New Beginning for Lowinski-Loh
John Lowinski-Loh, Jr. of Milford, MA will make his first laps at Daytona International Speedway Friday during a two-day for the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards. Lowinski-Loh primary goal is to get a superspeedway license, to be able to race at tracks over two miles, including the season opener at Daytona in February.
There will be a dual-purpose for rookie drivers at the 2.5 mile tri-oval: learning the track and the draft. Drafting takes on additional importance as ARCA will use group qualifying similar to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. The team is already working on getting a pack of cars together at the test.
“It’s going to be crucial … we’re going to get comfortable with the car on the racetrack and then everyone is going to go into a group session and try the drafting for qualifying because we’re going to try to make our car really, really good, make sure it pulls up good to other cars. And make sure everything’s key for that because starting at the back of the field at Daytona never ends up usually good for anybody.”
The team will use a current car with a Roush Fenway “D” engine at the test. Lowinski-Loh said only 10 teams have an Ilmor engine, a new engine package available for 2015. “They do say it’s a big difference in the motor.” The team plans to use one in the January test with either Lowinski-Loh or his teammate driving.
Another change coming to ARCA is a composite body that will also be used in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series. Team BCR does not have one of the bodies yet, but is waiting to see what the competition does. Between 800-1,000 pounds will need to be moved higher in the racecar, and teams generally want to have the weight lower.
“If everyone had to change, we obviously would, but we think there might be an advantage to the old style with the weight lower.”
One factor is a lack of information on the car. Lowinski-Loh said no teams have put the new body through a wind tunnel test yet. While the team may use the new body on a newer car for Talladega, they still needsto find how the new engine and body packages change the car.
“If we see other teams do it and … they put up better numbers, it may be something to go to, even though the weight’s higher because at Daytona it’s all draft.”
Lowinski-Loh currently has two associate sponsors from Team BCR, but hopes to add more soon. “We are in contact with actually four different full-time primary sponsors.” The team is working to finalize sponsorship next month.
Team BCR of Mooresville, NC is owned by Howard and Paula Bixman. The team won four races with Grant Enfinger at Daytona, Mobile, Salem, and Elko. Enfinger also led the points before leaving the team midseason. Justin Allison won his first race at Pocono in August.
Lowinski-Loh finished 11th in Thompson points this season. He also raced his No. 20 Late Model at Seekonk and Waterford.
Lowinski-Loh moved to the Late Models for 2013 at Thompson and won in only his fifth start. He finished third in points with six top fives in nine races. Lowinski-Loh claimed Rookie of the Year honors at the annual banquet.
Lowinski-Loh won the 2012 Thompson Modified championship on the strength of nine victories. He won the season finale on World Series weekend as well.
Sources: Nicholas Teto/YankeeRacer.com