Chasing Daytona: The DGM Racing Story
Daytona: Built on Legacy
When you think Daytona, you think NASCAR. You think Legacy. You think history, NASCAR was built on the sands of Chasing Daytona and paved with the legends like Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt, paved with memories from Donnie Allison and Kale Yarlborough. Today, we’re going to take a look inside the NASCAR Affinity series with DGM Racing.
Who is proudly sponsored by DriveSmart. Drivers Ryan Ellis, Josh Bilicki, and CJ McLaughlin will be putting it all on the line to get their name made here today.
Secrets to Winning Daytona (with Tab Boyd)
So I’m here with Tab Boyd. What’s the secret here to Chasing Daytona? You have two Daytona 500 championships. How do you do it? Man, it’s being at the right place at the right time. Throughout the race, strategic decision-making is crucial. Drivers have to be smart all day during the race. You know, put yourself in a position when it’s time. You know, you have to take risks, but you got to be smart about Chasing Daytona.
And there is a lot of luck involved to stay out of trouble. You gotta be there at the end, that’s for sure. Yet today’s simple. Nonetheless, All we gotta do is get through tech and then turn some laps in practice. Now, fortunately, the teams pretty much have the car fully set up before we even hit the track. So getting through tech is going to be a tough task.
Navigating Tech Inspection while Chasing Daytona
You don’t want anyone to sit home and you don’t want to fail. As the cars are rolling through tech, I got the opportunity to film a social media star, Amelia Hartford. Amelia has over two million Instagram followers. Instagram followers and is one of the stars of the Grand Turismo movie. I can’t think Amelia and Jesse enough as I got asked to play a small part in a commercial for the CW network.
And man, this commercial racked up over 3 million views. Jesse, how do you feel about the content portion we’re doing here today? Oh, it’s super cool. We got Amelia here, so she’s been in a lot of great stuff. Huge YouTube channel, huge Instagram channel, huge social media, period. But also an actress, too, who’s been in the movie Gran Turismo.
So, really awesome to have her out here, and not only just to be out here, you know, representing Xfinity and promoting the Xfinity series with the CW network, but being with our team here, so, um, it’s good to have friends. Can I do it? Okay. CJ, CJ,
Chaos behind Chasing Daytona: The “Big One” Strikes
what are you gonna do if you win? Oh, this is so Free season for everyone with all the behind the scenes. I’m gonna show you guys the final product.
Oh, you forgot your can’t do autographs right now. Sorry. Catch a letter.
Okay. What you gonna do if you win, uh, preseason for everyone. Hurry up to races starting right now. Hurry up this thing. Sectors or records? Any last words? Uh, watch the Chasing Daytona NASCAR Finity series on CW today.
That’s all you. I’m good. You can have it. You sure? Yeah. Alright, Jesse. Hey. Hey, hey. Cj forgot his receipt, that CJ forgot his receipt. Receipt for what that is. The full season this year sponsored for everyone like he promised. Oh my. It’s now time to hit the track and shake down the cars for the first time this weekend.
DGM improved early. They had speed in the race scores, jumping all the way to third fastest with Ryan Ella. So Ryan, we just wrapped up practice, how was the car, you look good on the board. I have no idea how we were on the board, but, um, based on everybody’s faces I think they’re really happy with the speed of the car, from my side it drives really predictable.
Inside Daytona’s Fan Zone
After practice wrapped up we headed over to Wawa for an autograph session with the drivers. And that was officially a wrap for day number one at Daytona. The sun is rising at Daytona. It’s officially race day. The team has waited for this very moment the entire off season. Unfortunately, it’s looking to be a rainy day while we are Chasing DaytonaDaytona.
And as we’re trying to get three cars into the show, this could be an issue in qualifying. Welcome to Daytona. This is it. It’s race day. It’s go time. We got three cars on the grid for this weekend’s race. Mario Gosling is going all out with this one. We got Ryan Ellis in the 71, we got Josh Balicki back in the 91.
