Irwindale, Calif.– Arie Luyendyk, Jr. will make his first NASCAR appearance this Saturday at Irwindale Speedway in the NASCAR Winston West Series JaniKing 250 presented by NAPA.
Luyendyk, Jr. 20-year-old son of two-time, Indy 500-winner Arie Luyendyk, is scheduled to pilot the No. 92 Roush-prepared, Triton Realty Motorsports Ford Taurus.
“We tested at the track last week and I learned a lot,” says Luyendyk, Jr. “Although I’m still getting used to the car, the track was fast and I’m really looking forward to the race this weekend.”
With 10 years of open-wheel racing experience in everything from the SCCA Formula Ford 1600 National Series to Skip Barber Formula Dodge Racing Series, Luyendyk is ready for the new challenge NASCAR racing will provide.
“I’ve been in the Pro Ford 2000 Series for the last two years and had been considering what I wanted to do next,” explains Luyendyk, Jr. “I like ovals and seem to have a knack for them, so I was pretty excited when the opportunity to race NASCAR with James O’Kane and Triton Realty Motorsports came about.”
James O’Kane, owner of Triton Realty Motorsports, also is enthusiastic about this weekend and its future implications.
“NASCAR offers racing excitement at all levels,” says O’Kane. “With Arie, Jr. making his NASCAR debut behind the wheel of our car, we’re hoping to not only take part in that excitement, but add to it with a great run.”
Irwindale Speedway gates are scheduled to open at 4:00 p.m., an on-track autograph session at 6:00 pm will feature the full Winston West field, and racing starts at 7:00 p.m.
