Coastal Plains Story

For Immediate Release

 

 

Tim Southers

USAR Media Relations

(770) 719-0204

usar@bellsouth.net

www.usarprocup.com

 

 

Gill Sets New Mark for Consecutive Wins
Passes Christian on the Last Lap for the Win
 

            Jacksonville, NC (April 28, 2002) - Bobby Gill used a last lap pass of Steve Christian to add to his record-setting career in the USAR Hooters ProCup Series. Gill recorded his fifth consecutive win Sunday afternoon in the rain-delayed Bryant Heating & Cooling 150 presented by Down East Heating & Cooling at Coastal Plains Raceway.

            He made contact with Christian as the duo entered turn three of the last lap, making Christian lift off the throttle just enough for Gill to cut to the inside and lead back to the finish line by a mere two feet.

            "We got together down in the turn and we made contact," said Gill. "I was able to get to the inside and get by for the win."

            Michael Ritch followed Christian in third for his second top-five finish of the season. Rookies Rodney Childers and Andrew Medlin finished fourth and fifth, respectively.

            "I just want to thank my guys on the crew," said Christian. "We weren't that fast in practice on Saturday and they worked their tails off making the car better and it showed here today. We had a really good car."

            Mart Nesbitt finished a solid sixth and Shane Huffman was seventh. Hal Goodson followed in eighth, while John Kinder finished ninth. Jason Sarvis rebounded from a cut tire while running a strong second to finish in the top-10.

            The race was extended to a green, white, checkered finish when the eighth and final caution of the race was given to the field on lap 145 when Ray Peele spun in turn four and collected Toby Robertson. 

            The win was the fifth consecutive this season for Gill, eclipsing his own record of four consecutive wins set back in 2000. The three-time defending champion has recorded six consecutive wins dating back to the season-ending race at USA International Speedway last November.

            "We are on a good run right now," said Gill. "We come to the race track to win and that is what we are going to keep trying to do."

            Gill currently leads the USAR Hooters ProCup Series Southern Division Points Standings by 166 points over Christian with Hal Goodson, Michael Ritch and Shane Huffman rounding out the top-five.

            Bobby Gill started from the pole position after the 21-car field was set by driver's points due to rain canceling qualifying on Saturday afternoon, giving him the USAR Pole Award. He also led at lap 75 to win the Lucas Oil Products Halfway Leader Award. Gill also collected the Southern Pride Lap Leader Award.

            Rodney Childers, driving in his second race for G & G Motorsports, started shotgun on the field and finished in the top-five to win the W.J. Plemons Investments Hard Charger Award and Miller Lite Rookie of the Race honors.

            The USAR Hooters ProCup Series Southern Division will return to action on Friday, May 10th at Peach State Speedway in Jefferson, GA.

 

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