Two-Time ARCA/CRA Super Series Champion, Travis Braden Heading Back To Daytona International Speedway
Ilmor Joins ARCA’s ‘Road to Daytona’ Program (Special from ARCA Racing)
November 14, 2014
Toledo, Ohio (November 14, 2014) – For some, getting to drive on track at the
famed Daytona International Speedway might be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
For others, it could be a step toward driving at the highest levels of stock car racing.
This December, two ARCA Regional Tour driving champions will have a chance to
strap in the seat and drive at the 2.5-mile World Center of Racing superspeedway
as part of the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards’ Road to Daytona
program. Ilmor Engineering – ARCA’s partner in its new optional engine package
for 2015 – has joined the program by providing an ARCA Ilmor 396 engine to power
the car the champions will drive in the test.
The Road to Daytona program will offer the championship drivers from the ARCA/
CRA Super Series (Travis Braden of Wheeling, West Virginia) and the ARCA
Midwest Tour (Ty Majeski of Seymour, Wisconsin) a day of testing an ARCA
national touring series car on the superspeedway.
“ARCA described the Road to Daytona program to us during our very early
conversations,” said Paul Ray, president of Ilmor Engineering. “We loved the idea
of supporting it right away. A lot has happened since those early meetings but we
have never lost our desire to stand behind this great program. We are proud to have
Travis and Ty running the ARCA Ilmor 396 around the Daytona Int’l Speedway as
they gather valuable experience to advance their racing careers.”
Bill Kimmel, an eight-time ARCA Cometic Crew Chief of the Year winner and eight-
time ARCA Series champion crew chief, and current series team owner, will prepare
the cars for the Daytona test. Andy Hillenburg, the 1995 ARCA Racing Series
champion, two-time Daytona ARCA winner, and one of a select group of drivers to
race in both the Indianapolis 500 and Daytona 500, will serve as the driver coach
and spotter for the Road to Daytona drivers.
“Growing up, I always dreamed about racing around Daytona,” said the 20-year-old Majeski. “It’s going to finally come true. I’m really excited about the opportunity ARCA has given me. I’m going to go down there and learn as much as I possibly can.”
Support for the program will also come from Sunoco and Hoosier Tire as well as additional sponsors to be announced.
"Of all the people who race cars, at one level or another, only a very, very small percentage of them will ever have the chance to drive a race car around Daytona International Speedway," commented Mark Gundrum, ARCA's VP for business development. "Along with some of our corporate supporters, we have developed a way to provide that experience to some very deserving drivers."
In August, ARCA and Ilmor officials formally introduced the ARCA Ilmor 396, a progressive and innovative engine package eligible for use in competition beginning in 2015. The ARCA Ilmor 396 is a purpose-built racing engine, developed and assembled by Ilmor Engineering. Engines are now being built for ARCA race teams based on orders and deposits. The ARCA Ilmor 396 will make its official on-track debut in ARCA-sanctioned competition at the ARCA open tests at Daytona December 19-20 and January 16.
Since its inception, ARCA has provided racers the opportunity to test their skills on a wide variety of tracks. ARCA's flagship property, the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards, is a destination series for some, and, a development series for drivers aspiring to advance their careers. The series has helped develop the careers of some of the biggest names in racing.
In addition to having the opportunity to test at Daytona, Majeski and Braden will be recognized at the ARCA Racing Series post-season banquet at the Indiana Convention Center on Saturday, December 13.
