Resending- USARacing Announces Race-Day Times, Rules Changes for 2010 Pro Cup Series Season
*Re-sized and re-sent *USARacing Announces Race-Day Times, Rules Changes * *For 2010 Pro Cup Series Season* *FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE* ** CONCORD, N.C. (February 5, 2010) – In an effort to cut costs for USARacing teams, Pro Cup Series officials announced Friday they have trimmed the at-track schedules by two hours for the 16-event season and finalized the starting times for the races. Vice President and Series Director Jimmy Wilson said that at most venues, the garage will now open at 10 a.m. instead of 8 a.m. “Our thinking is that if we could cut two to three hours out of the day and tighten up the schedule, it would allow teams to drive in on Saturday morning and would eliminate their need for hotel accommodations on Friday,” Wilson said. “Should teams choose to take advantage of this, they could trim their travel budgets, specifically at tracks around the Carolinas, Tennessee, Virginia, and Georgia.” Highlighting the 2010 USAR Pro Cup Series schedule that will visit nearly a dozen venues in eight states are a companion race with NASCAR’s Nationwide Series at Iowa Speedway, a return to Bristol Motor Speedway, a Championship Series event at the historical North Wilkesboro (N.C.) Speedway, and the addition of five tracks. Many of the race start times fall in line with those from the 2009 season. In the interest of competitors and fans, USARacing officials made a concerted effort to finalize the race dates and the event start times well in advance of the Pro Cup Series March 27 season-opener at Gresham Motorsports Park in Jefferson, Ga. “We are pleased to have had our 2010 schedule completed early,” said Wilson, who noted the 16-race schedule was announced well before last year's holiday season. “We understand the importance for the teams to have ample time for planning. We’ve worked hard to provide them with the information they need in a timely manner so that they can schedule and budget accordingly.” Series officials also said the 2010 rules package was basically the same, with one exception. Starting this year, Pro Cup Series teams will be required to run a spec wiring harness designed by Nelson Specialties. This specially-designed harness is a sealed unit which makes it tamper-proof. The Nelson Specialties wiring harness will be the same for each competitor and will allow USAR officials to inspect and monitor the piece more thoroughly. For more information on Nelson Specialties, visit www.nelsonspecialties.com. Registration for the USARacing Pro Cup Series 2010 season continues, with some familiar – and not-so familiar – names in the lineup. Mooresville, N.C.-native Clay Rogers is returning to defend his 2009 championship title, driving the No. 16 L&R Racing Ford. Jeff Agnew, Caleb Holman, J.P. Morgan, Ronnie Souders, Billy Bigley Jr., John Gibson, Brandon Ward, Bryce Walker, and Dan Abold are among those poised to take the title from Rogers. Winchester, Va.-native Mark McFarland is set to run the full schedule in 2010 after competing in only one event in 2009. Several young guns vying for Raybestos Rookie of the Year honors include: 15-year-old Logan Ruffin driving for Turner Motorsports; 17-year-old Kyle Fowler driving for Fowler Racing; 20-year-old Justin Boston driving for Strutmasters.com Racing; and newcomer, 19- year-old Brandon Sweet driving for Freeman Racing Enterprises of Watertown, N.Y. The field takes the green flag March 27 at Gresham Motorsports Park at 7:30 p.m. Starting times for the 2010 USARacing Pro Cup Series schedule follow. March 27 Gresham Motorsports Park 7:30 p.m. April 17 New Smyrna Speedway 7:30 p.m. May 1 Hickory Motor Speedway 8:00 p.m. May 15 Rockingham Speedway 1:00 p.m. May 29 Langley Speedway 7:00 p.m. June 12 South Boston Speedway 8:00 p.m. June 26 Lake Erie Speedway 8:00 p.m. July 10 Salem Speedway 7:00 p.m. July 17 Motor Mile Speedway 7:00 p.m. July 30 Iowa Speedway 8:00 p.m August 14 Langley Speedway 7:00 p.m. August 28 Concord Speedway 7:30 p.m. September 11 Bristol Motor Speedway 5:00 p.m. October 3 North Wilkesboro Speedway 2:00 p.m. October 23 Gresham Motorsports Park 7:30 p.m. November 6 South Boston Speedway 2:00 p.m. (All times local of track) The USARacing Pro Cup Series, formerly Hooters Pro Cup, is owned by Interstate Investment Group and is based in Concord, N.C. For more information on USARacing, visit www.usarprocup.com. -30-