Silas Reels In Top-15 At Toledo

Topics:  Bryan Silas, Hantz Group 200

Chris Knight
Stott Classic Racing
May 22, 2007

Rookie Maintains 10th In Points Heading Into Iowa

TOLEDO, Ohio (May 22, 2007) - - After a couple tough finishes, ARCA RE/MAX Series rookie Bryan Silas rebounded nicely with a top-15 performance in Sunday’s Hantz Group 200 by Federated Auto Care.

The Florida native heading into the eighth race on the ’07 schedule looking to use the strength and confidence on a solid showing in his second NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series showing at Lowe’s Motor Speedway this past Friday. With confidence on his side, Silas was all-smiles heading into practice.

In practice, Silas maneuvered the 27th fastest effort with a lap of 17.769 seconds at 101.300 MPH but the practice was filled with some emotion. Silas made contact with the wall during the late minutes of the session causing both front and rear damage to his No. 11 Chevrolet Monte Carlo.

Following practice, the rookie brought his machine to the attention of his crew where they quickly went to work repairing his automobile. The team performed in spectacular fashion allowing their driver to make a time trials attempt during ARCA SIM Factory qualifying. While his lap put him 30th on the grid, Silas would have to refer to a provisional to make his second career start at Toledo .

Despite starting deep in the pack, Silas was feeling comfortable about the handling of his Fast Track Racing prepared machine and it showed in the early stages of the event.

Silas quickly and quietly began making a charge towards the front. Moving himself into the top-20, nearing lap fifty, Silas’s day changed during the team’s first round of pit stops. A problem on the right side kept the team on pit road for two laps taking Silas from the lead lap and away from his first possible victory.

A frustrated Silas remained calm and collective on the radio during the restart reminding his crew that he was going to keep the car clean and finish the race.

He did that with flying colors. Silas’s hard work paid off crossing the line 15th giving the Stuart, Florida native his best finish since Salem Speedway where he collected a career-best eighth place finish.

“It was a solid day,” said Silas emerging from his car. “We had some problems on pit road but we’re a rookie team. I made a rookie mistake on Saturday; they made one during the race. It’s going to happen. It’s just part of the game. We rebounded nicely and the car is intact. We just have to strive for a better performance all the way around when we go to Iowa .”

“I want to thank all of our sponsors for coming onboard especially our local supporters CoZmedic Surgery Associates and Hair Loss Treatment Centers who came on board at Toledo . I’m sorry we didn’t bring them a top-10 finish, but we definitely tried.”

Silas continued, “I didn’t like Toledo very much after the incident in practice, but I’m feeling a little better about the place with our finish. I personally bettered my finish at Toledo , so that’s a good thing. I know we’re coming back here to finish the season off, I’m looking forward to it.”

With his solid performance at Toledo , Silas remains 10th in the ARS championship standings but closed the gap to ninth place runner Patrick Sheltra. Silas sits now just 65 points from overtaking that position.

Next up for the ARCA RE/MAX Series is the return to Iowa Speedway. Before invading the track for the ninth race on the 2007 ARCA RE/MAX Series schedule, the team will enjoy a weekend off before returning to action for three straight weeks of racing. The second annual Prairie Meadows 250 is set for Saturday, June 2, 2007 at 8:00 PM live on SPEED.

For more on Bryan Silas please visit, BryanSilasRacing.com

Visit Fast Track Racing on the web at, FastTrackRacing.com

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NOTE TO MEDIA: Team Photos Available Upon Request

MEDIA CONTACT:

NAME: Chris Knight, Classic Stott Racing
PHONE: 239.834.9797
EMAIL: Knight849@aol.com