Daytona: Brian Silas race report

Bryan Silas Quietly Locks Top-10 Finish At Daytona

DAYTONA BEACH, Florida (February 8, 2010) - - Bryan Silas and the Fast Track Racing team left Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway happy campers Saturday night after Silas steered his No. 11 American CustomYachts, Inc.-Rockingham Speedway Ford Fusion to a ninth place finish in the Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200.

The career-best qualifying and finishing effort awarded the 22-year old with his best start of the season in his four years of ARCA Racing Series competition.

After producing a very satisfying test at Daytona in December during open-testing, the Fast Track Racing team led by new crew chief Bryant Frazier were confident in their hot road and their prot0x00e9g0x00e9 driver.

At the conclusion of the first practice, Silas posted the 18th fastest time but after a few changes to their Ford, the team improved to the 10th position in the final practice effort before qualifying. Time Trials would throw a surprise to the team -- a good surprise.

During his qualifications run, Silas maneuvered a lap of 49.952 seconds at 180.173 miles per hour good enough for a stout fifth position on the starting grid.

"We are really happy with that run," said Silas after qualifying. "To be honest, we were expecting to be somewhere in the top-10, but to be able to put our car in the top-five speaks volumes toward the dedication of this race team. We are pumped for the race."

The race turned out to be just as solid. During the first 30 laps of the event, Silas held his own solidly in the top-five but problemsduring a routine pit stop close to the half-way point brought the No. 11 back out where Silas positioned himself in the middle of the pack.

During the second half and keeping the leaders in his sights, Silas hovered solidly in the top-15 before quietly making his march into the top-10 inside the final five circuits. A torrid battle with Steve Arpin, Justin Marks and Tommy Joe Martins would see the cars bounce around for position with Silas eventually emerging from the pack and crossing the finish line ninth.

"We were hoping for a little better finish, but we'll take it," said Silas. "We had a really good car. The motor was strong and Bryant and the guys did an awesome job all week long. It was hard to race on that top side and I think they stalled us a bit. We really couldn't get anyone to go with us. We had to dance around a lot there near the back of the top-10 but we still got away clean and with a good finish. I'm happy."

Silas exits Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway controlling the ninth place position in the ARCA Racing Series presented by RE/MAX and Menards point standings just 45 markers from the top-spot held by race winner Bobby Gerhart.

The finish shattered Silas's previous best finish at the "World Center of Racing" of 23rd which occurred in 2007. Silas also improved on his best time trials run of 12th from last February.

Next up for the ARCA Racing Series is an open-test at Palm Beach (Fla.) International Raceway on Monday, February 8. The eight-hour test is a preamble to the second event of the 2010 season set for Saturday, February 27, 2010.

-source: bryan silas racing