USARacing Pro Cup Series

The Indianapolis, Ind., company creates programming for national television networks. Led by CEO Stephen Cox, Sopwith Motorsports specializes in delivering content to automotive enthusiasts and racing fans. Sopwith has provided services for networks including ESPN, ABC, NBC, America One Sports, SPEED, ESPN2, Outdoor Channel, DirecTV, MavTV and many more. Sopwith also provides video, television and film production for many of auto racing’s premier companies and sponsors including Ford Motor Company, General Tire, Fabtech, Mastercraft Safety, K C HiLites and others.

USARacing Managing Partner Larry Camp called the move “pivotal” for the growth of the Pro Cup Series.

“Our ownership group has been committed to building a base that will ensure long-term growth of the Pro Cup Series,” Camp said. “A key component of that base is a television production and distribution partner that is just as committed. We’ve found that partnership with Sopwith Motorsports and Stephen Cox, who worked with the Series when it was known as the Hooters Pro Cup Series. He has a passion for excellence and has made a long term commitment to growing our television and web product to where it needs to be.”

Cox spent nine years as a television announcer for the series and is very pleased – both professionally and personally – to once again be working with the USARacing Pro Cup Series.

“It’s great to be involved again,” Cox said. “I have a lot of old friends in USAR. I know the cars, the people and the tracks. This is grassroots racing at its best and I’m proud to be part of it.

“We’re delighted to add a stock car program to our list of properties, especially one with USARacing’s credentials and background. Pro Cup provides the best door-to-door racing of any short track series in the nation. They were perfecting a championship series before anyone else even thought of it and they pack houses and attract the top short track stars. Sopwith has a full slate of off-road racing programs and we wanted to add a stock car property. We got the most prestigious series in the country. We’re not just business partners with USARacing: we’re fans of the series. This is the one we wanted.”

Cox has served as television host for auto racing events on NBC, Fox Sports, Outdoor Channel, HD Theater and ESPN2. His past television work encompasses almost every form of motorsports in the world including international play-by-play anchor duties for the Champ Car World Series, pit reporting from the Indy 500, host of Four Wheeler TV (on both ESPN2 and the Outdoor Channel), SPEED’s long-running automotive magazine Autoweek, and the Barber Dodge Pro Series. In addition to his broadcasting career, Cox has also driven professionally in the USARacing Pro Cup Series and served as Mitshbishi’s test driver for the EVO supercar.

Fans will notice numerous technical advancements in the telecasts including High Definition and several on-board cameras.

“We’re anxious to develop USAR’s television package,” Cox said. “We’re ready to move to High Definition, to get the series back on national TV, and to elevate the entire program. This is a fun, new challenge for us. We’re bringing on-board camera systems to the series and a separate camera crew to cover pit stops. We’re looking forward to it.”

Sopwith Motorsports produces the Best in the Desert racing series national television programs for Fox Sports and Outdoor Channel, as well as the General Tire TROPHYLITE truck racing series. Sopwith also provides production services to H D Theater’s popular “Mecum Auto Auction” series. Sopwith uses premier 1080i HD production facilities, aerial coverage via R-44 Raven helicopters, and camera crews who specialize in automotive competition.

Sopwith will also produce and handle placement for all 2010 Series programs as a prelude to the 2011 season. The entire television lineup, network affiliates and air dates and times will be released, along with Series event schedule for 2011 in the coming days.

The USAR Pro Cup Series, formerly Hooters Pro Cup, is owned by Interstate Investment Group (IIG) and is based in Concord, N.C. For more information on USARacing, visit www.usarprocup.com.

- USAR Pro Cup Series Press Release

USARacing Pro Cup Series Logo

“Our Series is pleased to announce Wraps Ink’s renewal for the 2010 season,” said Jimmy Wilson, Vice President and Series Director. “They have been with the Series for several years. We value their involvement and we look forward to another exciting 2010 season with Wraps Ink on board.”

Wraps Ink is the “Official Graphics Provider” for the Pro Cup Series, providing all victory lane, event and series graphics. Wraps Ink created the graphics on the command center for USARacing but the majority of their business is designing wraps for race trailers/haulers/ transporters, pit boxes and race cars.

Wraps Ink is known for visual advertising on vehicles at an affordable price. The company is located in Murrells Inlet, S.C., near Myrtle Beach. For more information, please visit their website at www.wrapsink.com.

