USAR 2001 Banquet Releases (2)

Here are the two (2) press releases concerning the 2001 USAR Hooters ProCup Series banquet held Saturday night in Atlanta at the Renassiance Concourse Hotel.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact me.

Thanks

Tim Southers


 
For Immediate Release
 

 

 

Tim Southers

USAR Media Relations

(770) 719-0204

usar@bellsouth.net

www.usarprocup.com

 

 

Gill Accepts Trophy and Big Check at Awards Banquet
 

            Atlanta, GA (January 11, 2002) - Bobby Gill headlined a prestigious group of drivers Saturday night at the Renassiance Concourse Hotel for the 2001 United Speed Alliance Racing Hooters ProCup Series Awards Banquet.

            Over 30 drivers joined sponsors, team members and officials to celebrate the accomplishments of the 2001 season in the Series. The 2001 season featured a ground-breaking format to determine the national champion with the top-25 drivers from the Southern and Northern division racing head-to-head during the Four Champions Championship Series.

Gill didn't let all that competition stop him from collecting the lion's share of the near $1 million in point fund and awards given out during the ceremony. Gill finished the 2001 season earning $352,950 during his championship season. The Dalton, Georgia driver has now won $991,200 in just 58 races during his three-time championship run for an average winnings of over $17,000 per start.

"I want to thank Mr. Brooks for giving us a great series to race in," Gill said. "I want to thank my crew for all of their help. Some of the guys were with us all year and some came on board during the season and everyone did a great job."

Gill also watched as his wife Elaine was once again recognized as Car Owner of the Year and his crew chief Steve Dluzniewski was honored for the second consecutive year as the top wrench turner in the Series.

"I can't thank Elaine enough for all of her support," Gill added. 'She stays at home with Robby while I spend a lot of time during the season at my shop in North Carolina with Duze - I really appreciate all she does for me. As for Steve, he is one of the best I have ever worked with at getting a car ready for a race. He comes to the track with one thing on his mind, to win the race."

Daniel Johnson was also honored as the 2001 Miller Lite Rookie of the Year during the evening. Johnson, driver of the Happy Hunting Grounds Chevrolet, finished the season as the rookie driver with the highest final point standings to win the honor.

"This was one of our goals when we began looking at this Series a few years ago," said Johnson. "We worked hard as a family-based team and we are very happy to win this award. I want to thank my dad for all he did to help me get here to receive this award."

Each year at the banquet one of the most coveted honors given out is the HootersSports News Humanitarian of the Year Award. This year HSN publisher John Dreisbach awarded the honor to USAR Chaplain Jim Evans for his dedication and commitment to everyone associated with the Series.

"I remember when he first started out in the Series in 2000," said Dreisbach. 'He would have a few people gather for chapel service in the afternoon and now he has so many people wanting him I don't know how he keeps up, but if you need him he is always there for you and he has been a great asset to the Series."

The USAR Hooters ProCup Series will now turn its attention to the 2002 season-opening race for the Southern Division at USA International Speedway on February 23.

 

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For Immediate Release
 

 

 

Tim Southers

USAR Media Relations

(770) 719-0204

usar@bellsouth.net

www.usarprocup.com

 

 

News & Notes for the 2001 USAR Hooters ProCup Series Banquet
 

            Atlanta, GA (January 12, 2002) -            United Speed Alliance Racing Executive Commissioner Robert H. Brooks and President Gene Cox were the key speakers at the 2001 USAR Hooters ProCup Series banquet Saturday night. Both men spoke about the past season and possibilities for the future of the short track touring series that is beginning its sixth full season of competition.

            "I want to thank everyone associated with the Series for their hard work and dedication," said Cox. "We began the season with a new concept and a challenging schedule. Everyone at USAR, the staff, officials, drivers, teams and sponsors all helped USAR make this a great season and give us a solid foundation as we once again expand our schedule to 32 races for 2002."

            Cox also made reference to the new television agreement between USAR and Speedvision for the 2002 and 2003 seasons with an option for 2004. The agreement will remain in effect when the channel undergoes a name change in February to the Speed Channel.

            "We are extremely excited to continue our partnership with Speedvision for the next two years, possibly three years with the option," said Cox. "We feel we have the premiere short track racing on television right now and we feel Speedvision is the premiere channel dedicated to covering motorsports on television."

            The evening also featured remarks from the founder of the Series. While he hinted to possible expansion in the future for the Series, Brooks once again did not make any commitments.

            "I was asked last year where I thought we would be going with the Series and I said I didn't know," Brooks said. "I still don't know anymore this year. What I do know is that the Hooters ProCup Series wants to be good for racing. Racing has been good to us as sponsors and we want to continue to improve and be the best we can be as an organization."

            Brooks did add that negotiations are in the works to secure a 10-year sponsorship agreement with USAR and Hooters of America for title sponsorship of the Series. The Series will feature a 32-race schedule in 2002 with stops at 22 tracks in nine states and Canada.

 

NEWS & NOTES
 

  a.. Several representatives from host tracks on the 2002 USAR schedule were attendance at the banquet. Ace Speedway general manager Robert Isley, Hickory Motor Speedway co-promoter Debbie Whitworth, Jennerstown Speedway general manager and co-owner Steve Peles, Peach State Speedway general manager Elaine Mize, and USA International Speedway general manager Billy Martino all made the trip to Atlanta for the festivities. 
  b.. In addition to winning his Miller Lite Rookie of the Year Award, Daniel Johnson also announced to the audience that he and wife Cyndi are expecting their first child later this year.
  c.. USAR once again held its annual Sponsorship Seminar Saturday afternoon before the banquet. USAR Sponsorship Director Bruce Baker, Marketing Director Bobby Totten and Media Relations Director Tim Southers all addressed team members and drivers during the two-hour seminar on how to help teams with sponsorship, marketing and public relations. Wendy Tysinger of Tysinger Promotions was also on hand to describe presentation techniques that can be used by teams hunting for sponsorship.
  d.. Gene Cox also announced Saturday night that Larry Robinson Enterprises, the exclusive Goodyear Tire distributor for the Series and Goodyear were once again sponsoring the Goodyear Pit Crew Challenge. The purse will be increased to a possible $10,000 with the top-three positions paying $5,000 for first with second and third receiving $3,000 and $1,000 respectively. If the winning team can break last year's winning time set by Gill Racing they can collect an additional $1,000.
 

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