 DAYTONA,
FL (February 12, 2006) -- Bobby Gerhart captured a record fourth win at the
season-opening "Daytona ARCA 200" at Daytona International Speedway
on Sunday. The race was originally scheduled for Saturday, but rain forced it
to be moved to Sunday morning. The 47-year-old series veteran dominated the
race leading 78 of the 83 race laps. The win pushed Gerhart ahead of the late
Iggy Katona for the most wins at the historic 2.5-mile oval. The ARCA RE/MAX
Series continues to enjoy record participation with 68 cars looking for one of
the coveted 41 starting positions. In addition to the record car count, a
record number of female drivers (4) was on hand trying to make the field. This
marks the 12th consecutive year Hoosier Racing Tire has been the exclusive tire
provider for the ARCA RE/MAX Series.
In qualifying, 64 of the 68 cars on hand took turns qualifying on the 2.5-mile superspeedway with
Bobby Gerhart earning a record fourth consecutive Daytona Pork Pole Award as
the event's fastest qualifier. Gerhart circled the track in 48.603 seconds
(185.174 mph) nearly two miles an hour faster than his speed last
year.
All the competitors rode on Hoosier 12.0/28.0-15 radial tires with 3/8"
of stagger. The 5133 (left) and 5477 (right) compound combination was the same
combination debuted in last year's race.
Following Gerhart to the finish line was rookie Matt McCall. The Yates development
driver was just .190 seconds behind Gerhart at the stripe. Matt Hagans finished
in third place followed by Burney Lamar, and Damon Lusk to round out the top
five. Ken Weaver finished sixth followed by Billy Venturini, Mario Gosselin,
T.J. Bell and defending series champion Frank Kimmel in seventh through tenth, respectively.
Kimmel also won the Hoosier Tire Hard Charger Award for advancing the most
positions. The 7-time series champion started 31st en route to a 10th place
finish.
The race was slowed seven times for cautions for a total of 47 laps. The
final caution extended the race distance three laps and forced a
green-white-checker finish. Competition in the series continues to increase
with 21 of the 41 starters finishing on the lead lap.
All ARCA RE/MAX Series events are serviced out of Hoosier headquarters in
Lakeville, IN under the direction of ARCA RE/MAX Series Track Service Manager
Doug Barnes. Hoosier staff servicing the event included Doug Barnes, Rick
Tostevin, Dave Wroblewski, Chad Wright, Mike Haenes, Jake Hartle, Larry Merrill
and Fred Awald.
The ARCA RE/MAX Series returns to action April 15, at Nashville
Superspeedway as part of this year's exciting 23-race schedule.
For complete race results and more information about the ARCA RE/MAX Series
visit their website at www.arcaracing.com.
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