New Smyrna 150 Photos
Check out the photos from New Smyrna 150 presented by JEGS.
Month: February 2014
New Smyrna 2014
Back-To-Back Wins for Daniel Suarez
Concord, NC (Feb. 19, 2014) – Daniel Suarez has swept the first two races of the 2014 K&N Pro Series East season.
Suarez’s performance at the UNOH Battle at the Beach was nothing short of dominant as he led the pack for the final 119 laps of the 150-lap circuit.
After starting the race in 6th place, Suarez moved up to 4th place after only 4 laps. Insatiable in his effort to increase his standing, Suarez moved into 3rd place 15 laps into the race. By lap 31, Suarez maneuvered into first and the rest is history.
“It’s crazy, man. We have been working so hard to make this happen and for us to come through is amazing,” said Suarez who opened the season with back-to-back wins.
Tuesday night’s win marked the 3rd victory for Suarez and the 14th victory for Rev Racing since 2010. Additionally, the Monterrey, Mexico, driver’s win makes this the first season since Sean Caisse’s 2006 campaign that a driver has won the first two K&N Pro Series East races.
The remaining members of the NASCAR Drive for Diversity Program, Sergio Peña, Ryan Gifford, and Jay Beasley finished the race 13th, 16th, and 20th, respectively.
Mackena Bell, pilot of the #21 Special Smiles Toyota Camry, came in 17th.
The UNOH Battle At The Beach doubleheader, which also included a NASCAR Whelen Modified/NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour special event, aired live on Fox Sports 2. The K&N portion of the event will rebroadcast on Wednesday, Feb. 19 at 5:30 p.m. on Fox Sports 1. Suarez’s New Smyrna win will air on FOX Sports 1 on Saturday at 9 a.m.
The NASCAR K&N Pro Series East will resume with the PittLite 125 on March 15 at Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway.
NASCAR K&N PRO SERIES EAST-UNOH Battle At The Beach
Unofficial Results
Tuesday
At Daytona International Speedway (.37-mile)
Daytona Beach, Fla.
Lap length: 0.37 miles
(Start position in parentheses)
1. (6) Daniel Suarez, Monterrey, Mexico, Toyota, 150 laps, 48.121 mph.
2. (2) Austin Hill, Winston, Ga., Ford, 150.
3. (19) Brandon McReynolds, Mooresville, N.C., Toyota, 150.
4. (11) Nick Drake, Mooresville, N.C., Toyota, 150.
5. (9) Lee Pulliam, Semora, N.C., Toyota, 150.
6. (10) Kenzie Ruston, El Reno, Okla., Chevrolet, 150.
7. (3) Gray Gaulding, Colonial Heights, Va., Chevrolet, 150.
8. (18) Patrick Staropoli, Plantation, Fla., Toyota, 150.
9. (12) Scott Heckert, Ridgefield, Conn., Chevrolet, 150.
10. (21) Kaz Grala, Westborough, Mass., Chevrolet, 150.
11. (15) Brandon Gdovic, Yorktown, Va., Toyota, 150.
12. (23) Jesse Little, Sherrills Ford, N.C., Chevrolet, 150.
13. (17) Sergio Pena, Winchester, VA, Toyota, 150.
14. (13) Cameron Hayley, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, Chevrolet, 150.
15. (1) Ben Rhodes, Louisville, Ky., Chevrolet, 150.
16. (14) Jay Beasley, Las Vegas, Nev., Toyota, 150.
17. (20) Mackena Bell, Carson City, Nev., Toyota, 149.
18. (7) Brodie Kostecki, Perth, Australia, Toyota, 148.
19. (22) Eddie MacDonald, Rowley, Mass., Chevrolet, 148.
20. (16) Ryan Gifford, Winchester, Tenn., Toyota, 147.
21. (8) David Garbo, Jr., Stonington, Conn., Toyota, 145.
22. (5) Brennan Newberry, Bakersfield, Calif., Chevrolet, 143.
23. (4) Ronnie Bassett, Jr., Winston Salem, NC, Toyota, 143.
24. (26) Brandon Jones, Atlanta, Ga., Toyota, 143.
25. (25) Jerry Dawson, Saugus, Mass., Chevrolet, 81.
26. (24) Cory Joyce, Gilford, NH, Chevrolet, 74.
Race Statistics
Time of Race: 1 hour 9 minutes 12 seconds
Margin of Victory: .596 seconds
Fastest Qualifier: B. Rhodes * (71.655 mph, 18.589 seconds)
Caution Flags: 8 for 54 laps.
