"The ARCA RE/MAX Series is absolutely the right place for me... I don't think any other series out there closer simulates what I need to learn to be able to move to that next level. I need big track experience, and I'm going to get it here." |
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TOLEDO OH (March 4, 2009) - The ARCA RE/MAX Series has, without question, become one of the premier development series en route to the bigger leagues.
Eddie Sharp Racing (ESR) is one of those teams helping drivers get from here to there. ESR's most recent graduates include Michael McDowell, who finished 6th in the NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway Saturday; and Scott Speed, who earned the pole for the same event.
Now enter Craig Goess, one of three ARCA RE/MAX Series rookies in 2009 working through the ESR ranks.
"The ARCA RE/MAX Series is absolutely the right place for me," said Goess from the family-owned Greenville Toyota dealership in Greenville, North Carolina.
"I don't think any other series out there closer simulates what I need to learn to be able to move to that next level. I need big track experience, and I'm going to get it here."
Goess is a graduate of the NASCAR Camping World East Series where he competed in 12 events in 2008, also for ESR. Outside of a few late model races, Goess competed in Legends Cars before that.
"It was definitely a really big step for me to go from the Legends Cars to late models. But in reality, I didn't do much late model racing - just a couple races before I moved into the Camping World East Series; so it was more like going from Legends to the East Series, and that was a big step. I realize I skipped a ton of steps, but I wouldn't be doing it if I felt I wasn't capable."
Goess, after qualifying ninth, finished 17th in his ARCA RE/MAX Series debut at Daytona.
"I was very disappointed; I felt like we had a winning car. Only James Buescher (race winner) got down in the 47-second range in the race. The car was exceptional in the draft."
Unfortunately, Goess lost 12 laps in the pits changing a radiator.
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Craig Goess, Jr. |
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"The 4 car got very sideways in front of me. I had to get out of the throttle. I just tapped him a little but it bent some piece that prevented air from getting through the grill. Fortunately, we were able to get back out, but it was definitely disappointing. The car was so good. But at least my crew got me back out so I could have the learning experience."
So now it's off to another new track for Goess (Salem Speedway), which will be the case with all the tracks on the 2009 ARCA RE/MAX Series schedule.
"We're testing at Rockingham and Salem. As far as going to Salem, I've been to those types of tracks (short tracks) all my life so I don't think that will be as big of a deal as going to a big track for the first time. I have to catch up at the big tracks where I don't have much experience - where I've not been yet. That's why I'm here - to get experience on the speedways."
Goess works 70 to 80 hours a week at his father's dealership, Greenville Toyota, as the company's sales manager; however, the race team still gets priority if needs be.
"If they (ESR) need me in shop for anything, I'm there, on my days off or otherwise. That takes priority over everything. But, outside of that, I've got to earn a living too. Given all that's going on from an economic standpoint, sales are not what we are used to seeing obviously, but we keep working it as hard as we can.
"In challenging times like these, you've got to remain positive. It's a tough situation, and it's easy to get down about it. But you've got to keep plugging away. There are some things out of our control; so you've got to keep your focus on the things that you do have control of, do the best you can, give 100%, and go."
Goess will be the featured guest on "30 at 30" at arcaracing.com Wednesday, March 4 at 3:30 PM ET.
"30 at 30", a live on-line chat show at arcaracing.com, airs Monday through Friday at 3:30 PM ET featuring a different personality each day from the world of the ARCA RE/MAX Series. |
