Yontz, a veteran of UARA Stars Touring Late Models, is a native of Walnut Cove, North Carolina. He was joined on the speed charts by Theriault, who made her ARCA RE/MAX Series debut at USA Int'l Speedway on March 24^th, and Darnell, who finished a career-best second in an ARCA race at Kansas Speedway last weekend. The full day ARCA Open Test session was in preparation for the May 15 Buckle-Up Kentucky 150, which serves as the season-opening event for Kentucky Speedway.
 

Other test participants included Bryan Silas, Ken Butler III, James Buescher, Richard Johns, Steve Blackburn, Billy Tanner, Gabi DiCarlo, Mark Dimitroff, Jesus Hernandez and Regan Smith.

In addition to serving as an open test day for ARCA RE/MAX Series teams, the event provided an opportunity for Kentucky Speedway to introduce the May 12 ARCA RE/MAX Series race event sponsor via a press conference hosted by Kentucky Speedway's Tim Bray.
 

The Governor's Highway Safety Program (GHSP) is sponsoring the ARCA RE/MAX Series Buckle-Up Kentucky 150 race to raise awareness of the state's new primary seat belt law.

Kentucky State Police Captain Tim Lucas explained the importance of seat belt safety at the event.

"Seat belts clearly save lives," said Lucas. "But unfortunately too many folks still need a tough reminder, so we will be out in force making sure people are buckled up. Regular seat belt usage is the single most effective way to protect people and reduce fatalities in motor vehicle crashes."

ARCA RE/MAX Series competitors Darnell and DiCarlo also made appearances in the media center to stress the importance of seat belt safety and promote the upcoming Buckle-Up Kentucky 150 ARCA RE/MAX Series event.
 

Darnell, who competes under the Roush-Fenway Racing banner, is coming off a very busy weekend of competition. The Illinois native worked his way from last to second in an ARCA RE/MAX Series race at Kansas Speedway on Friday and earned his career first NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series victory on Saturday. He brought two cars to Monday's Open Test at Kentucky Speedway in preparation for the May 12 ARCA RE/MAX Series event.
 

"I know every time I get in a street vehicle I put on my seat belt right away," said Darnell. "I've been in some nasty wrecks in my racecar and I feel fortunate to have that five-point harness on when I race."
 

2007 ARCA RE/MAX Series Rookie of the Year contender DiCarlo echoed Darnell's sentiments on seat belt safety.
 

"Every time I get in a street car I put on my seat belt," said DiCarlo. "I actually don't feel as safe in a street car because I don't have my gloves on or my helmet or any of the other safety equipment that I wear in my racecar."
 

DiCarlo, a native of Phoenix, Arizona, is quite used to wearing safety equipment in a racecar. She's been racing since she was ten years old.
 

"My career has sky-rocketed in the past year," said DiCarlo. "I came from open wheel stuff so this is all brand new to me. My first time on bigger tracks is here and at Kansas last weekend. The open wheel cars weighed a quarter of the amount that these do so the adjustment is huge.
 

The ARCA RE/MAX Series, now in its 55th consecutive year of competition, will make the first of two 2007 appearances to Kentucky Speedway on May 12 for the Buckle-Up Kentucky 150. Former winners at the 1.5-mile Sparta, Kentucky-based speed plant include Frank Kimmel, Chad Blount, Ryan Hemphill, Kyle Busch, Brad Coleman, Ryan Newman, Tim Steele and Steve Wallace.
 

The ARCA Lincoln Welders Truck Series, now in its ninth year of competition, will contest a same-day feature on the .25-mile paved oval. Defending series champion Paul Hahn, rookie of the year contender Steve Cronenwett and 1999 series champion Bill Withers are among those expected to compete.
 

Tickets are available by calling Kentucky Speedway at (888) 652-RACE.