“That crosses your mind for sure,” McIntosh said of the solo race. “My focus is really on the positive. It’s easy to get caught up looking at this as all or nothing. I believe I have to be realistic and take this opportunity to learn and get as much experience as I can.”
McIntosh, who turned 25 on Thursday, has reason to be optimistic.
She finished 15th out of 78 drivers in her ARCA test at Daytona Speedway in December. Her best lap around the 2.5-mile track in 49.270 seconds (182.667 mph) beat NASCAR-experienced drivers such as Chase Elliott, Mason Mingus, John Hunter Nemechek and Joey Coulter among others.
Also working in McIntosh’s favor is her experience at LOR. She’s raced there in the USF2000 series and tested a USAC midget there.
McIntosh met Briggs Cunningham and co-owner Kerry Scherer in 2009 and has tried to get in one of their cars since. Her fans helped by contributing to a crowdsource fundraiser in October that enabled McIntosh to test with the team.
“Not only am I humbled by it, I’m flattered they believe in me that much,” McIntosh said. “It’s not an opportunity that’s really common nowadays.”
Which is why McIntosh is focused on running well. She wants to turn this opportunity into an ARCA appearance at Kentucky Speedway on Sept. 19. She hopes to run a full season of ARCA in 2015 with an eye on the NASCAR Nationwide Series soon after that.
“I think it’s really about balancing my expectations. I think a top-five would be phenomenal for us for my first time ever in a stock car race,” McIntosh said. “Keeping the car in one piece and having a smooth day getting experience is really the goal for me.”
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