J. McLaughlin in the 92 car. As you can see behind me, it’s raining. This is the Chasing Daytona we have known to love, and not only that, the truck race was wild. It completely wrecked the best. The tools at Daytona was a disaster. We tore up a lot of equipment. Going into Daytona. Anyone can win. If you’re an underdog team, you’ve been looking forward to this moment the entire offseason.
Race Day at Daytona: Mario Gosselin’s Hard Work, DriveSmart Savings, and Fan Zone Fun
And now it’s time to show what the hard work that Mario Gosling has brought to the table can finally do. It’s the morning of Daytona. As we are getting ready to roll, I’m gonna tell you guys about the savings you can get with DriveSmart. For only 8. 25 a month, you can save on travel. Dining, entertainment, restaurants, and so much more.
You’re gonna basically earn more than the money you’re gonna spend on the membership. I’ve been using it all week and saving everything. You can check that out in the link in the description. That said, let’s get back to the action, baby. So while we’re under a rain delay here, I’m gonna take you guys for a little tour of the fan zone.
We may buy some merch. We’re gonna go check everything out. I’m telling you guys, I fell in love with this coat right here, Daytona 500. Unfortunately, I don’t think it’s in the budget. 180, a little too much for me. I need to tone it down a little bit. We’re early back on the YouTube grind. We gotta, we gotta tone it down a bit.
Exploring Daytona Fan Zone: Collectibles, Driver Autographs, and Behind-the-Scenes at the Xfinity Series
These things have always been cool. When I was a kid, I used to always buy these programs at the track. And they go with like a cool little diecast car. That may be my go to. That may be what I’m gonna go with here today. I had to come back with something from Daytona. So we got a nice pin, and a nice magnet, and we’re gonna call it a day.
Whoo, I typically don’t like blowing money on stupid stuff. That’s why I’m with DriveSmart. Anyway, welcome to the fan zone. We’re here, Daytona baby. Why should I go to Daytona? Well, the grandstands are beautiful. You can see them behind me. But let’s talk about the simple fact that I am literally standing on top of the garage area right now.
The cars are parked underneath me. The Daytona 500 cars are right underneath my feet. These are the haulers behind me. So, when we get to the Daytona 500, this area is gonna be packed. It’s gonna be a go to for the fan zone. You can see much of the track from here. So another cool thing here at Daytona is the garage area that I was just standing on top of.
Qualifying Drama at Daytona: Fan Zone Insights, Gosselin’s Team Battles Weather and Pressure
Well, you can actually go find your favorite driver’s stall. Right here behind me is Ross Chastain’s stall. There is a gap here, right here, that you’ll be able to stick die cast cars through or whatever, and you can get your item signed by the driver that is right there inside with his car. As the rain dried up, it was soon time.
For Qualified. Not fun. What’s fun? It’s exhausting. Are they all out there? Did everybody leave? I think so. Cool. Alright, well. Why are we out here? Oh. Are we qualified? You are. Yeah. We’re qualified. As you can tell, the rain has stopped here at Daytona, and we’re finally going Qualified. This is it. What kind of speed are we going?
going to have in these DGM race cars. I’m excited. It’s time to see what we can put on the line.
Josh Bilicki running a part time schedule for DGM. Congratulations to him and wife Caitlin. Had their first baby in the off season just a few weeks ago. So, he’s probably real happy to be on the road, if he can sleep in the hotel room and not having that baby wake you up in the middle of the night. CJ’s a hard worker.
I’ve talked to him often about how he’s gotten into the sport. He’s worked really hard at bringing sponsors into the sport, and yet he’s worked for some of the sponsors that he’s brought in. And he just wants this so bad. He desperately just wants to be here, have a chance. And he keeps finding a way back into cars.
And that’s what it takes. Sometimes you just have to be relentless.
