| For
Immediate Release:
USAR HOOTERS PRO CUP SERIES
SOUTHERN
DIVISION
'GREASED
LIGHTNING 250 Presented by Naturally Fresh' Notebook
Paradise Lost? - Growing
up racing at Concord Motorsport Park, Clay Rogers,
driver of the No. 44 Automotive Development Group Ford,
has countless good memories. He’s won in everything he’s
raced there. But in the last two years, Rogers’
paradise has lost its luster. Rogers led the most laps
in both races only to fall short at the finish line.
"It’s tough," said Rogers. "ADG was
here, and we put on a good show for them, but I hate I
lost the race right in front of them. Maybe, we’ll
have to go test Hickory, so we can demoralize Huffman in
front of his hometown fans."
Thanks
for the Opportunity - Mike
Mason, driver of the No. 75 Watkins Engine Development
Ford, was a fan in the stands at CMP a year ago. Now,
after his sixth-place finish at CMP, he’s moved into
the top 10 in points.
"I’ve got to thank my parents and grandparents
for the opportunity they’re giving me," said
Mason. "They moved me from California to
[Charlotte], and I’m trying to make the best of it. We’re
still looking for a major marketing partner, but the
family and friends are helping me chase the dream right
now."
Fooling
Yourself - The most
important part of a good lap at Concord Motorsport Park
is getting through the dogleg wide open. It’s hard for
the best of drivers do it. But for a rookie, it can be
nearly impossible.
"I’m just trying to convince myself that I can
get through there without lifting. You almost have to
trick yourself into doing it," said rookie Trevor
Bayne, driver of the No. 29 McDonalds Ford. "Down
the backstretch, it feels like a rollercoaster that is
just waiting to be derailed. All a driver can do is hold
on and hope for the best."
Backup
Plan - Dange
Hanniford and Joey Logano both had to unload backup cars
at Concord Motorsport Park after suffering engine
problems during the practice session. While not their
primary choice, the backup plan worked out okay.
"For only having five laps of practice on this car,
I’m pretty happy how the night went," said Logano,
who finished fourth.
Hanniford wound up seventh after pulling out his backup.
"It was a long day," said Hanniford. "The
motor messed up on the primary car. We got limited
practice on our backup, but we qualified 10th. All in
all, we stayed out of trouble and had good night."
In
Memory…On Saturday,
Dale Earnhardt Sr. would have been 55. At Talladega,
Dale Earnhardt Jr. drove a black No. 8. Martin Truex Jr.
drove a similar paint-schemed car to victory in the
Busch Series race, and Mark McFarland, a former Pro Cup
driver and current driver of the No. 88 US Navy
Chevrolet in the Busch Series, finished a career-high
seventh in JR Motorsports entry. Though hundreds of
miles away from Talladega, the memories were just as
strong at CMP for Shane Huffman, driver No. 88 Champion
Chevrolet for the Dale Earnhardt Jr.-owned JR
Motorsports team.
"This is a big weekend for Junior, Kelley and the
entire Earnhardt family, and I’m proud to be a part of
it," said Huffman. "Mark [McFarland] did a
great job with this team last year. I’ve got my shot
now, and I just want to the best job I can for
them."
See
You in June - Longtime
Hooters Pro Cup car owner Steve Husketh underwent
surgery last week and was unable to attend the Greased
Lightning 250 at CMP. His team unveiled a banner during
prerace wishing him well, but driver C.E. Falk believes
it won’t be long before Husketh is back.
"He wanted to be here tonight," said Falk, who
finished 12th. "It’s killing him not to be at the
track, but he’ll be back at Lakeland."
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