Entering the USARacing Pro Cup Series Championship 300 presented by Strutmasters.com at South Boston (Va.) Speedway, Frank was determined to soar in his familiar No. 56 Speedco / Lucas Oil / 3 Wide Apparel / Coastal Medical Chevrolet Impala into victory lane. After qualifying a stout third at SoBo (South Boston), Frank found himself in a familiar position; in contention for his first career USARacing Pro Cup Series victory but a mechanical failure on lap 165 of the 300-lap event dashed the teams hope and instead they had to settle for a discouraging 17th place finish.
Despite the finish, Frank and his Mac Hill Motorsports team were satisfied with their overall season, which included eight top-fives and eight top-10 in 11 races. Frank also captured sixth in the final USAR championship standings.
“Obviously, South Boston did not turn out the way we wanted it to, but we had a good season,” said Frank, a fan-favorite in the diverse short track series. “We had to deal with some obstacles this year, but as a team we stepped up to the challenge and I feel we conquered them ten-fold.”
He continued, “We cannot be disappointment with the way our season ended. Instead, we need to be encouraged by again the stellar performance that the Mac Hill Motorsports sported on the track. We’ll take this off-season to regroup and focus on 2011.”
Statistically, Frank’s 2010 season was one of his best in eight seasons of USAR competition. The No. 56 Speedco / Lucas Oil / 3 Wide Apparel / Coastal Medical Chevrolet Impala captured three outside poles this season at Hickory (N.C.) Motor Speedway, Iowa Speedway and most recently at Greenville-Pickens (S.C.) Speedway.
Embraced by finishing in the eight of the 11 contests this season certainly was an eye-opener for fans, officials and teams alike. His best outing occurred at the .875-mile Rusty Wallace-designed Iowa Speedway, a race that was called before the full-distance due to visibility by the presence of Fog around much of the track. Additional podium (third-place) finishes for Frank included Hickory (N.C.) Motor Speedway, Concord (N.C.) Speedway and at Greenville-Pickens (S.C.) Speedway.
“I’m so blessed to have the opportunity to have competed in the USAR Series this year,” sounded Frank. “I have to thank Jack McNelly (Mac Hill Motorsports owner), Todd Myers (crew chief) and the rest of the Mac Hill Motorsports team, most of whom are volunteers for pouring their heart and soul to make sure we were able to get to the track and do what I love best, race.”
He added, “I also cannot thank Speedco and Lucas Oil enough for their belief in me and their support of the Mac Hill Motorsports team. I’m very proud to represent two great corporations in the USARacing Pro Cup Series. Because of their faith in me, they have given me the blessing to continuing being a race car driver. I’m indebted to them for that.”
While Frank’s 2011 plans are still being finalized, Frank is hoping that his relationship with both Speedco and Lucas Oil will continue into next season and allow another opportunity to race at the front.
“We’re getting closer to announcing our plans for next year,” added Frank, who also made a start in the ARCA Racing Series presented by RE/MAX and Menards for Venturini Motorsports at Toledo (Ohio) Speedway in May. “My goal (next year) is to go out there and win races and further induce the exposure for my sponsors. Both Speedco and Lucas Oil have been extremely supportive of my racing career and I’m really hoping to represent them again in 2011.”
Overall, Frank has 78 career USAR starts. During his tenure, he has captured 25 top-fives and 44 top-10 finishes, including eight top-fives in the 11 USAR races run this season.
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- A.J. Frank Racing Press Release
