USAR: Christian Outlasts USAR Lions in Marathon Finale
1 December 2000
Posted By Terry CallahanMotorsports Editor, The Auto Channel
LAKELAND, Fla. -- The final event of Goodyear's 2000 racing season ended the way it began back in February at Pomona, Daytona and Phoenix: in victory circle. But getting there took some time for the USAR Hooter's ProCup circus.
Thirteen laps into the Nov. 25 Alan Kulwicki Memorial/Hooter's 300 at USA International Speedway, it started to rain. But these racers and their fans are from hardy stock and when the storms passed, the racing continued. Finally, at 2:25 a.m., the checkered flag fell on Steve Christian. The win was Christian's first of his USAR career and placed him solidly in second place in the championship.
The race saw Mardy Lindley dominate the first half of the 300 lapper before he faded. Rookie Kertus Davis then headed towards the front, exchanging the lead with Clay Rogers. However, Davis ran out of fuel on lap 253, elevating Christian to second.
Rogers made his final stop under caution on lap 271, giving the lead to Christian. He was in control and aiming for the winner's circle when caution flew again on lap 291, closing up the field for a final green-white-checker sprint. Christian was not about to let anyone past and he took the flag in front of Jay Fogelman, Bill Plemmons Jr., Lindley and USAR champion Bobby Gill.
Seventeen-year-old Brian Vickers came home in 10th, giving him the Rookie of the Year honors and an amazing third place in the overall championship.
USAR Hooters ProCup Final Point Standings:
Pos Driver Points Wins
1 Bobby Gill 3,010 7
2 Steven Christian 2,823 1
3 Brian Vickers-R 2,725 2
4 Mardy Lindley 2,693 2
5 Jeff Agnew 2,648 1
6 Mario Gosselin 2,640 1
7 Clay Rogers-R 2,636 1
8 Jon Wood-R 2,441
9 Bill Plemmons Jr. 2,242
10 David Pletcher-R 2,233
Text provided by C. Fischer
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