V8 StockCar racers Lee Arnold from Naples and Tom “Hollywood” Graham from St Pete Beach were quick in today’s ARCA practice on the road course at New Jersey Motorsports Park. Arnold, driving the Arnold Development/V8 StockCar.com Dodge prepped by Billy Hess and crewed by Mario Gosselin was 8th quickest in the sessions. Graham, driving a Bowsher Racing Ford was 17th out of the 41 who practiced.
Before this week, neither Arnold or Graham had ever driven the heavy, high horsepower ARCA cars. Arnolds’ regular ride is a V8 SPO class super late model type road race stock car formerly driven by Boris Said. Graham campaigns a V8 GTA entry, former ASA type car, prepped in the shops of Florida short track legend Jimmy Cope.
The fastest today was Andy Lally, the former Grand Am Road Racing Series Champ with Scott Speed 2nd. Also, Tony Ave, who on occasion races with the V8 series was 9th fastest. Ave is the reigning SCCA GT-1 class National Champ.