Silas Posts Top-20 In Springfield

Topics:  Bryan Silas, Governors Cup 200

Chris Knight
Fast Track Racing
August 22, 2007

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois (Wednesday, August 22, 2007) - - ARCA RE/MAX Series Rookie-of-the-Year candidate Bryan Silas wasn’t sure what to expect in his dirt track debut. By the end of the Allen Crowe, the Stuart, Florida native was breathing easier and feeling confident about his abilities on the clay after netting a 19th place run.

Guided by two-time ARCA RE/MAX Series champion Andy Hillenburg, Silas steered towards Illinois State Fairgrounds with an open mind. He knew he would have a competitive car; it would just take himself as a driver a little time to adapt to the track.

Mother Nature also decided to enter Springfield on Sunday, soaking the track and delaying the start of practice. Two hours later than expected, Silas climbed into his Nortrax-Shell Rotella T-Palm Beach Grading Chevrolet Monte Carlo looking to get to business.

During the shortened forty-five minute session, Silas clocked in the 24th fastest time, picking up nearly two seconds from the start of practice.

From practice the team would jump quickly into race mode, since the rain forced ARCA officials to cancel qualifying. Silas would line up 12th for his Springfield dirt debut.

At the start of the event, Silas held his own. With coaching from Hillenburg, Silas was taking it easy while trying to learn the track and follow his closest competition.

The first caution flag waived on lap 10, and the team decided to stay out and make their mandatory pit stop later. The strategy moved Silas into the fifth position on the restart.

The rookie did a superb job holding himself solidly in the top-10 until a lap 31 caution allowed the opportunity for Silas to bring his machine to pit road. The team added Sunoco Racing fuel and made an adjustment before sending their protégé back into battle.

On the restart, Silas held the 19th position. Throughout the next sixty laps, Silas would flirt with the top-20.

Learning was the key for Silas on Sunday and despite losing two laps under green flag conditions, the amount of experience he reeled in should pay dividends when the series makes another trip to the dirt on Labor Day.

Frank Kimmel went on to score a dominating victory, with Silas hanging tough and collecting a solid 19th place finish in the Allen Crowe 100.

“A top-20 finish was our primary goal,” said Silas. “We came to Springfield with some goals and we accomplished them all. The dirt is different, but a lot of fun. I learned a lot out there and I think I can utilize what I learned at Springfield and apply that to DuQuoin on Labor Day.”

He continued, “I want to thank all my guys on the Fast Track Racing team and my sponsors for all of their support, we’re making progress on the newer courses and I’m looking forward to the rest of the year.”

With his top-20 run Sunday, Silas sits ninth in the championship points heading into next Sunday’s thriller from The Milwaukee Mile.

Next up for the ARCA RE/MAX Series is a showdown at The Milwaukee Mile. The Governors Cup 200 weekend is set to start with practice and ARCA SIM Factory pole qualifying Saturday. The event is scheduled to roll off at 1:00pm EST Sunday with live coverage on SPEED.

For more on Bryan Silas please visit, BryanSilasRacing.com
Visit Fast Track Racing on the web at, FastTrackRacing.com

MEDIA CONTACT:

NAME: Chris Knight, Fast Track Racing

PHONE: 239.834.9797

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