2010 ARLA Elite Series Rookie Shootout

The 2010 ARLA Elite Series Rookie Shootout was held at the Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida. It was the second-annual running of the event.

Like in 2009, the winner of the race was guaranteed a starting spot in the field (unless his/her car was already locked into the main race).

Watch: The Big One
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Summary
Lucas Hunter drew the pole, with Mikael Carter starting on the outside of Row 1. Hunter jumped ahead on the start, but at Daytona, that’s almost never a good idea. Paul Lyons quickly reeled in Hunter and took the lead going into Turn 3, but coming off of 4, Scott Morales got a run on Lyons and grabbed the lead coming out of the tri-oval (but not before Lyons led the first lap).

The first incident occurred on Lap 3 when Ricky Gonzalez, going three-wide with Des Inman and Ricky Flush, got together with the No. 149 and No. 31, carrying all three cars into the wall and clipping Carter, who rode the wall on his side for about half a turn. Henrietta LaVerne III dove onto the apron to avoid the wreck, but she made contact with Wesley Savage coming back onto the track. Savage would spin into the wall, and Ricky Gonzalez was issued a warning by the officials.

Rachel Gonzalez led on the restart. Ricky Gonzalez’s damaged car ran about eight seconds slower than the leaders, and on Lap 13, he was put a lap down. However, he held up the outside line, led by Frank Hackson in the No. 127 car, and split the field into two groups.

The next caution was once again caused by Ricky Gonzalez, on lap 23. When Lucas Hunter tried to pass him down low, the No. 9 car unsuccessfully tried to block him, setting off a big wreck. Penalties were expected for Gonzalez (see Postrace penalties, below).

The No. 10 car of Jack Lucas Samson led on the restart. There were only four cars undamaged at this point – Samson, Rachel Gonzalez, David Connors (who had fallen off the pace, though), and Joey Harrison. However, Lyons and Amy Harrison were able to keep up with the leaders, but were not able to make any serious charges. Rachel Gonzalez and Samson exchanged the lead several times, but it was ultimately Gonzalez that won the race.

Results

 * ''For the full results, click here.

Postrace penalties

 * Ricky Gonzalez – suspended first two races of 2010 (Daytona and Iowa)
 * Frank Hackson – start from rear of field for Daytona 200