Fuel Costs Bryan Chance for Top Five Finish at Kentucky

SPARTA KY  (5/14/06) -  Rookie Dawayne Bryan finished a disappointing 11^th after running out of gas on the White flag lap Saturday night in the rain-delayed Harley-Davidson of Cincinnati 150 at Kentucky Speedway.

Bryan had moved steadily towards the front of the field after the start of the race.  By lap 97 of the schedule 100 lap event he had moved up to 3^rd place from his 22^nd starting position.   Unfortunately, when the final caution came out on lap 97, Bryan knew he might be in trouble despite having done everything he could to conserve fuel in the final laps of the race.

“We knew we were going to be close on fuel,” said Bryan.  “When we pitted just past the half-way mark we only took on two right side tires and 1 can of fuel.  If that last caution hadn’t come out we would have been fine and probably would have finished third.  My car was really good all day and might have been even a little bit better there at the end if we had taken 4 tires instead of just two when we pitted.  But at the end of the day my problem was lack of fuel.  It ran out on the backstretch on the final lap while I was racing with Matt McCall for third position.  I was just hoping and praying it would make it those last couple of laps, but it wasn’t meant to be."

This weekend’s event was Bryan’s second visit to the 1.5 mile Kentucky Speedway.   The beautiful facility had been the site of his debut appearance in the ARCA RE/MAX Series and he was hoping to get his second win in the Series with his return to the track.   The next event for Dawayne and his Bryan Racing Team will be the Hantz Group 200 on Friday, June 16^th at Michigan International Speedway.  The event will be televised live  on SPEED at 5:00 p.m.   The team is currently seeking sponsorships for the event.

For additional information please contact:  James Carter, 1111 Third Avenue West, Suite 150, Riverview Center, Bradenton, Florida 34205, Office#(941) 746-6788, Cell#(941) 737-3077

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Dawayne Bryan is looking forward to his return to Kentucky Speedway this weekend where he plans to  compete in the HARLEY-DAVIDSON OF CINCINNATI 150 which is scheduled to start this Saturday 5/13/06 at 3:00 p.m.  If all goes well, it will be his second start at the facility.  His previous start was last July in the AWLWT Channel 5 - 150" which was actually his debut appearance in the ARCA  RE/MAX Series.  Though he ran well during that race and made it into the top five, he wasn't able to finish as a result of a disappointing crash about midway through the event.  To he and his team=s credit, they didn't let that crash get them down.  Instead, in only his second ARCA RE/MAX series start Dawayne managed to battle his way to a WIN just a few months later at Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet, IL in the SK Hand Tool 200.  By winning in only his second ARCA RE/MAX series start with a brand new team, he established himself as one of the series top young rising stars. Unfortunately, not unlike his debut appearance, things didn't work out very well for Dawayne during the 2006 season opener this past February at Daytona International Speedway.  Despite being atop the speed charts at the end of the final practice session and appearing to be well on his way towards the front once the racing began, Dawayne got caught up in a crash that took him out of the competition about midway through the event.  With Daytona being a distant memory, Dawayne and his team and are now focusing on Kentucky with hopes of making the results of their second start of 2006 equal to their second start of 2005.  Who knows, maybe history will repeat itself and Dawayne will win again.  No matter what, Dawayne and his Bryan Racing team are determined to succeed and you can bet they will be giving it their best shot.

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Many people probably have never heard of Dawayne Bryan before. He is an up and coming star who is starting to make a big splash in the ARCA Re/Max Series. He has made three starts in his family owned #65/63 car. What he has done in those three starts is amazing.

In his first start, he barely had a chance at making a mark. He qualified 24th before having some problems and finishing 34th. In his second start at Chicagoland Speedway, he turned the racing world upside down, coming from out of nowhere to start the 65 car in 5th place then to cap it off he led 39 laps, and even better he won. Only a few drivers in ARCA Re/Max history have ever won quicker, and most of those drivers are NASCAR Nextel Cup drivers now or were at one point. The more impressive part was it was a family run team, with an unknown driver coming from nowhere to pull an upset win over ARCA's best.

