For the ARCA Racing Series presented by RE/MAX and Menards, the names are different, the colors are new and the future is brighter. But the mission is still the same. Race hard, go fast and race for the win.
In 2009, James Buescher beat NASCAR star Joey Logano to the line to win the Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200. The highlight of the race, however, was a scary crash in the closing laps involving Florida-native Patrick Sheltra and Larry Hollenbeck. Both drivers were seriously hurt when Hollenbeck’s car t-boned Sheltra’s #60 Chevrolet on the front straightaway. Sheltra would come back. Just two months later, Sheltra stormed to victory in the Kentuckiana Ford Dealers 200 at Salem Speedway. Sheltra looked to be a championship contender, but some misfortunes along the season cost him a shot at the 2009 ARCA Racing Series championship. This year, Sheltra is back and hopes to be better than ever.
“We’re back to Daytona this weekend to make a statement and finish what we started (last year),” Shelrta said. “Our PowerTrac Dodge Charger is as fast, if not faster, than our car at Daytona last year. Our chances at redemption are looking great for Saturday!”
Another Florida native hoping for redemption is Alli Owens. Owens, who hails from Daytona Beach, has added pressure. Her hometown track is racing’s biggest stage. Last year, Alli Owens started on the outside pole and was running third before getting swept up in an accident. Owens’ best career finish is a sixth place finish at Talladega in 2009, a race she was leading and stood a shot at winning if not for a mistake in the pits. Owens is a popular fan favorite, and she comes as one of five drivers racing under the Venturini Motorsports stable. Many people inside ARCA feel Owens, not Danica Patrick, could be the top finishing female at Daytona.
Last year’s winner, NASCAR Camping World Truck Series driver James Buescher, is back to defend. Buescher, who beat NASCAR phenom Joey Logano, comes to Daytona with Phoenix Racing. Buescher will driver in the NASCAR Nationwide Series for Phoenix Racing, sponsorship pending.
Of course, all eyes are on Danica Patrick. The IZOD IndyCar Series star will make her stock car debut at Daytona. Patrick, who has one IndyCar Series win (Twin Ring Motegi, April 2008), will make her debut with JR Motorsports racing a Hendrick Motorsports prepared Chevy Impala. Patrick brings with her a new following for stock car racing. Her fanbase is huge. The media attention surrounding her stock car debut is mind-blowing. Her expectations are simple: survive the imminent “big one”, get experience and finish the race.
Joey Coulter, from Miami Springs, Florida, also comes to Daytona looking to break out. Coulter was on his way to victory at Toledo last year before a late race bump-and-run from eventual series champion Justin Lofton relegated him to second. Coulter is poised to break out, and break through. His performances in 2009 were solid, and got better with time. Now Coulter’s back with a new sponsor, and he plans on running for the ARCA Racing Series championship. With experience on his side, and a load of talent, Coulter is a favorite to win the championship.
Ricky Carmichael, nicknamed G.O.A.T. (Greatest Of All Time), will once again try his hand at four wheels at Daytona. It will not be Carmichael’s ARCA debut. He raced at Daytona and Rockingham in 2009. Carmichael also hails from Florida.
Other Floridians entered in the Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 include Brian Silas (Stuart, FL) and former ARCA race winner “Super” Mario Gosselin (Lake Wales, FL).
Bobby Gerhart has won the Lucas Oil Slick Mist five times in his career. He comes back seeking Daytona win number six. Former series champions Bill Baird and Frank Kimmel are seeking their first Daytona victory in the ARCA Racing Series.
Darrell Basham comes to Daytona with renewed optimism. The independent trucker out of Indiana comes with experience on his side. Last year, he finished 9th in the Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200. This year he comes with a renewed contract with Anti-Monkey Butt Powder in his back pocket. He comes with class, character and integrity seeking Daytona glory and hoping to upset the field.
Steve Arpin was voted ARCA Most Popular Driver in 2009. He returns to Daytona as part of Billy Venturini’s five-car effort after running solidly in the top five all weekend long in ARCA Open Testing at Daytona back in December. His teammate, Mikey Kile, will run the entire ARCA Racing Series season. Kile was fastest in Daytona testing back in December.
Women are in the spotlight; there are several of them at Daytona. One woman comes to Daytona hoping to carry on a family tradition. In 1990, Derrike Cope won the Daytona 500 with the Whitcomb Racing team when Dale Earnhardt cut a tire on the final turn of the final lap. Now, Derrike’s niece, Amber Cope, hopes to carry on the family tradition and stike Daytona gold.
The list of former winners is impressive. Tim Richmond, Kyle Petty, Kyle Busch, Andy Hillenburg, Jack Bowsher, Mike Wallace, Jeff Purvis, Benny Parsons, Kyle Busch and Ryan Newman.
The impressive 56-car entry list includes former Formula 1 stars like Nelsen Piquet, IndyCar stars such as Milka Duno, dirt track champion Josh Richards, rookies and veterans alike. They all come to Daytona with a dream of winning at Daytona.
The 47th Annual Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 at Daytona airs live on SPEED on Saturday, February 6, 2010 at 4pm Eastern Standard Time.