Survival Mode: Making It to the End
Yeah, when we met with Ryan, uh, on media day. The one thing I’m pulling for this guy is that he gets his first top 10 this year. He’s talking about how close they have been. 11th being his, his best finish, uh, actually here last year. So this is a guy, just like you said with Garrett Smith, they were one of those that you just want to cheer for.
Yeah, he made two. He worked so hard at this off track. He sells all these sponsorships. Sell and puts the funding together and this is where he wants to be. He’s made it clear to us he wants to be in eight speed series for as long as he possibly can, up to second. That was a good lap.
Okay. This could be bad. This could be bad. We got rain in the area, we stopped qualifying ’cause of rain. Our cars look fast. The problem is, CJ McLaughlin is not locked in on owner points. Meaning if we rain that 92 car goes home, we’re gonna be down a car. If it rains, I’m. the team is stressing right now because that’s not what we need.
Rain Delay Drama: CJ McLaughlin Misses Daytona
We need this thing to go dry, we need to get qualified in, and we need to grid these cars off. Unfortunately, the rain continued to fall. Because the 92 car did not have owner points, this means CJ McLaughlin will be headed home and will not be racing at Chasing Daytona. Mario Gosling came to Daytona with three cars, wanting all three of them to work together.
Now we’re only down to Ryan Ellis and Josh Balicki to race tonight. So here’s CJ, unfortunately. The rain came and, uh, dual owner points, it just didn’t happen, but the car had some speed in it. You were quick! Yeah, we had a, um, great crew chief, uh, great car, you know, Mario and his team put a great car together.
Um, it just, it’s a kick in the, in the gut when this happens, you know? Um, there’s nothing we can control, and this is the ironic part, the sun’s out now, um, so it hurts. It hurts really bad. If you’re ever in Daytona, I highly recommend checking out Daytona USA. A. This is one of the best museums that NASCAR has to offer.
Inside Daytona USA: Iconic Cars, Racing History, and the Ultimate NASCAR Fan Experience
You’ll find everything from iconic 1960s, drag racing cars, including part of the original Daytona Beach racetrack. fan of history. This is where you belong. So obviously there’s no car behind me, but this is where they would normally park the Chasing Daytona winning machine. They got it prepared for Sunday night to clean it out and put an all new car in there.
Behind me is New Garden’s IndyCar. Now this is the first time I’ve ever been in person with an actual IndyCar behind me. I feel like the Daytona USA experience was super cool. Definitely a lot of cool stuff. First time going there. I feel like it’s only fair if we end it right here with Dale Earnhardt.
You know the story. 20 years of trying, 20 years of frustration, and there we have it. Chasing Daytona USA. Everyone gets one.
So this is what is called the Walk of Champions. Every Chasing Daytona500.
If you’ve never been to a NASCAR race, go for the midway, even if you’re not even a NASCAR fan, because you’re going to have foods similar to being at a state fair. The race will be starting momentarily, but first off, I want to explore the NASCAR infield. I want to find where the party’s at. I’m going to tell you like this, first time Daytona, I love it.
Daytona’s Ultimate Tailgate: BBQ, and High-Speed NASCAR Action
Gotta have it. Can’t get, can’t live without it. Philadelphia Eagles, Super Bowl champs. Go Bronx, baby! We’re here to have a good time. We’re not here for a long time, you know what I’m saying? Is this where the Daytona party is? I’m looking for the Daytona party. I think it’s here. I’m in a lot of pain. Go get the wheel back.
Let me show you what we got on today. What do we got? Ready? Let’s see it. What do we got? Woo! Everyone got some ribs. We got some St. Louis ribs. We got some sausage and peppers. Wow! We got some nice brisket cheeseburgers. Oh my god! About ready to start. You hang out, you can have some. Absolutely. Hot 32. I just come back here.
Ha ha ha ha. You always, every time at Daytona, this guy is known as the guy, the cook of Daytona. Always coming out here, cooking the best food every single time. I try my best. You kill it. How many people do you get stopping by here at Daytona? Uh, maybe a couple hundred easily. But I teach, I teach. Are you feeding the whole infield?
