Damon Lusk; LB Motorsports Rev Up For Daytona
Damon Lusk; LB Motorsports Rev Up For Daytona “New Team For Lusk Yields New Sponsor And Another Chance For Victory�?? DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Monday, February 5, 2007) - - It’s been a year since Damon Lusk has seen the 2.5-mile Superspeedway of Daytona International Speedway. In 2006, Lusk aboard Adrian Berryhill’s Dodge could feel victory in hand, but a last lap gang up on the Kennewick, Washington native saw a victory turn into a stout fifth place finish. Now, Lusk is back. Back with LB Motorsports, a Dodge Charger and the confidence to put on another stunning performance in Saturday’s ARCA 200 at Daytona. “I am excited about Daytona,�?? said Lusk, a two-time winner in the ARCA RE/MAX Series. “I am very appreciative of the opportunity that Les and Greg Barnhart have giving me to drive one of their team cars for this weekend’s event. We have a great Dodge Charger and a stellar package under the hood. We should be a factor in Saturday’s race for sure.�?? _Save-A-Load, Inc._ (http://www.saveaload.com/) has inked with the team for the 2007 ARS (ARCA RE/MAX Series) season opener and will hold primary sponsorship on Lusk’s No. 55 Dodge Charger. The corporation, based in Charlotte, North Carolina specializes in developing, manufacturing and marketing the world's finest cargo bracing bars. “The whole LB Motorsports team is very excited about our new partnership with Save-A-Load, Inc. for Daytona,�?? continued Lusk. “This is their first foray into the ARCA RE/MAX Series, and they picked one heck of a race. Daytona is the biggest race on the schedule. And our chances look good for a flawless performance; we’re just happy to have them aboard.�?? Panelite Truck Accessories jumps aboard the LB Motorsports Dodge as an associate sponsor in a race where Lusk will attempt to make his 50th career start in the ARS and third attempt at “The World Center of Speed.�?? “50 starts in the ARCA RE/MAX Series, that’s pretty neat,�?? Lusk noted. “ The ARCA RE/MAX Series is a great racing sanction. I enjoy every event I attend. But, I’m thirsty to add another win to my ARCA resume. Daytona here we come. �?? 77 drivers participated in the open-test session at DIS (Daytona International Speedway) last December with Lusk turning the 12th fastest time overall with a quick lap of 47.767 seconds at 180.843 MPH. “The test was so crucial for us,�?? remarked Lusk, who also has several NASCAR Busch Series starts at Daytona with a best finish of 21st twice. “I don’t know if we will have the best qualifying car, but this Dodge drafts and handles a whole lot better than my car last year. That’s an eye opener.�?? Another crucial key to Daytona success is help. While the pit crews can make or break a race, in restrictor plate racing at the tracks of Daytona and Talladega, drafting help is everything. Without the help of your peers, it could make for a long race. Unlike last year, Lusk will have a teammate for the ARCA 200 at Daytona. Greg Barnhart, who’s entered in the No. 85 Panelite Truck Accessories Ford will be an important drafting partner for Saturday’s race. “I’m looking forward to working with Greg,�?? Lusk mentioned. “Drafting help is what kept me from victory lane last year, so to know that I have someone watching my back and vice-versa is a sign of relief. Greg has a very good Ford for Saturday’s race, so a one-two finish is not out the question for LB Motorsports.�?? Following the event, Lusk and LB Motorsports will reevaluate their program with hopes of attending the second ARS event at USA International Speedway in Lakeland, Florida. “We have five racecars ready to go, we just need the funding to get us to the track,�?? stated Lusk. “Hopefully with a good run in Daytona, we can turn some heads and make a championship effort this season.�?? Rolling into Daytona, driver Damon Lusk has 49 ARCA RE/MAX Series starts to his credit with two victories (Atlanta Motor Speedway & Pocono Raceway, both in 2002). He has also recorded 10 top-fives finishes and 23 top-10 efforts. He owns the 2006 Pork pole award at Illinois State Fairgrounds (Springfield) with a new track record (August). He also holds an additional pole award at Illinois State Fairgrounds (Springfield) in his 2000 dirt track debut driving for ARCA icon James Hylton. Lusk also has controlled the ARCA field for 255 laps in 14 races. The ARCA 200 at Daytona (80 laps/200 miles) is the first of 23 events on the 2007 ARCA RE/MAX Series schedule. Practice begins Thursday, February 8 with a five-hour (12:00pm-5:00pm EST) practice session planned. Qualifying is slated for Friday, February 9 at 12:00pm EST. Final practice is limited to 55 minutes (5:15-6:10pm EST) on Friday evening. The ARCA 200 at Daytona will be aired live on the SPEED channel beginning at 4:00pm. Additional race coverage can be found online at _arcaracing.com_ (http://ww.arcaracing.com/) . For information on Save-A-Load, Inc., please visit _http://www.saveaload.com_ (http://www.saveaload.com/) MEDIA CONTACT: NAME: Chris Knight, LB Motorsports-Lusk Racing PHONE: 734.660.2333 EMAIL: _Knight849@aol.com_ (mailto:Knight849@aol.com)