FYI WIRZ: ARCA's Mattiolli On Air, NASCAR's Kevin Harvick Eyes Secrecy

FYI WIRZ features the swift presentation of pertinent motorsports topics compiled and condensed by Dwight Drum @ Racetake.com

Chase Mattioli Gets Lesson Seeing Air

Courtesy of Chase Mattioli Racing

The late Dale Earnhardt has been acknowledged as one of the very best in the draft. It has been said that at 200mph he could “see the air” and had a feel for the draft that was absolutely amazing. 

In the ARCA at Michigan International Speedway, 20 year-old Chase Mattioli went to school, and learned a lesson that unfortunately cost him a top 10 finish. 

Having just finished his sophomore year at New York City’s Fordham University, Mattioli now getting the practical experience he needs on the track.

Starting the race in 26th position, Mattioli motored his No. 17 APS Ford all the way up to 14th until school bells rang on the 77th lap of the 100 lap event. 

With this, his first race at the two-mile super speedway, Mattioli was getting on the job training. The track is D-shaped oval with 18 degrees of banking in the turns and 12 degrees on the arched mains straight. 

The only relatively flat part of the track is the back stretch, and that is banked five degrees. The down force generated by the car is critical to keep it from losing grip all around the track except for the back straight.

“I was making a pass for 13th coming out of turn No. Four. When I pulled out for the pass I was still turning and the little bit of down force I lost was all it took,” said the young racer. 

“It’s like riding a bicycle. You can read about it all day long and have the very best explain what to do, but until you fall off a few times, it does not make sense. It was a costly lesson, but one I will never forget. The car and the team were terrific and I cannot wait to get back on the track,” Mattioli continued.

Mattioli amazed the onlookers with his control of the spin, and not making contact. He flat spotted the tires, and when he pitted he had to go back out on old tires. 

Ironically, in the last two races Mattioli has probably passed more cars than anyone on the track, and this, his only second race with the team, the Roulo Brothers are very happy with his progress. 

Kevin Harvick and JEGS High Performance Announcement

Courtesy of JEGS High Performance Parts (JEGS.com)

Save the date — Harvick/JEGS announcement on tap for June 23

NASCAR driver Kevin Harvick and representatives of JEGS High Performance will make a special announcement at 2 p.m., Wednesday, June 23, at the Team JEGS race shop in Delaware, Ohio.

The winner of the 2007 Daytona 500, Harvick has accumulated five top-10 finishes in his first decade on the NASCAR tour and has collected 12 race wins.

He has two championships (2001 and 2006) and 36 wins on the NASCAR Nationwide Tour, and has competed part-time in the Camping World Truck Series since 1995, where he has eight more victories.

Veteran motorsports announcer Paul Page, the voice of NHRA Championship Drag Racing, will be the master of ceremonies and mediator for the Harvick event.

The Team JEGS race shop, which is located next door to JEGS headquarters, has been veiled in secrecy for the past few months with access to the facility limited to a select few employees.

Photo credit: Dwight Drum @ Racetake.com