If it works in ARCA, look for it in Winston Cup
by Ray Dunlap, Special to ESPN.com DAYTONA, Fla. -- The Automobile Racing Club of America (ARCA) series is often criticized for inexperienced drivers in cars that run too fast. The truth is, this series is a proving ground for talent and technology.
NASCAR is very methodical and cautious in approaching any rule changes. But if you look back over the past few years, ARCA has implemented many rules that later become enacted for the Winston Cup Series.
For example, a great deal of money was spent over the years on research and development on the intake manifold, especially for restrictor-plate races. The objective was to funnel the fuel and air mixture down chutes directly into the cylinders. The result was more horsepower.
Thousands of different combinations were tried, all at great expense to the teams. The late Bob Loga, a former president of ARCA came up with an idea. If all those little sliding boards were eliminated, nobody would have to do the time consuming research. He created a plug that fit directly into the plenum of the intake, in order for it to fit, the chutes had to be eliminated.
The rule went into effect for the ARCA Daytona race in 1994. NASCAR enacted the same rule for the 1998 Daytona 500.
The unrestricted compression ratios enabled the engine builders to create more horsepower. The smaller the volume of each cylinder, the more power that is created when the fuel mixture ignites. The problem was multiple failures and debris from those broken engines on the racetrack.
So, ARCA lowered its acceptable compression ratio to 15:1 in 1994. Three years later, NASCAR mandated a season-long change to a 14:1 ratio. Both organizations dropped to 12:1 ratios at the beginning of 1998.
Engine failures are virtually nonexistent today.
Another issue facing NASCAR were its cars dragging the track during qualifying for the restrictor-plate events at Daytona and Talladega. Once again, it looked at ARCA to solve the problem.
In 1997, ARCA had gone to a mandatory 300-pound rear spring to help hold the back of the cars up in the air. The more spoiler that catches the air, the more stable the car drives. ARCA changed the minimum to 350 pounds in 1998.
This season, the Winston Cup cars will finally be required to use a 345-pound minimum rear spring, slowing the cars down and making it safer and more comfortable for the drivers.
Finally, when Chevrolet began developing its new generation SB2 engine, NASCAR wanted to see it in action before giving the final approval. ARCA was again the proving ground. Frank Kimmel and Perry Tripp ran the new engines at more than 10 superspeedway races to ensure reliability.
The similarity of equipment is the main reason many Winston Cup teams use the Bondo/Mar-Hyde ARCA series to test new parts and develop young drivers.
The cars are 3,400-pound steel bodied stock cars with a 110-inch wheelbase, just like the Winston Cup cars. If an engine, rear-end gear, or shock package works in the ARCA race, it will translate to the garage area next door.
The main difference between the two series is the choice of tires. Winston Cup cars ride on Goodyear rubber, while the ARCA cars utilize Hoosier's.
As for Sunday, there have been 29 different winners of the 37th annual Pro2call 200 at Daytona International Speedway -- including Benny Parsons, Iggy Katona, Ramo Stott, Kyle Petty, Tim Richmond, Jeff Purvis, Andy Hillenburg and Kenny Irwin. Equally impressive is the list of non-winners: Red Farmer, Lake Speed, Davey Allison, Tim Steele and Jeremy Mayfield.
The 2000 starting field could be the most competitive ever.
Newcomers to the division include Lyndon Amick, Ronnie Hornaday, Damon Lusk and Kerry Earnhardt. Matt Hutter will drive for James Finch, a three-time winning car owner at the Daytona event. The favorites in Sunday's field also includes Hillenburg, Frank Kimmel, last year's winner Bobby Gerhart and 1999 ARCA champion Bill Baird.
The two biggest stories of the season opener could be Shawna Robinson and Tim Steele. Robinson had a fabulous run in this event a year ago when she finished second. The 35-year-old mother of two will attempt a run at the series championship driving for Michael Kranefuss.
Keep in mind this series runs on superspeedways, bull rings and on 1-mile dirt tracks. The chase for the championship could be just as exciting as the season-opening race.
Steele is a three-time champion with 34 career victories. His goal for 2000 is to win the Bondo/Mar-Hyde Trophy again. The reason it will be such a challenge is that he will miss Sunday's Daytona 200.
Lack of preparation of a quality car is the reason given in a press release. No matter why he does not run, the probability of winning the championship after missing a race is greatly reduced. Just ask Busch Series driver Jeff Green.
ARCA fills a much-needed niche in the stock car racing world. The series offers a very diverse list of venues, a live-action laboratory to experiment with new ideas, and an affordable entry level for future stars.
Keep your eyes on ARCA this season, 21 races later, we might just see the first ever-female champion and along the way some great competition is guaranteed.
