Learning Curve Exists For Several USAR Pro Cup Drivers At Challenging South Boston

                       Learning Curve Exists For Several USAR Pro Cup 
                         Drivers At Challenging South Boston Speedway

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

                                            By Elizabeth Kitts

SOUTH BOSTON, Va. (June 9, 2010) – Most USARacing Pro Cup drivers possess a fondness for South Boston Speedway, but there are those who admit they're still learning when it comes to the best way to attack the challenging track.   

Raybestos Rookie-of -the-Year contender Logan Ruffin, making only his second start at the historic 0.400-mile track in Saturday's Strutmasters.com 250, cites the facility as a “big learning experience.�??

“The lack of seat time is the biggest challenge,�?? the 15-year-old Memphis, Tenn., driver noted about racing at South Boston. “I'm looking forward to really learning more about the track and trying to catch up to Clay (Rogers) and Jeff Agnew.�??

Rogers, who leads the USAR Pro Cup driver standings, won his third series title in the season finale last October at South Boston Speedway. Agnew, who won at South Boston in August 2007,  was Rogers' toughest challenger two weeks ago at Langley [Va.] Speedway. The Floyd, Va., resident is fourth in the title chase.

Series veteran J.P. Morgan still feels like a rookie when it comes to racing at South Boston Speedway. The Charlotte, N.C., driver's only other outings at South Boston came in last year's events when he finished 13th and sixth, respectively.  

“We don’t have much experience (at South Boston) and having experience and good notes is key,�?? said Morgan, who has three top-10s in five races this season. “We have an idea of where we want to start.�??

Morgan, an Ether, N.C., native, qualified 17th for his South Boston debut, then started 10th in the season finale.

Even though each driver has his own idiosyncrasy about the short track, they all agree that Rogers has the upper hand and he's the one they must defeat to emerge with the race victory.

“Week-in and week-out, he is the car to beat,�?? Morgan said.  

John Gibson, a Springfield, Mo., native now living in Statesville, N.C., agrees. 

“He is firing all cylinders and he is in a league of his own,�?? Gibson commented.

Practice for the June 12 Strutmasters.com 250 begins at noon Saturday with qualifying set for 4:30 p.m. An autograph session with the drivers is scheduled for 5:45 p.m. with the green flag set to wave at 8 p.m. 
 
The USAR Pro Cup Series, formerly Hooters Pro Cup, is owned by Interstate Investment Group (IIG) and is based in Concord, N.C.  For more information on USARacing, visit www.usarprocup.com.

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