Getty Images Scott Speed: "I've learned that I don't need to bring my ego with me regardless of the direction I choose to take."

TOLEDO OH (3-5-08) - Some may describe it as a peculiar path - going from the world-renowned Formula 1 tour to the Automobile Racing Club of America - AKA, in this case, the ARCA RE/MAX Series.

Some, maybe, with the exception of Scott Speed, the Californian who did exactly that.

"You know, four or five years ago, when I had a big ego, yes it would have been a problem," said Speed. "But I've learned that I don't need to bring my ego with me regardless of the direction I choose to take. I'm quite comfortable with who I am and very satisfied with my ability to drive racecars regardless of which division or league we're talking about.

"I'm satisfied with my life and my racing experiences so far. Furthermore, I'm very excited about racing in the ARCA RE/MAX Series. It will offer new challenges and a learning curve I'm very excited about. And it doesn't matter how I finish; the only thing that matters here is that I learn.

"And we definitely did our research, so there is a method as to why we have chosen to go this route. I love the variety that ARCA offers - from Talladega to Toledo. Plain and simple, there's a great opportunity to learn about oval track stock car racing here in this series; and that's why I'm here. To get to the next level, we feel this is the right path."

Speed, off in a brand new direction, by choice, debuted with the ARCA RE/MAX Series at Talladega Superspeedway in 2007 where he started seventh and finished seventh. His next trick - the 45th annual ARCA 200 at Daytona where, at the start, it couldn't have gone much better. Speed qualified second in Eddie Sharp's Red Bull Toyota and led 16 of the first 29 laps. However, it was the 29th lap that took its toll, not only on Speed, but on several of the potential players.

Speed was involved in the multi-car wreck coming off turn four after Kyle Krisiloff got sideways in front of the field. After destroying his Red Bull Toyota, Speed calmly climbed out, smiled and waved to the crowd.

"I wasn't upset at all. We had a great weekend. The team really stepped up their game. We qualified very well; we raced very well; we had a car capable of winning the race, and I think the entire team felt good about that. We, as a team, can only control what we do. You can't control what others do. Whoever caused that wreck made a bad decision. But I couldn't have been more pleased with how our team performed - they were all very professional and did their respective jobs extremely well. I'm quite pleased with my first Daytona experience.

"And for me, personally, I absolutely learned a lot, which was our objective all along. I think the main thing I learned was how much the other cars affected mine. It was quite noticeable. We spent a good part of the race on the bottom. It was easy to feel the car losing grip as other cars would approach the right-rear."

In regards to similarities with a Formula 1 machine, Speed says there is little to compare.

"I don't want to downplay the ability it takes to drive a heavier stock car, but in comparison, I think the F1 car is much harder drive, specifically when you're pushing it to the limit. I think the biggest difference is that in a stock car, you're around other cars a lot more. In the F1 car, you're literally by yourself a lot and you're putting the car on the limit all the way around the track; it's very demanding. However, in the stock car, you spend a lot more time anticipating what other cars are going to do."

As a rookie, the tracks on the ARCA RE/MAX Series circuit are all new to Speed, including the ultra-challenging Salem Speedway short track coming Sunday afternoon, April 13th.

"I've heard a lot about that little Salem short-track. I've heard it's very demanding, radical, different and bumpy - that it's a difficult track to master. I'll just do what I always do - keep an open mind. I look forward to the challenge."

And if that's the case, Speed will have a lot to look forward to because Salem Speedway, even for the most experienced, is a huge challenge. Eight-time Salem winner and nine-time ARCA RE/MAX Series national champion Frank Kimmel can attest to that.

"Salem will always be challenging," said Kimmel. "It's rough; that's all there is to it. And the amount of concentration it takes to stay with it all day long is what, I think, makes it so challenging.

"But I really don't think Scott (Speed) needs to be worried. He's obviously a very talented racecar driver and you know Eddie Sharp's going to bring a top-notch car that's going to handle very well. Nice thing is, is that they can go test, which I'm sure they will do if they haven't already done it. So he'll (Speed) have a lot of laps on the track before the green flag falls. So, no, I don't think he needs to be worried - no more worried than the rest of us.

"And once you figure it out, it does get a little easier. But it's still Salem. To be fast, you have to stay up on the wheel all the time; there's no breaks at Salem."

To be sure, outside of taking a trick or two on Play Station, Speed has yet to see Salem Speedway. But that day is coming soon. According to Salem track officials, Eddie Sharp Racing is scheduled for a two-day test at Salem on March 14th and 15th. And you can be sure that Speed will put several laps in at the grand-ole speedway in an effort to prepare himself for one of the circuit's most challenging venues.

In the meantime, it's back to Play Station, a mix of Red Bull appearances; observing firsthand at NASCAR sanctioned events as well as a NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series debut at Atlanta Motor Speedway in early March.

"We went out for the whole weekend at Las Vegas," added Speed. "I figure I might as well take advantage of all the expertise there and learn everything I can just by observing. I mean, I've spent enough time training on Play Station. At this point, I think I can learn more by attending some of these events and soaking up as much information as I can."

Speed's 2008 racing calendar includes the full ARCA RE/MAX Series schedule driving the #2 Red Bull Toyota for Eddie Sharp Racing and a mix of NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series races driving the #46 Morgan-Dollar Motorsports entry. Prior to Speed's Salem debut, his plans include a NCTS debut at Atlanta on March 7th. The truck will also carry the Red Bull paint scheme.

"I've never tested or raced at Atlanta and I've never even been behind the wheel of a NASCAR truck before, but I'm super excited to try it out," Speed added. "The great thing about this truck race for me is that there's zero pressure for me to go out there and bring home some amazing finish. The objectives are for me to learn how the truck handles and to get more racing experience. I know what I'm up against. I have about two hours of practice, then I have to be ready to race. I love throwing myself off the deep end every once in awhile."

This interview appeared on ARCAracing.com, the official website of the ARCA RE/MAX SERIES.