The USAR Pro Cup Series, formerly Hooters Pro Cup, is owned by Interstate Investment Group (IIG) and is based in Concord, N.C. For more information on USARacing, visit www.usarprocup.com.

- USAR Pro Cup Series Press Release

USARacing Pro Cup Series Logo

Expanding on it’s popular at track services in the AMA ATV Motocross Championship Series; Suspension Systems will also provide Pro Cup racers with at track services. “I’m happy to announce well known shock specialist Dennis Fibel will represent myself and Suspension Systems in our direct involvement with the USARacing Pro Cup Series at all 16 Pro Cup events in 2010”, notes Hendrick. Suspension Systems will have a technical support trailer parked in pit services area at each race offering consulting, shock sales, rebuilding and dyno testing services. A shock lease program is also available to racers.

Hendrick, a California native and former Bob Boundrant Driving School instructor, is no stranger around a variety of racing circles as not only a business owner but racer as well. From a Quarter Midget champion at age 9, to USAC Western States Division Rookie of the Year at 16, Kenny switched to road racing, capturing the SCCA Formula Ford Pacific Division Championship and won the Road Atlanta Run-offs in 1988. His experience from USAC Midgets, SCCA Formula and Trans-Am, IMSA, NASCAR Southwest Tour to recently racing part-time in the NASCAR Nationwide Series provides Hendrick with a broad based knowledge to assist any racers suspension or shock needs.

Recently, Kenny finished a very personal project honoring his late sister Kara who was also an accomplished racer. The off season was spent rebuilding a ¾ midget Kara had campaigned in California and is currently on display in the Women in the Winners Circle Foundation display promoted by Lyn St. James and the Henry Ford Museum at the Daytona 500 Experience at Daytona International Speedway.

To learn more about the products and services available from Suspension Systems, please visit the website at www.hendrickshocks.com.

The USARacing Pro Cup Series, formerly Hooters Pro Cup, is owned by Interstate Investment Group (IIG) and is based in Concord, N.C. For more information on USARacing, visit www.usarprocup.com.

- USARacing Pro Cup Series Press Release

“We are pleased to have Heintz Performance back with us for the 2010 Pro Cup Series season,” Vice President and Series Director Jimmy Wilson said. “They’ve been associated with the Pro Cup Series for many years and the support they provide to the Series and to our competitors is invaluable.”

Heintz Performance, established in 1994 and located in Concord, N.C., is one of only two USARacing Five Star Body outlets approved for the Pro Cup Series.

“This is our ninth year of involvement with the Pro Cup Series,” said Scott Heintz, Vice President. “Providing track support over this time has allowed us to see our customers face-to-face, visit some great race tracks, as well as forge friendships that will last well beyond racing. I can’t think of another series that I would rather be a part of.”

As part of the company’s contingency program and as in previous years, Heintz Performance will continue to provide a parts trailer at events on the 2010 Pro Cup Series schedule. For more information on Heintz Performance, please visit: www.heintzperformance.com.

The USARacing Pro Cup Series, formerly Hooters Pro Cup, is owned by Interstate Investment Group (IIG) and is based in Concord, N.C. For more information on USARacing, visit www.usarprocup.com.

- USARacing Pro Cup Series Press Release

USARacing Pro Cup Series Logo

This marks the first time in recent history that a racing seat manufacturer has joined the Pro Cup Series in a contingency sponsorship role.

ButlerBuilt will provide a $100 product certificate to the highest finisher in each Pro Cup Series event who displays a ButlerBuilt decal on their race car. The 2010 USARacing Raybestos Rookie of the Year will receive a $250 product certificate while the Series Champion will be rewarded with a customized ButlerBuilt “Pro Cup Series”-type seat.

“ButlerBuilt is proud to be a part of the Pro Cup Series,” said General Manager, Gary Plattenburger. “We have always tried to be very supportive of grass roots racing. That fact, along with USARacing’s interest in driver safety, makes this partnership a natural fit for our company.”

ButlerBuilt has manufactured custom racing seats for more than 28 years and are regarded as one of the industry’s leaders in safety. ButlerBuilt is the only approved seat manufacturer to date that meets the tough, new SFI 39.1 specification for stock car type racing seats. For more information, please visit www.butlerbuilt.net.

The USARacing Pro Cup Series, formerly Hooters Pro Cup, is owned by Interstate Investment Group (IIG) and is based in Concord, N.C. For more information on USARacing, visit www.usarprocup.com.

