Bryan Silas Ready To Shine Under The Kentucky Lights

Topics:  Bryan Silas, Drive Smart! Buckle-Up Kentucky 150

Chris Knight
Fast Track Racing
May 7, 2008

SPARTA, Kentucky (May 7, 2008) - - Five races have been completed in the 2008 ARCA RE/MAX Series (ARS) season and Stuart, Florida native Bryan Silas has racked up two top-10 finishes. Most would be happy with those results but for the sophomore driver and his Fast Track Racing team, they are looking for more, a lot more.

With the ARCA RE/MAX Series making a stop at Kentucky Speedway this Saturday, the 1.5-mile facility provides the perfect opportunity for Silas and Company to be in contention for their first win. The 20-year old driver knows that Kentucky Speedway is a track that is suitable to his driving style and the odds of winning play into his favor.

“I enjoy competing at Kentucky Speedway,” said Silas, who notched his first career top-10 speedway finish at Kentucky Speedway last year. “It’s a great fast track with a lot of racing room providing a great spectacle for the fans. I myself am a big fan of the mile-and-a-half tracks and I have the confidence that we’re going to have a good weekend.”

With less than spectacular finishes at Kansas Speedway and Rockingham Speedway respectively, the Fast Track Racing development driver aims to put his season back on track under the guidance of crew chief Jeff McClure.

“We were able to produce a strong run at Kentucky in our rookie season,” Silas explained. “With the experience and knowledge that Jeff (McClure) has, I feel that we’re heading to Kentucky with a bigger picture in mind. Our Ford program has been strong this season and the Roush-Yates motors have been stellar. We just need all the components to come together again to rally our third top-10 effort of the season.”

While Silas is excited about heading to the “Bluegrass” state of Kentucky , he’s more anxious for the significance of Mother’s Day which follows just a few hours after the conclusion of the Drive Smart! Buckle Up Kentucky 150.

“My mother is probably my biggest fan,” offered Silas. “Her support and faith in me is strong and I know that Sunday is a big day for her and I plan to give her a day she won’t soon forget. Mother’s are an important asset in racing. My mother tries to attend as many as races as possible, I thank her for that as often as I can. Hopefully we’ll be celebrating for two reasons on Sunday.”

Currently holding the 12th position in the 2008 ARCA RE/MAX Series point standings, Silas knows that the championship title is still in reach but he cannot afford to give up any more crucial points. “The last two races have hurt us in the point’s department. We don’t plan to let up anymore. We’re going to Kentucky this weekend and hoping to rekindle the success we had at Salem and Iowa . With the hard work of everyone on the team, I know that is accomplishable.”

Nortrax, Shell Rotella T, Holland Pump, ICI Homes, Palm Beach Grading (PBG) and Rockingham Speedway will all sponsor the No. 11 Ford Fusion in the sixth event on the 2008 ARCA calendar.

“It’s unfortunate that Saturday’s race is not televised,” sounded Silas. “The prior races at Kentucky Speedway have often been a real treat but we’ll try to put on a remarkable race for the fans and know that when we come back in July, the race will be televised and our sponsors can be awarded the exposure they deserve.”

Heading into Kentucky, Silas has 34 ARCA RE/MAX Series starts to his credit with a career best finish of eighth at Iowa Speedway (April 2008), Salem Speedway (April 2007 and April 2008) and Kentucky Speedway (July 2007) while holding an additional top-10 performance at USA International Speedway (March 2007). 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 23 laps in two races.

The Drive Smart! Buckle Up Kentucky 150 (150 miles/100 laps) is the sixth of 21 events on the 2008 ARCA RE/MAX Series schedule. The first of two events held at Kentucky Speedway this season is a one-day show. Practice begins Saturday, May 10 with a two hour practice session planned from 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. ARCA SIM Factory pole qualifying is slated to begin at 3:30 p.m. The field will take the green flag shortly after 8:00 p.m. The race will not be televised but additional race coverage including live timing and scoring will be available 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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