Solid Effort Does Not Go Unnoticed For Robb Brent |
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Topics: Robb Brent, Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200
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Chris Knight
Robb Brent Racing
February 8, 2010
DAYTONA BEACH, Florida (February 8, 2010) - - Robb Brent had looked for the perfect birthday gift heading into Saturday's Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway -- a win in the season opener but the Shelby Township, Michigan native came up short despite posting a very solid 13th place outing.
Brent and his Allgaier Motorsports team had looked to the season-opener as a chance for the team's momentum train to keep rolling and while the team was unable to secure a top-10 in the first race of the year -- the team was pleased with the overall performance.
Before taking to the 2.5-mile superspeedway for the first of two restrictor plate events of the year, the Allgaier Motorsports team led by veteran crew chief Dave Leiner overcame a series of hiccups between practice and qualifying which tried to thwart their Daytona dreams.
On Friday morning, Brent was one of the final cars to go out and qualify in his No. 36 Orchard Dodge Chrysler Jeep Dodge Charger in ARCA qualifying and despite turning the 32nd fastest time, the final position that locked a competitor into the event by their speed -- the team was not going to complain - nor was Brent -- as he had just qualified for his first ever stock-car event at the "World Center of Racing."
At the start of the Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200, Brent was quickly on his toes but also on the move. The handling and recourses of drafting of his No. 36 Dodge Charger produced fast lap times -- in fact one of the fastest laps of the race.
The action became hot and heavy on lap six when a number of cars tangled in turn two onto the backstretch when Brent had to slice his way through the carnage but emerged unscathed.
Despite two more early race cautions -- Brent was holding tight inside the top-20 and when the race was finally able to get some steam the birthday boy began his climb towards the front.
Routine pit stops began halfway with Brent taking advantage of the opportunity to duck down to pit road for four new tires, fuel and a minor chassis adjustment to tighten up his Mike Allgaier owned entry. He returned to the track in the 16th position.
Through the second-half of the 2010 season opener, Brent showed patience and maturity as he steadily climbed his way into the lead-pack and found himself in the hunt for a top-10 finish.
Heavy side-by-side drafting and cars two-by-two over the final 15 circuits would see the team's No. 36 black and red Dodge inch up the running order but run out of time to notch a top-10 effort. Brent crossed the start finish line 13th behind race winner Bobby Gerhart.
"It was a pretty good day at Daytona," said Brent. "We were digging for a top-10 run but we came up a little short. I'm really proud of everyone on the team for their efforts from December to this weekend. We're off to a much better start this year than we are last year and hopefully we can take this run and keep marching in the right direction."
Washington Township, Michigan based Orchard Chrysler Dodge Jeep continued its long-time association with Brent and served as the primary sponsor on Brent’s No. 36 Dodge Charger this past weekend. Orchard Chrysler Dodge Jeep has backed Brent since his entrance into racing at the age of 16.
Prior to joining Allgaier Motorsports, Brent participated in the ARCA Racing Series and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series driving for NASCAR driver Brad Keselowski and Brad Keselowski Racing. In his 37 ARCA starts, Brent has acquired three top-five finishes and 11 top-10 efforts. Brent notched his career best qualifying effort of second at Kentucky Speedway in 2008. He has led the ARCA pack twice for 21 laps in 2008. His best finish in the NCWTS occurred at Nashville Superspeedway in his inaugural truck debut where he finished 21st after qualifying 26th.
Next up for the ARCA Racing Series is an open-test at Palm Beach (Fla.) International Raceway on Monday, February 8. The eight-hour test is a preamble to the second event of the 2010 season set for Saturday, February 27, 2010.
For more on Robb Brent, sponsorship opportunities and official team merchandise, please visit the newly re-launched Robbbrentracing.com.
Driver Contact:
Carol Brent
P: 586.703.3737
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