Drivers Prepare For Hooters

 

Fayetteville, GA -As the 2001 United Speed Alliance Racing Hooters ProCup Series heads into the final third of its 2001 season excitement is building as the Series returns to the "Hoosier State" for the second consecutive race. 

The USAR Hooters ProCup Series Northern Division visits Illiana Motor Speedway in Schererville, Indiana this Saturday night with the running of the Miller Lite 250. Several possible scenarios that will have lasting effects on who enters the Four Champions Championship Series as the Northern Division champion could appear this weekend with a tight points battle.

The Northern Division crowned its first rookie race winner two weeks ago when Donnie "Zero" Hill won the Lucas Oil 250 at Winchester Speedway. Hill used pit strategy and a little luck from mother nature in the form of rain to get the win at the fast speedway.

Mardy Lindley has held the lead in the point standings since the second race of the season for the division at Thompson Speedway thanks to consistent finishes and no trips to victory lane.

Lindley enters this weekend with a 63-point margin over Brian Vickers. Vickers won at Chemung Speedrome in June but has an average finish of just over 10th while Lindley enjoys an average finish of fifth.

"We really want to go into the championship series as the Northern Division champion," said Lindley. "The bonus points you get for winning could determine who wins the championship."

The division has seen six different drivers visit victory lane this season with Sean Studer leading the way with three wins. 

Jeff Agnew, the 1998 USAR Hooters ProCup Series champion, Bill Plemons, Jr. and Hill all won races that propelled them in the points standings. 

Stacy Puryear won the division's first race of the year at Jennerstown but is a Southern Division registered driver and didn't receive any points in the win.

"The one thing most of us have to think about this weekend is that almost no one in the Series has ever raced this track so it will be up to which team figures the set-up the fastest and best way they can," added Hill.

Mike Herman, Jr. has ran well this season and has led the division at various times this season and sits 45 points behind Vickers. Plemons and Agnew are tied for fourth and trail Herman but just 10 points for third (977-967).

Regan Smith is sixth in the standings seven points ahead of Hill. Charlie Ford, Dale Delozier and Canadian Jason McLellan complete the top-10.

The Miller Lite 250 will be the last of three races in Indiana this season. The track is located approximately one hour outside of the Chicago metro area. One of the Four Champions Championship Series events will be held at Chicago Motor Speedway on September 15th. Several Southern Division drivers are making the trip for this race to test at the track next week.

Mario Gosselin, the 1997 USAR Hooters ProCup Series champion and race winner last week at Hickory Motor Speedway, is scheduled to appear as is Jimmy McClain and Mark Whitaker.