Daytona is a learning experience for Bailey  

Daytona Beach, Fla. – Jack Bailey had wanted to race at Daytona International Speedway since he was in elementary school. And when he got his chance on Feb. 9, the opportunity indeed proved to be a learning experience.

The Stafford, Va., native, who is driving a limited schedule in the ARCA RE/MAX Series this year for D’Hondt Motorsports, qualified his No. 19 Toyota Camry in 13th place for the ARCA 200. But the effects of a race-changing wreck ended his day after only 43 laps and relegated him to a 30th-place finish.

Nevertheless, Bailey and team owner Eddie D’Hondt saw enough good signs during Daytona Speedweeks to make them optimistic about the rest of the season.

After the green flag waved, Bailey moved into the Top 10, where he stayed for much of the first half of the race. Then he was able to make it through the immediate commotion of a multi-car incident on Lap 30. But, as he slowed to navigate the mess, another competitor struck the rear of the No. 19. The impact bent the left rear truck arm, which caused a tire rub and, eventually, a blowout that severely damaged the Camry.

“We were a victim of circumstance,” said Bailey, who noted that anything his hot rod lacked in speed, it more than made up for in handling.

D’Hondt said Bailey performed well in his inaugural ARCA race, and he lamented that his driver didn’t get a chance to compete in the final laps.

“We had a really good car,” he said. “We just didn’t get a chance to show it. I would say we had a Top Five car.”

The team also had a top-flight crew on pit road. Crew members from Bill Davis Racing’s No. 22 Caterpillar NASCAR Sprint Cup team pitted for D’Hondt Motorsports and helped Bailey leave pit road before any of the other competitors the only time he pitted.

“We just decimated them on pit road,” said Bailey, who also will compete in ARCA events at Pocono, Michigan and Talladega this year.

Though proud of the effort of his team, the driver was dejected after the race. It was disappointing to get knocked out at mid-race, he said, before he could even make a move to head to the front of the pack.

But, he said, “At least I learned a lot, and I really had a lot of fun up to that point.”

And, as always, he said he appreciates all the well-wishes of his friends, family and fans.

“Knowing you have people supporting you always helps you to mentally prepare for each race,” he said.

And those supporters can look forward to Bailey’s next race, which will be June 7 at Pocono Raceway.

 For more information on Jack Bailey, visit www.jackbailey.com, or call (540) 903-5290.