USARacing Pro Cup Series Logo

“We are proud to have Pro-Fabrication back with the Series in 2010,” said Vice President and Series Director, Jimmy Wilson. “Steve Sousley (President, Pro-Fabrication) and his team provide great products and services to our teams.”

This season, Pro-Fabrication, Inc. will award a $100 product certificate to the second place finisher of every USARacing Pro Cup Series event and will award a $1000 product certificate to the Series’ Rookie of the Year.

Pro-Fabrication’s state-of-the art facility has provided quality hand-built Stainless Exhaust Header Systems, Inconel Exhaust Header Systems, Ubends and Merge Collectors to the motorsports industry for nearly a decade. The 2010 season will mark Pro-Fabrication’s second year as a contingency partner with the Pro Cup Series.

For more information on Pro-Fabrication, visit www.profabrication.com.

- USARacing Press Release

USARacing Pro Cup Series Logo

“BFGoodrich has been with the Series for six consecutive seasons,” said Jimmy Wilson, Vice President/ Series Director. “We are pleased to have their support through 2011. BFGoodrich provides at-track technical support and a state-of-the art radial tire that is second to none. USARacing is proud to have the opportunity to offer such a product to our Series competitors.”

In the upcoming season, BFG will again provide an 11 inch radial tire which was used in 2009 competition.

“We are excited about the opportunity to have a two year partnership with USARacing,” said Darrell Jackson, president and CEO of Jackson Motorsports Group. “It’s been nice to parlay our existing relationship as the BFGoodrich race tire distributor and on-site support into a direct partnership with a race series. The BFGoodrich brand and their short track racing slicks (G-Force Radial) are great fits for the USARacing Pro Cup Series and we are looking forward to watching the re-birth and growth of USARacing. It’s a win-win for everyone.”

USARacing will continue to utilize Jackson Marketing Group (formerly Jackson-Dawson) as the Series’ tire distributor in 2010. JMG will remain the at-track support component for BFGoodrich, servicing the needs of USARacing competitors for the season.

Jackson Marketing Group is an independent entity, separate from USARacing Inc., for the sole purpose of providing tires to the Pro Cup Series competitors.

- USARacing Inc. Press Release

Rockingham Speedway Logo

Wheeler, the former President and General Manager of Lowe’s Motor Speedway in Charlotte, currently is the chairman of The Wheeler Company, a consulting management firm focusing on general business, professional sports, and motorsports he founded last year with his son, Trip. The Wheeler Company has been involved with the Rockingham Speedway through a driver development program, Humpy’s Heroes, which has used the facility for testing and practice for its young drivers.

“I am so glad my good friend Humpy Wheeler has accepted this honor for Sunday’s race,” said Rockingham Speedway President Andy Hillenburg. “While I still have a lot to learn about race promotions, Humpy has been a great mentor to help me and Rockingham Speedway get where we are at this point. I am truly appreciative for all he has done.”

For more information about the ARCA RE/MAX American 200 or the accompanying USARacing Aaron’s 150 October 9-11 or to order tickets, please contact the Rockingham Speedway at (910) 205-8800 or visit our website at www.rockinghamspeedway.com. Tickets begin at $20 for single-day reserved seating with $5 back-to-school special pricing for students. Weekend and pit passes are also available.

- Rockingham Speedway Press Release

Rockingham Speedway Logo

Since returning to the track last year, the one-mile oval has awarded two talented drivers with their first career victory but with a very familiar team. NASCAR Sprint Cup Series rookie Joey Logano literally dominated the event last year before Sean Caisse took advantage of Ken Schrader’s misfortune in April to power his Venturini Motorsports Chevrolet into the coveted victory circle.

But with Caisse nor Logano expected to be present for the 21st event of the season, the Rockingham door is wide open for a slew of potential first-time winners not to mention a few sleepers too.

Should Parker Kligerman take the ARCA RE/MAX Series crown, Joey Coulter who is winless thus far in his rookie season would take the Rookie-of-the-Year award and is a prime candidate for his inaugural ARCA victory. The Harold Holly led team stepped up their game in the second half of the season that has propelled the No. 16 Tempest Cycles Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS to a solid top-five contending spot in the point standings.

