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NASCAR SJAPS: Teams head to Coastal Plains Raceway

14 March 2000

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

BENNY GORDON LOOKS FOR A TRIP TO VICTORY LANE -

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla.- Summerville, S.C.'s Benny Gordon may be the first NASCAR driver, with the last name of Gordon, to earn a NASCAR victory in 2000. Jeff Gordon, three-time NASCAR Winston Cup Series champion, has yet to reach victory lane this year. Gordon's best shot so far could come at Coastal Plains Speedway in Jacksonville, N.C., on March 25, when the Slim Jim All Pro Series, NASCAR Touring teams arrive at Coastal Plains he could be considered one of the favorites.

The second year series driver won the first ever race run at the 0.400-mile oval. He's also coming off of his best career Slim Jim All Pro Series finish, a second, at Homestead-Miami Speedway in the Miami 150. With the aid of new equipment, and the confidence of having already won at Coastal Plains, the Johnny's Haulmark Trailers Chevrolet driver's confidence level will be sky-high when the green flag waves on the $48,350 New Century Homes 200.

It will be the first ever visit to the track for the series, and the first of two series races to be held at Coastal Plains in 2000. This race will answer a lot of unknowns about a track not previously visited, but it will also go a long way in forecasting which teams will be strong in 2000.

Defending series champion Wayne Anderson experienced a disappointing start to his championship defense when he struggled with a late-race flat tire to his Jani King Chevrolet at Homestead. As a result he was relegated to a 16th place finish, breaking his string of top 10 finishes and 100% laps completed races. Last year's series runnerup Billy Bigley, Jr. fared better, earning a sixth place finish in his Peerless Woodworking Chevrolet. Only one other 1999 top five points finisher competed at Homestead. Milford, Ohio's, Jeff Fultz, fifth in points in 1999, started off the season with a fifth place finish in his first series outing in the Cleaver Brooks/C&C Boiler Chevrolet. Mooresville, N.C.'s Brian Smith earned a career best third place finish, demonstrating additional might by another second year driver. First time series starter David Stremme posted a fourth place finish. Thus, the early season points chase is dominated by some relative newcomers. Miami 150 race winner Scott Hansen is not expected to contest for the series title, nor is he expected to enter this race. As a result a new points leader is all but certain when the checkered flag waves at Coastal Plains.

Bud Pole Qualifying gets underway at 6:00 p.m. The green flag will wave on the New Century Homes 200 racing program at 8:00 p.m. NASCAR Touring has nine series that blanket the United States, bringing special events to many NASCAR Weekly Racing Series facilities, NASCAR superspeedways and road courses. NASCAR Touring Series can provide a competitor with an entire career, or they can provide valuable experience to competitors moving through the NASCAR ranks. Corporate sponsors make significant contributions to NASCAR Touring Series point funds. These sponsors include Anheuser-Busch, Featherlite, Goody's Headache Powders, Raybestos Brakes, RE/MAX International, Inc., Slim Jim, and RJ Reynolds brand, Winston.

Text provided by Jim Noltimier

Editors Note: To view hundreds of hot racing photos and art, visit The Racing Photo Museum and the Visions of Speed Art Gallery.