USA-Lakeland Press Release
Press Release For Immediate Release Contact: Gene Crane PR and Media Relations P.O. Box 90097 Lakeland, FL 33804-0097 863 984-RACE (7223) 800 984-RACE (7223) 863 984-2442 Fax genecrane@usaspeedway.com October 15, 2001 NASCAR Goody’s Dash Series Set To Invade Lakeland’s USA International Speedway Lakeland, FL – The fifth annual Discount Auto Parts 150 presented by Mobil 1 roars to the green flag Saturday night October 20th. Featuring NASCAR’s touring sub-compact sedan division, the Goody’s Dash Series has proved it’s smaller sized cars still pack jumbo sized excitement at any venue they visit. Competing on nearly every type of track seen by any NASCAR touring series, the Dash series using V-6 powerplants have the ideal combination of power, speed and handling on USA’s 14 degree banked ¾-mile to keep the fans on their feet. Several local drivers have been successful in the Goody’s Dash Series including the pole winner at this year’s race at Daytona, Derrick Kelley, who along with car owner and former series driver George Crenshaw, have announced that they will donate their winnings from Saturday night to the New York Fire Department. In addition, USA International Speedway will also donate all gate admissions for Friday nights qualifying rounds to the National Disaster Fund, which is dedicated to assisting fire and police personnel and their families. In light of the recent terrorist attacks, security has been increased for the Discount Auto Parts 150 presented by Mobil 1. Other Central Florida drivers who have faired well in the NASCAR Dash Series and at USA International Speedway are also entered including Lakeland’s Keith Roggen, who has notched his first series victory last season at Lanier Raceway in Gainesville, GA then backed it up by qualifying second at Daytona in February. Orlando’s Roger Sawyer has also proved he knows the way to the checkers by winning 2 races this season. Tony Hargraves of Lakeland is also entered in the Discount Auto Parts 150 presented by Mobil 1. In 4 races, 4 different faces have guided their cars to Victory Circle. Young David Hutto won the inaugural Discount Auto Parts 150 piloting a Chevrolet owned and prepared by former Grand National driver Haskell Willingham. Mickey York notched a win for the veteran drivers when he took his mount, powered by a back-up engine built from components salvage from the scrap pile at Dale Earnhardt Incorporated, to checkers. Hickory North Carolina’s Robert Huffman stepped up to win the third annual edition while on his way to his third career championship. Last year, second-generation driver Jake Hobgood demonstrated to former Dash competitor and father Will that the family’s racing interests were in excellent hands with himself and brother Justin by winning the century and a half grind. Heading into the Discount Auto Parts 150 presented by Mobil 1 a sophomore driver is leading points and in convincing style. A 150-point advantage hasn’t locked up the championship for Cam Strader but does create a rather large obstacle for second place Justin Hobgood. Defending series champion, Robert Huffman is currently third in the point standings and is shooting for a fourth title in a row. If Huffman is able to surpass current point leader Cam Strader it would mark his fifth career championship in the Goody’s Dash Series and would tie the mark set by Dean Combs. Huffman also leads a contingent of four drivers campaigning the Toyota Celica this season. Toyota has stepped up its program for 2001 with the addition of Huffman’s team and the Hickory, NC driver responding by putting the automaker in Victory Circle. The win also marked the first foreign make win in the modern day history of NASCAR. The NASCAR Goody’s Dash Series rookie battle has developed between 2 stout contenders Tim Nichols and Shane Hmiel separated by only one point. Hmiel has two wins in 2001 and is also the son of Steve Hmiel, who directs day to day operations for Dale Earnhardt, Incorporated. To further highlight the diverse group of competitors, the series currently has two female drivers. Angie Wilson from Nebo, N.C. and Kelly Sutton from Crownsville, Maryland. In 