Bobby Gerhart Wins ARCA RE/MAX Crash-Filled Daytona

Bobby Gerhart Wins Crash-Filled Daytona

DAYTONA BEACH FL (2-12-05) ARCA RE/MAX Series veteran Bobby Gerhart, in his own Lucas Oil Chevrolet, won the crash-filled Advance Discount Auto Parts 200 Saturday at Daytona Int'l Speedway.

It was Gerhart's third victory at Daytona, tying him with Iggy Katona for the most wins at the world-renowned speedplant.

Gerhart also led the most laps in the race, which was shortened in order to deal with a variety of multi-car wrecks and repairs.

"We were hoping for a lot of green (flag) time, and I wasn't liking any of it," said Gerhart. "This is just an isolated deal and I can't explain it. But I can tell you that wins here get more gratifying to me each time. I just wish it came under better circumstances. Our Lucas Oil Chevy was right on the money tonight."

The race was red-flagged on lap 24 to make repairs to the catch-fence after Clair Zimmerman got airborne on the frontstretch and crashed. Due to the repairs and the impending Bud Shootout, the race was shortened to 65 laps from the scheduled 80.

Gerhart started from the Pork Pole for the third consecutive year and led 58 laps en route to the checkered flag, which finished under caution. Outside of Gerhart, Matt Hagans led and four and Chad McCumbee led three.

Six-time series champion Frank Kimmel, in the Advance Auto Parts-Pork Ford, finished second for the second consecutive season after starting 41st.

JJ Yeley, in a Shaver Motorsports/Joe Gibbs Racing entry, finished third in his career-first RE/MAX Series start in the Joe Gibbs Performance Racing Oil Chevrolet.

Rookie Mike Guerity, in the Hantz Group Dodge, finished a career-best fourth in front of Hagans, who finished fifth in the Eagle Creek Aviation Dodge.

The first multi-car wreck occurred on lap 39 when Ed Kennedy got turned around triggering a six-car pile-up betweens turns one and two. No injuries resulted from that crash.

The next multi-car incident, which involved 14 cars, happened on the backstretch with two laps remaining. Billy Venturini and Dan Shaver were both transported to Halifax Medical Center. Shaver was treated and released while Venturini was held overnight for further evaluation. The incident caused the race to be finished under caution.

TJ Bell finished sixth in the Heathcliff Cat Litter Chevrolet in front of rookie Joey Miller, who finished seventh in the Country Joe Homes Dodge. Mike Harmon finished eighth in the Global Pigeon Supply Chevrolet. Jeff Spraker finished a career-best ninth in the Race Kentucky Motorsports Pontiac. The unsponsored Norm Benning finished tenth.

The next event for the ARCA RE/MAX Series will be March 26th at Nashville Superspeedway with the PFG Lester 150. The race is LIVE on SPEED Channel at 1:30 pm Eastern.

TOP-10 ARCA RE/MAX SERIES POINTS AFTER DAYTONA: 1) Bobby Gerhart 250; 2) Frank Kimmel 220; 3) JJ Yeley 215; 4) Mike Guerity 210; 4) Matt Hagans 210; 6) TJ Bell 200; 7) Joey Miller 195; 8) Mike Harmon 190; 9) Jeff Spraker 185; 10) Norm Benning 180.

CONTACT: Don Radebaugh, ARCA PR/Media

Office (734) 847-6726

Cell (419) 450-0611