Lead Changes: 1 among 2 drivers.
Lap Leaders: G. Gaulding 1-31; D. Suarez 32-150.
Standings: 1. D. Suarez, 96; 2. L. Pulliam, 78; 3. K. Ruston, 77; 4. G. Gaulding, 76; 5. C. Hayley, 73; 6. B. McReynolds, 71; 7. B. Rhodes, 69; 8. N. Drake, 69; 9. P. Staropoli, 69; 10. B. Gdovic, 68.
Mackena Bell Collects Another Top 10 Finish
Mackena Bell wasted no time adding to her list accomplishments with an 8th place finish at the New Smyrna 150 presented by JEGS Saturday night at New Smyrna Speedway.
After two successful practices, Bell qualified 18th out of 30 drivers. “We were fast in practice and the car did pretty much whatever I wanted it to do,” Bell stated. “I just needed to find a little more speed in qualifying.” Despite being displeased with her qualifying time, Bell kept her head high and remained determined to make up for lost ground.
In the first 20 laps, Bell moved up 5 positions. By lap 42, she was in 12th place, and moved into 11th place by the halfway break. Once the drivers returned to the track Bell continued to move up in the field until she positioned herself in eighth where she would ultimately finish the race.
“From an 18th starting position, what we were able to accomplish tonight was awesome. [Tonight’s race] makes me very optimistic about this year and thankful for all the guys on my team.”
Last night’s top 10 finish gave Bell her fifth top 10 finish since moving up to the K&N Pro Series.
The K&N Pro Series East will have a quick turn around as the series will also be a part of Tuesday’s UNOH Battle At The Beach on the backstretch at Daytona International Speedway.
The New Smyrna 150 presented by JEGS will air on FOX Sports 1 on Saturday at 9 a.m.
ABOUT SPECIAL SMILES PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY: Special Smiles Pediatric Dentistry is a woman-owned business located in Indianapolis, IN. Special Smiles saw the chance to jumpstart happy healthy smiles through partnering with fellow leading woman Mackena Bell. With victory in sight, and Bell behind the wheel, the Bell/Special Smiles team hopes to make successful, memorable smiles wherever they turn.
UNOFFICIAL RESULTS
NASCAR K&N PRO SERIES EAST-New Smyrna 150 presented by JEGS Results
Sunday
At New Smyrna Speedway
New Smyrna Beach, Fla.
Lap length: 0.48 miles
(Start position in parentheses)
1. (11) Daniel Suarez, Monterrey, Mexico, Toyota, 150 laps, 65.587 mph.
2. (1) Cameron Hayley, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, Chevrolet, 150.
3. (10) Brandon Jones, Atlanta, Ga., Chevrolet, 150.
4. (2) Ben Rhodes, Louisville, Ky., Chevrolet, 150.
5. (5) Lee Pulliam, Semora, N.C., Toyota, 150.
6. (6) Kenzie Ruston, El Reno, Okla., Chevrolet, 150.
7. (8) Gray Gaulding, Colonial Heights, Va., Chevrolet, 150.
8. (18) Mackena Bell, Carson City, Nev., Toyota, 150.
9. (17) Brandon Gdovic, Yorktown, Va., Toyota, 150.
10. (21) Kaz Grala, Westborough, Mass., Chevrolet, 150.
11. (24) Patrick Staropoli, Plantation, Fla., Toyota, 150.
12. (15) Matt Tifft, Hinckley, Ohio, Dodge, 150.
13. (16) Brennan Newberry, Bakersfield, Calif., Chevrolet, 150.
14. (3) Brandon McReynolds, Mooresville, N.C., Toyota, 150.
15. (14) Nick Drake, Mooresville, N.C., Toyota, 150.
16. (12) David Garborcauskas, Jr., Stonington, Conn., Toyota, 150.
17. (22) Eddie MacDonald, Rowley, Mass., Chevrolet, 150.
18. (13) Jesse Little, Sherrills Ford, N.C., Chevrolet, 150.
19. (23) Ronnie Bassett, Jr., Winston Salem, NC, Toyota, 150.
20. (4) Brodie Kostecki, Perth, Australia, Toyota, 150.
21. (9) Scott Heckert, Ridgefield, Conn., Chevrolet, 150.
22. (20) Sergio Pena, Winchester, VA, Toyota, 149.
23. (25) Ryan Gifford, Winchester, Tenn., Toyota, 149.
