Billy Crane, Brett Hudson Earn Poles for Cheerwine Cherry Bomb 200 Doubleheader
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Andy Cagle 910-995-2122 Billy Crane, Brett Hudson Earn Poles for Cheerwine Cherry Bomb 200 Doubleheader Hudson to Lead Frank Kimmel’s Street Stocks to Green Flag at 10 AM. Crane and Rest of ASA Late Model Field to Follow. ROCKINGHAM, N.C. (July 3, 2009) – Billy Crane earned his first career ASA Late Model Series pole Friday in qualifying for the Fourth of July Cheerwine Cherry Bomb 200 at Rockingham Speedway, while Brett Hudson claimed the top starting position for the Frank Kimmel's Street Stock Series portion of Saturday's doubleheader. The 19-year-old Independence, Mo., driver posted a 24.528-second lap in a Ford Fusion on the 1-mile track,just 0.050 second faster than Hal Martin of Galliano, La., also in a Ford. “I got a lot of help from the guys here,” says Crane, whose car is sponsored by the Susan G. Komen Foundation of Greater Kansas City, Mo. “The first practice I was 19th quick (with a 26.541-second lap). They said you could go full throttle through (turns) three and four. I wasn't sure, but it happened.” Crane said he didn't get many laps on the challenging track, but he and his crew kept “tweaking” on his car. “All the guys worked real heard (to get it done),” Crane commented. “These new setups take a lot of people and a lot of work to get these cars (to perform).” Crane said he would need about 100 more laps like his qualifying lap if he hoped to end Saturday morning's event with a trip to victory lane. “We are going to go out there, stay out of the wrecks, stay consistent and stay on the lead lap,” Crane said about his race strategy. Rounding out the top five, respectively, were: A.J. Frank, Troutman, N.C., Chevrolet, 24.581 seconds; Dillion Oliver, Bowling Green, Ky., Chevrolet, 24.666; and Josh Hamner, Pelham, Ala., Ford, 24.762. In the Frank Kimmel's Street Stock Series, Brett Hudson's Chevrolet Monte Carlo earned the top starting spot in a European qualifying session with a 29.250-second lap. For the session, the cars are seeded according to their top speed in the final practice. They are then divided into groups of five with the slowest cars first on the track. “We came off the trailer and we're fastest in practice, and that was good enough for me,” said Hudson, from Owensboro, Ky. “We put new tires (on) to see what it would do and we picked up seven or eight tenths. “We've just got to finish the race first – stay out of the wrecks. I've aways had a problem keeping my car together.” Joining Hudson on the front row are: Tony Conway, Louisville, Ky., Chevrolet Monte Carlo, 29.250 seconds; and Clint Watkins, Maggie Valley, N.C., Chevrolet Camaro, 29.667 seconds. The second row is comprised of: Jason Leatherwood, Waynesville, N.C., Camaro, 30.003; Joe Williamson, Sheperdville, Ky., Camaro, 30.003; and Bobby East, Dallas, Ga., Dodge Charger, 30.278. The Street Stock Series uses a three abreast starting lineup. The 100-lap Street Stock event begins at 10 a.m. Saturday, with the second half of the racing card – the 100-lap ASA Late Model race – starting immediately afterwards. Tickets for the Cheerwine Cherry Bomb 200 are $10 for adults with children under 12 admitted free with the purchase of an adult ticket. Tickets will be available for purchase at the speedway office Saturday morning. For more information, please contact the Rockingham Speedway at (910) 205-8800 or visit our website at www.rockinghamspeedway.com.