(CONCORD, N.C. - February 20, 2012) - Nelson Canache, the relatively unknown driver from Caracas, Venezuela, made his professional stock car debut with Venturini Motorsports Saturday in the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards season opener at Daytona International Speedway.
The former two-time Venezuelan Super Touring GT Class champion took full advantage of his opportunity on the world’s largest stage in racing to introduce himself to American race fans and insiders with an impressive outing at the Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 at Daytona.
“Wow, I thought Nelson did a great job tonight. Daytona is an unforgiving track and racing in the draft is totally different than anything he’s ever done before. I’m very happy with what he was able to accomplish and show me,” said Billy Venturini, competition director for Venturini Motorsports.
Canache, driving his No.35 Venezuelan Tourism Chevrolet took the checkered flag in the 4th position.
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“Racing at Daytona is incredible. What an amazing experience it was today to race here for my first time in ARCA against all these talented drivers. I’m so happy with the car Venturini provided me and the hard work they put in this weekend. The experience I received today gives me more confidence going into the rest of the season,” says Canache. However, a competition ruling by ARCA officials in the scoring tower penalized Canache for dropping below the yellow line just before he crossed the finish line to avoid crashing into the car in front of him as it slowed up due to running out of fuel. |
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ARCA Racing Series rules permit drivers to drop below the yellow line to avoid contact with wrecked or disabled cars. The questionable ruling erased Canache’s top-5 finish as he was officially credited with a 22nd place finish.
“I’m running for the championship this year in ARCA and I lost valuable points with their decision to penalize me. I was forced down below the line by another car to avoid crashing. I’m disappointed with the ruling but I’m still so proud of what I accomplished here today. It’s a long season and I’ll be back ready to go again at Mobile next month.”
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The slowed car running up front and approaching the finish line forced Canache and the huge pack of cars barreling down on the checkered flag to fan out to avoid contact as they crossed the stripe. The incident created a dramatic finish as a pack of cars wrecked crossing the line. Canache was not the only driver penalized for his evasive action, 9-time ARCA series champion Frank Kimmel and Brett Hudson were also sent to the tail end of the lead lap for illegally passing below the yellow line during the final seconds of the race. Canache is driving full-time in the ARCA racing series for Venturini Motorsports and will be back on-track March 10th when the series visits Mobile International Speedway for the Mobile ARCA 200 and first short track event of the year. |
About Venturini Motorsports
Venturini Motorsports (VMS), fielding cars in the ARCA Racing Series, is one of the premier NASCAR driver development programs in the country. The 2012 season marks the teams 30th Anniversary of competition in the ARCA Series. Multiple team championships and consistent on-track success, VMS has evolved into one of the most recognizable names in motorsports.
Since 2007, VMS has assisted in the career development of notable NASCAR drivers such as Joey Logano, Justin Allgaier, Steve Arpin, Brian Scott, Max Gresham, Miguel Paludo, Josh Richards, Ryan Blaney, and Scott Lagasse, Jr.