With Justin Lofton setting the tone for Eddie Sharp Racing this season, Craig Goess Jr. is behind but not far. The No. 81 team led by former Cup crew member extraordinaire Patrick Donahue could easily shine the limelight away from the Lofton Cattle team and maneuver their way to victory lane. With Goess’s plans unknown for 2009, a celebration in victory lane would give the former Legend’s driver confidence heading into the off-season.

Rockingham wonder Bryan Silas catapulted to his career best finish in the ARCA RE/MAX Series of fourth in April and there’s little doubt he wants to reward his car owner and Rockingham Speedway President Andy Hillenburg with a celebration in style. Silas will have a busy weekend at “The Rock” as he’ll also compete in the USARacing event at Rockingham on Saturday. Should the Stuart, Florida native pull off the win in his 71st career start, the celebration is expected to last well into the 2010 ARCA RE/MAX Series season.

Maneuvering between Eddie Sharp Racing and Venturini Motorsports in his first season of competition may have stalled Steve Arpin’s momentum at times but after bolting to the fastest time in pre-race testing in September, the No. 25 is a prime candidate for a third consecutive victory in Rockingham, North Carolina. Should the Venturini Motorsports team pull off the feat, it will be one of the most accomplished attainments in ARCA history.

Tom Hessert III is another driver who shifted team’s mid-way through the ARCA RE/MAX Series. From a pole-role at Andy Belmont Racing to RAB Racing with Ken Schrader Racing, Hessert hopes to finish what Schrader started in April in the Carolina 200 and soar to win number one not only for himself but for RAB Racing as well. With Hessert’s plans also unknown for next year – a win would seclude him from the off-season shadow.

Without a doubt Robb Brent is happy to be racing at Rockingham, especially since the Shelby Township, Michigan native had no plans to race a full-schedule in 2009. But then came Justin Allgaier Motorsports to the rescue and they offered the 22-year old a full-season ride and a chance at stardom. With a sour engine failure in his Rockingham debut – he is looking for redemption in the loosest sense of the way. Without a second thought the connection between crew chief Dave Leiner who steered his way into the No. 36 team three-fourths into the season has put Brent in the hunt.

So, there’s a look at the top-10 in the ARCA RE/MAX Series championship chase that without a doubt have the potential to steal the show away from Parker Kligerman or Justin Lofton and end their season on the highest pedestal.

Other drivers who are hoping to rumble at Rockingham include: Female sensation Alli Owens, Cunningham Motorsports newest protégé Dakoda Armstrong, USARacing sensation Drew Herring and Matt Merrell, who hasn’t been officially announced as the driver of the No. 32 Win-Tron Racing Dodge Charger but is a likely candidate.

As for the sleepers, Patrick Sheltra and Frank Kimmel lead the top of that chart.

Kimmel, the nine-time ARCA RE/MAX Series Champion is still winless in his No. 44 Ansell / Menards Ford Fusion but a solitude win at Rockingham Speedway would be a great way for him to end his second year as part-owner and driver.

Indiantown, Florida native Patrick Sheltra finished second in a Dodge Charger but the Sheltra Motorsports has reinforcements for Rockingham in the name of Germain Racing and Toyota for the season finale. Sheltra will look to take his No. 60 Buffalo Wings & Rings Toyota Camry to victory lane on October 11. It would be one spot better from his impressive second place run in April. Mike Abner has been overseeing the Germain Racing’s control of the Camry and is expected to work closely with the Whitesville; Kentucky based organization in their third stab at Rockingham. Todd Bodine, Germain Racing’s NASCAR Camping World Truck Series driver is a former winner at “The Rock” in the NASCAR Nationwide Series driving for Ron Parker.

So what’s going to be in the next Rockingham installment? Stay tuned, you never know what I just might come up with!

Steve Arpin

The Fort Frances, Ontario driver circled the historic one-mile oval in 24.877 seconds, an average speed of 144.712 mph.

“The biggest thing we have been working on today is learning the place; learning tire management and getting me acquainted with what that’s all about,” said Arpin. “We got a really good car. The Venturini’s have had a good car every time they have come here. We are just going to do it again.”

To say the Venturini’s have had good cars at Rockingham could be an understatement. In the last two ARCA races at Rockingham, the Venturini’s have won both with Joey Logano in 2008 and earlier this year with Sean Caisse. Arpin’s in the same no. 25 car that carried Logano and Caisse to victory lane.

