Jacob Francis; Andy Belmont Racing Extremely Satisfied With Talladega Test

Topics:  Jacob Francis, ARCA RE/MAX 250

Chris Knight
Andy Belmont Racing
September 28, 2007

TALLADEGA, Alabama (September 28, 2007) - - ARCA RE/MAX Series (ARS) Rookie competitor Jacob Francis successfully completely a two-day test at Talladega Superspeedway on Monday and Tuesday behind the wheel of an Andy Belmont Racing (ABR) entry.

While the Monday session was a private test, Francis was joined by over 30 additional ARS teams on Tuesday for a eight hour test leading up to the final speedway event of the season, the ARCA RE/MAX 250 set for next Friday, October 5.

On Monday, Francis climbed into one of three testing machines for ABR and turned very competitive times. With coaching from Belmont , Francis’s times continued to improve setting up for Tuesday’s open test.

“I had a blast on Monday,” said Francis, who made his ARCA RE/MAX Series debut earlier this year at The Milwaukee Mile. “I wasn’t really sure what to expect when I climbed in the seat to take my first laps around Talladega Superspeedway. I had no time to be scared or nervous though, I had to get to work right away and I think I did a pretty good job.”

He continued, “I talked with Dominick Casola, Dan Brode and John Graham who all tested for Andy Belmont on Monday and all of us were happy with our results. I can’t say enough about Andy Belmont, “he does everything in his power to make his clients happy campers.”

During Tuesday’s testing session, Francis took his No. 1b Ford Fusion to the 2.666-mile speed plant posting a time of 51.960 seconds at 184.296 MPH, putting him fourth overall on the morning rundown.

“I cannot complain about our results from the morning session,” Francis stated. “Everyone in an ABR machine entry went out and did very well. I’m real happy for Andy and the team. It’s definitely a good feeling.”

“We’re not going to run the race next week and we’re focusing all of our efforts on the season finale at Toledo Speedway. We used this race to get a head start on the Daytona test in December and our plans for the 2008 ARCA RE/MAX Series season. I just want to thank ABR for the opportunity and I look forward to working with Andy again very soon.”

Car owner Andy Belmont was equally pleased with Francis’s effort.

“Jacob did a great job,” explained Belmont . “All he wanted to do was learn and he did just that. He listened and acknowledged all of my input and suggestions which leads me to believe he is going to develop into a strong racecar driver in the ARCA RE/MAX Series. I hope we’ll be working together in the future and I’m looking forward to it.”

The ARCA RE/MAX 250 (94 laps/250 miles) is the 22nd of 23 races on the 2007 ARCA RE/MAX Series schedule. The 45th ARCA race held at Talladega Superspeedway is a two-day show. Practice begins Thursday, October 4 with a two and a half hour practice session planned from 9:00-11:30am. ARCA SIM Factory pole qualifying is set for later in the day at 3:30pm Local Time. A “Happy Hour” final practice has been etched into the schedule for Friday, October 5 for forty-five minutes from 10:05am-10:50am Local Time. The event will take the green flag on October 5 shortly after 4:00pm Local Time. The race will be televised live on SPEED with additional race coverage online at arcaracing.com.

For more information on Jack Francis, please visit jdfracing.com.

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NAME: Chris Knight, Andy Belmont Racing
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