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ARCA: Rookie Class Looks McNificent
Written by: Mike Harper
RaceTalkRadio.com   http://www.racetalkradio.com
06/28/2007 - 07:00 PM
Temperance, MI
 
ARCA RE/MAX Rookie Michael McDowell, No. 2 Dodge Charger, has led 271 laps in 6 of 11 events in 2007. (ARCA RE/MAX Photo) » More Photos
When the Craftsman Truck Series waves the green-flag this weekend at Memphis Motorsports Park, a familiar face will be missing from the lineup. Ted Musgrave, the 2005 Craftsman Truck Series champion has been suspended from competition due to an on-track incident with a rookie driver during last weekend's event at the Milwaukee Mile.

Prior to the announcement of his suspension, Musgrave spent time with NASCAR officials explaining his frustrations about this season's rookie class. "I went in and talked to the officials and told them some of the problems I was having with some of our rookie class out there," said Musgrave. So what they suggested is that I go to Memphis and run the rookie meeting. That's an opportunity I am going to take, and hopefully we can start to help get them up to speed."

Unfortunately, with the news of his suspension it seems doubtful Musgrave will run the rookie meeting at Memphis. However, I'm sure an opportunity will become available to him when he's able to return to the track. And, when he does return, if he's looking for rookie examples to share with the class he can point to the 2007 rookie class from the ARCA RE/MAX Series.

Michael McDowell and Phillip McGilton currently share the top spot in the ARCA RE/MAX Series rookie standings and are quickly earning the respect of ARCA veterans and officials. Their early success could be tied to the fact their owners have taken a different approach to driver development. While NASCAR teams like Evernham Motorsports and Bill Davis Racing have focused part-time in ARCA to develop drivers, Eddie Sharp Racing and Brewco Motorsports have decided to run full-time teams and the results have been extremely positive.

"We've got those solid development teams from the NASCAR side of the world. But we've got a healthy mix of ARCA RE/MAX Series driver development teams that are full-time ARCA RE/MAX Series teams that are pumping out quality stuff. And, it's evident in their finishing orders, and in pole positions," said Don Radebaugh, the PR / Media Director for the ARCA RE/MAX Series. "This is in my opinion the go to series for taking that next step."
ARCA RE/MAX Rookie of the Year candidiate Philip McGilton behind the wheel of the No. 47 SI Performance Ford. (Photo: Dennis Michelsen/RaceTalkRadio.com) » More Photos

That next step is what many upcoming young drivers are looking to accomplish in ARCA. The entire crop of rookie standouts are building a future in racing including Bryan Silas, a driver who has spent time this season racing in the Craftsman Truck Series.

Silas, third in the ARCA rookie standings and a development driver for Andy Hillenburg's Fast
Track Racing has caught the attention of many race fans. But according to his car owner, before Silas can realize success it's important to get familiar with the tracks on the ARCA schedule. "He hasn't seen all the race tracks yet, so it's a matter of getting him on the tracks," says Hillenburg, the 1995 ARCA RE/MAX Series champion. "I'm really looking towards being competitive where he's running in the top five in the last half of the season, week in and week out and if you do that you're going to win a race."

While the NASCAR teams may drop in and dabble in ARCA a few times a season, true full-time driver development is happening throughout the ARCA RE/MAX Series with ARCA based teams. From Cunningham Motorsports with their group of young drivers to Country Joe Racing, who graduated last season's ARCA Rookie of the Year Blake Bjorklund to the Craftsman Truck Series, it's evident in ARCA that young drivers are being taught more than racing basics.

"If you want to develop your stock car skills and your career to move up to that next level, then you need to come and spend a season in the ARCA RE/MAX Series, or two or three for that matter," says ARCA's Radebaugh. "It starts here in ARCA."

As I watch these teams and drivers push through the challenges of racing, you see a passion from the owners of wanting to provide a platform for their young drivers to excel and grow. At the same time these ARCA team owners have come to accept that at some point, a win or several good finishes could bring a NASCAR team calling for the services of their driver. And, with it a season's worth of time and money could be gone in a blink of an eye. But I believe they can take comfort in knowing, the time and money was well spent because above all, they built character in that driver, they taught respect, patience and a drive to succeed on and off the track. Those characteristics will live inside the drivers for a lifetime.

Editor's Note: Next week on Inside the ARCA RE/MAX Series, NASCAR Busch Series driver and past ARCA race winner Brad Coleman joins us in the SPEEDtv.com Hot Seat.

Mike Harper is an ARCA RE/MAX Series contributor for SPEEDtv.com, and host of Inside the ARCA RE/MAX Series radio show on RaceTalkRadio.com.

RaceTalkRadio.com

ARCARacing.com