Bryan Silas: This Is Daytona

Topics:  Bryan Silas, Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200

Chris Knight
Fast Track Racing
February 2, 2009

DAYTONA BEACH, Florida (February 2, 2009) - - While ARCA RE/MAX Series driver Bryan Silas may not have the vocals for American Idol, he is gearing up for a similar vocal sound as his 3400 pound-race car steers towards Daytona International Speedway for the running of the Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 at Daytona on Saturday, February 7.

And while the “World Center of Racing” hasn’t been the kindest to the Stuart, Florida native, the tough love in the past isn’t keeping this upcoming star on the mends but instead determined to get the job done as the 2009 ARCA RE/MAX Series kicks off in style in its Super Bowl event.

“This is Daytona, enough said,” said Silas, who will make his third Daytona start this weekend. “The place is amazing and literally takes your breath away. The atmosphere is grenching and the presence of the place is electrifying. When I strap in the seat, all of those components go out the window and it’s time to get the job done.”

With a new crew chief, Cal Boprey on-board and car owner Andy Hillenburg more determined than ever, Silas is ready to make this year’s Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 a lasting memory.

“I’ve never been more excited about going to Daytona,” sounded Silas, who will also run a limited schedule in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series this year. “We really had a productive test at Daytona in December and that has given the team excitement and optimism for the race this weekend. We have a good car and the crew is dialed in, we just need to stay up front and most importantly stay out of trouble.”

He continued, “Restrictor plate racing is a lot of fun, but it can also drive you crazy. From the back to the front, outside to the middle, two wide, three wide, you just never know what you are going to find yourself mixed in. It’s Daytona.”

“Leaving Daytona with a good run definitely keeps your spirits high until the next race in April. I’ve never had a top-10 finish on a restrictor plate track, but I’m looking to change that fact with the help of my Fast Track Racing team.”

Nason, Yeager, Gerson, White & Lioce P.A., Holland Pump, Oasis, Palm Beach Grading (PBG) and Rockingham Speedway will all sponsor Silas’s machine for ARCA’s 46th annual trip to Daytona.

Silas won’t head home following the ARCA RE/MAX Series festivities at Daytona; as Silas will attempt to make the NextEra Energy Resources 250, NASCAR Camping World Truck Series event on February 13.

In two Daytona ARCA starts, Silas’s best finish is 23rd in 2007.

Entering Daytona, Silas has 50 ARCA RE/MAX Series starts to his credit with a career best finish of sixth at Chicagoland Speedway (September 2008) with additional top-10 performances of seventh at Toledo Speedway (October 2008), eighth at Kentucky Speedway (July 2007, May 2008), Iowa Speedway (April 2008), Salem Speedway (April 2007 and April 2008) a ninth at Salem Speedway (September 2008) and a 10th at USA International Speedway (March 2007) and DuQuoin State Fairgrounds (September 2008). He holds a career best short track time trials effort of seventh at Berlin Raceway (July 2007). A fourth place qualifying effort at Pocono Raceway (June 2007) is Silas's best speedway run to date. He has controlled the ARCA field for 26 laps in three races.

The Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 at Daytona (80 laps/200 miles) is the first of 22 events on the 2009 ARCA RE/MAX Series schedule. The 46th ARCA race held at Daytona is a three-day show. Practice begins Thursday, February 5 with a five hour practice session planned from 12:00-5:00 p.m. ARCA pole qualifying is set for Friday, February 6 slated to begin at 12:00 p.m. A one hour and five minute final practice session is etched in on Friday evening from 5:10pm-6:15 p.m. The event will take the green flag on Saturday, February 7 shortly after 4:00 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.
Visit Fast Track Racing on the web at, FastTrackRacing.com.
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