USAR ProCup Concord Pre-Race

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

 

Tim Southers

USAR Media Relations

770-719-0204

usar@bellsouth.net

www.usarprocup.com

 

Championship Series Makes Pivotal Stop at Concord
 

            Fayetteville, GA - As the battle for the 2001 USAR Hooters ProCup Series National Championship hits a feverish pace the best of the best short track drivers from across the country and Canada prepare for a 250-lap war at one of the fastest short tracks in the country Concord Motorsport Park.

            Concord Motorsport Park is a super fast, one-half mile, tri-oval that will challenge the drivers for every lap and the tension level is sure to be a little higher as drivers try to position themselves for a chance at the $250,000 first-place prize given to the champion after the four races.

            One driver who might be looking to change his fortunes in the championship series is Mike Herman, Jr.

            Herman, who finished in the top five in the final point standings in the Hooters ProCup Series Northern Division during the regular season, is coming off his worst finish of the championship series - 39th at Myrtle Beach Speedway after losing an engine early in the race.

            "I really like going to Concord," said Herman. "It is a fast track and it is my home track. I have won two track championships there so I feel like I can get around the track as good as anyone. It is going to be a tough night for everyone because the track is demanding on the drivers."

            Two drivers who have really flexed their muscle over the past two races in the championship series have been Shane Huffman and the Cinderella story of the Series Hal Goodson.

            Goodson, who took a Bill Plemons-owned car to victory lane at Myrtle Beach is looking forward to running at Concord Motorsports Park.

            "We ran great there last year and actually won the race," Goodson said. "Some things didn't work out for us and we didn't get to keep the win, but I feel we can put ourselves in contention."

            While the points battle has the top-six drivers (Huffman, Bobby Gill, Goodson, Brian Vickers, Jeff Agnew and Mardy Lindley) all within 47 points of one another, drivers have proven you can move up through the field in the points championship.

            Huffman advanced from fifth to first in just one race and Goodson moved up from eighth to third in one race. 

            "The way the points are structured you need to get all the points you can while you can," said Goodson. "That is why it was so important to me to get the halfway leader, lap leader and most laps led bonus points at Myrtle Beach. That is what helped me advance so much."

            The race will also be pivotal in the battle for the Miller Lite Rookie of the Year Championship.

            Toby Robertson enters Concord Motorsports Park with an eight-point lead over Jason Sarvis in the battle for the $10,000 prize (320-312). Daniel Johnson is 24 points back at 296 and Donnie "Zero" Hill and Dave Houpt are tied with 290 points each. 

            The Dan Duncan Memorial Hooters 250 is held each season to honor Dan Duncan, formerly director sports marketing for Hooters of America and one of the men who are recognized by USAR as one of the Four Champions who perished in a plane crash in 1993 near Bristol, Tennessee. Duncan, 1992 Winston Cup Champion Alan Kulwicki, Mark Brooks and pilot Charlie Campbell were all on board the private plane when it went down.

            Qualifying for the Dan Duncan Memorial Hooters 250 will begin at 5 p.m. with an autograph session for the fans to meet the drivers to begin at 6:15 p.m. The green flag is scheduled to fly at 7:30 p.m.; immediately following the Hooters ProCup Series race will be the Allison Legacy Series competitors. 

 

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