| March 4, 2013 Cunningham Motorsports Crew Chief Paul Andrews reports being very pleased with the performances put in by the crew and the driver cadre, Tom Hessert, Anderson Bowen and Austin Wayne Self during two test days held this past weekend at Gresham Motorsports Park and Mobile International Raceway.
The Mooresville based Cunningham Motorsports team arrived early on Friday morning at Gresham Motorsports Park for a "Test before the Official Test" day. After communicating, coaching and reviewing the practice session game plan the team sent 15 year old high school freshman Anderson Bowen from Suwanee, GA out for some orientation laps.
 Despite this being his first time behind the wheel of a 3400 pound ARCA stock car, Anderson got the hang of the heavier, and more powerful ARCA ride, and started turning in some consistently quick laps. All this done while he balanced throttle control, brake pressure and the need for a more aggressive turn in routine than that demanded by the late models he usually drives.
 For his Cunningham Mortorsports teammate, 16 year old Austin Wayne Self, it was all about getting more seat time and experiencing another new track. The Daytona Battle at the Beach racer went out in a Pro Cup car and worked on a number of things including unlearning a few habits he'd had to utilize two weeks ago in order to navigate quickly around the flat .4 mile paperclip shaped oval set up on the Daytona backstretch.
It's said that young minds and bodies learn quickly and Austin was no exception to that rule as he adapted his driving techniques and learned the fast way to motor around Gresham. He also worked on developing his already extensive cockpit communication skills in order to better advise the crew as to what the car feels like, how it handled and what he needed in order to make it turn faster laps.
 On Saturday, Cunningham's #1 driver, Tom Hessert joined the team in Mobile where the high temperatures only reached into the mid 40's, made even colder by a brisk and consistently biting wind. This was an official ARCA test day in order to help get the teams ready for the ARCA Mobile 200 race set to run next Saturday, March 9th on the 1/2 mile paved oval with 11.5 - 12 degrees of banking.
Both Tom's #77 and Anderson's #22 Dodge's were quick off the get go and the team put in almost three solid hours of testing different setup's. Anderson went out for one practice qualifying run but was balked a bit which spoiled a once-promising time. The team regrouped, put the car in race trim and Anderson went out and did a 30 lap session so that he could see how the handling and performance of the car changed as the laps wore on.
The crew finished up by making subtle adjustments mostly dictated by Tom's and Anderson's individual driving styles. Now both the #77 and the #22 are set up in race trim and to each driver's taste, and Paul feels confident that the cars, team and drivers are ready to return to Mobile and with a little luck, have a great race on the 9th.
Special Note: Tom Hessert from Cherry Hill, NJ will be making his 100th ARCA start in Mobile next Saturday as he goes after his third career victory at a track he especially enjoys.
Under the guiding eye and mind of NASCAR Championship Winning Crew Chief, Paul Andrews, Anderson Bowen will be making his first career ARCA start.
Join us as we congratulate Tom on his significant achievement and welcome Anderson as the newest member of the Cunningham family and wish them both all the best of good fortune next Saturday in Mobile.
Mike Cesario
Cunningham Motorsports |
