ARCA Nation

Mayo just turned his first laps around the famous Daytona International Speedway in preparation for February’s Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 that will kick off ARCA’s 60^th Anniversary Season.  No grease rag could wipe the smile off his face as he pulled off his helmet and reached for his cowboy hat.  The team quickly went to work cooling the engine, taking readings, and making adjustments to get the car turned around and ready for another mock-qualifying run.

“That banking seemed four stories tall going into turn three the first time, but I kept it matted to the floor as soon I got her into high gear.”  Mayo made several runs under qualifying trim, each resulting in a new fastest time and bringing the car up on the speed charts.  Carter/Eminem Motorsports brought two cars down for the three day test, the 04 and 40, and had eleven drivers total turn laps between them.  The white 40 Dodge was in general setup for the smaller drivers testing with the team while the black 04 Dodge had a larger seat and a more adjustable steering column.  That being the case, Mayo’s 6’3” frame and size 16 shoe made for quite a sight as he twisted and maneuvered in and out of the 04 car.

As Saturday’s practice came to a close it was clear the 04 car didn’t have quite the power the 40 did on the track.  The team discovered a problem with the alignment of the intake that wasn’t allowing the air and fuel mixture to flow though to the motor properly and ultimately reducing the engine’s power by roughly 15hp.  It was a problem that would have to be addressed once they returned to their Mooresville, NC shop.  Even with the setback, Mayo proved his strength as a driver by running the most consistent lap times and the overall fastest lap by the 04 car in unassisted single-car runs.

“The biggest challenge so far this weekend has been pulling speed out of the track, especially after discovering the small issue with the motor.  I kept a smooth and steady wheel though, and we were able to focus on the car’s handling and make adjustments to the rear of the car to try to bring the spoiler down out of the air to reduce the overall drag.”

Trent arrived at the track on Sunday already in his driving suit, ready to take to the draft for the first time.  Although the teams fought a strong headwind down the backstretch in the morning session, Trent was again able to log the fastest laps of Carter/Eminem drivers.

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“I can’t wait to get back here in February and really get after it!  I would like to thank all of the officials with ARCA, Daytona, and Carter/Eminem Motorsports for such a great weekend.  Just getting a chance to run around this track has been a dream of mine, and I made sure to take it all in.  I also want to thank everyone who has helped me get to where I am today, most important being my mom who has been at every race with me since we started in 1999.  She’s done everything from changing Bandolero tires to being my spotter and always just full of love and support.  With that, I want to wish everyone a very happy holiday season and a rockin’ New Year!”

Trent will be announcing his official plans for his full return to racing in the ARCA’s 60th Anniversary Season in the weeks to come.  SPEED will kick off Daytona International Speedway’s Speedweeks with its live flag-to-flag ARCA coverage of the 49th running of the Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 at 4 p.m. Eastern on Saturday, February 18, 2012.  ARCARacing.com will feature additional coverage from the track with live timing and scoring as well as live radio broadcast through ARCA Radio.