any better than this!”

  In addition to Late Model competition at New Smyrna (Fla.) Speedway, Dean and Co. will run in the PASS South Series and other Super Late Model (SLM) events across the Southeast all year long.

  For more on Gus Dean, please visit GusDean.com.   For additional input on Whirlpool Cooling and Heating, please logon to WhirlpoolHVAC.com.

DAYTONA BEACH, Florida (February 8, 2011) – – For Benny Gordon, it’s an opportunity of a life time. For Grant Enfinger Racing (GER), it’s a chance to step up to the plate. This Saturday when the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards takes the green flag at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway, Gordon will pilot the No. 09 VSI Ford Fusion with all intentions of putting the Grant Enfinger-owned automobile in victory lane.

Set to make his ARCA debut at “The World Center of Racing”, Gordon, a famed competitor in the USARacing Pro Cup Series returns to the 2.5-mile superspeedway on the heels of setting the fastest time at the official ARCA DIS test just three weeks ago. Not to mention, Gordon will have his biggest cheerleader actually competing in the race as car owner Grant Enfinger will drive a car fielded by 2008 ARCA championship team, Allgaier Motorsports.

Howard Bixman, the team’s crew chief also hopes to guide Gordon to victory circle in his ARCA debut, the first time that would happen since Matt Hawkins succeeded in 2008 at Iowa Speedway.

“We’re hoping for a real strong weekend for the Grant Enfinger Racing Ford Fusion,” said Bixman. “Benny (Gordon) did a tremendous job last month along with this entire GER team. We have since put a lot of time into this car along with the ROUSHYATES Engine program to find a little more speed that will give us that little extra push for the race.”

He continued, “While our focus and attention will be on Benny and the No. 09 VSI Ford Fusion, we’re also going to be keeping our eyes on that No. 36 with Grant (Enfinger) and hoping that the two cars can work together and maybe pull off one of the best finishes in ARCA history.”

Bixman concluded by saying, “without a second thought, this will probably be one of the most competitive and most nerve racking ARCA races ever held at Daytona. The track is incredibly smooth since it’s been re-paved which pretty much throws handling and tires out the window. The race will be determined by smart driving and being at the right place at the right time.”

“It’s going to be fun racing against my own car,” said Enfinger, who nearly soared to victory lane in Gordon’s machine at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway last April. “I know Benny is going to do a great job for my team and our sponsors. Hopefully all the cards will pan out and we can hook-up at the end and be the duo that everyone is chasing.”

Enfinger concluded “I’m very thankful for all our marketing partners that support us, Beasley Allen Law Firm, ROUSHYATES Engines, ROUUSHYATES Performance Parts, FORD Racing and Stanley Industries.”  

The Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 at Daytona (80 laps / 200 miles) is the first of 19 events on the 2011 ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards schedule. The 48^th ARCA race held at Daytona is a three-day show. Practice begins Thursday, February 10 with a four hour practice session planned from 1:00-5:00 p.m. Menards pole qualifying presented by Ansell is set for Friday, February 11 slated to begin at 2:00 p.m. A forty-five minute final practice session is etched in on Saturday, February 12^th from 10:00 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. The event will take the green flag later that day shortly after 4:30 p.m. The race will be televised live on SPEED with additional race coverage including live timing and scoring and radio broadcast through the ARCA Racing Network (ARN) online at arcaracing.com.  All times are local.

PHOTO CAPTION: The No. 09 VSI Ford Fusion for Grant Enfinger Racing (GER) powered by ROUSHYATES Engines driven by Benny Gordon.

DAYTONA BEACH, Florida (February 8, 2011) – – Louisville, Kentucky native Brian Rose will make an emotional return to Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway for the first time since 2002 Saturday afternoon when the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards waives the green flag on their 2011 season-opener for the Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200.

Nearly 10 years ago, Rose made his impression in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) driving the No. 4 SunClear Energy Dodge Ram for Bobby Hamilton Racing (BHR). After qualifying a stout third, Rose led several laps and found himself in contention for his first career NASCAR victory. However, with less than 10 laps remaining, Rose found himself shuffled out of contention and had to settle for fourth.

Switching from trucks to cars and reuniting with his former crew chief Danny Rollins, the duo will look to pull off an upset Saturday afternoon when Brian Rose Motorsports makes its inaugural ARCA Racing Series debut in the No. 19 Team ASE / Harris Trucking Toyota Camry.

The team participated in the open ARCA test at the “World Center of Racing” last month and it was apparent that the sidekicks had not lost any of their momentum. After playing conservatively early, the team turned up the wick and immediately bolted one of the fastest laps of the week.

Deciding to play it safe, the team elected to load up their hauler and trek back home and make the final touches on their Japanese nameplate while also scooping out the perfect race strategy.

“I’m excited about this weekend,” said Rose, who holds 41 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series starts to his credit. “This is my first go-around in ARCA, but I really feel like we’re going to have a shot at winning the race on Saturday. Danny (Rollins) and the boys have done an incredible job with this Toyota and I’m looking forward to see how she performs under race conditions.”

What some might not know is that Rose was curious about what to expect when he climbed in his Team ASE / Harris Trucking Toyota Camry during the test. The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series did not require restrictor plates while the stock-cars of the ARCA Racing Series do which immediately demands a different driving style. It took Rose about two laps to be accustomed to the new challenge, but quickly that became something of the past.

“It was a little different at first,” said Rose referring to the restrictor plate, which is designed to decrease the speed of the cars. “Danny (Rollins, crew chief) was quick to get on the radio and let me know what I was doing wrong. Quickly, I figured it out.”

When asked about his fondest memory of Daytona, Rose quietly replied, “You can never forget the voice of Bobby Hamilton Sr.,” he said. “You knew he meant business and he was a racer. He told me what to do and I knew I had to do it. He was right because doing exactly what he told me to do delivered a strong finish at Daytona.”

Rose drove for Hamilton Sr. in 2002 before the NASCAR icon passed away in 2005 after a stint with neck cancer. The Brian Rose Motorsports team will race in his honor Saturday.

The ARCA season kicks off a busy season for the newly formed Brian Rose Motorsports. In conjunction with the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards, BRM will participate in select NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS), NASCAR Nationwide Series (NNS) and Late Model events all in hopes of a full-time touring schedule in 2012.

“In my books, the ARCA Racing Series opens the door to the new racing season. I’ve watched the series grow tremendously over the last couple of years and I expect nothing but a very intense and competitive race. The fans will be standing till the end, guaranteed.”

Lawton Insurance, Battomi and West Coast Autosource join Team ASE and Harris Trucking as associate marketing partners on the No. 19 Brian Rose Motorsports Toyota Camry.

The Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 at Daytona (80 laps / 200 miles) is the first of 19 events on the 2011 ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards schedule. The 48^th ARCA race held at Daytona is a three-day show. Practice begins Thursday, February 10 with a four hour practice session planned from 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Menards pole qualifying presented by Ansell is set for Friday, February 11 slated to begin at 2:00 p.m. A forty-five minute final practice session is etched in on Saturday, February 12^th from 10:00 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. The event will take the green flag later that day shortly after 4:30 p.m. The race will be televised live on SPEED with additional race coverage including live timing and scoring and radio broadcast through the ARCA Racing Network (ARN) online at arcaracing.com.  All times are local.

More information on Brian Rose, Brian Rose Motorsports and marketing partnership inquiries, please visit the all-new BrianRoseMotorsports.com.