DAYTONA BEACH, Florida (February 8, 2011) – – Louisville, Kentucky native Brian Rose will make an emotional return to Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway for the first time since 2002 Saturday afternoon when the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards waives the green flag on their 2011 season-opener for the Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200.
Nearly 10 years ago, Rose made his impression in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) driving the No. 4 SunClear Energy Dodge Ram for Bobby Hamilton Racing (BHR). After qualifying a stout third, Rose led several laps and found himself in contention for his first career NASCAR victory. However, with less than 10 laps remaining, Rose found himself shuffled out of contention and had to settle for fourth.
Switching from trucks to cars and reuniting with his former crew chief Danny Rollins, the duo will look to pull off an upset Saturday afternoon when Brian Rose Motorsports makes its inaugural ARCA Racing Series debut in the No. 19 Team ASE / Harris Trucking Toyota Camry.
The team participated in the open ARCA test at the “World Center of Racing” last month and it was apparent that the sidekicks had not lost any of their momentum. After playing conservatively early, the team turned up the wick and immediately bolted one of the fastest laps of the week.
Deciding to play it safe, the team elected to load up their hauler and trek back home and make the final touches on their Japanese nameplate while also scooping out the perfect race strategy.
“I’m excited about this weekend,” said Rose, who holds 41 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series starts to his credit. “This is my first go-around in ARCA, but I really feel like we’re going to have a shot at winning the race on Saturday. Danny (Rollins) and the boys have done an incredible job with this Toyota and I’m looking forward to see how she performs under race conditions.”
What some might not know is that Rose was curious about what to expect when he climbed in his Team ASE / Harris Trucking Toyota Camry during the test. The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series did not require restrictor plates while the stock-cars of the ARCA Racing Series do which immediately demands a different driving style. It took Rose about two laps to be accustomed to the new challenge, but quickly that became something of the past.
“It was a little different at first,” said Rose referring to the restrictor plate, which is designed to decrease the speed of the cars. “Danny (Rollins, crew chief) was quick to get on the radio and let me know what I was doing wrong. Quickly, I figured it out.”
When asked about his fondest memory of Daytona, Rose quietly replied, “You can never forget the voice of Bobby Hamilton Sr.,” he said. “You knew he meant business and he was a racer. He told me what to do and I knew I had to do it. He was right because doing exactly what he told me to do delivered a strong finish at Daytona.”
Rose drove for Hamilton Sr. in 2002 before the NASCAR icon passed away in 2005 after a stint with neck cancer. The Brian Rose Motorsports team will race in his honor Saturday.
The ARCA season kicks off a busy season for the newly formed Brian Rose Motorsports. In conjunction with the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards, BRM will participate in select NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS), NASCAR Nationwide Series (NNS) and Late Model events all in hopes of a full-time touring schedule in 2012.
“In my books, the ARCA Racing Series opens the door to the new racing season. I’ve watched the series grow tremendously over the last couple of years and I expect nothing but a very intense and competitive race. The fans will be standing till the end, guaranteed.”
Lawton Insurance, Battomi and West Coast Autosource join Team ASE and Harris Trucking as associate marketing partners on the No. 19 Brian Rose Motorsports Toyota Camry.
The Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 at Daytona (80 laps / 200 miles) is the first of 19 events on the 2011 ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards schedule. The 48th ARCA race held at Daytona is a three-day show. Practice begins Thursday, February 10 with a four hour practice session planned from 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Menards pole qualifying presented by Ansell is set for Friday, February 11 slated to begin at 2:00 p.m. A forty-five minute final practice session is etched in on Saturday, February 12th from 10:00 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. The event will take the green flag later that day shortly after 4:30 p.m. The race will be televised live on SPEED with additional race coverage including live timing and scoring and radio broadcast through the ARCA Racing Network (ARN) online at arcaracing.com. All times are local.
More information on Brian Rose, Brian Rose Motorsports and marketing partnership inquiries, please visit the all-new BrianRoseMotorsports.com.