24. (29) Jay Beasley, Las Vegas, Nev., Toyota, 149.
25. (19) Nathan Russell, Curwensville, PA, Chevrolet, 148.
26. (28) Clint King, Denton, N.C., Chevrolet, 135, off track.
27. (7) Austin Hill, Winston, Ga., Ford, 116, off track.
28. (27) Sam Hunt, Midlothian, VA, Toyota, 104.
29. (30) Rusty Skewes, Bluefield, Va., Chevrolet, 66, accident.
30. (26) Jerry Dawson, Saugus, Mass., Chevrolet, 58, handling.
Race Statistics
Time of Race: 1 hour 5 minutes 52 seconds
Margin of Victory: .083 seconds
Fastest Qualifier: C.Hayley (93.522 mph, 18.477 seconds)
Caution Flags: 3 for 16 laps.
Lead Changes: 5 among 6 drivers.
Lap Leaders: C. Hayley (grid), A. Hill 1-3; K. Ruston 4-7; G. Gaulding 8-12; B. Jones 13-47; D. Suarez 48-150.
Standings: 1. D. Suarez, 48; 2. C. Hayley, 42; 3. B. Jones, 42; 4. B. Rhodes, 40; 5. L. Pulliam, 39; 6. K. Ruston, 39; 7. G. Gaulding, 38; 8. M. Bell, 36; 9. B. Gdovic, 35; 10. K. Grala, 34.
Suarez Kicks Off Season with Impressive Win at New Smyrna
Concord, NC (Feb. 17, 2014) – It didn’t take long for Daniel Suarez to capitalize on the momentum built in his 2013 campaign. After an offseason of hard work and rigorous preparation, Suarez kicked off the 2014 season in heroic fashion, earning his second career victory at the New Smyrna 150 presented by JEGS Saturday night at New Smyrna Speedway. With the margin of victory being 0.083 seconds, Sunday’s K&N Pro Series East season opener proved to be an exciting spectacle.
Starting the race in 11th place, Suarez wasted little time moving up in the field. By lap 28, Suarez maneuvered into fourth place and continued his ascension through the pack until ultimately taking a three-car-length lead 51 laps into the race. From this moment forward, Suarez’s lead would diminish, but was never lost.
With four laps to go, Cameron Hayley muscled his way alongside Suarez, setting the stage for what was eventually a photo finish. The two drivers rubbed and stayed side-by-side, but Suarez was able to hold on to the lead just long enough to beat Hayley to the white flag by mere inches.
Behind the wheel of the No. 6 Toyota Camry, Suarez humbly attributes his success to his supporting team. When asked about his victory he stated, “First I want to say thank you to everybody at Rev Racing, and more importantly the No. 6 Toyota Camry Sunoco team. Since early Saturday morning they’ve been working very hard.” He continued with, “I also would like to thank NASCAR for the opportunity to be apart of the [Drive for Diversity] program for a second year. This is an awesome win for everyone involved.”
Saturday’s victory marks Suarez’s sixth top-three finish in his last eight NASCAR K&N Pro Series East races dating back to last year. Driving for Rev Racing and NASCAR’s Drive for Diversity Program, the 22-year-old gave Rev Racing its 13th first place finish since 2010. The Monterrey, Mexico, driver is also a member of the NASCAR Next program that spotlights NASCAR’s young and talented rising stars.
With Daniel Suarez and Cameron Hayley finishing first and second, Brandon Jones, Ben Rhodes, and Lee Pulliam rounded out the top five. Kenzie Ruston finished sixth, followed by Gray Gaulding, Mackena Bell, Brandon Gdovic and rookie Kaz Grala. Additionally, Hayley was awarded the 21 Means 21 Pole Award presented by Coors Brewing Company.
The remaining members of the NASCAR Drive for Diversity Program, Sergio Peña, Ryan Gifford, and Jay Beasley finished the race 22nd, 23rd, and 24th, respectively.
“We closed the 2013 strong and we opened the 2014 on the same way, but now we need to stay focused as we head into Daytona’s Battle at the beach” said Suarez.
The K&N Pro Series East will have a quick turnaround, as the series will also be a part of Tuesday’s UNOH Battle At The Beach on the backstretch at Daytona International Speedway.
The New Smyrna 150 presented by JEGS will air on FOX Sports 1 on Saturday at 9 a.m.
UNOFFICIAL RESULTS
NASCAR K&N PRO SERIES EAST-New Smyrna 150 presented by JEGS Results
Sunday
At New Smyrna Speedway
New Smyrna Beach, Fla.
