text: Illinois: Bryan Silas preview
  16/08/2007 06:51
  Bryan Silas Prepared To Get Dirty In Springfield "ARCA RE/MAX Series Rookie Prepares For Mile Dirt" SPRINGFIELD, Illinois (Wednesday, August 15, 2007) - - ARCA RE/MAX Series Bryan Silas has learned a lot this year. A lot. His season of ...
  "ARCA RE/MAX Series Rookie Prepares For Mile Dirt"
  The Fast Track Racing development driver isn't sure what to really expect as he strolls into Springfield, but the rookie is itching for a good run on Sunday, while also hoping to make an impact in the championship standings.
  "I'll be honest, I'm not sure what to really expect this weekend," said Silas, a native of Stuart, Florida. "The good news is that my car owner Andy Hillenburg has run exceptionally well on the dirt races in the past and he gives me a ton of confidence heading into the race."
  He continued, "Andy has been spotting for me all year and definitely having him in my corner this weekend could be the difference between finishing first or 30th. He knows how to maneuver young drivers around Springfield. He's a great owner, great coach and great spotter. I'm really glad to have him on my side this weekend."
  Silas added, "I have to learn all I can this weekend, because in a few weeks we'll be back promoting the dirt race at DuQuoin and that will be a crucial race for all of us. It's a quick weekend, practice, qualify and race all within four hours. Its going to go by very fast, so I have to stay completely focused and that's exactly what I plan to do."
  "Several times this year, I've been able to go out on tracks I've never seen before and run strong. USA International Speedway (Lakeland), Pocono Raceway and Iowa Speedway are just a few examples. I am going in with the same mentality I've had all year. I know we can unload strong and be a factor all day."
  While August is probably the busiest month for Silas this year, he is keeping in-check what his primary goals and objectives are. Over the next week and a half, Silas will compete in the ARCA RE/MAX Series, the United Speed Alliance Racing (USAR) Hooter's Pro Cup Series and the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. He knows while it's important to run strong and competitive in USAR and NASCAR, his primary focus is ARCA.
  "We may be out of the hunt for a championship, but we still have some climbing to do in the standings. If anyone ever says that seat time doesn't equal results, they are dead wrong. While I know I need to run strong in ARCA, the extra racing conditions are helping me gather the seat time I need. I'm going to have a lot of fun the next two weeks, but I'm also hoping to reel in strong finishes for my team and sponsors," remarked Silas.
  "I would like to continue to thank my sponsors and all of my friends, family and fans for all their support. The season will begin winding down soon and I would like to utilize the rest of the season to post some good runs and give the team and our sponsors some momentum heading into next year. We're going to be back and we'll be back in a big way," Silas said.
  * Bryan Silas will make his ARCA debut at Illinois State Fairgrounds this weekend. In 2004, car owner Andy Hillenburg fielded the car for A.J. Fike, who scored the ARCA SIM Factory pole award.
  * Silas is spending his first full season of racing competition not only competing in the ARCA RE/MAX Series, but also has frequent starts in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and USAR Hooter's Pro Cup Series.
  * Silas will make 400 left hand turns on Sunday.
  * Before heading to Springfield, Silas spent Monday testing at Bristol Motor Speedway driving his No. 80 Ford in the USAR Hooter's Pro Cup Series. Tuesday, Silas participated in the open-test session at Gateway International Raceway piloting his No. 11 Chevrolet in preparation for ARCA's stop to the 1.25-mile paved oval on August 31.