Tom Hessert Banking on Experience in ARCA Season Opener at Daytona

By:
On:
In: Racing News

Veteran Tom Hessert returns to the high banks at Daytona for the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards season opening Lucas Oil 200 Driven by General Tire on Saturday, February 10.

Making his 185th career ARCA start, Tom Hessert will buckle into Venturini Motorsports’ No.55 US Turf Equipment Toyota Camry hoping to capture his first win at the World Center of Racing.

Already a six-time ARCA winner on tour and one of only a handful of drivers with notable superspeedway experience making up this year’s 40-car field, Hessert is quick to talk about the dynamics of restrictor plate racing.

“Experience plays a big role in success at superspeedways like Daytona and Talladega,” says Hessert.

“Knowing how to work the draft can be the difference between winning or losing. Plate (restrictor plate) racing is the greatest equalizer. It’s also the greatest unknown – anything can happen and anyone can win. It takes a good car and sometimes a little luck.”

Working with crew chief, Billy Venturini, Hessert posted the fastest average lap speed (185.258) of 62 drivers participating in last month’s open test at Daytona.

Hessert, who’s driven for Venturini Motorsports since 2015, won the pole for the Daytona season opener last season and finished fifth in the event.

“Venturini Motorsports always brings a good package to Daytona. Our Toyota Camry was really strong at last month’s test. The car was hooked up and handled the same during the run, whether we were towards the front, in the middle, or out back. I’m really looking forward to this one.”

A popular driver since making his series debut in 2007, Hessert has posted 6 career victories, 54 top-5 and 109 top-10 finishes throughout his career. Already a restrictor-plate winner at Talladega in 2013, the 31-year old driver hopes to add a Daytona victory to his already impressive career history.

The Lucas Oil 200 Driven by General Tire from Daytona, live on FS1 at 4:30 p.m. Eastern Saturday, Feb. 10.

VMS PR

Speedway Digest Staff
Follow Me
Latest posts by Speedway Digest Staff (see all)
Post Views: 48