76 Freedom Car team happy with Daytona speed results

76 Freedom Car team happy with Daytona speed results

Team Johnson Motorsports and The American Legion/David Law Firm 76 Freedom Car traveled to Daytona, Fla., Dec. 18-19 to participate in the annual Automobile Racing Club of America tests. The tests are intended to prepare ARCA teams for the Feb. 6 Lucas Slick Mist 200 at the famous 2.5-mile Daytona International Speedway.

Following the tests, an agreement was reached between Team Johnson Motorsports and The David Law Firm to field the 76 Freedom Car in 10 ARCA races during 2010.

The team participated in the American Speed Association circuit in 2009. ARCA cars differ significantly from ASA cars, so the team had to scramble to get an ARCA car ready for the Daytona tests.

Johnson took practice laps both days, and the 76 Freedom Car was clocked 28th fastest among the 64 cars taking part in the two-day tests.

"I was happy with our speed," Johnson said "Yes, we were 28th fastest, but we ran single-car laps all day. Drafting is very important at Daytona, and I know we could have easily been a 15th- to 20th-place car had we a chance to do some drafting laps."

After the two-day tests, Johnson and the race team headed back to the 76 Freedom Car garage in Mooresville, N.C., to prepare for the Feb. 6 race at Daytona. It should be an exciting day for race fans. The ARCA race is sandwiched between Daytona 500 qualifying and the nighttime Budweiser Shootout.

The ARCA Lucas Slick Mist 200 will be broadcast live at 4 p.m. on SPEED.