The Auto Channel
The Largest Independent Automotive Research Resource
The Largest Independent Automotive Research Resource
Official Website of the New Car Buyer

TRACKS: Busy Weekend Ahead at Lakelands USA International Speedway

20 October 2000

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel
NASCAR Racing action returns to the high banks of the USA International Speedway this weekend with the running of the 4th Annual NASCAR Goodys Dash Series Discount Auto Parts presents the Pennzoil 150. In addition, the SARA Late Model 50 and PARTS Pro Truck 100 join the two days of excitement plus three time NASCAR Winston Cup champion Cale Yarborough will be in competition driving in the SARA Late Model Series.

Racing gets underway at 7:30 PM on Saturday night but there is an entire weekend of activities planned. Inspection and practice will take place on Friday afternoon in preparation for the 7 PM first round qualifying for the NASCAR Goodys Dash Series. The SARA Late Model series and PARTS Pro Truck series will also conduct first round qualifying on Friday night.

Grandstand gates open at 11:30 AM with practice and second round qualifying in the afternoon. The legendary Cale Yarborough and the rest of the drivers on hand will sign autographs beginning at 6 PM in the main grandstand area before heading to their cars for action.

The NASCAR Goodys Dash Series is NASCARs sub-compact touring division and has provided some of NASCARs most popular drivers an arena to compete and hone their skills before moving to the upper divisions including Winston Cup. Just a few of the drivers who have competed in the Dash series include Michael Waltrip, Davey Allison, Larry Pearson, Hut Stricklin, Phil Parsons and Morgan Shepherd.

Cale Yarboroughs Winston Cup career spanned over 30 years with a total of 559 starts and 83 victories. Cale retired from driving in NASCARs Winston Cup Series in 1988. He continued his involvement in the premier series until selling the team earlier this year.

USA International Speedway is located east of Lakeland adjacent to Interstate 4 at exit 20. The mile layout with 14 degrees of banking in the turns provides many teams from varied forms of racing to test as well as compete. In addition to serving as the home track to the USAR Hooters ProCup Series many touring divisions including the NASCAR Goodys Dash Series, NASCAR All Pro Series, ASA AC-Delco Series and others plan stops for the upcoming 2001 season. Several driving schools also conduct classes at the speedway including the Executive Driving School, which is based at the track. The speedway has also provided the background for several movies, commercials and even a MTV Music Video.

Text Provided By Gene Crane

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