Goess Overcomes Early Problems at Daytona
Scores Top 20 Finish in Season Opening ARCA Race
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Craig Goess, Jr. was as anxious to get the 2009 ARCA RE/MAX Series started as any other driver. By the end of the Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200, Goess was just as glad for it to be over and have survived at Daytona International Speedway. After a strong qualifying effort, Goess had to serve a penalty and start the 80-lap event in the rear. The No. 81 Greenville Toyota team was forced to make a radiator change during the event, but managed to get Goess back on the track to finish 17th in his series debut.
“It was really fun,” said Goess of his first Daytona experience. “The Eddie Sharp Racing team gave me a really good car that was capable of running up front. We had some unfortunate problems with the radiator, but they were able to repair those and get the No. 81 Greenville Toyota Toyota back on track within a number of laps. We were one of only two cars that ran in the 47 second range during the race, so needless to say, the car was really good in the draft.”
After two successful test sessions, Goess headed to Daytona International Speedway optimistic about his chances for a good finish. A five-hour practice held on Thursday resulted in being 18th quickest on the sheet. Qualifying was held on Saturday and Goess' No. 81 Greenville Toyota Toyota grabbed the ninth starting spot, a major accomplishment for the rookie driver. Following qualifying, however, Goess' team had to make some changes to the car and had to serve a penalty for making such changes after technical inspection.
“They made us start in the rear for the race,” explains Goess. “We made some unapproved changes and the penalty for that is starting in the rear. We weren't too concerned because we knew we had a strong car that would get to the front before a matter of time. We were really coming up through the field until the No. 4 car got a little sideways. I touched him just a bit in the rear and just that little hit punched a hole in our grill and caused us to overheat.”
Soon after the hit, steam began spewing from under the hood of the No. 81. Goess was forced to bring his car to the attention of the crew, led by crew chief Patrick Donahue. The Eddie Sharp Racing team pushed the No. 81 Camry behind the wall to make a radiator change. Thanks to some cautions out on the track, Goess managed to lose only 10 laps in the garage. Goess returned to the track still focused on finishing and earning valuable positions.
The race seemed more like a demolition derby than a professional stock car race. With so many accidents and cautions on track, Goess was well on his way to a top finish if he could just manage to avoid incident.
Goess even radioed in to crew chief Donahue, “Is this normal?” Donahue's responded, “No, this isn't normal, just once every three years or so.”
Goess did get caught up in the lap 43 incident, but only received slight damage when his No. 81 went for a spin down to the apron of the track. Several more accidents occurred in the remaining 40 laps of the race. Goess steered clear of those and was able to pick up a 17th place finish, despite being 12 laps down to the leader.
“It was good just to finish,” said Goess. “From a points perspective, we were able to earn some valuable points by just finishing. I just hate we weren't able to run up front, as this car was capable of doing. The No. 81 Greenville Toyota Toyota was even capable of winning, but everything happens for a reason and sometimes they're beyond our control. I have to thank the guys who worked hard all week and it showed.”
After getting the season underway, the ARCA RE/MAX Series now takes a two month break before their next race on April 5 at Salem (Ind.) Speedway.
“I was going stir crazy sitting at home waiting for the season to get started,” Goess stated. “Now, we have another two month break. I'm ready to jump back in the car and go racing next week. We have plenty of testing to do during our 'off-season' and get ready for the remainder of the season.”
