Andy Belmont Racing Flocks To Daytona Test With Freshman Group

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Thursday, December 14, 2006) - - Andy Belmont Racing (ABR) planning to make their 2007 ARCA RE/MAX Series season the strongest yet heads to the final ARCA RE/MAX Series open test session of the 2006 season this week at Daytona International Speedway with a series of rookie drivers in preparation for the 2007 opener.

Andy Lally, Joey McCarthy, Ted Olswfski, Mark Swan, John Graham and Bill Catania will all take their first laps around the 2.5-mile Superspeedway in a scheduled three-day test at DIS this Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Lally, heads to the “World Center of Racing�?? on the heels of a successful and promising stock car test in an ABR entry at Lowes Motor Speedway. Lally was the 2006 Rolex Grand Am Champion.

"I am really excited to drive at Daytona. I had such a good time at Charlotte and am really looking forward to being with Andy Belmont and the team again, �?? explained Lally, a native of Georgia. "The last time I drove here on the oval was in 2001 with the Goody’s Dash Series; I had a great time then and am looking forward to this opportunity."

McCarthy may be a stranger to Daytona International Speedway, but he is not a stranger to racing. McCarthy, a well-known competitor and winner in the NASCAR Busch East Series is now working full time for ABR.

“I just want to thank Andy (Belmont) for giving me this opportunity to work hands on with his guys and giving me this opportunity to test in Daytona, everyone of these guys in the shop work 110 percent every week and I am glad to be able to showcase their hard work on the track,�?? said McCarthy. Ted Olswfski, a rookie competitor in the ARCA RE/MAX Series will take his first laps in a car prepared by Andy Belmont Racing. Olswfski is a native of Pennington, New Jersey. He made one ARCA RE/MAX Series start this season at Pocono Raceway finishing 26th after starting 30th.

“I feel positive about the upcoming test at Daytona. It enables me to get away from work, feel some warmer temperatures, and spend some time with my family. I can’t also forget that I am going to get some practice in and drive at one of the most notorious race tracks on the ARCA circuit,�?? explained Olswfski.

Mark Swan, a newcomer to Motorsports in 2001 has been vigorously participating in driving schools in preparation for his new endeavor into the ARCA RE/MAX Series. Swan, a native of Georgia is a veteran in the SCAA Series, while also hoisting experience in the NASCAR Dodge Weekly Racing Series at Lanier Speedway in 2003.

“I am thrilled to have the opportunity to test at Daytona with ABR,�?? noted Swan. “Since I began racing in 2001 I have always had the long range goal of competing in ARCA and this test will be my first step. Andy has a proven record of mentoring drivers and my goal is to gather as much information as possible and draw from his years of experience as I turn my first laps in an ARCA RE/MAX series car.�??

24-Hours of Le Mans Veteran John Graham will wheel away from his road course experience and steer towards a new gig in stock cars. Graham will arrive at the test this week sporting podium finishes at Sebring, Petit LeMans, Portland, Sonoma, Adelaide and Mosport.

"This is definitely a great opportunity for me. I have raced at Daytona many times in the past but only on the road circuit so being able to finally run the NASCAR circuit will be a great challenge�?? commented Graham. Bill Catania attempted to make his ARCA RE/MAX Series debut at Toledo Speedway this September. While the rookie didn’t have quite enough to make the show, he is hoping to utilize this week’s test as a supplement to prepare for a strong 2007 limited season. Catania, 30 has also been spending time in North Carolina at Andy Hillenburg’s Fast Track High Performance Driving School preparing for his journey around Daytona.

“I am very excited about driving at Daytona,�?? said Catania. “I was talking with Andy (Belmont) over the weekend and he feels that this is the best his equipment has looked heading to the test – that is exciting. My goal is to get as much experience as possible running a plate motor and of course getting familiar with the track. The time spent at Lowe’s Motor Speedway this year has been invaluable in preparation for the Daytona test. I have come to Daytona almost every year since 1990. It’s a special place for me personally, and like many racers that have spent any amount of time Saturday night racing, some dream of driving at Daytona. I’m glad my dream is coming true.�?? “ABR has a big weekend ahead,�?? said owner and driver Andy Belmont. “My guys have been working a lot of hours, countless amounts of hours preparing three cars for this weekend’s test. I have a talented group of drivers going to Daytona with me and I’m looking forward to seeing our cars near the front.�?? When asked about the inexperience of his drivers, Belmont didn’t seem fazed.

“There are going to be a lot of rookies at the test this weekend,�?? he said. “I’m going to coach them in every possible way I can and hope they will use their talent and head on the track. I wouldn’t let them climb in the car if I didn’t feel they were capable of doing the job.�?? Belmont, who also recently announced the purchase of ARCA’s No. 62 program, will announce his 2007 Daytona lineup following the Holidays.