Rookie Licata Masters Draft at Daytona

February 14, 2011

(February 12, 2011-Daytona Beach, FL) Joey Licata, a 19 year old rookie, in his first ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards race, showed what a quick learner he is, with a 6th place finish in the Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200. After testing a couple of times last year in the stock cars and attending the ARCA test in Daytona in January, Licata had garnered all of the education he needed to contend for a win at the famed Daytona International Speedway. Practice and qualifying, where he ended up 19th quickest in the first practice, 11th in the final drafting practice and 25th in qualifying, didn’t show what Joey was capable of doing in the race.

With 24 laps of practice on Thursday, Joey and the Cunningham Motorsports #77 team put up a 49.10 on the speed chart, which was almost a second behind the quick time of Hal Martin. After qualifying 25th on Friday, the team found a problem with the oil heating system that wasn’t allowing the oil to heat to optimum temperature. Saturday morning, race day brought 45 minutes for drafting practice. Joey took his WrongInc.com Dodge out for 10 laps of practice, posting the 11th quickest speed and allowing him to get comfortable in the draft. After drafting practice, Licata commented, “I am thrilled to be with this championship team-a team of this caliber. It has been a great experience.”

ROOKIE, Joey Licata, GETS READY FOR DAYTONA DEBUT

02/14/11 at 9:21 AM PST by Dan_Farkas

Most teens Joey Licata’s age see Daytona as a place to visit for Spring Break. Licata sees it in a whole different light.

“I’m not nervous yet,” he said from a cell phone on the infield at Daytona International Speedway. “I probably won’t be until I get in the car and start waiting for the race to begin.”

Licata, 19, is preparing to make his debut in the ARCA series Friday. But this debut is different from most. You see, Licata had never seen Daytona in person until early in the week.

“It didn’t sink in until my first few laps,” he remembered about his practice laps, where he had the sixth fasted time.

Licata will race for Cunningham Motorsports, which is affiliated with Penske Racing. While his road to ARCA was fast, he finds himself trying to slow down. Learning moments fly faster than  the cars circling the new surface.

“I’d say communication is by far the most important thing I’m trying to take in,” he said. “Just trying to learn as much about the car as I can so I can talk with the team. Otherwise, we’re just going in circles.”

Licata find himself is an interesting position. On one hand, all drivers want to win. On the other hand, rookie drivers want to be respectful and make a good first impression to set the scene for a grueling 2011 season.

“A successful day is being there at the end,” he said. “Don’t do anything crazy, but be there to do something with five laps to go.”

It’s only one race. But you only get your first race at Daytona once. For Joey Licata, that moment can’t come soon enough.

“Lots of stress,” he said. “It’s cool…almost surreal.”

JOEY LICATA SIGNS ‘WRONG’ CLOTHING SPONSOR FOR ARCA AT DAYTONA

LAKE BALBOA, CALIF.(February 9, 2011)– Joey Licata, Jr. has announced that WRONG Clothing will sponsor his #77 Cunningham Motorsports Dodge in his ARCA Racing Series debut at Daytona International Speedway on February 12th.  

W.R.O.N.G. (World Riders on New Ground) is a company embedded in the surf, skate, and MX markets for those who “go big and invent new challenges.”  Licata’s debut at Daytona will be his chance to go big as he looks to challenge for the win as a rookie.  

The ARCA Racing Series cars travel at speeds nearing 200 miles per hour at the newly repaved Daytona International Speedway.  Licata ran the sixth fastest lap in the Daytona testing sessions, with an average speed of 185.670 around the 2.5 mile “world center of speed.”