USAR Pre race Info

For Immediate Release

 

 

Tim Southers

USAR Media Relations

usar@bellsouth.net

www.usarprocup.com

 

 

 

Gill, Ross Look to Continue Streaks This Weekend
Ritch to Pull Double Duty This Weekend
 

 

            Fayetteville, GA (May 27, 2002) -            As the middle third of the 2002 USAR Hooters ProCup Series schedule begins this weekend the popular touring series will find both divisions in action. The USAR Hooters ProCup Series Southern Division heads to USA International Speedway while the Northern Division travels to Holland International Speedway in New York.
            Three-time defending Series champion Bobby Gill enters this weekend looking to continue his record-setting run of six consecutive victories to begin the season in the Southern Division. While Gill is setting records in the south, Brian Ross has rewritten the record books in the Northern Division as well when he won at Salem Speedway on May 19th to become the first driver in the history of the division to win three consecutive wins all in the state of Indiana.

            Gill currently stands alone in first place with 24 career wins in the Series in just 64 races. The Dalton, Georgia driver has averaged a win almost every other race he has entered and he hasn't finished outside the top-10 in 14 races dating back to Montgomery Motor Speedway last July when he finished 11th.

            Gill has also won four consecutive races at USA International Speedway and looks for his fifth this weekend in the Jackaroo Sauces 250 presented by Discount Auto Parts at the .750-mile track.

            "I really enjoy races at Lakeland," said Gill. "We have had some good runs at the track and we hope to continue this weekend."

            Gill outdistanced Steven Christian for the season-opening win in February at USA International Speedway. Michael Ritch finished a solid third in his return to full-time USAR Hooters ProCup Series competition. Chad Mullis and Shane Huffman completed the top-five in the race.

            Ritch, who has nine career wins in the Series, will pull double duty this weekend as he will compete in the Craftsman Truck Series race in Dover, Deleware on Friday and then fly to Lakeland, Florida to compete in the Jackaroo Sauces 250 on Saturday. Ritch will become the second USAR Hooters ProCup Series driver to pull double duty in as many seasons. Last year Brian Vickers competed in a Busch Series race in Milwuakee and Holland International Speedway on the same weekend.

            Ross enters Holland International Speedway this weekend with an opportunity to build on his lead over Forrest Urban, Jr. and Jason McLellan. Ross has won the previous three races in the Series.

            "We have had an unbelievable run so far this season," said Ross after winning at Salem Speedway. "We had a goal to run for top-five finishes early in the season and build on those to race for wins."

            Last year's Northern Division leader Mardy Lindley hopes to rebound from mechanical problems to challenge for the win at the challenging short track. Lindley is the only other Northern Division driver to visit victory lane this season other than Ross and Gill.

            The Jackaroo Sauces 250 presented by Discount Auto Parts will be televised next Thursday June 6th while the Hooters ProCup Series 250 from Holland International Speedway will be a non-televised race.

                        

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