In the world of stock car racing, a trip to Daytona International Speedway typically means the start of something new.
In February, it was the beginning of the 2010 season.For the NASCAR Nationwide Series, Friday's race at the famed 2.5-mile speedway means the beginning of a new era, as the series will use the New Car for the first time.
The Nationwide Series' New Car is similar to the Sprint Cup Series' Car of Tomorrow and is supposed to be safer for the driver.
"It's safer for the driver," said Chris Rice, crew chief for Warsaw-based ML Motorsports. "The car is boxier, it's wider."
Friday's race is scheduled to air live on ESPN beginning at 8 p.m.
ML Motorsports has competed in eight Nationwide Series races this season with Greenwood native Shelby Howard behind the wheel of Mary Louise Miller's No. 70 Chevrolet, finishing in the top 20 four times.
"This team really is getting better," said Rice. "Our finishes haven't shown how much we've improved. At Talladega we were running fifth with 20 laps to go and got caught up in a wreck. At Nashville we're running sixth with 18 to go and had some problems. At Kentucky we were 10th with 18 to go. We've had some some good runs, these guys are working their tails off to get better, now we just need to show it in our finishes. What better way to do that than go to Daytona with the New Car and show every one what we're capable of."
The Nationwide Series will use the New Car in four races this season, and then use it exclusively in the 2011 season.
Following the race at Daytona tomorrow, the New Car will be used this season at Michigan International Speedway on Aug 14, at Richmond on Sept. 10 and Charlotte Motor Speedway on Oct. 15.
"We're excited about the New Car, seeing what we can do with it, how good we can run, but we're not excited about going through the tech line with it," said ML Motorsports Team Manager Tony Barnes. "Everything is so different, we don't know what to expect. We're fortunate that Mary Louise and Dane (Miller) are behind us, and we're getting really good cars from Kevin Harvick."
ML Motorsports is getting their fleet of Nationwide New Cars built by Kevin Harvick Inc. and getting their motors from Earnhardt-Childress Racing Engines.
While the entire series had the opportunity to test the New Car at Daytona last month, Howard and ML Motorsports have put a lot of effort into testing with it and have made multiple trips to Yuma, Ariz. and tested with KHI.
"Of the Nationwide regulars, the guys we have to race every week, we're a little ahead of the game," said Rice. "Obviously we need to get Shelby more seat time in the New Car, but going out Arizona with Kevin Harvick, that was a big deal. And to have Mary Louise and Dane totally behind us and supporting us with this, that means a lot.
Howard and Team 70 would love to thank them with a strong finish at Daytona Friday.
