Chad McCumbee preview

McCumbee and ABR Team Look to Continue streak at Talladega
After top-10 finish at Daytona ABR carries six-race top-10 streak to Talladega

MOORESVILLE, N.C. (February 7, 2011) - Chad McCumbee's top-10 finish at Daytona International Speedway (DIS) continued a six-race top-10 streak, dating back to the final five races of 2010, for the Andy Belmont Racing (ABR) team. McCumbee and his ABR team will look to continue that momentum as they return to the track for the second race of the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards season at Talladega Superspeedway.

The ABR team worked hard during practice to get their No.1 car ready for Daytona's season-opening race, utilizing the time to work on race-runs and the drivability of the car. They also made an engine change when the car wasn't getting up to speed as it did during the January test session. With the unpredictability of the newly-paved Daytona International Speedway and a field filled with ARCA Racing Series rookies, Chad McCumbee, crew chief Wayne Carroll and team owner Andy Belmont devised a pre-race strategy to drop to the back of the pack once the race began.

"We discussed our strategy with a few of the Ford teams and all decided to do the same thing at the start of the race - pull out of line and drop to the back," explained Belmont. "With a group of veterans led by Chad McCumbee and Frank Kimmel drafting together we knew we would be in good shape and were really just played the waiting game. We waited for the wrecks to happen and for the race to settle down."

After avoiding a few big wrecks the ABR team found themselves sitting comfortably in the top-10, where they would run for the remaining laps, before crossing the finish line in the eighth position.

"We are very happy with the way the race turned out," said McCumbee. "It's a great way to start out the season. As a team we can build from this going into Talladega and have another great run."

With a finish that put McCumbee on the podium among the drivers that will be competing for the ARCA Racing Series championship, the ABR team proved they will be strong contenders in 2011. They will carry that momentum to the second race on the ARCA Racing Series Schedule, Talladega Superspeedway, where ABR is no stranger to running up front.

The ABR team is coming off back-to-back strong runs on Talladega's high-banks, where they have compiled some impressive statistics in the last two years. Earning one pole, an outside pole and leading 54 laps, ABR looks to continue that success with a great finish at Talladega Superspeedway in April.

Wayne Carroll, Crew Chief, comments on expectations for the #1 Modspace Ford for Talladega:

"I'm really excited about Talladega. We had a great run at Daytona. After changing a motor in practice and starting 28th we finished eighth and ran well all day. We have a little work to do at the shop to get a few things changed over for Talladega, but as a team we are definitely excited for a good showing at the race.

-source: abr