TOLEDO, Ohio − Steve Arpin is "living the dream." That may be a worn out adage, but it still rings true for the driver from Fort Frances, Ontario.
In addition to winning back-to-back on the ARCA Racing Series tour - at Salem and Texas - Arpin, who's currently second in ARCA championship points, also finds himself in the driver's seat of Dale Earnhardt, Jr.'s NASCAR Nationwide Series car from time to time.
That means his weekend plans include a date with Darlington Raceway this Friday, May 7, yet another first for Arpin. And that suits him just fine; he says he's up for the challenge.
"It's definitely a big challenge showing up to these places for the first time, especially at this level," Arpin said. "When I go out for practice, I am learning all the characteristics of the race track, the car, everything. At the same time, other drivers are fine tuning on what they have learned here in years past. We have the same amount of time, just more to accomplish. But every driver out here has gone through the same thing, so I'll get there. It will just take time."
Arpin's also finding out that to step from ARCA to NASCAR is more than just a step - it's, in fact, a pretty giant leap.
"I am having the time of my life here at JRM driving the No. 7 Chevrolet. Heading into our third Nationwide Series start together, the biggest difference I have found is how hard you have to go from the drop of the green flag, each and every lap. I also think that this will help me get more out of my cars on the ARCA side. The next biggest thing to adjust to is the lack of power with the tapered spacer and how free you have to have your car to be good on the long runs. It is a whole different feel but I'm adapting fast.
"There are a handful of tracks that have really made a mark in NASCAR's history. Darlington is definitely one of them. I am very excited and nervous at the same time to go there. It is a great opportunity to be able to race here, and I am thankful for that. It is also a race track that is very technical and will produce some intense racing. Last week was an eye opener for me. I'm going to use what I've learned and this week I will be more prepared."
Preparation has been a non-issue for Arpin on the ARCA side of things in 2010. He, and his Venturini Motorsports team, has been one of the teams to beat, no matter the venue.
"I don't think you can have a better connection than I have with Billy (Venturini/Team Manager)," added Arpin. "The chemistry we have, and the way we understand each other is not quite like anything I've experienced so far. He really is a great teacher, coach, mentor, all those things you need.
"I mean, I'm so fortunate to be a part of a high-end ARCA team. The Venturini Motorsports program, in my opinion, is the best program out there.
"With my opportunities with the Venturinis and JRM, they are opportunities of a lifetime. I'm quite lucky to be in this position. I couldn't be more excited, but it's one of those deals where you have to find the balance, maintain the right focus to do the job."
Despite Arpin's opportunities with the JRM team, the majority of his focus is centered around his ARCA program.
"A hundred percent. That's my commitment to this ARCA team. It's priority number one. I'm at the ARCA shop right now. There's no way I couldn't give this thing a hundred percent. These guys pour out their heart and soul into this operation - put in ungodly hours. I'm completely committed to it, and I plan to stick with it. We all went into this deal committed to running for the ARCA points championship, and I plan to stay with that commitment."
Arpin also mentioned that after he was done at the ARCA shop, that he was headed over to Tony Eury, Jr's house to watch tapes of Darlington. Imagine that.
Then, tomorrow, it's off to Darlington, a track he'll see for the first time, in person.
"It's gunna be tough (Darlington). In some ways, it's like last year (in ARCA). Every track was new, a new experience. Now, a year later, I'm at the Nationwide level racing against the likes of Carl Edwards, Joey Logano and Kyle Busch. I've got to concentrate on making that learning curve go as fast and smooth as possible. In the Nationwide Series, you literally have to drive every lap like qualifying 250 times around the track. It's going to take some time. I hope JR Motorsports will stick with me and help me get through the learning curve.
"And, I know it's up to me too. Time for me to step to the plate."
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