USAR: Goodson Excited About Return to South Boston

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

August 14, 2001

Fayetteville, GA – As the 2001 USAR Hooters ProCup Series Southern Division schedule nears the end of the regular season several drivers are vying to collect the best finish possible in the point standings for the Four Champions Championship Series, which begins at Chicago Motor Speedway on September 14th-15th. One driver, especially, looks forward to returning to the historic short track in southern Virginia because of the fond memories he has from last season. That driver is Hal Goodson.

Goodson passed veteran Johnny Rumley on lap 141 and held on for his first win in the Taylor Motorsports-prepared Chevrolet in just his third start with the team last August at South Boston Speedway.

“The win came quicker (last year) than I expected,” said Goodson. “That was just our third or fourth race together and it was an incredible feeling. When the team I was driving for shut down before the start of the season I thought I would just look for a ride after the 2000 season because there weren’t any open until Taylor Motorsports called. This is the best opportunity I have ever had in a race car.”

While Goodson has made a start in a Busch Series car this season, he said the team’s primary focus is on winning the USAR Hooters ProCup Series Southern Division championship and getting into the best possible position for the run at the 2001 USAR Hooters ProCup Series National Championship during the five-race Four Champions Championship Series that will begin on September 14th-15th at Chicago Motor Speedway.

“We have had a consistent season and have won two races (Ace Speedway & Myrtle Beach Speedway), but we are ready to get back to winning races. The next two races for us are at two of my favorite tracks in South Boston and USA International, so I hope we can finish the regular season strong.”

Goodson said the new design of the pit wall at South Boston has really changed the track in some ways.

“When they built the pit wall like they did before last season, it really made the track narrow,” added Goodson. “If a car spins out and turns a certain way it can block the entire track. The track is banked and has sweeping turns and short straightaways and that suits my driving style a lot.”

Another driver looking forward to this weekend is South Boston native Stacy Puryear. Puryear, who currently sits in the top-10 of the USAR Hooters ProCup Southern Division points standings, hopes to improve on last year’s fifth-place finish.

“I have won several late model races at the track and I really enjoy running there,” added Puryear. “It will be a little more special because I will get a chance to run in front of a lot of family and friends.”

Puryear has one career win in the Series from a Northern Division race at Jennerstown Speedway in April.

Forty-one drivers have pre-registered for the Naturally Fresh Dressings 250 which begins Saturday night at 7:30 p.m.

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.