“This place is awesome,” added Arpin. “Of all the places we go this is my favorite. It’s racy. It has three or four distinct grooves. It’s going to be a lot of fun.”

Arpin was one of 22 drivers that posted time and speed at Rockingham Wednesday in preparation for the October 11th ARCA RE/MAX American 200, all part of championship weekend for the 57-year-old tour.

Troutman, North Carolina driver Clay Rogers, also in a Chevrolet, was second fastest overall with a time of 25.014, an average speed of 143.919 mph.

With just two events remaining in 2009 (Kansas Speedway Oct 1 and Rockingham Speedway Oct 11), Justin Lofton and rookie Parker Kligerman are in a very tight title fight with Lofton leading by just 25 points.

Kligerman, the 19-year-old Penske Development Driver, was third fastest overall in a Cunningham Motorsports Dodge.

“The biggest thing at the Rock is making the tires last,” said Kligerman. “This is a very abrasive surface. In the spring we did a hundred lap run, so we are working towards that. If we keep a consistent, balanced car then the speed will come. Today, we have changed springs, shocks, a lot of stuff to keep the car balanced. Right now we are taking this thing one race at a time. We go to Kansas next and if we get the job done, we will come here with the points lead.”

Justin Marks, in a second Venturini Motorsports Chevy, was fourth fastest overall.

“We are just working on the long runs,” said Marks. “The tires fall of so quick that the handling goes away so fast. We are trying to tune the car to run on old tires and try to make it work on long runs. In the spring race they ran green for a long time. Trying to get a good balance to where we can move up the track a little bit and get a good car when the tires fall off.

Marks considers Rockingham his favorite track.

“I love this place,” added Marks. “It is my favorite track. You can move around and find a place where your car works and where it is fast. It’s a big challenge. It’s racing where you have to be smart to win, which is the kind of racing that I like.”

Rookie Casey Roderick, in a Dodge, was fifth fastest overall ahead of ARCA point leader Lofton, who was sixth fastest.

“The car is really good,” said Lofton. “This is the car that we should have brought to the first race. We are really excited about it and glad we got the day in, considering the rain. We have the same car we won Pocono and Chicagoland with, and we are hoping we are going to bring home a win from the Rock. (Crew Chief) Mark Rette and I are making really big changes and we have a different set up from previous races. Coming back to the Rock, a track that has so much history, makes me look forward to an exciting championship weekend.”

Rookie Craig Goess, in a Toyota, was seventh fastest in front of Pensacola, Florida rookie Johanna Long, who was eighth fastest in a D’Hondt Motorsports Toyota. Long also made the most laps during the open test, circling the track 149 times.

“I’m excited to learn more about Rockingham’s characteristics today with some experienced drivers,” said Long, who made her ARCA RE/MAX Series debut at Iowa Speedway earlier this year. “Brian Ickler and I race Super Late Models together, so I am looking forward to having track time with him in ARCA RE/MAX. At 17, this is a great opportunity to get some track time and gain a lot of collective knowledge from the veteran team at D’Hondt motorsports and my peers.”

Drew Herring and Kyle Martel were ninth and 10th fastest overall.

Championship weekend for the ARCA RE/MAX Series at Rockingham Speedway gets underway with practice on Saturday, October 10th from 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM. Menards Pole Qualifying presented by Ansell follows Saturday at 2:30 PM. The ARCA RE/MAX American 200 is scheduled to roll off at 1:00 PM Sunday afternoon, October 11th.

The ARCA RE/MAX American 200 will feature live timing and scoring and live streaming audio at ARCAracing.com. The race will also air same night on SPEED at 10:00 PM Eastern.

For more information about the ARCA RE/MAX American 200 or the accompanying USARacing Aaron’s 150 October 9-11 or to order tickets, please contact the Rockingham Speedway at (910) 205-8800 or visit our website at www.rockinghamspeedway.com. Tickets begin at $20 for single-day reserved seating with $5 back-to-school special pricing for students. Weekend and pit passes are also available.

