Race Results - USAR Hooters ProCup Series Race #1

10 March 1999

Lakeland, FL - Competing in his first Hooters ProCup race, two-time Snowball Derby winner Bobby Gill has won the pinnacle event of USA International Speedways SpeedFest 99 celebration. The Dalton, GA resident was declared the winner of the Jackaroo Sauces 250 presented by Tampa Bays Country Leader 99.5 FM WQYK Radio following the disqualification of apparent winner Chad Chaffin. Chaffin lead 151 laps of the race from the pole, including the final 50 circuits, after having set fast time among the 45 drivers who took time trials. Chaffin turned the 3/4-mile high-banked asphalt track in 22.071 seconds beating out Justin Labonte for the pole by .005 seconds. Throughout the race Chaffin appeared the class of the field in his brand new Ford Taurus passing Derrick Kelley, Auburndale, FL, for the lead on lap 199 then pulling away from Gill in the closing laps of the 250-lap race. Following post-race inspection Chaffin was disqualified.

Gill, who also passed Kelley on lap 199 for second, qualified a dismal 17th in the Kline Racing Chevrolet Monte Carlo but steadily worked his way up through the field. Following a terrifying 12-car accident on lap 137, Gill moved into contention to win the race but wasnt able to run down Chaffin. "I hate to win one this way," said the former Hooter Cup Late Model Champion. "But I guess thats racing. You take them anyway you can. I would have never caught him (Chaffin), I just didnt have enough motor." Chaffin had no comment. He has two weeks to appeal the decision.

For Gills car owner, Bob Kline of Ft. Myers, FL, it was his teams first series victory in 21 starts. "Im elated that we won. Now were going out there to get a win for Brad (May)."

May, Orlando, FL, was involved in the 12-car accident and finished 30th. The accident created a 43-minute red flag period for removal of the cars and for transportation to Lakeland General Hospital of driver Ricky Sanders. Sanders was held overnight for a cracked vertebra in his neck and back. He was released Sunday, March 7 and returned home to Fayetteville, GA. Sanders told his mother Bobbie by phone that his car just quit. Sanders was ahead of a large pack of cars entering turn three when the accident occurred. Also involved in the accident: Mario Gosselin, Mike Herman, Jr., Don Satterfield, Bill Plemons, Jr., Jeremy Bowser, Joe Harrison, Jr., Charlie Ford, Jeremy Gerstner, Labonte, Johnny Rumley and Tim Clayton.

Greenville, SC driver Toby Porter moved up to third followed by Jay Fogleman, Durham, NC in fourth.

Kelley lead 72 laps in his Discount Auto Parts Chevrolet. "We ran out of tires," said Kelley after the race. Kelley had pitted on lap 93 while most of the leaders came in under caution on lap 118.. Kelley finished fifth.

Labonte, Trinity, NC won the Lucas Oil Company Halfway Challenge Award. Steve Christian won the W.J. Plemons Insurance Hard Charger Award moving from 36 starting position to sixth. Christian also won the Miller Lite Rookie of the Race Award driving the Lucas Oil Company Chevrolet..

The race will air Sunday, March 14th on the Speedvision Network at 8 pm.