Teenager Quinlan excited for Road to Daytona opportunity
(TOLEDO, Ohio – January 3, 2016) — Grant Quinlan left his mark on the 2015 ARCA/CRA Super Series powered by JEGS. In a couple of weekends, the 17-year-old hopes to make his mark at the World Center of Racing.
Quinlan, 17, took part in the annual ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards annual post-season banquet in downtown Indianapolis in December. In opening the show’s festivities, Mark Gundrum, ARCA’s Vice President Business Development and Corporate Partnerships, presented jackets and honors to ARCA’s three touring series champs, including Quinlan.
“Another youngster has made his mark,” Gundrum said. “The mark he has left may be lasting. At 17, he became the third ARCA/CRA Super Series driver to win the tour’s rookie of the year and championship in the season – and the youngest to accomplish that feat. One win, six top five finishes and two fast qualifier awards highlighted his season, a season for the ARCA/CRA record books.”
Quinlan came to the podium, thanking his owner and team for their hard work.
“It’s truly an honor to be able to write my name in the record books. It’s a truly special series,” he said. “That said, it doesn’t happen overnight, to become a champion. A lot of work goes into it, on and off the track, with officials and everybody who puts on these events and works on these race cars.”
Next up for Quinlan is ARCA’s Road to Daytona program, which is essentially a day of testing an ARCA car prepared by championship crew chief and longtime ARCA car owner Bill Kimmel. Ilmor and Sunoco are among the sponsors who help make the program go.
Quinlan can’t wait for the mid-January test. He’ll have plenty of opportunity to talk with ARCA veterans and series officials, plus Kimmel, before getting behind the wheel of the car and hitting the high banks of the 2.5-mile Daytona International Speedway.
“The Road to Daytona is an excellent opportunity for me,” he said. “I’m very excited to drive on the bigger track.”
The program has given the likes of drivers like ARCA Midwest Tour champion Ty Majeski and ARCA/CRA champ Travis Braden the chance to drive an ARCA car at Daytona in the past. Braden, a two-time Road to Daytona recipient, made his ARCA debut in a race he won at Lucas Oil Raceway in 2015. Majeski will be back in Daytona for his second test session after repeating as the Midwest Tour title.
Quinlan said he drove a similar stock car at a one-mile track, but nothing like Daytona.
“The biggest change I believe will be the roll of the car in the corners,” he said. “I look forward to this opportunity and to be on the larger track!”
