Notes From The ARCA Garage - Daytona
by Chris Knight- ARCA RE/MAX Series Editor
02/10/2006

The official first day of the 2006 ARCA RE/MAX Series season has come to a close. Over sixty teams filed out of Daytona International Speedway just after 6:00pm after a day of grueling practice session in preparation for Pork pole qualifying at 11:00am EST on Friday.

The teams and drivers endured two practices session on Thursday. Both running just over 2.5 hours, saw different machines roar to the front of the speed charts.

In the first practice session, Bobby Gerhart led the way in his No. 5 Lucas Oil Chevrolet turning a lap time of 48.184 seconds equaling a speed of 186.784 MPH. Robert Yates Racing teammates Stephen Leicht and Matt McCall produced the second and third fastest times with Justin Diercks in a ML Motorsports entry in toe with Damon Lusk powered by Penske Motors rounding out the top-five.

Amanda Gogel trying to make her first ARCA RE/MAX Series start blew a tire in her No. 01 Thunder Motorsports Chevrolet sending her into the wall causing severe rear damage to her machine. After being released from a local hospital, Gogel told Catchfence.com that she plans to make a qualifying attempt in her car after her Thunder Motorsports team went quickly to work trying to salvage and repair her automobile.

Full first practice speeds at: First Practice Results

In the second session, Frank Kimmel garnished the fastest lap time for his new sponsor, Pork to a fast time of 48.455 seconds at 185.739. Robert Yates Racing protégés Leicht and McCall still were second and third quickest followed by Walt Brannen in Brack Maggard's No. 65 Dodge and Damon Lusk continuing to show strength in his Vision Racing Chevrolet to complete the top-five.

Full second practice speeds at: Second Practice Results

Catchfence.com spoke with several teams and drivers on Thursday about their new plans for 2006, some new sponsors and much more. Here's some of what we found out:

Black Jack Racing Taps New Sponsor: ARCA RE/MAX Series Rookie-of-the-Year candidate Dexter Bean has tapped QUENCH Gum as the primary sponsor of the No. 6 Chevrolet Monte Carlo this weekend. QUENCH, "the thirst quenching gum for active people", is a product of Mueller Sports Medicine of Prairie du Sac, WI. It was created in the 70's as a "sports drink" in gum form. Like sports drinks it replaces electrolytes to prevent muscle cramping while at the same time providing an energy boost. QUENCH is also available in mist form and was designed for those individuals who should limit their sugar intake. The company is expected to latch onto the Wisconsin based team for the full season.

Chad Blount Lands Full Cup Program For 2006: Indiana's Chad Blount is using this weekend's ARCA RE/MAX Series event as a test session as he informed Catchfence.com that he has been hired to drive the No. 37 in the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series for John Carter. Former drivers in the No. 37 included Todd Bodine and Kevin Lepage. Blount told us the team is looking for sponsorship but plans to run the full 2006 NNC schedule. Ironically, Blount made his Nextel Cup debut driving for Carter in 2004 at Chicagoland Speedway. Chad who drove for ML Motorsports in the ARCA RE/MAX Series in 2005 is driving a Dodge prepared by Hagans Racing with number assistance from Mark Gibson Racing.

Schendel Preparing For ARCA Invasion: Well-known racecar driver Tim Schendel is preparing to make his entry into the ARCA RE/MAX Series later this season. Schendel, a native of Wisconsin will run in a minimum of five events in the No. 52 Chevrolet Monte Carlo. Matthews Archery, and Texpar Energy will sponsor the Iron Eagle Racing team. Tegar Engines will produce the horsepower for the team. More details on this breaking story to emerge in the weeks to come. Schendel is a former NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series driver for Brevak Motorsports.

Jeremy Clements To Debut New Sponsor: Avid racecar driver Jeremy Clements informed Catchfence.com Thursday, his team will debut a new sponsor at DIS following qualifying Friday. "We have some deals that are pretty much done," he said. "We have to get in the show and then we'll be able to tell."