He has already had his ups and downs this season, but he will be a force to reckon with this season and a top ten points position can easily be obtained by this great, young 23-year-old driver out of Lake Alfred, Florida. He topped the speed charts at Daytona in practice but got collected in a multi car pile up and finished 33rd. He had some bad luck at Nashville and did not qualify.

When racing returns to Chicagoland later this year, watch out because Dawayne is hungry for win number two and there will be no surprises this time. If you want to learn more about Dawayne Bryan go to his site www.dawaynebryan.com

Here is the Q&A with Dawayne Bryan.

What was it like to come from no where and win in your 2nd career ARCA Race?

"It is a great feeling to be in the underdog position and come into a series where the competition is as stiff as it is in the ARCA RE/MAX series and win immediately."

For people who dont really know you could you describe who you are or anything about you to them so they get a idea of who you are?

"Well, it is hard for me to talk about myself. The one thing that I can say is racing is my passion, I am very competitive, tenacious and put all my heart into racing. My family and racing are number one, which makes it hard to have a social life. But, it is all worth it. My friends say that I am a big practical joker and that I love to laugh and have fun."

What are you planning this season?

"The Bryan Racing team currently plans to compete in the first 5 to 6 speedway races. We are currently looking for sponsors to help us run more races but we have not succeeded in our quest thus far."

Are you going to run any Busch or Truck races this year?

"As of right now we have no plans for any series other than the ARCA RE/MAX series. If we happen to get a good sponsor that would like to move up or if a Truck Series or Busch Series owner calls me and would like me to race a couple races for them, then that might be a possibility."

What are your goals this season. Do you think you can win again?

"I don't mean to sound cocky but we don't go to the race track if we don't think we can win. If we feel like we can't win we will stay at the shop and work on the car for the next race. With the expense per race as high as it is, and Bryan Racing having no major sponsor, it is a waste of money to go to the track not thinking you can win."

Could you tell the people about your team (who are they)?

"Our team has always consisted of family and friends. I have always done the work on the car with help from my Dad (Alan) and our long time family friend Shawn White. When we moved up to ARCA it is still us three with the addition of our new Crew Chief Tim Weiss who is very smart and hard working. Sha` Angel and my Mom (Sara) handle all our travel arrangements. We have a couple of people that go to the track but there is only the four of us that really work on the car and the two ladies that handle all the traveling."

What is your favorite track?

"Of course I am partial to the Chicagoland Speedway but Kentucky Speedway is an awesome place as well. Both tracks are very modern, up to date facilities; however, Kentucky is the only place I've personally been to that has an air conditioned tunnel under the track with escalators for spotters to get to the tower, and an Outback Steakhouse in the infield."

Who got you started in racing and who is your racing Idol?

"My Dad is the person who got me involved in racing. He has always been the person behind me supporting me all the way. When I was 12 Dad got me my first racing go-cart and we gradually escalated from there. My number reflects the two racing idols I had growing up. My favorite driver was always Mark Martin but the other person I liked was Dale Earnhardt. When I started racing and had to choose a number I decided to combine my two favorites and that's how I came with 63 and it's been that every since (with the exception of Kentucky and Chicago last year)."

For those people who don't know you, where did you race before coming to ARCA, and how did you get to ARCA?

