Ryan Reed and Venturini Motorsports Lead Day 1 of ARCA Testing at Daytona

Testing has officially begun for the 2011 ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards season as they began their three-day test at Daytona International Speedway on December 16th. As prior to years before, ARCA has hosted a three day test to allow teams to prepare for the Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 next February.

Also as usual, Venturini Motorsports was strong with Ryan Reed topping the charts with a best lap of 48.857 seconds in the after session. Reed was followed by his four teammtes Brennan Poole, John Stancill and Mark Thompson.

Reed announced just last week that he had partnered up with Venturini Motorsports for a part-time schedule in 2012. The 18-year-old from Bakersfield, California raced a variety of cars last year, including the Pro Allstars Series, NASCAR Whelen All American and NASCAR K&N Pro Series East.

Venturini Motorsports is known for being strong in Daytona qualifying as they won the pole last year and a total of seven Menards Pole Awards over the course of 2011.

NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Rookie of the Year Joey Coulter rounded out the top five, followed by Chris Windom, Nelson Canache, Sloan Henderson, Damon Lusk and T.J. Duke. Seven-time Daytona winner Bobby Gerhart in 12th.

In the morning sesson, it was Venturini driver Brennan Poole topping the charts with a lap of 48.915 seconds, over teammates Stancill and Thompson. Poole made his first start for the Venturini’s last year and scored his first win at Salem in May.

T.J. Duke, driving for Coulter Motorsports, was fourth with Reed fifth. Rick Clifton, Coulter, Chad Hackenbracht, McReynolds, and Gerhart filled out the top 10.

Testing will continue tomorrow with two sessions, from 9am-noon and 1-5pm. ARCARacing.com will feature lie timing and scoring on their site.