2009 ARCA RE/MAX Series

NO DRIVER/HOMETOWN CAR TIME SPEED

1 25 Steve Arpin/Fort Frances ON Chevrolet 24.877 144.712

2 54 Clay Rogers/Troutman NC Chevrolet 25.014 143.919

3 77 Parker Kligerman/Westport CT Dodge 25.141 142.192

4 15 Justin Marks/Rocklin CA Chevrolet 25.312 142.225

5 51x Casey Roderick Dodge 25.486 141.254

6 6 Justin Lofton/Westmorland CA Toyota 25.526 141.033

7 81 Craig Goess/Woodbury NJ Toyota 25.711 140.018

8 19 Johanna Long/Pensacola FL Toyota 25.734 139.893

9 22 Drew Herring/Benson NC Chevrolet 25.810 139.481

10 43 Kyle Martel/Lebanon PA Chevrolet 25.847 139.281

11 20b Ricky Stenhouse Jr./Olive Branch MS Ford 25.859 139.217

12 17 Chris Buescher/Prosper TX Ford 25.863 139.195

13 36 Robb Brent/Shelby Township MI Dodge 25.891 139.044

14 77a Dakoda Armstrong/New Castle IN Dodge 25.927 138.851

15 38 Jonathon Gomez/Twin Falls ID Dodge 26.153 137.652

16 58 Chad Hackenbracht/Denver NC Chevrolet 26.161 137.609

17 11a Bryan Silas/Stuart FL Ford 26.167 137.578

18 51 Brian Ickler/San Diego CA Toyota 26.223 137.284

19 11b Bryan Silas/Stuart FL Ford 26.256 137.112

20 4 Dakoda Armstrong/New Castle IN Dodge 26.435 136.183

21 20a Tom Hessert/Cherry Hill NJ Ford 26.520 135.747

22 2 Tim George Jr./New York NY Toyota 26.679 134.938

23 70b Mike Holt Ford 26.860 134.028

24 70a Tony Palumbo/Frankfort IL Ford 27.301 131.863

- ARCA Press Release

Win-Tron Racing Logo

Getting the call from the Lakeville, Minnesota team earlier in the week to drive in Sunday’s event, the Portland, Texas native was eager to climb behind the wheel especially since in his prior two ARCA finishes, the former USARacing ace had posted two consecutive runner-up finishes.

“This is going to be interesting,” said Merrell when he walked into the gates of the Illinois State Fairgrounds early Sunday morning. “I’ve tackled a lot of different types of tracks during my racing career; but this one is right at the top. I just hope I don’t disappoint the guys.”

Much to his surprise but not of his Win-Tron Racing team; Merrell posted the fifth fastest lap on Sunday morning by maneuvering his No. 32 Red Line Oil Dodge around the mile-dirt in a time of 33.881 seconds or 106.254 miles per hour.

“I took it easy at the start of practice but I quickly found the groove and the car was hooked up,” said Merrell after practice. “I have to hand it off to Mike (Chaffee, crew chief) and the entire Win-Tron Racing team. They never fail. Every single race this year they’ve brought me a fast racecar. Today is no different despite the inexperience for me on the dirt. Hopefully we can continue to head in the right direction for qualifying.”

Matt Merrell

“I’m pretty happy with that,” replied Merrell. “The car was good and we found some incredible speed in qualifying. I’m not real sure what to expect in the race – but I’ll give it my all behind the wheel and hope we come up with a good finish.”

At the start of the Allen Crowe 100, Merrell hovered safely in the top-five and held off some early race challenges but as the laps began to settle in, the No. 32 found itself running between the sixth and eighth position.

An early race caution allowed the Win-Tron Racing team to make its mandatory trip to pit road where the team added fuel. Back into the hunt, Merrell restarted safely in the top-10 where he remained during the race’s first half.

A sweltering amount of yellow flags during the event’s second-half played havoc with the team’s pit strategy which included another trip down pit road inside the race’s final 30 laps for a minor chassis adjustment and new rubber with Merrell setting his sights back on the top-five.

On the restart, Merrell began plowing through the field and had moved back into the top-10 when the yellow flag fever began to reappear. Inside the final twenty laps, Merrell was himself in tight battle with the seventh-10th place cars and when the final yellow flag waived inside the last five laps – the field was set for a green-white-checkered finish.

Despite trying to charge and outsmart his competition on the restart, Merrell would have to settle for a 10th place finish.

“I’m happy with a top-10 but I know the team would have liked a little better run. The car was good but man you have to baby your tires a lot. I learned a bunch. I mean a bunch. The car was sliding around a lot at the end of the race and that might have cost us a better finish. If I was bound and determined to get these guys a top-10 finish and we accomplished that. I just want to thank the team, Kevin (Cywinski) and Nate (Thiesse) for the opportunity to race here on the dirt.”

