Dan Pardus Official Website-2/13/00

February 13, 2000

Race Report-Daytona
ARCA Pro2Call 200
February 13, 2000

Dan Pardus completed the first race of the 2000 season with solid seventh place finish.

Starting 12th, Dan quickly moved into the top ten, Dan spent most of the race in the top ten, and for a time was in the top five racing with drafting partners, Bobby Gerhart, Shawna Robinson, and Kirk Shelmerdine.

A late race caution caused some confusion on the restart. Scorers placed Dan fourteenth at the end of the lead lap. Other drivers were reshuffled in their restart positions, leading to post race protests for the finishing order. Co-Owner Jim Gardner said " We may have been fifth, or even third, but based on the money ARCA paid us, we were positively seventh".

The adrenaline rush of racing in front of hometown fans is a big help. Knowing that so many family and friends are cheering in the stands adds to the winning desire. "We are happy with all the local support we receive, and special thanks to our local sponsors, Coldwell Banker Major League Reality, Boppers Hot Dog Express, Daytona Racing Souvenirs, Whiskey Pete's, Diabetes Home Care, and all our sponsors who continue to support our race program, Coastal Auctions, Gale Trailers, Motive Gear Performance, Darrell Logemann, Pit Board Grill, Kar Products, Autolite and Fram. This Top Ten finish is for them and all our fans."

"Our car was strong in December practice, posting the second fastest time. We had a good qualifying run, starting 12th, and our pre-race practice sessions were strong." We were confident we would have a good race."

"The car developed a push during the race, forcing me to use the brakes in turns. The brakes wore down and were completely gone the final twenty laps. It was my spotter who got me through the accident on the next to last lap. I just pointed the car to the opening he directed me to, and hung on. After the race, I had to coast to a stop on pit road, not wanting to hit any team members waiting in the garage area. I had no brakes at the end."

"I'm really proud of the team and the work they did preparing our car for the race. Our one green flag pit stop would make any Winston Cup team proud. We completed it in 22 seconds and it enabled me to pick up a couple of positions on the track. This finish was a total team effort"

[Photos]