USAR Hooters ProCup Series

            Altamahaw, NC (April 20, 2002) - For the fourth consecutive USAR Hooters ProCup Series Southern Division race Bobby Gill proved once again he is the man to beat in 2002. The three-time defending USAR Hooters ProCup Series Champion passed Jay Fogleman for the lead on lap 189 and held off a hard-charging Jason Sarvis for the win. In the process Gill tied his own mark for most consecutive wins in the Series, first set in 2000.

            Gill has also improved his record mark for career wins in the Series with 22 and has won five straight USAR Hooters ProCup Series races dating back to last November.

            "We had a very good car today," said Gill. "We just raced our race and kept the nose clean and we were able to get into a position for the win late in the race and it all worked out for us tonight."

            Hal Goodson, who won this race last year, finished third. Todd Massey made the most of his first start this season in the Series with a solid fourth-place finish and Steve Christian completed the top five.

            Gill began the race in 10th and quickly moved up the line after a series of early cautions and passing Sarvis for the lead on lap 81. Gill was leading the race on lap 160 when an opportunistic caution came on lap 159 as Joe Harrison, Jr. hit the turn four wall to bring out the yellow.

            Fogleman, who had pitted earlier, took the lead and remained out front until Gill passed him for the final lead change of the race. Gill took advantage of the timely caution to make the needed pit stop for tires and fuel and never looked back.

            Local Ace Speedway standout Richard Landreth came home a solid sixth and Fogleman followed in seventh. Lee Tissot finished eighth and Mart Nesbitt was ninth. Stacy Puryear enjoyed his return to the Series with his first top-10 finish of the season.

            The race was slowed by caution nine times with three two-car accidents. The most costly accident of the night came on lap 58 when Sarvis and Clay Rogers made contact in turn two spinning Rogers around. The contact gave Sarvis the lead and Rogers a damaged race car. Rogers was unable to continue after recording 84 laps in his Ford.

            Five drivers failed to qualify for the race. Free Pennington, Ronnie Davidson, Tim Martin, Mark Whitaker and Michael Stother. Phillip Warren suffered mechanical problems during practice and failed to attempt to qualify.