Lap length: 0.48 miles
(Start position in parentheses)
1. (11) Daniel Suarez, Monterrey, Mexico, Toyota, 150 laps, 65.587 mph.
2. (1) Cameron Hayley, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, Chevrolet, 150.
3. (10) Brandon Jones, Atlanta, Ga., Chevrolet, 150.
4. (2) Ben Rhodes, Louisville, Ky., Chevrolet, 150.
5. (5) Lee Pulliam, Semora, N.C., Toyota, 150.
6. (6) Kenzie Ruston, El Reno, Okla., Chevrolet, 150.
7. (8) Gray Gaulding, Colonial Heights, Va., Chevrolet, 150.
8. (18) Mackena Bell, Carson City, Nev., Toyota, 150.
9. (17) Brandon Gdovic, Yorktown, Va., Toyota, 150.
10. (21) Kaz Grala, Westborough, Mass., Chevrolet, 150.
11. (24) Patrick Staropoli, Plantation, Fla., Toyota, 150.
12. (15) Matt Tifft, Hinckley, Ohio, Dodge, 150.
13. (16) Brennan Newberry, Bakersfield, Calif., Chevrolet, 150.
14. (3) Brandon McReynolds, Mooresville, N.C., Toyota, 150.
15. (14) Nick Drake, Mooresville, N.C., Toyota, 150.
16. (12) David Garborcauskas, Jr., Stonington, Conn., Toyota, 150.
17. (22) Eddie MacDonald, Rowley, Mass., Chevrolet, 150.
18. (13) Jesse Little, Sherrills Ford, N.C., Chevrolet, 150.
19. (23) Ronnie Bassett, Jr., Winston Salem, NC, Toyota, 150.
20. (4) Brodie Kostecki, Perth, Australia, Toyota, 150.
21. (9) Scott Heckert, Ridgefield, Conn., Chevrolet, 150.
22. (20) Sergio Pena, Winchester, VA, Toyota, 149.
23. (25) Ryan Gifford, Winchester, Tenn., Toyota, 149.
24. (29) Jay Beasley, Las Vegas, Nev., Toyota, 149.
25. (19) Nathan Russell, Curwensville, PA, Chevrolet, 148.
26. (28) Clint King, Denton, N.C., Chevrolet, 135, off track.
27. (7) Austin Hill, Winston, Ga., Ford, 116, off track.
28. (27) Sam Hunt, Midlothian, VA, Toyota, 104.
29. (30) Rusty Skewes, Bluefield, Va., Chevrolet, 66, accident.
30. (26) Jerry Dawson, Saugus, Mass., Chevrolet, 58, handling.
Race Statistics
Time of Race: 1 hour 5 minutes 52 seconds
Margin of Victory: .083 seconds
Fastest Qualifier: C.Hayley (93.522 mph, 18.477 seconds)
Caution Flags: 3 for 16 laps.
Lead Changes: 5 among 6 drivers.
Lap Leaders: C. Hayley (grid), A. Hill 1-3; K. Ruston 4-7; G. Gaulding 8-12; B. Jones 13-47; D. Suarez 48-150.
Standings: 1. D. Suarez, 48; 2. C. Hayley, 42; 3. B. Jones, 42; 4. B. Rhodes, 40; 5. L. Pulliam, 39; 6. K. Ruston, 39; 7. G. Gaulding, 38; 8. M. Bell, 36; 9. B. Gdovic, 35; 10. K. Grala, 34.
Drive For Diversity, NASCAR’s Commitment To Race
On Sunday, the K & N Pro Circuit East begins down in New Smyrna Beach, Florida. And if the track and pit look a little more diverse than they have in the past, that’s because of a NASCAR program designed to entice different communities to try out the sport.
Read more at OPB
Mackena Bell Looking to Send Message With Strong Season Debut at New Smyrna and Daytona
Concord, N.C. (Feb. 13, 2014) – This weekend Mackena Bell heads to Florida as a contender, but hopes to return to North Carolina as a winner. For Bell, the forthcoming races in New Smyrna and Daytona are not only two opportunities to win a race, but also two opportunities to make a statement. In a sport that has traditionally been dominated by men, Bell looks to disprove the notion that gender plays a role in one’s ability to compete in motorsports. Backed by the woman-owned pediatric dentist office, Bell will be piloting the Special Smiles # 21 Toyota Camry, looking to make a strong start to her 2014 campaign and established herself as a force to be reckoned with in the upcoming season.