"I started racing go-carts when I was 12 years old. In go-carts I won the first night I went to the track. After accumulating many more wins I then moved into the Florida Legend Car Series in 2000 when I was 17. There I won my third race ever in legend car and went on to be Rookie Of The Year and finished second in points. From there I moved into a limited late model in 2001 in which I won my first ever race from the pole. After getting many more wins in limited late models I moved up to a super late model half way through the 2004 season. In the super late models I won my third and fourth race. Then in 2005 I ran two ARCA races in which I won in my second start after running 5th at Kentucky before mechanical problems set in. We have always ran big races with a lot of competition rather than local shows because of the old saying 'You are only as good as your competition.' I believe racing with stiff competition has helped me mature as a driver."
* * *
Dion is finishing up his Junior year at Warren Township High School. He is an honors student there. He has been doing articles for about two years now and lovin' it. You can contact Dion at dionmartorano@yahoo.com

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DAWAYNE BRYAN READY FOR NASHVILLE
LAKE ALFRED, FLORIDA (4/14/06)

Dawayne Bryan from Lake Alfred, Florida, is hoping to continue his winning ways this coming weekend at the Nashville Superspeedway in the PFG Lester 150.  By winning in only his second start in the highly competitive ARCA RE/MAX series with a brand new team, he has established himself as one of stockcar racing's young rising stars.  In fact, since starting his racing career at the age of 12, Dawayne has been no stranger to victory lane.  He has won in every series he has competed in thus far and would really like to win at Nashville.  “I would really like to get one of those guitars for my collection,” said Bryan in a recent interview.  In an effort to give him a better chance to make that happen, he and his BRYAN RACING TEAM came to the open test session last month.  They were among the fastest cars all  day and were pleased with the effort.

Sponsors for the race include his family’s company HTC (Hi-Tech Construction), as well as, Murray Farms out of Bainbridge, Georgia, Stick-it Graphics, Shawn White Enterprises and James Carter, Attorney at Law.

With one win in three starts, Dawayne is looking forward to competing this year.  He would like to run all the ARCA RE/MAX series speedway races.  In order to do that he and his family are looking for some additional sponsorship support.  Meanwhile, Dawayne has not ruled out the possibility of driving for some of the other teams who are looking for young, talented racecar drivers.   If you are interested in joining the Bryan Racing team or just looking for more information about Dawayne please contact James Carter, PR/Marketing Director for Bryan Racing, 941-737-3077.

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DAWAYNE BRYAN TOPS THE SPEED CHARTS IN FINAL PRACTICE SESSION FOR ARCA RE/MAX SEASON OPENER, DAYTONA INT. SPEEDWAY, (2/10/06) Dawayne Bryan from Lake Alfred, Florida, appears to be on target to continue his winning ways this  weekend

at the Daytona International Speedway. He was the fastest in the final practice session this afternoon,   with an impressive run.   The ARCA 200 will be only the third start for Dawayne in the ARCA RE/MAX series.   He won last year in his second start at Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet, IL in the SK Hand Tool 200

Dawayne's 2005 Dodge Charger came from race shops of Chip Ganassi Racing with the assistance of Lorin Ranier while the power is being provided by an Ernie Elliott Racing engine.  His crew chief is Tim Weiss.  Sponsors for the race include, DR. LARRY SIDAWAY & the North Central Heart Institute, JR VENTURES, KIRKLAND’s TREE SERVICE, BURNS FLOORING & DESIGN, SHAWN WHITE ENTERPRISES, H.T.C. (Hi-Tech Construction),STICKY-STUFF, UNDERWIRE SERVICES, LLC, and ATTORNEY JAMES CARTER

With one win in two starts, Dawayne is looking forward to this year.  He would like to run all the RE/MAX series speedway races this year.  In order to do that he and his family are looking for some additional sponsorship support.  Meanwhile, Dawayne has not ruled out the possibility of driving for some of the other teams who are looking for young, talented racecar drivers.   If you are interested in joining the Bryan Racing team or just looking for more information about Dawayne please visit his website www.dawaynebryan.com or contact James Carter, PR/Marketing Director for Bryan Racing, 941-737-3077.

