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NASCAR SJAPS: Teams Set to Get Season Underway

31 March 1999

Daytona Beach, Fla. - The Slim Jim All Pro Series kicks off April 10 at U.S.A. International Speedway in Lakeland, Fla. with a 200-lap race. The $55,850 Florida 200 presented by the Florida Auto Auction of Orlando represents the first ever race for the Slim Jim All Pro Series cars on the 0.750-mile Lakeland oval. An overflow field of cars is expected for the season opener and some Florida hotshoes are expected to contend for the win against many drivers from states north of the Florida state line.

Two-time Slim Jim All Pro Series Champion Mike Cope, who has recently relocated to his hometown of Pinellas Park, Fla. is returning to the series full time in 1999 as is Wildwood, Fla.'s Wayne Anderson. This duo, along with Florida residents David Reutimann, Billy Bigley, Jr., Ronnie Burkett, Mike Franklin, Jr., Pete Orr and Cope's brother Jimmy, will all be contenders for the inaugural winner's trophy at Lakeland.

Returning front runners, including two-time Slim Jim All Pro Series Champion Hal Goodson, Ron Young, 1998 Rookie of the Year Scott Kilby, 1998 Most Improved Driver Sean Studer, Steven Howard, Randy Gentry and a host of others, will be scratching and clawing to keep the Floridians from the win.

Team registration begins at 8:00 a.m. on race morning with Inspection getting underway at 9:00 a.m. Practice will take place from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. with Bud Pole qualifying starting at 6:00 p.m. The Florida 200 presented by the Florida Auto Auction of Orlando will take the green flag at 8:00 a.m. The race will be televised on Fox Sports Net on a tape delayed basis. The air date and time are yet to be determined.

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