DAYTONA BEACH FL (12-17-05) - Bobby Gerhart will be chasing the Daytona International Speedway record books in the season-opening ARCA 200 ARCA/REMAX Series race on Saturday, Feb. 11. Gerhart, a native of Lebanon, Penn., has captured the 1999, 2002 and the 2005 season-opening ARCA RE/MAX Series events joining him with Iggy Katona as the only three-time ARCA 200 winners at Daytona.

51 Drivers in 42 Cars Test
Gerhart Quickest at Daytona with a lap of 48.555 at 185.357 MPH; Open-Wheeler Tracy Turns Laps Rookie Leicht Fastest in Morning Testing

Gerhart, who has also won the last three ARCA 200 poles at DIS, dominated the 2005 event leading 58 of the 65 laps of the shortened event. His success at “The World Center of Racing” is something he takes pride in.

“I certainly don’t think we come here with any kind of edge,” said Gerhart during a break in this weekend’s three-day test session. “Every year is different. If anything changes, I promise you we work harder every year. I’m standing in a garage with five race cars. This is our first of probably four tests trying to defend the win. It’s big. There’s no doubt about that. I’m not going to be quiet about it. I swing a big bat when it comes to winning here. We’re going to give it all we can.”

Gerhart was the fastest on Friday’s first day of testing and was again on top of the speed chart after Saturday’s session, which was shortened by rain showers. Gerhart turned a fast lap of 185.357 mph on Saturday while Robert Yates Racing development drivers Stephen Leicht (183.748) and Matt McCall (183.546) rounded out the top three. Evernham Motorsports development driver Erin Crocker (182.637) was seventh fastest and Kevin Harvick Inc. development driver Burney Lamar (182.219) was 11th fastest.

Gerhart doesn’t compete for the ARCA RE/MAX Series championship. He only runs select races and focuses his efforts on the major events on the ARCA RE/MAX Series schedule.

“A long time ago, probably a decade ago, I felt without having the proper finances to run for the championship, I was going to select the races I felt were the biggest of the year and try to be sharp at them,” Gerhart said. “It’s pretty evident that this is one. With the business interests that I’m in at home with a couple of different car dealerships, that keeps me active. It’s hard to tear me away for a complete season. I’m pretty content at trying to win the biggest races of the year.”

Daytona International Speedway was an easy track to fuel Gerhart’s competitive juices. He has wanted to compete and win at the world famous 2.5-mile tri-oval all his life.

“As I grew up in the ’60s and ’70s and watching this place come alive on television with all the Daytona 500 action, I could only dream to come here to compete let alone win,” Gerhart said. “The France family has done an unbelievable job of making this the ‘World Center of Racing.’ I’m tickled to be a part of it.”

Besides shaking down five cars, he’s also testing some rookie drivers in the massive three-day test. But one thing Gerhart won’t be doing is resting on his past successes.

“I’ve got five (cars) with me and one at home,” said Gerhart when asked which one he’ll race in February. “I’ll know more on Sunday but I think I have a good idea that’s it’s down to two right now which will be last year’s car or the one that ran at Talladega. We’ll probably give the new (car) a spin in January and make a decision from there.

“I don’t spend a lot of time dwelling on (the past). We’re always working on next year. Even the day after the (2005) win, I was working on things for next year. This is a sport that’s certainly performance based and you’re only as good as your last win. You got to keep the ball rolling.”

ARCA RE/MAX Series testing concludes on Sunday and is free and open to the public with access to the Oldfield Grandstand through the lobby of DAYTONA USA.