DETERMINATION ALMOST GAVE IGDALSKY A STRONG FINISH AT DAYTONA INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY
DAYTONA BEACH, FL. February 6, 2010 . . . If determination was the only factor in having a strong finish Nick Igdalsky would have been able to bring the Andy Belmont Racing ModSpace Ford home with at least a top five finish in Saturday’s Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 at Daytona International Speedway. The 80-lap race kicked off the 2010 season for the ARCA Racing Series presented by RE/MAX and Menards. Igdalsky put the No. 1 ModSpace Ford in 16th starting spot in the 43-car starting field with a 50.096 second lap around the two and one-half mile super speedway. That was good for an average speed of 179.655 mph. Once the green flag fell Nick, the 32-year-old senior vice president at Pocono Raceway, charged to 15th spot and was moving toward the front. A miscue during a pit stop on the 21st lap brought a one lap penalty for pitting outside their pit box. At the 26 lap mark Igdalsky was able to get back on the lead lap as he earned the Aaron’s Lucky Dog award. With half the race completed the ModSpace entry had avoided three separate accidents that had eliminated at least eight cars. Determination was the name of the game in the second half of the race as the Long Pond, PA resident was able to get back up to 11th spot and felt that he was on his way to a strong top ten finish. Unfortunately Igdalsky was pinched into the wall by another competitor with just two laps to go and that punctured a tire causing him to lose a lap and have to settle for a 20th place finish. “We had a top five car tonight,” said car owner Andy Belmont. “Unfortunately we made a mistake on the early race pit stop and then a mistake by another competitor cost us at least a top ten finish. “However I found out that I have a driver that can win with Nick Igdalsky in our ModSpace car and we will win this season.” It goes without saying that Igdalsky was disappointed with the finish. In fact Nick said, “I don’t even consider it a finish when I am not on the lead lap when the checkered flag falls. We had a strong car and if it had not been for the pit miscue I feel we would have been running with the leaders. And to make such a strong run in the closing laps and end up being pinched into the wall with two laps to go was huge disappointment.” Both Belmont and Igdalsky felt that the finish did not reflect how well the ModSpace Ford performed. Nick is optimistic that they will be able to gain some valuable points when they race in the ARCA Racing 150 set for Palm Beach, Florida International Raceway on Saturday, February 27th. With a strong background in road course racing Nick is looking forward to this one since it will take place on a 2.034-mile 11-turn paved road course.
BEING FIRST IS NOT ALWAYS BEST AS IGDALSKY FOUND OUT
DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA February 5, 2010 . . . Being first is usually the best spot to be in when it comes to auto racing except when you are the first out on the track for qualifying. Rookie Nick Igdalsky drew the first spot when it came to the order of qualifying for the Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 at Daytona International Speedway on Friday morning. Being first to make a qualifying attempt usually means that you are the “test car” to see what the track conditions are. Nick turned two very strong laps with the Andy Belmont ModSpace Ford No.1. His quickest lap, the one that counted, was 50.096 seconds on the two and one-half mile super speedway giving him an average speed of 179.655 mph. The speed was off from the practice speeds he had turned the day before when he was running laps at 181 mph. He earned 16th starting spot in the 43 car field. Qualifying attempts were scheduled for 51 cars. “The wind had picked up since yesterday but I still felt we had a good couple of laps,” said Igdalsky. “The car was a little tight in the corners.” He was a little disappointed by the qualifying effort but still upbeat about his chances in the 80-lap race. This being his first opportunity to race on the world famous speedway. Car owner Andy Belmont, a veteran of Daytona battles, said, “I am a little confused. I thought we had a top ten car. The air was thick (rain expected during the day) and the wind was strong. I still think we are alright for the race. Nick did a good job with the ModSpace Ford.” Igdalsky goes to the starting line with a 16th place starting spot in the 43 car starting field for the Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 on Saturday (February 6) at 4:30 p.m. The race can be seen live on SPEED. He wants to have an impressive showing not only for his own personal satisfaction but also for his ModSpace sponsor and for the Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund. The charity receives all the prize money earned by the ModSpace team during the 2010 season. The race is the first of the season for the ARCA Racing Series Presented by RE/MAX and Menards
Autograph requests can be sent along with a self addressed stamped 9x12 envelope to:
Andy Belmont Racing 169 Laurel Glen Dr Mooresville, NC 28115 andy@andybelmont.com Phone: (704) 682-3410
