ARCA Preseason at Daytona - Part 1
How can one summarize driving at Daytona?
Depart from France, arrive in the USA, depart for Daytona, arrive at Daytona, race, depart from Daytona, back to South Carolina, interview - all that in just one breath. So, for now, breathe in and breathe out. With this article, I wish to take a moment, as I’m always in front of my computer, to take a step back and analyze everything that has happened, what I felt, and what I hope for the future.
Departure from France: January 3rd, 2020. Excitement linked to the prospect of testing at Daytona in the ARCA Series pre-season tests dominates. Negative COVID-19 tests in my hands, I am ready. I prepared for years to get this opportunity to race in America. Daytona offers the chance to obtain new experiences that will be key in determining if I am getting closer to my limits, or if I have more potential to uncover on-track, which would mean I’m only getting started when it comes to racing ovals.
Arrival in the US: Same day, different continent. From the start it’s difficult to enjoy every moment following the loss of my great-uncle - an army veteran and veteran driver - on January 6th. We were close. That day, my life changed. My normal routine of searching for sponsors while working on my university studies no longer existed. The grief overtook me, and my personal struggles moved to “front and center.”
As I departed for Daytona, a feeling of curiosity seized me. Like a child running around the shelves of a toy store, I am about to discover something new: South Carolina, then Georgia, then Florida. After a quick trip through Jacksonville, the signs announcing “Daytona Beach” are showing up more frequently. It’s beautiful. Stirring. The atmosphere almost bears an uncanny feeling of holidays!
Today’s goal: Obtain ARCA’s approval to race superspeedways. I followed the team instructions: don’t take risks, take care of the car, bring it back in one piece. Don’t forget to enjoy the experience and get approved to race.
When I signed up for these tests, I wanted to measure myself against my own limits, against the track, and against other drivers. I did exactly that except I did not get to measure my skills against other drivers. It is a small disappointment, but I wish I could have discovered drafting and learned more about the aerodynamic phenomenon that takes place on superspeedways. However, finding out about it during an actual race will be an interesting challenge.
Racing. Being back at the track, whether for testing or a race, and working closely with the team was exactly what I needed. I have a lot of “things” to go over in a short amount of time. I have to focus on making the most of the time that is given to me in the car. I need to learn how to feel the car, learn about the track, and get comfortable in this new environment.
Until… no earphones! They are in a suitcase, forgotten in Spartanburg. As usual, I had to forget something! Earphones are needed to communicate with the team while on the racetrack, so, I am forced to trade my helmet for a new one. It is iridescent blue with an indisputable appeal inherited from his owner, Mr. Chris Buescher, driver of the #17 Ford Mustang for Roush Fenway Racing in the Cup Series. The helmet fits like a glove, which is a bit of an awkward statement, but you know what I mean. Forgetting my own helmet was not so bad after all!
Before climbing in the racecar, a short glance at the track and the other participants allows me to let what is about to happen soak in. The noise, the atmosphere, the place, the memories of the races I watched on TV, the effervescence of the garage, the teams and their haulers, each more beautiful than the other, and the renowned drivers.
Impressive? Yes.
Impressed? No.
I didn’t have the time to be impressed. Thirty laps go by quickly. After I traded my fire suit for my jacket, a « Model Daytona » specifically bought in America for this occasion, it was the end. That was it. I was sad. In these moments, I wish I didn’t have to leave my uniform and the cockpit. Every day at the track brings enjoyment and the only feeling that equals this happiness is the sadness that follows.
Through the sadness, my joy returned - Mission Accomplished! I was approved by ARCA to race at superspeedways in 2021 AND 2022!
Staying at the track to follow my fellow MDR Sports driver, Mariah, as she tests the next day and watching the remainder of the pre-season tests unfold as a passive spectator was harder than I thought. I may not have prepared for that and against all logic, I only want one thing: to leave this legendary racetrack and go far away.
My frustration was equal to the fame of Daytona International Speedway. The trip back to South Carolina was quiet.
Since then, work resumed in the search for sponsors. The desire is there. It's hard to give up my dream, not to dwell on a bit of unfinished business. I'm going to try everything as I did on the track, so I won't regret anything.