Kyle Fowler Gears Up For 2011 Daytona |
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Topics: Kyle Fowler, Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200
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Emily Teeter
Venturini Motorsports
February 7, 2011
Concord, NC (02-07-11) Venturini Motorsports’ history of developing championship drivers is second-to-none. Now it’s Kyle Fowler’s turn.
Since 2007, the Driver Development Program has claimed eight drivers who’ve gone on compete in NASCAR’s premier series. Venturini Motorsports new crop of up-and-coming drivers look to add to this storied history includes Fowler as he makes his Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway debut, driving the No. 15 Venturini Motorsports Chevrolet.
Fowler has been to the famed Daytona track several times, but Saturday will be the first time he will be behind the steering wheel as he starts the Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 for the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards.
“Daytona is racing’s biggest stage and it’s every drivers dream to race there. Simply arriving on the property gave me goose bumps,” Fowler said. “Restrictor-plate racing is definitely going to be a learning experience for me. I’ve never done it before, but I can’t wait to get in the draft and experience that feeling.”
The Georgia native was raised at the local short-track and grew up racing at the quarter–mile track at Atlanta Motor Speedway, competing in Bandoleros and Legends cars. While racing throughout the Southeast, the 18-year old has made more than 700 career starts.
The Venturini Motorsports rookie is excited with the opportunity to get in the seat of the No. 15 Chevrolet and compete in ARCA’s prize season-opening event.
“I feel like we have an awesome car and with a little luck we will be up front in the end,” Fowler said. “My game plan for the race is to be patient and to make every lap count. My Dad has always said, ‘You can’t win if you don’t finish the race’.”
A rising star in ARCA Racing Series, Fowler gained valuable seat time in the series last season while driving part-time with five starts.
Perhaps having the familiarity from the recent open test session for the ARCA Racing Series at Daytona will pay off for Fowler this weekend. Of the 58 cars on hand for the test, Fowler clocked in at ninth overall, turning a lap of 48.652 seconds at 184.987 mph.
Fowler will battle it out for 2011 Rookie of the Year honors in ARCA as he learns the ropes from owner Billy Venturini and his veteran team at Venturini Motorsports.