Salem: Scott Speed preview

Speed Has Sights Set On Salem Speedway

SALEM, Ind. (April 10, 2008) -- Even though the ARCA RE/MAX Series has been on hiatus since the February run at Daytona, Scott Speed has done anything but sit idle. From Vegas to NYC, ARCA testing to running in the Craftsman Truck Series, Speed has been wide-open for the last nine weeks. This weekend, Speed and his No. 2 Red Bull Toyota team return to competition at Salem Speedway.

"Everyone seems really interested in what I think about coming to Salem," said Speed. "To be honest, I am just looking forward to running on this old little track. I've heard a lot about it and it sounds like the race will be a good time. Fast, packed with action, demanding, bumpy. I'm looking forward to the challenge!"

[IMAGE]This weekend will mark the ARCA RE/MAX Series Rookie of the Year candidate's first race at the 0.555-mile paved oval. Although Speed is best known for his recent time spent in the Formula 1 Series, his roots of go kart racing in California make Salem, Indiana not a shock to the system, but rather reminiscent of days past.

"Tracks like Salem," commented Speed, "are where I grew up racing. My heart is still in go kart racing. It's always been there, as is with a lot of my Formula 1 colleagues. And at the end of the day, it doesn't matter how nice a track is, we just want to compete in something. We'll race anything you let us."

After qualifying second in the 2008 ARCA 200 at Daytona, the Manteca, California native led 16 laps before getting caught up in the big wreck early in the race.

"The situation in Daytona was certainly not reflective of the car and team we had there," stated Speed. "We showed up very prepared and with a strong car. Starting second demonstrated that. But racing is racing and sometimes you get caught in something that you didn't cause and can't avoid. That happened to us in Daytona this year. Finishing strong these next few races is necessary to make up for that."

-credit: esr