Wednesday

Palm Beach Brings Clear Goal For Bryan Silas

Bryan Silas

With the ARCA Racing Series switching tactics and mounting a second race in February, Silas is looking forward to racing in his backyard especially after his super finish at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway two weeks ago.

“It’s going to be sweet to have a race near home,” said Silas. “As a team we’re looking forward to keeping our early season success going.”

While Silas admits he is not a road course wiz, he has over the past two years been able to come to terms with the concept thanks to plenty of experience at driving schools and two events at New Jersey Motorsports Park.

“I’m not a road course specialist by any means, but it will be nice to have some hometown support,” sounded Silas. “We always race out of town, so it feels good to finally get to do it in my own backyard not to mention getting to sleep in my own bed the night after the race.”

And because Silas understands that he’s not a road course guy by trade, he has invited some outside help.

“We’ve got a guy coming down from South Carolina to work with me – Matt Mullins. He’s going to help spot for me on the backside of the course with Andy (Hillenburg, car owner) spotting on the other side.”

In addition to the additional help from Mullins at Palm Beach, that’s not all that has changed in the Fast Track Racing camp. Bryant Frazier, who it was announced would be Silas’s crew chief for the 2010 season, left the team after Daytona in favor of an opportunity with Joe Gibbs Racing. “I appreciated the time I had with Bryant,” Silas added. “He is a great guy and I wish him nothing but the best in his new endeavor.”

As one door closes, another one opens as Fast Track Racing welcomes aboard Dennis Conner who brings an impressive resume to Fast Track including a tenure at Hendrick Motorsports and three championship rings in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series with Jack Sprague. “I’ve been talking to Dennis a lot. He seems like a very knowledgeable guy. Andy (Hillenburg) is very comfortable with him, so I’m not worried at all,” said Silas.

Silas, after the ninth place finish at Daytona, is currently ninth in points headed to Palm Beach, However, only Patrick Sheltra (currently fifth in points), another Floridian, is the only ARCA regular ahead of Silas in points. With a good, solid top-10 run at Palm Beach, Silas has an opportunity to be leading the points when the checkered flag falls.

“The best case scenario at Palm Beach would obviously be a win,” added Silas. “But, I’m not an experienced road racer. I go into every race now thinking I can win, but realistically, if we could come out with the car in one piece and a top-10 finish, I’d be ecstatic.

“Unlike New Jersey, this track’s hard on brakes. You’re reaching speeds of 150 miles per hour plus and then down to 35, 40 miles per hour for some of these corners. The person who still has his equipment under him at the end is going to win.

“If there’s anything that I learned in the test, it’s that this is a very challenging course. There’s absolutely no runoff. If you spin off here, you’re going to hit something. Attrition is definitely going to play a role.”

Nason, Yeager, Gerson, White & Lioce P.A., American Custom Yachts, Inc., Palm Beach Grading (PBG) and Rockingham Speedway will all sponsor Silas’s Ford Fusion for his 73rd career ARCA start.

The Tire Kingdom 150 presented by ModSpace (75 laps / 150 miles) is the second of 20 events on the 2010 ARCA Racing Series presented by RE/MAX and Menards schedule. The first ARCA race held at Palm Beach is a two day show. Practice begins Friday, February 26 with a three hour practice session planned from 11:30a.m.- 2:30 p.m. Menards pole qualifying presented by Ansell is set for later in the day Friday, February 26 slated to begin at 4:00 p.m. The event will take the green flag on Saturday, February 27 shortly after 1:00 p.m. The race will not be televised but race coverage including live timing and scoring and radio broadcast will be available through the ARCA Racing Network (ARN) online at arcaracing.com. All times are local.

For more on Bryan Silas please visit, BryanSilasRacing.com.

Visit Fast Track Racing on the web at, FastTrackRacing.com.