Mackena Bell (No. 21 Special Smiles Toyota) – Bell, 23, is competing in her fifth season with Rev Racing. In 2013, Bell made the transition from the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series to the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East. During her 2013 campaign she earned her first top 5 finish in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East at Richmond International Speedway. Additionally, she became the highest qualifying female in NASCAR K&N Pro Series East history with a fourth place qualifying effort at the Iowa Speedway.
Qualifying for the New Smyrna 150 presented by JEGS will be Sunday, February 16 at 5:30pm with the race beginning at 7:30pm. Follow @RevRacin on twitter for live race updates.
Qualifying for the UNOH Battle at the Beach will be Tuesday, February 18 at
4:00pm with the race beginning at 8:45pm. Follow @RevRacin on twitter for
live race updates.
ABOUT SPECIAL SMILES PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY: Special Smiles Pediatric Dentistry is a woman-owned business located in Indianapolis, IN. Special Smiles saw the chance to jumpstart happy healthy smiles through partnering with fellow leading woman Mackena Bell. With victory in sight, and Bell behind the wheel, the Bell/Special Smiles team hopes to make successful, memorable smiles wherever they turn.
Veterans and Newcomers Looking to Make a Statement in Season Debuts at New Smyrna and Daytona
Concord, N.C. (Feb. 13, 2014) – With a revamped roster and veteran leadership, Rev Racing is looking to make the 2014 season one for the record books. Leading the charge will be Ryan Gifford and Daniel Suarez; two drivers who earned their first career win in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East last season. In addition to their K&N Pro Series East victories, Suarez finished the season third in the series point standings, while Gifford competed in his first NASCAR Nationwide Series race.
The team has another strong driver lineup this year, including Drive for Diversity drivers Daniel Suarez, Ryan Gifford, Sergio Peña, and Jay Beasley.
Daniel Suarez (No. 6 Sunoco Toyota) – Suarez, 22, joined Rev Racing and the NASCAR Drive for Diversity Program in 2013. Suarez ran a full season in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East, garnering a team-high six top 5, and nine top 10 finishes. The highlight of his 2013 season was his win at the Columbus Motor Speedway, marking his first ever K&N Pro Series East victory. Additionally, Suarez earned five 2nd place finishes in his final four races, propelling him to 3rd in the final season rankings.
Ryan Gifford (No. 2 Sunoco/Langley Speedway Toyota) – Ryan Gifford, 24, is competing in his fifth season with the Rev Racing Team and NASCAR’s Drive for Diversity Program. Gifford’s 2013 season consisted of 14 starts, earning four top 5 and six top 10 finishes; one of which was his first K&N Pro Series East win at Richmond International Raceway. 2013 also proved to be a milestone year for Gifford as he was invited to race in the NASCAR Nationwide Series. In his Nationwide Series debut, Gifford started 23rd and finished ninth. He finished the 2013 season 11th in the rankings.
Sergio Peña (No. 4 Technical Institute Toyota) – Sergio Peña returns to Rev Racing for the 2014 season after a two year absence. In 2013, Peña switched to the K&N Pro Series West. In his lone season, he accumulated two top 5 and three top 10 finishes.
Jay Beasley (No. 42 Langley Speedway Toyota) – In his first season with Rev Racing’s Drive for Diversity Program, Beasley will be competing in the K&N Pro Series East after racing super late models last season. In 2013, Beasley accumulated seven wins from 11 starts, one of which was the 2013 Bullring NASCAR Super Late Model Series. Additionally, he earned one pole. Beasley also made history in 2013 by becoming the first African American to win a race at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
2013 was a historical year for Rev Racing and the NASCAR Drive for Diversity Program. The season saw four past and current program participants make starts at the national level of the sport with Paulie Harraka in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, Kyle Larson and Ryan Gifford in the NASCAR Nationwide Series, and Darrell Wallace Jr. in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. From the Drive for Diversity Program’s start, Rev Racing has had 12 wins, 48 top 5, and 85 top 10 finishes in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East, with drivers finishing among the top three in points every season.
Qualifying for the New Smyrna 150 presented by JEGS will be Sunday, February 16 at 5:30pm with the race beginning at 7:30pm. Follow @RevRacin on Twitter for live race updates.
Qualifying for the UNOH Battle at the Beach will be Tuesday, February 18 at 4:00pm with the race beginning at 8:45pm.