2001 Sutton was a featured guest on Montel Williams and the Today Show. The NASCAR Goody’s Dash Series has also been proving ground and launching board for the careers of several of NASCAR’s Winston Cup drivers – Michael Waltrip, Davey Allison, Hut Stricklin, Larry Pearson, Phil Parsons, Rob Moroso, Shawna Robinson, Morgan Shepherd, Lydon Amick and others. The racing weekend kicks off on Friday evening with pole qualifying for the Goody’s Dash Series and Late Model Sportsman cars at 7 PM followed by a 25-lap Executive Racing School event. An on-track drivers autograph session gets the evenings festivities underway at 6:30 with Discount Auto Parts 150 presented by Mobil 1 going to the green flag at 7 PM. Tim Chitwood’s Thrill Show will entertain following the Dash race then make way for the Executive Racing School Late Model 100 and the 35-lap debut of the Executive Racing School EROCK Series. More information and tickets are available by calling USA International Speedway at (863) 984-7223 or 1-800-984-7223. NASCAR Goody’s Dash Series Unofficial Top 20 in Points: 1. Cam Strader 2494 2. Justin Hobgood 2344 3. Robert Huffman 2320 4. Roger Sawyer 2181 5. Jake Hobgood 2133 6. Shane Hmiel 2128 7. Joey Miller 2108 8. Larry Caudill 2078 9. Jimmy Britts 2025 10. Scott Weaver 2017 11. Wayne Edwards 1942 12. Tim Nichols 1927 13. Eric Van Cleef 1872 14. Danny Bagwell 1690 15. Scott Redmon 1514 16. Bobby Dayton 1462 17. Greg Goodell 1205 18. Zach Brewer 1145 19. Doug Gainey 1094 20. Randy Humphrey 906 Mag-Klip Rookie of the Year Points: 1. Tim Nichols 141 2. Shane Hmiel 140 3. Wayne Edwards 133 4. Scott Redmon 104 Expected Entries for the NASCAR Goody’s Dash Series Discount Auto Parts 150 presented by Mobil 1 As of 10-15-2001 Car Name Hometown Sponsor and Vehicle 02 Kelly Sutton Crownsville, MD Team Copaxone Pontiac Sunfire 06 Angie Wilson Nebo, NC Jim Cook Chevrolet Pontiac Sunfire 07 Derrick Kelley Auburndale, FL Discount Auto Parts Pontiac Sunfire 09 Doug Gainey Bunnell, FL Pontiac Sunfire 1 Scott Krehling Naples, FL Germain Automotive Family Pontiac Sunfire 10 Danny Bagwell Cordova, AL Sterling Casino Cruise Lines Mercury Cougar 19 Joey Miller Wilmington, NC Discount House Carpet & Vinyl Pontiac Sunfire 2 Scott Weaver Shelby, NC Weaver Race Cars Pontiac Sunfire 24 Mickey York Asheville, NC MDC Graphics Pontiac Sunfire 26 Shane Hmiel Pleasant Garden, NC Pontiac Sunfire 27 Scott Redmon Alexander, NC Pontiac Sunfire 28 Maxie Bush Conester, SC NAPA Filters Pontiac Sunfire 3 Tony Hargraves Lakeland, FL Pontiac Sunfire 31 Zach Brewer Winston-Salem, NC Iron City Beer Pontiac Sunfire 37 Robert Huffman Claremont, NC White House Apple Juice Toyota Celica 38 Roger Sawyer Orlando, FL Pontiac Sunfire 43 Ron Miller Conway, SC Youth Opportunity and School Link Pontiac Sunfire 44 Johnny Chapman Stoney Point, NC Pontiac Sunfire 47 Greg Miller Brunswick, OH Kan AM Tractor and Frame Pontiac Sunfire 5 Scott Haller Effort, PA B-G Motorsports Pontiac Sunfire 50 Charles Powell III Goose Creek, SC Branham Construction / Smarr Heating & Air Pontiac Sunfire 52 Tim Nichols Cedar Bluff, VA Old Milwaukee / John Boy and Billy Pontiac Sunfire 6 Cam Strader Wilson, NC Wesson Cooking Oil / Peter Pan Mercury Cougar 64 Jake Hobgood Winnsboro, SC Cedar Creek Auto Pontiac Sunfire 65 Justin Hobgood Winnsboro, SC Holiday Boat and Camper Pontiac Sunfire 68 Matt Johnson Limestone, TN Control Lubrication Pontiac Sunfire 7 Dennis Moore Horse Shoe, NC Five Brothers Produce Pontiac Sunfire 75 Brent Moore Pickens, SC Ford ZX-2 77 Wayne Edwards Sheppardsville, KY TRD Toyota Celica 82 Eric Van Cleef Huntsville, AL TRD/Mix 93.3 Toyota Celica 83 Scott Thornton Jacksonville, FL MST Racing Pontiac Sunfire 9 Ned Combs Newton, NC DURAGLOSS Mercury Cougar 92 Jimmy Britts Orange Park, FL Horsepower by Hedrick Pontiac Sunfire 93 Randy Humphrey Cornelius, NC Randy Humphrey Racing Pontiac Sunfire 94 Keith Roggen Winter Haven, FL Southern Road Builder Chevrolet Cavilier 99 Larry Caudill North Wilkesboro, NC Five Brothers Produce Pontiac Sunfire -30- For more information about USA International Speedway, please visit our web site at http://usaspeedway.com/.