In anticipation for the Ansell Protect Gloves 200 at Lucas Oil Raceway on Thursday July 28th, Max Gresham took some time to test and get a feel for the track.
[media-credit name=”arcaracing.com” align=”alignright” width=”300″][/media-credit]”We really sucked the first four hours of the test,” Gresham said. “We were horrible. The car wasn’t anywhere I needed it to be. Everyone was working really hard to get it close and we just weren’t getting it.
“Then (team manager) Billy Venturini and (crew chief) Kevin Caldwell put their heads together and figured out what we needed. Once they got things worked out, the car really came alive. We picked up a full second on old tires. It was great to make some fast times, especially on old tires. I know Billy and the crew will work this piece and get it even better for when we come back for the race. They always do.”
Gresham, who finished second in the last ARCA start at Michigan International Speedway last month, will be one of the drivers who will participate in the first ARCA race at the 0.686-mile raceway since 1985. It marks the eighth race there in ARCA history and will be televised live on SPEED.
“It’s going to be a first for everyone,” Gresham said. “I believe it’s going to be an eye-opener for everyone. I think everyone is going to be surprised how different this track is and what it takes to get around it.
“This is by far one of the most unique short tracks that I have been to. I’ve never been to a short track as flat as this one is and run right up against the wall. That makes it different, an animal all its own. You’ll never find another track like this one anywhere. I’m definitely looking forward to racing here.”
The next race for the ARCA Series is Saturday July 9th at Berlin Raceway for the Hantz Group 200, where Gresham will be behind the wheel of the No. 25 for Venturini Motorsports. Live timing and scoring coverage for the 10th race of the season will be available through ARCARacing.com beginning at 8:30pm.
ARCA Racing Series practice begins at 2:30 p.m., and will last for 90 minutes. Menards Pole Qualifying presented by Ansell follows at 5, and the ARCA Racing Series drivers will participate in an autograph session at 6:15, just before the race. ARCARacing.com will feature live timing and scoring coverage of all events.