Photo – Courtesy of MMM
18-year-old Kaz Grala will pilot the No. 88 Kiklos Greek Extra Virgin Olive Oil Chevrolet for Mason Mitchell Motorsports (MMM) this weekend in the 54th annual Lucas Oil Complete Engine Treatment 200 at the Daytona International Speedway (DIS). The start will mark his debut with the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards.
Kaz has raced at Daytona in the Rolex 24 hours as well as the NASCAR K&N Pro Series Battle at the Beach. Saturday will mark his first start on the 2.5 mile oval.
“Getting to actually race on the superspeedway here at Daytona is a dream come true”, an excited Grala stated. “Every little kid watches Daytona and wishes that they could be a race car driver because of this race. Getting to race at the place that begins those aspirations is going to be surreal.”
The 80 lap ARCA event will allow Grala to gain important track time for the following week’s NextEra Energy Resources 250 at DIS. Grala will race full-time in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series in 2017 driving the No. 33 Chevrolet entry for GMS Racing.
“I am really looking to get the “feel” of plate racing in the ARCA car. The most important thing here is aero, and it takes seat time and experience to get comfortable. The ARCA race is the perfect time for me to gain this experience.”
Grala is already a winner in 2017, winning last weekend in the nine-hour American Endurance Racing event at Road Atlanta.
Chassis Information: Kaz will race chassis No. 100 out of the MMM stable. This car won the last ARCA restrictor plate race last May at the Talladega Superspeedway.
MEET Kaz: Saturday ARCA will have an all access garage starting at 12:30-2:00 pm stop by and meet Kaz and his MMM team.
The ARCA drivers will have two practices in preparation for the race. The first practice is scheduled for Thursday from 4:00-6:00 pm. Friday morning the teams will have a one hour final practice session at 9:30-10:30 am. Friday afternoon the field will be set in group qualifying beginning at 3:30 pm. Saturday marks the 54th ARCA race at Daytona. Fans can watch live beginning at 4:15 pm ET on Fox Sports 1. ARCA will also have live timing/scoring as well as a live audio call which will be available at arcaracing.com