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Florida's Dawayne Bryan Turns Dreams to Reality; Enters Daytona   TOLEDO, OH (1-3-06) - Lake Alfred, Florida’s Dawayne Bryan is well on his way to making his dreams of racing at Daytona International Speedway a reality. The rookie ARCA RE/MAX Series driver has filed an entry for the February 11, Daytona ARCA 200.  As a Florida native, Bryan has competed at short tracks throughout the south in Late Models, Legend Cars and Go Karts.  Racing at his hometown superspeedway, however, will help the rookie driver

realize a dream that not many young racers are ever able to achieve. 

“Anyone that has anything to do with racing has raced at Daytona,” said Bryan. “Besides Darlington, that’s the most historic track there is and it’s going to be great to be there and great to be able to race at that facility.” 
But the upcoming Daytona ARCA 200 is not the first time that Bryan has flirted with the legendary superspeedway. He tested at the track during ARCA’s open test in December. 

“I think we were fourth on the first day and eighth on the second day of the test,” said Bryan. “With all those NASCAR teams there that was pretty good. Overall we were happy.” 

Bryan surprised much of the ARCA garage in 2005 with a victory at Chicagoland Speedway in only his second series start. 

“I think the Chicagoland victory surprised a lot of people,” said Bryan. “In the way everything turned out, it kinda shocked me, too. It was definitely a lot of mixed emotions.” 

He’s hoping to use the momentum he gained in 2005 to build on a successful 2006 ARCA RE/MAX Series season at Daytona--and beyond. 

“Racing is basically all we do,” said Bryan. “If we’re not at the track we’re working on everything and getting ready to go to the track. Basically everything just revolves around racing.” 

And for a young man that has been watching his uncle and friends race on dirt tracks in Florida since he was six-years-old, and who has had a driving career of his own since the age of twelve, everything up to this point has revolved around the legendary Daytona International Speedway. 

“From being from Florida we’ve been going to a lot of those races forever,” said Bryan. “Actually my first race there, my mom was eight and a half months pregnant and her and my dad went to watch the Pepsi 400 NASCAR race. He due date was two weeks later. I can be from my driveway to the infield in about an hour and 15 minutes.” 

And, Bryan’s racing roots have been deeply embedded in the Florida landscape. Currently, Bryan’s racing efforts are sponsored primarily by the family owned construction business, Hi Tech Construction, out of Winter Haven, Florida. 

“He’s always been the one doing everything,” said Bryan, who pointed out that his father has never raced himself but has been instrumental in helping to build racecars. “He’s been the one backing me all these years.” 

But Bryan’s career contains some uncertainty as the family-owned race team will need additional sponsorship in order to complete the entire 23-race 2006 ARCA RE/MAX Series schedule. 

“We’re going to go to Daytona and Nashville and see how that turns out,” said Bryan. “And hopefully we’ll get some money to run the rest of the schedule.” 

And, with less than two hours separating Bryan from Daytona International Speedway, he plans on having a large cheering audience on hand for the Daytona ARCA 200. 

“My mom’s booked a bunch of tickets for my family and friends,” said Bryan. “There’s going to be about fifty people in the stands that I know of so far that have already booked their tickets.” 

The Daytona ARCA 200 precedes the NASCAR Nextel Cup Bud Shootout on February 11, 2006 as part of Daytona International Speedway’s annual Speedweeks celebration. Tickets are available by contacting the speedway at (386) 253-7223. For more information on Dawayne Bryan, the ARCA RE/MAX Series, and race week schedules, visit the official ARCA homepage at www.arcaracing.com. 

CONTACTS:
ARCA PR/Media (click here for ARCA's official Bryan news page)
Office (734) 847-6726
Don Radebaugh (419) 450-0611 (cell)
Jackie L. Franzil (419) 574-2685 (cell)

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“It was pretty different,” Tracy said of his first laps. “Obviously I’ve never driven here other than a Grand-Am car. I think we had a good run. I did an eight- or nine-lap run and I think we ended up seventh or eighth quick. I’m just trying to figure out where I’m going. I was flat foot the whole time trying different lines and ran around on different parts of the track.”

