Dan Pardus Press Release

December 7, 2000

THE FLORIDA TEST
(HANGING CHADS AND DIMPLES!)

Contacted at his home in Port Orange, Florida, Dan Pardus stated that Hanging Chads and Dimples have always been a concern at Daytona International Speedway. “The high bank turns at the 2 1/2 mile oval demand smooth surfaces and clean air. Dimples in the sheet metal can cause drag and slow the car down. A protruding bit of metal (chad) can displace the air flow and create handling problems”

Dan added. “We hope to eliminate these problems before the race. ARCA officials rarely change race results when we find a dimple after we park the car.” That is why there is testing and practice.

The first test session for the 2001 ACRA RE/MAX SERIES season is scheduled at DIS for December 15-16-17 in preparation for the PRO2CALL 200 on February 11th, 2001. Jim & Judie Motorsports will enter a 1999 Chevrolet Monte Carlo car in the race. The racecar is a former Hendrick Motorsports Car last driven by Wally Dallenbach in the Winston 500 at Talledega. In that race it qualified 7th and ran in the top ten most of the day.

Speaking candidly with co-owner, Jim Gardner and the guys at the shop in Concord, North Carolina, Jim stated, “The car is ready to race. We have made the 2001 changes and look forward to the Inaugural race of the new season. Car Fabricator Ron Utter has been working hard since Atlanta to remove all the dimples and chads on the car before February's race."

"No matter how many times you go over the car," Ron uttered, "you keep finding more dimples and chads... It never ends, I've completely lost count of them.

Crew Chief Larry Moore's judgment reigned Supreme. "Hey...you can always use a chad here or a dimple there...one or two strategically placed dimples or chads can make the difference in a close race."

Jim added, “We elected to take full advantage of this test session so we'll be as ready as we can be when February rolls around. Once that green flag drops, you only get one chance to race! You can't recount laps!!!"