Knupp Plans First Two Races: Mark Knupp, owner of the No. 96 MK Racing Ford Taurus driven by son Brandon told Catchfence.com that his team plans to run the first two events at Daytona and Nashville before their season could come to a screeching halt if they don't find a sponsor. "We are trying everything," Mark said. "We are praying and hoping that something will come together and we won't have to shut down the team." MK Racing does have Total Tree Service as an associate sponsor this weekend. Total Tree Service is located in Piqua, Ohio near the Knupp's hometown.

Ragan To Run Partial Schedule: David Ragan will have a busy 2006 season. In addition to running a limited NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series schedule for Jack Roush, Ragan will also run a limited number of ARCA RE/MAX Series for either Roulo Brothers Racing or Wayne Day Enterprises. Ragan scored his lone but impressive victory of the '05 season with a daring last lap pass at Lanier. David says he hopes to run Salem, Gateway, Pocono (2), Michigan (2) and Toledo Speedway in September. He also mentioned that his NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series team has signed a sponsor, but would not elaborate.

O'Dell Plans A Mix In 2006: David O'Dell in the TC Motorsports ride plans to compete in 11 ARCA RE/MAX Series races this season as well as seven NASCAR Busch Series events all for Georgia based TC Motorsports. O'Dell turned some heads in the RE/MAX Series after impressive performances at Lanier National Speedway and Nashville Superspeedway last season. The team is looking for additional funding for this program.

Justin South To Return To ARCA Racing: While Doug Reid, III is handling the 3D Motorsports machine this weekend in Daytona, Justin South will return to the driving duties of the No. 78 Chevrolet at Nashville Superspeedway. South, who ran a limited schedule for 3D Motorsports in 2005 says he plans to compete in at least eight ARCA RE/MAX Series events this season a mix of Superspeedways and short tracks.

KLM Motorsports Plans To Lease Out: Keith Murt, owner of KLM Motorsports said he plans to lease out his No. 19 Murtco Chevrolet for a number of races while he plans to compete in four to six events all Superspeedways this season. Keith also plans to attempt the NASCAR Busch Series July event at Daytona International Speedway in the No. 79 Chevrolet Monte Carlo.

GR Smith Returns To BGR: After spending the 2005 season with Bob Schacht Motorsports and KLM Motorsports GR Smith has reunited with Bobby Gerhart Racing for this weekend's ARCA opener. Smith drove for the team in 2004. Smith told Catchfence.com he plans to run eight to ten RE/MAX events with sponsorship to come. GR also plans on staying with Bobby Gerhart Racing.

No Bites For Whitt: Since losing his ride with Red Horse Racing, Brandon Whitt says he doesn't having anything lined up to return to the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series in the near future. "I really don't have anything going on besides this ARCA race," explained Whitt, who is driving the No. 57 CLR Ford Taurus for Joey Cudmore. "I am not going to rush into a situation where it will hurt me. I am going to wait for the right opportunity to come along."

Passmore Plans Very Limited Schedule In '06: Christi Passmore informed Catchfence.com that her GAP Roofing-Asphalt & Fuel Ford Taurus will run a very light ARCA RE/MAX Series schedule this season. Following Daytona, the team does not plan on returning to the series until July at Kansas Speedway. She explained that the team could compete before then, but their next race is planned for Kansas.

Russell Looking Good In First ARCA Showing: A lot of eyes are on the No. 10 of Tim Russell this weekend in Daytona. The astounding Florida late model driver is quickly adapting to the ARCA RE/MAX Series cars and his sponsors are liking it. "Rinnai is really excited," he said. "We are running very well and I am confident we will have a good starting spot. Things are looking good for us and I'm thrilled." Russell, a former American Speed Association National Tour driver will run a limited RE/MAX schedule in 2006.

So that's an early wrap from Daytona. Catchfence.com's ARCA RE/MAX Series editor Chris Knight was felling very under the weather (symptoms of the flu) on Thursday, but he will try and bring you the latest news in the garage and qualifying on Friday night.

For more on the ARCA RE/MAX Series at Daytona, logon to http://www.arcaracing.com

You can reach Chris Knight at: CKnight@Catchfence.com