After a dramatic crash during the ARCA Menard’s Series Dawn 150 at Kansas Motor Speedway in July, rookie driver Russ Lane returns to the track this week in Daytona for the inaugural road race on the course.
“I am so thankful for everyone who has reached out to check on me after Kansas,” Lane said. “I can’t wait to get back on the track and do what I love.”
Part of Lane’s excitement to get to Daytona comes from his experience with road courses. Lane won both the American Iron points championship for the National Auto Sport Association, Central Region in 2019 and is the current Rookie of the Year. He continues to run road courses when not racing in the ARCA series, so his confidence is high for the upcoming Daytona race.
“I love road courses, it’s how I learned how to drive race cars,” Lane said. “And to be doing what I love at such an iconic track like Daytona, it’s a dream come true for any driver.”
Lane is currently training with fellow NASA driver, Mike Skeen for the Daytona race.
“Mike and I speak the same language.” “Mike is one of the best drivers out there today, in any series.” I am incredibly honored and thankful to have Mike working with me on the Sim and coming with me to this track he knows very well.”
The Empire Racing team has been busy working in their North Carolina shop to prepare Lane’s new car for this race. Sponsors, DriveNASACentral.com and LetsMakeItRain.com have been instrumental in helping Lane secure his new ride and getting it race ready. Grumpy’s Performance Inc., a driver development program run by Mike (Grumpy) Cheek, identifies and trains up and coming drivers and has continued to guide Lane as he works to get back on the track.
— Empire Racing —
