Jeremy Frankoski Honored to Test New Surface at Daytona International Speedway
- 25 Jan 2011
Kicking-off 2011, K&N supported Jeremy Frankoski was among a select handful of drivers to participate in a three day open test session at Daytona International Speedway earlier this month. The annual event held by the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards, will give Frankoski ample opportunity to experience the newly paved racing surface on the legendary 2.5 mile high banked tri-oval. "It means a lot to me," said the Huntersville, North Carolina driver. "I always wanted to be at Daytona, but I never knew if that would actually ever happen. The three day test was great but it leaves you wanting more. Now we are working on how to turn that test, into racing there." "The newly paved surface is smooth and has a lot of grip. I wish that I had been out on it before it was paved so I could compare, but I was a year too late. From what I was hearing in the garage, Daytona drives a lot like Talladega now. We ended our test session 16th fastest out of 42 cars at 49.714 and an average speed of 181.036 mph." Frankoski is constantly looking for ways to improve his already impressive skill set, as he has raced in a variety of open wheel series and was the USAC Ford Focus Carolina Champion in 2009. Driving a Ford Focus Midget, he totaled five wins, 10 top-five finishes, six pole qualifications, and was honored by USAC with a Rookie of the Year title. Prior to USAC, Jeremy was a two year stand out in NEMA midgets where he also won a Rookie of the Year title driving for the Marine Engines team in 2007. He currently holds a NEMA record for his first win at Beach Ridge in 2007 - he was one of only three rookies to win a race, and the fastest to do so after only six races. Frankoski also has two years of full bodied racing experience. In 2009, he tested with Tony Blanchard and raced in the PASS Independence 150 at Hickory Motor Speedway, finishing 16th. Last year he ran a limited NASCAR Late Model schedule at Myrtle Beach Speedway with Chad McCumbee Racing and had two top-five and four top-ten finishes. "Working with Tony and then Chad gave me a lot of insight and a good chance to experience the differences between open wheel and full bodied cars," said Frankoski. "And running somewhat regularly last year at Myrtle Beach helped me a lot. I was really able to get more comfortable with the transition." Florida businessman Eddie Smith, owner of Team 42 Racing (NASCAR Nationwide Series) recently named Jeremy as his Development Driver to compete in the ARCA Series and select Nationwide events. "Team 42 Racing is proud to have Jeremy Frankoski coming aboard in our Development Driver program," commented Smith. "Jeremy is a very talented driver and possesses the type of character we are looking for on our team. We are currently looking for new marketing partners with a strategic marketing program to advance Jeremy's promising career." "We also had great fun going to the UARA race in Myrtle Beach in June, but had to pull in after having battery issues," said Frankoski. "I would say that the highlights from last season are the run we had at the UARA race, and also when I won the USAC Ford Focus season opener "North vs. South Shootout" race at Hickory Motor Speedway. The USAC win was special because that was a last minute deal. I received a phone call from Wade Brown and Brad Noffsinger a day before the race. It's hard to hop in a new car and compete against those guys." Given the ideal circumstances Frankoski says he'd like to run a full season in the ARCA series in order to gain valuable experience in stock cars, compete for another ROY title, and win some more races. Ultimately, he'd like to advance up into the big league, the top level of NASCAR, and have a long and prosperous career. "That could be the ideal circumstances of course," he adds. ARCA will kick-off the season in Daytona on February 12th with the Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200; Team 42 hopes to have Jeremy at the wheel. Find K&N products for your vehicle using the K&N application search then use the K&N dealer search to find a K&N dealer in your part of the world. |
