'ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME CHANCE FOR ME' - TIFFANY

+ Click to Enlarge FOCUSED ON PHAKISA: Having a chequered flag on your helmet shows a certain optimism but young America driver Tiffany Daniels is confident she'll perform well in the American Speed Association Transcontinental Series Free State 500 at the Phakisa Freeway Circuit oval in Welkom in January, 2010 and take a large chunk of the R2.25-million prize pot.

November 24, 2009

She's only 24 and couldn't pass on an opportunity to race overseas. Tiffany Daniels will join fellow female driver Toni McCray in the American Speed Association Transcontinental Series Free State 500 at the Phakisa Freeway Circuit oval in Welkom in January.

"I was really excited," Daniels said when she got the invitation. "This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to race in South Africa. It's going to be so much fun - really great racing with drivers from the US and South Africa… that's something we normally don't get to do."

Daniels will be teamed with Marc Davis for the race meeting on January 31, 2010. They grew up at racetracks together and he's excited to have Daniels as his team mate, "She's more than a competitor and team mate, Tiffany is a friend," Davis said. "We grew up racing together on the short tracks of Virginia and North Carolina over the last 10 years.

"We're excited to be representing Team USA in the Free State 500. We'll the youngest team but, I hope, the fastest. We want to make new friends, see a wonderful country and finish first and second."

Finishing first is on everyone's mind, especially that of Daniels, but it's who finishes behind her that she is perplexed about. "It would be great to have the girls show up the guys over in South Africa," Daniels said when asked about her and Tony McCray battling for the win.

"But really, as long as I'm finishing first, I don't care what the rest of the field looks like. It would be great for the girls to get a 1-2."

Daniels has a degree in mechanical engineering and works under Earnhardt Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates on Sprint Cup teams that include drivers Juan Pablo Montoya.

"Tiff has a great personality and talent," said ASA president Dennis Huth. "We're excited to have her as part of this event. Her enthusiasm shows every time I talk to her.

"She'll be a great role model for young South African women who may have dreamed of becoming a motorsports driver. She and Toni McCray will make a very favorable impression on and off the track."