TOLEDO OH (1-8-10) - Each season the new year brings an abundance of new talent and fresh faces to the ARCA Racing Series presented by RE/MAX and Menards. 2010 will be no exception.
One such newcomer is 18-year-old Chad Hackenbracht. Actually, Hackenbracht isn't brand new to the tour; the New Philadelphia, Ohio driver competed in several ARCA open tests in 2009. However, the upcoming Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 at Daytona Int'l Speedway marks his first attempt to race in competition with the 58-year-old nationally touring stock car series.
It started with the open test at Daytona in December.
"We were a little under horsepower, but the car handled really well," said Hackenbracht. "We're going to have to get a better motor, but I'm confident we'll be able to get the job done."
Hackenbracht will be driving the no. 58 CGH Motorsports Chevrolet for his car owner and father Greg Hackenbracht.
"He did very well," said the elder Hackenbracht, who heads Tastee Apple Inc. located in Newcomerstown, Ohio. "He did about 70 laps and looked pretty good."
The younger Hackenbracht was excited about running at Daytona for the first time.
"It was definitely a neat experience to be out there," said Hackenbracht. "There were more than 50 teams there (80-plus drivers) and 32 make the field on time. That's our main goal right now. We want to be one of the 32."
Hackenbracht spent some on-track time drafting with Izod IndyCar Series star Danica Patrick, who is also scheduled to make her stock car debut in the ARCA opener at Daytona.
"I drafted with her for a while. It wasn't different than any other test, only that there was a lot more media attention."
Hackenbracht also commented on the track surface at Daytona.
"It was bumpier than Talladega. I expected the car to get loose more, but it didn't."
In addition to testing at seven ARCA tracks in 2009, he formerly campaigned in Legends Cars, claiming the 2008 Semi-Pro Legends National Championship in Elko, Minnesota. He was also the 2008 Ohio State Legends Champion.
After all the ARCA testing, the Concord, North Carolina-based team is confident about the season ahead.
"Through the testing we did this season we have a pretty good handle on the cars," added Hackenbracht. "My biggest challenge will be the drafting and finding partners who are willing to draft with a rookie. When you start out you have to earn the respect of the veterans so that they are comfortable racing with you. That was my number one priority at the test."
Hackenbracht, who attended New Philadelphia schools and is currently a senior, is on schedule to graduate through correspondence courses.
"Right now, school is a priority."
The Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 is less than 30 days away, which doesn't leave a lot of time for the young team to make final preparations for what will be the biggest race of the high school senior's career. Qualifying for the Daytona 500 and the Budweiser Shootout will also be held on that busy Saturday.
“Being 18 years old, it will be a great accomplishment to start the race in Daytona. The days leading up to and the day of the race will be very emotional for my family and I. It’s a long ways from racing quarter midgets in Ohio.”
The Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 at Daytona, live on SPEED at 4:00 PM ET, is Saturday, February 6.
Quotes in this story are compliments of The Times-Reporter, Dover-New Philadelphia OH/Roger Metzger.
http://www.timesreporter.com