Green Flag Drama: DGM Racing Survives Major Crash at Daytona Xfinity Series
Yeah, for everybody, all my neighbors. I promise, that guy is always cooking at Daytona. It’s time to get cooking with the NASCAR XFINITY Series Race. It’s go time.
Fans are on their feet, and just like that, the green flag is waving from Chasing Daytona. The DGM crew is working hard to position themselves to be in contention come the end. But look out! There’s a major crash on the back straight away! Fortunately, both DGM cars survived. We are back green flag racing. The drivers are on their toes knowing an accident can happen around any corner.
Uh, I’m a little bit free, free, more, like more, like more, a little bit free. Uh, pretty good, I wanted to. I don’t feel like we’re hitting the track anywhere, but I agree. I feel like we got a little bit too far away there, but I feel like once we started really kind of working together a little bit better, we started catching back up a little bit.
Stage Two Chaos at Daytona: Ryan Ellis Battles Crashes and Climbs into Top Five
And Ryan Ellis is in 32nd. The green flag is waving for stage number two. Yeah. So like right here, a little tight, a lot of wheels and then if I, you know, don’t release the wheel really quickly, it won’t get that tight until it decompresses and then you’ll snap loose. Um, just kind of give myself that room.
Everybody’s fighting the same thing right now. It’s got a lot of wheel in it. Before it was just edgy, now it’s just edgy cause I got a decent amount of wheel in it, but I mean, I’m looking out. All these guys, they’re all fighting them. Same exact thing. The DGM cars are making sure they survive through stage two to have a shot at the win.
Late-Race Chaos at Daytona: Major Crashes, Pit Road Drama, and Ryan Ellis’ Battle for Survival
Look out. Another crash is on the racetrack. This will end stage two. It’s now time for the cars to hit pit road. Five, four, three, two, 31
clear behind him. Now onto the final stage. This race is getting sketchy as the cars are just mere. Inches apart with under 40 laps remaining. We are now pitting under green But watch out as Josh Bulky gets completely hammered, coming to pit road and racing emotion can get hot exit. Now, there was nothing I could tell you, man.
He had a B line on you and never even checked up. Oh yeah. You wait till you see the replay of that one underneath Something bad happen to him.
As we go back green flag racing, Ryan Ellis has now drove his way inside the top 10. Now, inside the top 5. Laps are winding down with 8 laps remaining. The big one happens from Daytona. Many cars are collected. This will restart the race with only 3 laps remaining. But look out, we have another crash. This one unfortunately took out Ryan Ellis.
His car is damaged, but he’s still in the race. One lap down.
Checkered Flag: Bringing it Home in Chasing Daytona
Now with just 2 laps remaining, we are back green flag racing. Josh Bielecki is restarting. In the 20th position, the white flag is waving. There is a massive crash! Josh Mielecki brings the car home in the 14th position. Followed by Brian Ellis in 23rd. How
about it? Probably not the finish we deserved, but uh, you know, we brought two cars home, got into some chaos. But we know Daytona is going to be chaotic every time we come here. So it’s nothing new. It’s really just part of the game. This was expected happen, but you know, we did have two cars that finished the race, which is a positive.
We didn’t junk anything. We did get into a couple of crashes, which was the downside, but Hey, the things happen is onto Atlanta. It’s a fresh start to a new season. Let’s get after it. Right as I got to get through all that I just got. So that was unfortunate. But for how hard of a hit it was, I’m surprised we didn’t have more damage.
Obviously we finished the race. We finished the race. Getting wrecked here on that white flag. Which I’m a little bummed about because I had a massive run coming to take the white flag. Then they all wrecked. I had nowhere to go. I’d like to think we could have gotten top ten. If we would have done the whole complete lap, white flag.
Flag lap, but 14th for the day we had is is not a bad day.
