Tom Hessert wins pole for ARCA opener at Daytona

By Don Radebaugh

Posted 7:07PM on Friday 17th February 2017 ( 7 years ago )

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - Veteran wheelman Tom Hessert will lead the field to green on Saturday at Daytona International Speedway as the ARCA Racing Series season opener.

Hessert, in the sixth qualifying group, was the last car off pit road among his six-car pack. His strategy was to lay way back in order to get a run.

It worked.

“Being in the back of group was obviously advantageous, so we could sit way back and get a run,” said Hessert.

Hessert was so far back he seemed in danger of losing the draft altogether.

“I was worried about that….we were at least a couple hundred yards back. I was worried we weren’t going to get there, but the car did what it was supposed to do and we got it done.

“This is obviously a great start to the weekend for us. I want to thank Venturini Motorsports and all my guys on the crew…we’re excited for tomorrow.”

Hessert circled the 2.5-mile track in 48.143 seconds, an average speed of 186.943 mph. Hessert bumped Matt Tifft off the pole in the final minutes of qualifying. Tifft held on for the second qualifying position with a speed of 186.838 mph.

Bryan Dauzat, Kyle Weatherman and Willie Mullins completed the top five qualifiers.

Saturday’s Lucas Oil Complete Engine Treatment 200 is set for a 4:15 pm starting time Saturday afternoon.

ARCA Racing Series
Daytona International Speedway – Daytona Beach, FL
Lucas Oil 200 – Feb. 17, 2017

Friday’s Qualifying Results

1. Tom Hessert
2. Matt Tifft
3. Bryan Dauzat
4. Kyle Weatherman
5. Willie Mullins
6. Kaz Grala
7. Ray Ciccarelli
8. Michael Self
9. Austin Theriault
10. Dalton Sargeant
11. Michael Lira
12. Terry Jones
13. Derrick Lancaster
14. Bret Holmes
15. Mark Thompson
16. Quin Houff
17. Leilani Munter
18. Codie Rohrbaugh
19. Shane Lee
20. Ricky Sanders
21. Bobby Gerhart
22. Sean Corr
23. Thomas Praytor
24. Bo LeMastus
25. Travis Braden
26. John Ferrier
27. Gus Dean
28. Caesar Bacarella
29. Clint King
30. Ed Pompa
31. A.J. Fike
32. Justin Fontaine
33. David LeBeau
34. Eric Caudell
35. Cody Lane
36. Andy Seuss
37. Gene Paul
38. Brad Smith
39. Mike Senica
40. Con Nicolopoulos
41. Scott Edwards
42. Noah Gragson

Tom Hessert (right) scored the pole position for Saturday's season opening race for the ARCA Racing Series at Daytona International Speedway.

http://accesswdun.com/article/2017/2/503480/tom-hessert-wins-pole-for-arca-opener-at-daytona