USAR New River Valley Preview

For Immediate Release:

 

Timmy Hutson

USAR Media Relations

(770) 719-0204

usar@bellsouth.net

www.usarprocup.com

 

The Champions Prepare to Battle at New River Valley Speedway

 

            Radford, VA - So far in the 2002 USAR Hooters ProCup Northern Division Series rookie Brian Ross has shown the rest of the field that he isn't your typical rookie.  Ross has captured the checkered flag at four out of seven events so far this season, but most of those wins have come at tracks where he has experience - Indiana.  Peeping over his shoulder and only 188 points out of the lead, is Jeff Agnew, whose eight years of experience at New River Valley Speedway has led him to four track championships.  

            "I have never seen New River Valley Speedway.  We are going to a lot of new tracks this year, so when we return to a track where we feel comfortable, we race for the win," said Ross.  

Agnew, on the other hand, knows what it takes to compete at the four tenths mile track.

            "New River Valley Speedway is a great track.  It has two grooves in it, so you can set your car to run either the high groove or the low groove.  The track, in general, has some tricks to it, which I look for some guys to have trouble with, but it will be thrilling," said Agnew.  

            The Kroger 250 presented by Pepsi will be the fifth visit for the USAR Hooters ProCup series at the Radford, VA track, but it will be the first appearance for the Northern Division.  

            "From a geographic standpoint, we felt like it gave our Northern and Southern division competitors a good option to choose where to compete for points in their respective divisions," said USAR Director of Operations, Tony Cox.  

            As far as goals for the rest of the year, both Agnew and Ross are planning to tackle the title from different directions.

            "I don't race for the points, but I look to do well at every track that we run at.  This year has been great.  At the beginning of the year, we just wanted to be a contender.  I am not surprised that we are leading the points, but I am very surprised that we have won as many races as we have, and have had great finishes," said Ross.  

Agnew on the other hand is hoping that Lady Luck will camp out with his team for a few months.

            "So far this year when we finish we have had a great chance of winning, but other times the bad luck happens, and we are involved in some kind of mishap.  Mardy Lindley has also had the same kind of luck we have been having.  Our goal for the rest of the year is just to finish races," said Agnew.  

Agnew, though, has put his own mark in the 2002 Northern Division winners book, recording two wins this year at Holland International Speedway and the next weekend at Jennerstown Speedway.  Also, Agnew is the only driver to win the championship and the Rookie of the Year title in the same year-1998.

            Practice opens for the USAR Hooters ProCup Northern Division series at 11 a.m. with grandstand gates opening at 4 p.m.  Sunoco Pole qualifying will begin at 4:30 with the green flag scheduled to wave for the Kroger 250 presented by Pepsi at 7 pm.  New River Valley Speedway's local late model division will follow running 100 action packed laps.

            For more information, please visit our website at www.usarprocup.com 

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