By Caleb Whisler, Staff Writer
Racing at Daytona International Speedway was a dream come true for Robby Lyons, driver of the No. 15 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series entry for Premium Motorsports, in the NextEra Energy Solutions 250.
Since 1998, Lyons has been coming to the World Center of Racing with his dad as a fan. In 2018, Lyons received his chance to race on the asphalt for the first time.
The emotions for the 28-year-old from Clearwater, Florida began when he was able to make the race on speed during qualifying. Lyons qualified the Troptions Chevrolet in the 25th position
“I am at a lost of words. I had a hard time keeping myself composed earlier. To be able to compete and get out of it in one piece, the result is amazing,” Lyons stated to Kickin’ The Tires. “This whole weekend has been a dream come true. I can die happy now. I still want to go racing. I am looking forward to Atlanta. This is such a good start to the season.”
Throughout the first and second stage of the race, Lyons was playing conservative. Before the green flag was unfurled, Lyons roughly completed five laps in a draft. The 28-year-old driver tapped into his experience on iRacing during the race to understand how the draft worked.
“Towards the beginning, I had about five laps ever in the draft,” Lyons stated. “I had no idea what to expect. Theres a big debate about iRacing, whether or not it related to real life, I can tell you, it is about dead on when it comes to drafting.”
Lyons, who had two races under his belt at Homestead-Miami Speedway and ISM Raceway in 2017, only struggled with the size of the steering wheel and box. Throughout the race, Lyons linked up with Korbin Forrister in the draft through majority of the race. The race may have started out slow for Lyons, but he knew that he had a fast truck from the very beginning.
“It started off slow. The truck is so fast. I came on the radio at the end of the first stage and said ‘This thing sucks up so good. We are going to be there at the end and be able to race for the win.’’
Despite being 28, the yellow rookie stripes on the bumper of his Chevrolet meant nothing. Unlike many rookies, Lyons knew that he had to minimize his mistakes and have patience throughout the event.
“I think you hit the nail on the head with the rookie part. You see people come out here with the yellow stripe. They make mistakes. We all make mistakes; I know I made some, but minimize your mistakes and having patience most importantly,” Lyons stated.
“Most rookies are 18, 19, 20 years old. Maybe I am more of a veteran, even though I have a yellow stripe on my bumper. I have lots of patience. My spotter, Randy, and the guys on the box did a great job keeping me calm. With age comes wisdom and I guess it works on a plate track too.”
Kicking off the 2018 season with a 13th place finish restored some lost confidence in Lyons. The 28-year-old driver hopes to continue making team owner, Jay Robinson, proud through his performance on the track.
“The confidence in myself. The ability to go out there and get a top-15 in my first time at Daytona. For Jay to come over here and tell me ‘Helluva job, kid.’ That was textbook. That really boosts my confidence. I hope to get more confidence like that from him here as we go through the next few races.”
Next up for Lyons and the No. 15 crew is the Active Pest Control 200 from Atlanta Motor Speedway next Saturday.