Bryan Silas Dusting Off The Dirt Heading To Chicagoland |
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Topics: Bryan Silas, Ansell Cut Protection 150
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Chris Knight
Fast Track Racing
August 24, 2009
JOLIET, Illinois (August 24th 2009) - - After competing in his fifth career dirt track event in the ARCA RE/MAX Series this past weekend at the Illinois State Fairgrounds, Stuart, Florida native Bryan Silas is shaking off the dirt and heading towards Chicagoland Speedway for Friday’s running of the Ansell Cut Protection 150.
Rewinding back to Springfield for a second, Silas, a third year veteran on the ARCA tour finished 20th. Silas appeared to be on his way to a solid top-15 effort but a late race spin knocked the driver down a few notches to record his third straight top-20 effort at the Springfield Mile.
With the dirt racing done for at least two more races, Silas and his Fast Track Racing team head to the “Windy City” looking for a stellar run that will help Silas capitalize on his goal of motoring back into the top-five in the ARCA RE/MAX Series championship chase.
It was the 1.5-mile speed plant of the Chicagoland Speedway last year where Silas really showed maturity and strength. Using a little bit of pit strategy, the Fast Track Racing team owned by 1995 ARCA RE/MAX Series Champion Andy Hillenburg pitted early while a slew of the front-runners were forced to pit under green flag conditions. As the pit stops were cycling through the yellow flag waived with Silas being one of the five beneficiaries on the track who elected not to stop and were rewarded by remaining on the lead lap.
Despite battling a tight No. 11 Ford Fusion, Silas was able to manhandle his machine and remain in the top-five before eventual leader Scott Lagasse overtook the 22-year old which backslid the team to the sixth position where they took the checkered flag.
Thanks to the assistance and guidance of Crew Chief Cal Boprey, Silas returns to the Joliet-based facility on the heels of a successful test last week feeling motivated about potentially grabbing his first ever ARCA RE/MAX Series victory.
“The test was a great success for our team,” said Silas, who spent his recent downtime with his race team in Concord, North Carolina. “Our car is capable of qualifying and running up front and with a little luck, we can win the race. I’ve never felt confident leaving a test as I did last week. I’m looking forward to the race.”
Set to make his fourth career start at Chicagoland Speedway, Silas knows that the track sports similar characteristics of its sister track Kentucky Speedway. Last month, Silas produced his best intermediate track performance to date. Unfortunately, a miscue on fuel mileage saw the No. 11 drop from the third position to the 22nd spot in the event’s final four laps.
“Kentucky and Chicagoland are very similar,” offered Silas. “We were catching the leaders when we ran out of gas at Kentucky. It was frustrating but at the same time it showed everyone that we can run up front on the bigger tracks. Our goal on Friday is to back up our performance from Kentucky.”
Nason, Yeager, Gerson, White & Lioce P.A., Holland Pump, Oasis Outsourcing, Palm Beach Grading (PBG) and Rockingham Speedway will all sponsor Silas’s Ford Fusion for his 65th career ARCA start this weekend.
The Ansell Cut Protection 150 (100 miles / 100 laps) is the 15th of 21 events on the 2009 ARCA RE/MAX Series schedule. The ninth ARCA event held at Chicagoland Speedway is a two-day show. Practice begins Thursday, August 27 with a one hour and twenty minute practice session planned from 4:10 p.m.- 5:30 p.m. A Happy Hour practice run has been set for Friday morning August 28 from 8:00 a.m. – 8:50 a.m. Menards Pole by Ansell qualifying is slated to begin at 12:00 p.m. The field will take the green flag shortly after 5:30 p.m. The event will be televised live on SPEED with additional broadcast coverage available live through the ARCA Racing Network (ARN) online at arcaracing.com. All times are local.
For more on Bryan Silas please visit, BryanSilasRacing.com.
Visit Fast Track Racing on the web at, FastTrackRacing.com.
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