USAR: Agnews Passes His Way to Victory

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

July 17, 2001

1998 Series Champion Uses Last-Lap Pass to Collect Second Career Win

Jennerstown, PA – The race isn’t over until the checkered flag falls. That was never more evident than at the USAR Hooters ProCup Series Saturday night. Jeff Agnew used a daring pass of Brian Vickers in turn three of the final lap to win the Lucas Oil 250 at Jennerstown Speedway.

“We felt like we had a chance here tonight with our new car that we have and it was fast here tonight,” Agnew said. “We had a fast car here in April and got caught up in a wreck, but tonight we were fortunate to stay out of trouble and be there at the end.”

Jason Sarvis finished a close third with Mardy Lindley and Hal Goodson completing the top-five.

“I tried for several laps to get around Brian and I could get to the inside of him, but getting off the corners I couldn’t get all the way around. He slipped a little on the last lap and we were able to get around him for the win. He raced me hard and clean.” Vickers, who collected his first win of the season last month at Chemung Speedrome, was somewhat satisfied with a second-place finish.

“We had a pretty good car tonight,” Vickers said. “But the credit goes to the pit crew, they are awesome. I came in for the pit stop and gained about five positions in the pits and the guys deserve the credit for getting us to the front quickly. Jeff was quicker than us, but he raced us hard and I tried all I could to hold him off on the last restart.”

The final restart of the night came after Chad Pendleton and Mike Herman, Jr. got together in turn three on lap 239. Pendleton spun around and made hard contact with the wall which slightly injured the young driver. After an 8:32 red flag period the race restarted on lap 246.

Steve Christian won the Sunoco Pole Award and led the first seven laps before giving the lead away to Bill Plemons, Jr. on lap 8. The Locust Grove, GA driver led until lap 105 when he pitted under caution.

Jason Sarvis moved into the lead on lap 106 and led until lap 116. Mike Herman, Jr. took the top spot after staying out of the pits and led until Vickers took the lead on lap 123.

Sarvis was in second place during the latter stages of the race before being passed by Agnew.

“We had a great car and the guys in the pits did a great job for us tonight,” Sarvis said. “Jeff got into it a little and got me loose in turn two. I know that is short track racing and we will get him next time. We came up here to get some experience on the track for the championship series races here in September.”

The race was slowed eight times by caution. In addition to the accident that took out Pendleton, there was an eight-car incident on lap 68 that ended the night early for Chad Beahr, and Jeremiah Kuntz.

Vickers led at lap 125 to win the Lucas Oil Products Halfway Leader Award while Sarvis collected Miller Lite Rookie of the Race honors. Kyle Shoemaker improved 14 spots during the race to win the W.J. Plemons Investments Hard Charger Award.

Mardy Lindley used his top-five finish to remain atop the points standings in the Northern Division. Vickers is second and Agnew used his win to move into third place in the standings.

Text provided by Tim Southers

Editors Note: To view hundreds of hot racing photos and art, visit The Racing Photo Museum and the Visions of Speed Art Gallery.