USAR: Gosselin wins; takes USAR lead
15 June 1999
Second straight Hooters ProCup victory comes at USALakeland, FL - "Super" Mario Gosselin claimed his third United Speed Alliance Racing Hooters ProCup victory of the season June 12, winning the State Fair Brand Corn Dogs 250 at his home track in Lakeland, FL.
Gosselin lead the final 131 laps around USA International Speedways 3/4-mile layout driving his W. J. Plemons Investments sponsored Monte Carlo to a 2.651 second victory. His 12th career Hooters ProCup Series victory was his second consecutive trip to victory lane and propelled the Lake Wales, FL driver into the $200,000 USAR Points lead.
Under the oppressive heat of the day, Gosselin dominated the event, winning both the Discount Auto Parts Pole Award (115.753 mph) and the Lucas Oil Products Halfway Challenge Award. Gosselin also picked up five points for leading the most laps (132).
Gosselin, who is in position to win a possible $200,000 bonus if he can win all four of the "Four Champions" Challenge Races after winning the first one at Myrtle Beach Speedway on April 17, claims ownership of the points lead for the first time this season. The 1997 Series Champion must win the 1999 points title to have a shot at $500,000 in bonus money.
"Were glad that we finally finished one here at Lakeland," said Gosselin after the race. "I believe weve had four consecutive DNFs here. In the beginning I was being out motored. But once I got some laps on the tires my car got better through the middle of the corners. We freed the car up on the pit stop and that made the difference. I hated we hit Laughlin but I couldnt help it. He was strong tonight."
Mike Laughlin, Jr. drove his Valenite Taurus to a second place finish. Laughlin had the race well in hand, leading the first 103 laps before spinning out when tapped by Gosselin in turn 4.. Laughlin had slowed to miss the spinning car of Don Satterfield. Laughlin, Simpsonville, SC, made his lost lap up on lap 155, then charged through the field for his sixth top-ten finish of the season. He is fourth in the race for the series championship.
Laughlin and Tim Clayton, Inman, SC, were involved in a crash on lap 219. Claytons Budweiser Monte Carlo was running a career series best third when Laughlin made contact in turn one while trying to pass. Clayton, who spun out in the accident, was later disqualified by USAR Officials after a post-race incident on pit road involving the pair.
Bobby Gill, Dalton, GA, changed his car number, added new sponsorship and set a new Keith Dorton power plant in his Monte Carlo at Lakeland. Returning to the number 5, Gill drove his Mobile One sponsored Chevrolet to a third place finish. Gill trails Gosselin for the points championship by two points (1267-1265).
Michael Ritch, High Point, NC, led eight laps in his Jackaroo Sauces Monte Carlo and settled for fourth.
"Didnt have anything for Mario (Gosselin) tonight," said Ritch. "He was awful good out there. Hes certainly a good driver, but we gained some points and well get after him at Lonesome Pine."
Ritch is fifth in points trailing Gosselin by 158 points.
Jay Fogleman, Durham, NC, entered the race as the points leader and was running in the top-five when his KIDDE Thunderbird cut a right front tire down on the white flag lap in turn two. Fogleman finished 10th and falls to third, 12 points behind.
Jerry Rector, Fountain Inn, SC, qualified 10th and finished a season high fifth in his Reds Grill Monte Carlo.
Toby Porter, Greenville, SC, was found light in post-tech qualifying and was relegated to the rear of the field at the start. He had qualified third fastest. Porter finished sixth in his Pepsi sponsored Monte Carlo.
Defending Series Champion Jeff Agnew, Copper Hill, VA, ran as high as third but finished seventh in his Team 7 Motorsports Monte Carlo.
Trent Owens, Harrisburg, NC, finished 12th to win the Miller Beer "Rookie of the Race" Award driving the 1-800-BE-PETTY Grand Prix.
Mardy Lindley, Taylors, SC, finished 14th in the Aloe-Lu-YA sponsored Grand Prix, and continues to lead the Miller Beer "Rookie of the Year" competition, 51 points ahead of Steven Christian. Christian drove his Lucas Oil Products Monte Carlo to a 23rd place finish.
Derrick Kelley, Auburndale, FL, had his Discount Auto Parts Chevrolet Monte Carlo out front briefly for seven laps but lost a lap due to an accident with Christian on lap 175.
Mart Nesbitt, Asheville, NC, qualified his State Fair Brand Corn Dogs Monte Carlo (also the race sponsor) fifth fastest, finishing 18th.
Jabe Jones, Martin, GA, and Lindley, each improved 13 positions to share the W.J.Plemons Investments Hard Charger Award.
The State Fair Brand Corn Dogs 250 can be seen Sunday, June 20 at 8 p.m. on the Speedvision Network.
The ninth race of the $1.5 million 20-race series is Saturday, June 26 at Lonesome Pine in Coeburn, VA. The Food City 250 will start at 7 p.m. For series information dial 1-800-852-7223.
Editors Note: For hundreds of hot racing photos and racing art, be sure to visit The Racing ImageGalleries and the Visions of Speed Art Gallery.