JOHN MARTIN III LEADS STOCK CARS CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES BACK TO LOWES ROVAL
For immediate release August 30, 2002 JOHN MARTIN III LEADS STOCK CARS BACK TO LOWES ROVAL CONCORD, NORTH CAROLINA - John Martin III, a 33 year-old racer from Cornelius, NC, learned to love road racing in endurance go-karts at Lowe's Motor Speedway. Martin's experience translated into a win in a Stock Car Championship Series (SCCS) exhibition race on the Lowe's Motor Speedway road course and super speedway tri-oval (roval) in July. He is now among the favorites as the SCCS Late Model Stock Cars return to the Lowe's roval for the DRP Performance Products Run on Sunday, September 8. "I like Lowe's," Martin admitted. "I love getting out on the oval and letting it all hang out into the super speedway turns three and four. Everybody dreams of racing there. "I did endurance karting at Lowe's. Those races were six hours on the road course. I really liked the challenge. There was more to do than just running around in circles. In the bigger and heavier Late Model Stock Cars, it's pretty cool with all of that horsepower." Martin has been racing since he was 16 years old. He started in go-karts on dirt ovals and progressed through mini-stocks and the American Truck Series before landing in full-bodied Late Model Stock Cars. He tried racing on the short track paved ovals, but currently prefers the challenges of road racing. "There's a lot to do when you go into a turn on a road course - shifting and shuffle steering - on an oval you just make the same left turn," Martin said. "The first time I was ever on a road course was to get my license at Virginia International Raceway. They just set me in the car and said 'go at it'." And, 'go at it' he did. He qualified for his road racing license and more. In the SCCS exhibition season, the rookie has been impressive with two wins in four races. He set quick time and sat on the pole for the inaugural SCCS event, held at Carolina Motorsports Park near Kershaw, SC. "I made a rookie mistake at Kershaw," John shrugged. "I had a pretty good lead and spun out. Then, at Summit Point (WV) I had a third place car and finished fourth." Then, John started winning. He closed out the inaugural SCCS exhibition season with victories on the rovals at Lowe's Motor Speedway and Atlanta Motor Speedway. "In the first race at Lowe's, the crew just put a great car under me," John said. "Then, at Atlanta, I raced my own race and let the field come to me." Riding a two-race win streak, Martin has to be considered a favorite entering the DRP Performance Products Run. There were six official lead changes among five drivers in the 30 Lap SCCS exhibition race at Lowe's Motor Speedway in July. Martin was first under the checkered flag then. Can the rookie do it again? The DRP Performance Products Run is the first race of the regular season for the Stock Car Championship Series based in Rocky Mount, VA. SCCS is America's Premier Stock Car Road Racing Series. For more information, see the SCCS web site: www.sccsracing.com or call: 888-607-2774 DRP Performance Products Run at Lowe's Motor Speedway EVENT SCHEDULE Friday, September 6: 4:00pm-11:00pm Competitor gate open for parking. Saturday, September 7: 7:00am Gates Open 10:00am Safety Tech Opens 12:45pm First 20 Minute Practice Session 2:30pm Second 20 Minute Practice Session 5:00pm Qualifying Session-European Style 20 Minutes 5:30pm Post Qualifying Inspection 10:00pm Gates Close Sunday, September 8: (Engines off until Noon) 7:00am Gates Open 9:00am Chapel Service with SCCS Ministries Chaplain Tony Price 10:00am SCCS Drivers and Crew Meeting 12:45pm Cars on Grid 1:00pm Pre-Race Ceremonies 1:05pm Race Begins 30 laps or 50 minutes 2:00pm Post Race Ceremonies 2:10pm Post Race Inspection 10:00pm Gates Close (infield must be empty) DRP Performance Products Run PROBABLE ENTRIES Car Number, Driver, Hometown, Carmaker 1, Denny Skiles, Williamsburg VA, Chevrolet Monte Carlo 5, Robert Chase, Richmond VA, Chevrolet Monte Carlo 6, Chris Mitchum, Herndon VA, Chevrolet Monte Carlo 7, Mark Gobble, Salem VA, Chevrolet Monte Carlo 10, Bill Bratton, Clifton Forge VA, Chevrolet Monte Carlo 11, J.P. Morgan, Ether NC, Chevrolet Monte Carlo 16, Al Roland, Mebane NC, Pontiac Grand Prix 17, Marshall McLeod, Raleigh NC, Pontiac Grand Prix 22, Ron Fariss, Lynchburg VA, Chevrolet Monte Carlo 31, Ron Read, Fairfax City VA, Pontiac Grand Prix 33, Andy Tunnell, Martinsville VA, Pontiac Grand Prix 46, Jeff Werth, Silver Spring MD, Pontiac Grand Prix 82, Michael Brown, Blue Ridge VA, Pontiac Grand Prix 92, Kenny Liesfeld, Montpelier VA, Chevrolet Monte Carlo 96, John Goodson, Tallahassee FL, Dodge Intrepid 99, John Martin III, Cornelius NC, Chevrolet Monte Carlo STOCK CAR CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES (SCCS) 2002 Schedule for Late Model Stock Cars Date,Track,Location,Winner April 20-21,Carolina Motorsports Park,Kershaw SC,Ron Fariss June 22-23,Summit Point Raceway,Summit Point WV,Ron Fariss July 19,Lowes Motor Speedway,Concord NC,John Martin III August 3-4,Atlanta Motor Speedway,Hampton GA,John Martin III September 7-8,Lowes Motor Speedway,Concord NC,- October 12-13,Virginia International Raceway,Alton VA,- November 2-3,Summit Point Raceway,Summit Point WV,- December 1,Road Atlanta,Braselton GA,- For more information, contact: Stock Car Championship Series Dan Fite danf@sccsracing.com http://www.sccsracing.com Telephone: 540-381-3683 #30# M. Daniel Fite Director of Strategic Partnerships Stock Car Championship Series (540) 381-3683 (603) 794-5978 - fax