(from autosport) Former Formula One racer Scott Speed will start from the front row on Saturday in the season opener of the ARCA RE/MAX Series at Daytona, where Dario Franchitti will also compete. Speed is entering his second stock car race after driving last year in an ARCA event at Talladega, where he finished seventh for Eddie Sharp Racing, the same team he will be competing for a full season this year. The Red Bull-backed driver will be starting the season from the outside pole of the 43-car field, led by fellow Toyota driver Justin Marks. Toyota Camrys, in fact, swept the top three spots in qualifying. "Daytona is definitely more driving-involved than Talladega because it is a lot bumpier," Speed said. "So for me Daytona is going to be even more fun!" "Our goal here and for the first couple races is to get through them with top-5 or top-10 finishes and get some points on the board. We'll be very happy with that and to start the season solid in the points standings." Dario Franchitti will also make his second ARCA start, having competed last year against Speed at Talladega. The Scot will start from ninth place in the first of four races he is set to make in nearly a week's time. Once he completes his ARCA race on Saturday afternoon, he will race next Thursday in the Sprint Cup Gatorade Duel, then in the Nationwide Series race next Saturday followed by the Daytona 500 the a day later. Five-time event winner Bobby Gerhart, who is trying to take a fourth consecutive win at the 200-mile event, will start the race from the outside of the second row of the grid as the fastest Chevrolet qualifier. Hendrick Motorsports, Roush-Fenway Racing and Bill Davis Racing are also among the NASCAR Sprint Cup series teams fielding drivers in the event.
Interesting to hear that Daytona is bumpier than Talladega. I always thought it was the other way around.
I'm glad Speed is doing well, not right how he was dumped from F1, especially since he usually outperformed his teamate.
I tuned in to watch some of the race and they answered my question. Talladega was recently repaved, and Daytona needs it. As far as Speed, I wish him all the best but he really is a dweeb. Did anyone see those sunglasses he was wearing? White-framed Wayfarers that were about 50% too large for his head. Scott, it's OK to be a normal guy and just race to the best of your ability. Stop trying to develop a character.
Turn 4 is especially bumpy. On a bike, if you are running from the top to the bottom (picks up speed down the straight) you run right over the biggest bump. Bike moves over about 3, 4 feet (going about 170), shakes it head, and keeps going. 1st time each year that you do that, you know you're dead. Art
Wow, I wasn't even thinking about the motorcycles! I'm glad you brought that up--what are the forces like going through the banking?