Tracy, who tested a NEXTEL Cup Series car for Richard Childress Racing earlier this year at Michigan Speedway, says he’s close to putting together a limited Busch Series deal with the Biagi Bros.

While he’s returning to Champ Car in 2006, he hopes to be running full-time in NASCAR by 2007.

“My game plan was to make the transition in ’06 but it really didn’t come together,” Tracy said. “I’ve made another year commitment to Forsythe Racing. (Jerry Forsythe has) been gracious enough to say go do whatever you want to do and try whatever you want to try. My timetable is to be in NASCAR in ’07.

“We’re getting the wheels turned now. Hopefully (in 2006) I can run 10-11 races in Busch and maybe a Cup race or two. Really just drive as much as I can.”

Tracy, who met Hillenburg through a friend, says he has been a huge help in figuring out the ins and outs of stock cars.

“Andy’s been really helpful,” Tracy said. “He came from sprint cars and ran in the IRL and ran at Indianapolis. He knows the trials and difficulties of trying to make the transition into NASCAR.”

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Crocker’s First laps: Evernham Motorsports’ development driver Erin Crocker, who’ll pull a Daytona doubleheader during Speedweeks competing in both the ARCA 200 on Saturday, Feb. 11 as well as the Daytona 250 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race on Friday night, Feb. 17, turned her first laps at DIS on Friday. “They were exciting,” said the 24-year-old Crocker, a native of Wilbraham, Mass. “It was a childhood dream to race at Daytona and these were our first laps. It’s my first day at Daytona, the first day of many hopefully.”

During the lunch break, Crocker recalled her first trip to “The World Center of Racing.”

“My family use to come every year for the 500 up until maybe I was 12 or 13,” Crocker said. “I came the last two years to watch and be here. It’s exciting for me to finally get behind the wheel and not just to spectate.”

“I thought it was wild and you have to be insane to drive it,” said Crocker as she continued to remember her childhood memories of DIS. “But obviously things change as you get older.”

Crocker, who began her career at the age of seven racing quarter midgets and is the only female to win a World of Outlaws race, will run a full season in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series in the No. 98 General Mills Dodge Ram for Evernham Motorsports as well as selected ARCA RE/MAX Series and Busch Series events.

“We’re just trying to get as much seat time as possible,” said Crocker, who holds a bachelor’s degree in Industrial and Management Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, N.Y. “I have the dirt background and last year it went well in ARCA and we struggled a little bit on the Busch side of things. We realize I don’t have much pavement experience so we’re going to run a lot of races. We’re going to run full trucks and seven ARCA races and six Busch races as of now.”

KHI, RCR Assisting Burney Lamar: Like Erin Crocker, Kevin Harvick Inc.’s development driver Burney Lamar will also pull double duty during Speedweeks 2006 competing in both the ARCA 200 and the Hershey’s Kissables 300 NASCAR Busch Series season opener.

The 25-year-old Lamar, who will race the No. 77 Dollar General Chevrolet for KHI in the Busch Series in 2006, is testing this week with both KHI and Richard Childress Racing crew members. He was fourth fastest in the morning session.

“The test is going great,” said Lamar, who competed in a limited number of NASCAR Grand National Division West Series, Craftsman Truck Series and Busch Series races for KHI. “This is my first time at Daytona and actually I feel a lot smoother than I did at Talladega. I’m getting up top and running where I’m supposed to be is a lot easier. I’m having a lot of fun out here and trying to get these cars up to speed. After running at Talladega, everything here is easy. I’m able to run a little bit higher here and just to be able to say I’ve run at Daytona is a blast.”

Testing is free and open to the public with access to the Oldfield Grandstand through the lobby of DAYTONA USA. Tickets for Speedweeks 2006 events are available online at  or by calling 1-800-PITSHOP.

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