DAYTONA, Florida -- Anyone involved in auto racing understands that luck plays a major role in any day at the track. Veteran Idaho driver Tony Ackerland found that out first-hand late this week while preparing for the ARCA Re/Max Racing Series Daytona ARCA 200.
The 29-year-old Ackerland, who has been racing for 13 years, had a contingency deal to race Norm Benning's backup car in the ARCA season opener at 2.5-mile Daytona International Speedway in Saturday's race.
But the plan fell apart when Benning, a veteran racer from Pittsburgh, experienced mechanical problems in his primary car. That forced Benning to switch to the backup 2005 Chevrolet Monte Carlo that Ackerland was scheduled to drive during the race, which will be televised live on Speed TV at 2 p.m. MST on Saturday.
"Thursday afternoon, I was fully prepared to get in the car for the last practice session," Ackerland said early Friday morning from Daytona, Fla.
In the end, though, Benning's difficulties and the simple fact that there were a record 72 entries for the ARCA race at Daytona meant Ackerland wouldn't be making his second career ARCA Re/Max start.
"There are 72 cars here. That's more than the Nextel Cup race will have," Ackerland said. "It boils down that this is the toughest race to make."
A second-generation racer, Ackerland got to Daytona with the help of several Idaho-based people and businesses, including Dillon Autocraft, Musick and Sons Auction, Curtis CleanSweep, Mike Smith, Steve and Debbie Smith and Don Newman.
Ackerland says that because of his years of racing experience, ARCA officials have assured him that he will get another shot at competing in the series. And he says Benning has told him another shot is possible in a Benning Motorsports car later this year.
But the Star, Idaho-based construction contractor has been around long enough to know that hard luck is all part of the lifestyle.
"You're standing in the garage area with your driving suit on and your hopes and dreams in one hand and your helmet in the other," Ackerland said. "When it all falls through the cracks, you're left standing with your helmet in your right hand."
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