Bryan Silas; Fast Tracking Racing Smooth In Daytona

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla (Tuesday, December 19, 2006) - - 2007 ARCA RE/MAX Series Rookie-of-the-Year candidate Bryan Silas utilized the final testing session of the year this past weekend at Daytona International Speedway not only to familiarize himself with the demanding superspeedway but also develop chemistry with his new home, Fast Track Racing whom together they will make a charge for the 2007 ARCA RE/MAX Series championship.

The ARCA RE/MAX Series conducted a three-day test (Friday, Saturday and Sunday) with Silas turning very competitive lap times all three days. Silas never saw the 2.5-mile superspeedway before Friday, but you would never know that based upon his early performance. 48 teams took laps around the track with Silas in his No. 11 Chevrolet Monte Carlo whipping together a time of 50.347 seconds at 178.759 seconds putting him a strong seventh in the final rundown.

"Friday went great," said Silas, a native of Florida. "Our Fast Track Racing Chevrolet is very fast, we're just working the bugs out. I enjoyed racing at Talladega, but I love Daytona even more."

With former ARCA Daytona winner and car owner Andy Hillenburg at his side, the team rolled into the speed plant on Saturday looking to keep the momentum rolling for a second straight day. During the course of the eight hour test, Silas once again showed rookie strength by maneuvering a lap of 50.037 seconds or 179.867 mph placing him a solid eighth on the charts.

"Saturday was a successful day," continued Silas, who competed in six ARCA RE/MAX Series events this season. "The car was better and our times proved that. We're looking as a team to come out of the box strong in February. I am glad we are concentrating hard on our setups in this test; I have a feeling that when we return, we're going to be a lot stronger and we'll be a threat for a top-10 qualifying effort."

ARCA allowed the teams to embrace the draft on Sunday with Fast Track Racing in the heat of the action. For a third consecutive day, Silas and the FTR team picked up the pace again hoisting a lap of 49.958 seconds amounting to 180.151 mph. While the drafting time didn't put the team into the top-10, the effort was solid enough for 23rd, just a few tenths of a second off the leader.

"Overall, I think the test went great," added Silas. "I really like Daytona. It's a fast track and I think I have a chance for my first top-10 finish in a couple months. I want to thank my team for their hard work this past weekend, we had a great car."

Car owner and former ARCA champion Andy Hillenburg was also pleased with the weekend. "The Fast Track Racing did a good job. Bryan did an impressive job. We learned a lot in Daytona and I think it will really benefit us for the season opener in February. I think our team is capable of finishing in the top-10 and that's our goal."