DAYTONA BEACH FL (2-10-10) - Apparently winning Daytona isn't everything; it's the only thing.

Since the checkered flag fell on the 47th Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 at Daytona Int'l Speedway, Bobby Gerhart, who won a record sixth time at the "World Center of Racing", has been in a whirlwind.

The Lebanon, Pennsylvania veteran has interviewed on 16 different radio shows and his phone won't stop ringing. The very last phone call he received, however, may be the most interesting of all.

"We just got a call from NASCAR," said the 51-year-old veteran. "They want us to wear the number 5 for the Nationwide race (at Daytona). This is huge for me."

It's huge for several reasons; first and foremost - the number 5 in the Nationwide Series world belongs to Dale Earnhardt, Jr/JR Motorsports. Need we say more.

"This is such a huge honor ...... to get a call like this. I'm still processing it. But, I think they offered the number for all the right reasons. Based on the recent of events of this past week ....... well, it makes sense to me."

Outside of the fact that the number 5 in that world belongs to Earnhardt, there is even more significance to the number. In reality, numbers mean something to drivers and teams. In Gerhart's case, the number 5 is the number his late father often wore throughout his dirt modified career up in the northeast where Bobby Gerhart, Sr. was a local legend.

"The number 5 has always been special for me. It's another reminder of my dad and the huge influence he had in my life. It's one of the ways I carry him with me. He was a hero to me; he still is."

Gerhart's victory Saturday at Daytona not only put him in an exclusive category as the only six-time winner of the race - Iggy Katona's next with three wins - it bumped up his superspeedway status in the ARCA record books. Gerhart's win moved him into a tie with Chad Blount for sixth place in all-time superspeedway wins. Each is tied with seven. The victory also bumped Gerhart up a notch in the superspeedway laps-led category to fifth on the all-time list with 595 superspeedway laps-led.

"The win is just now sinking in. I've been numb all week. I mean I even dreamt about it last night; that's how hard this thing is in my head."

Gerhart's no. 5 Lucas Oil Slick Mist Chevrolet for the Nationwide race at Daytona, a co-effort with Bob Schacht Motorsports, will look identical to his ARCA car he won in last Saturday.