With his run on Sunday, Merrell posted his sixth top-10 finish of the year in nine starts. Merrell has yet to finish outside the top-20 during the 2009 ARCA RE/MAX Series season.

Next up for the ARCA RE/MAX Series is a stop in the “Windy City” at Chicagoland Speedway. The Ansell Cut Protection 150 is the 15th event of the season and is set for Friday, August 28th set to launch at 5:30 p.m.

Further information and driving opportunities with Win-Tron Racing is available by visiting win-tronracing.com or contacting Nate Thiesse at 952.469.1839.

For more on Matt Merrell please visit, MattMerrellRacing.com.

- Win-Tron Racing Press Release

After a one-year sabbatical from BMS, the series will bring its fender to fender brand of racing to the concrete oval Saturday, May 15 for a 200-lap thriller under the lights. This will mark the first time Pro Cup drivers have driven more than 150 laps at Bristol.

USARacing officials are thrilled to be turning laps again at BMS.

“On behalf of the staff and owners of USARacing, we are very excited to be returning to the high banks of Bristol,” said series director and vice president Jimmy Wilson. “This is a great facility to allow the greatest short track competitors in the country to showcase their talents.”

“Announcing the May 15 date for Bristol Motor Speedway shows everyone that USARacing has a bright future. This definitely gives the Pro Cup Series an even firmer foundation on which to build.”

The USARacing Pro Cup Series, which features 650-horsepower, 3,300-pound stock cars, has competed in Bristol five times, beginning in August of 2004. Shane Huffman won that initial race before Clay Rogers found his way to victory lane the following August. Others who have conqured BMS are Mardy Lindley, Benny Gordon and Caleb Holman of nearby Abingdon, Va. Holman piloted Charlie Henderson’s ride to victory last August.

Bristol Motor Speedway is a subsidiary of Speedway Motorsports, Inc. Speedway Motorsports is a leading marketer and promoter of motorsports entertainment in the United States. The Company owns and operates the following premiere speedways: Atlanta Motor Speedway, Bristol Motor Speedway, Infineon Raceway, Kentucky Speedway, Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Lowe’s Motor Speedway and Texas Motor Speedway. The Company provides souvenir merchandising services through its SMI Properties subsidiary, and manufactures and distributes smaller-scale, modified racing cars through its 600 Racing subsidiary. The Company also owns Performance Racing Network (PRN), which broadcasts syndicated motorsports programming to more than 725 radio stations nationwide including XM Satellite and NASCAR.com. For more information, visit the Company’s website at www.gospeedway.com.

- USARacing Pro Cup Series Press Release

Much has happened in the months between the January 16 acquisition of the Series by Interstate Investment Group. A new, much improved television package debuted on Fox Sports Net (FSN) on Sunday, July fifth. That began a 10-week, regular season of 30-minute broadcasts of the Series races. It will be followed by a series of four, one-hour broadcast of the Series Championship races. Increased car counts, tremendous door to door racing and renewed sponsor partnerships have been the norm as the Series has re-established itself as one of the most vibrant stock car-racing series in America.

A four-wide dash to the checkered on Langley Speedways two-groove track by two of the Series past champions, its current rookie contender and the local track champion set the tone early for the level of excitement fans have come to expect this year. Said Series competitor J.P. Morgan, “The Series is back and better than ever.”

“The past five months have been some of the most exciting in the history of the Pro Cup Series,” said Managing Partner Larry Camp. “We have seen the commitment of our stakeholders, from sponsors, and tracks to drivers and teams. They’ve all pulled together to demonstrate the strength of the Series. Everything we’ve experienced points to an even more exciting 2010 and beyond.”

“In that respect, we are finalizing additional sponsorship and support programs which will be announced in the near future,” he added. “We are also encouraged by the level of interest in additional drivers and teams to the Series. We’re going to have some great ‘names’ in the Series later this year and into next,” he said.

The season kicked off at Concord Speedway in Concord, NC on April fourth and had some of Pro Cup’s most recognizable faces ready to get racing. Although Clay Rogers and Brandon Ward led for over half of the race between the two of them, it was Trevor Bayne who won the Concord 250.

Drew Herring, the 2008 USAR Pro Cup Series Raybestos Rookie of the Year, earned his first career series victory at South Georgia Motorsports Park in Cecil, GA, back on April 25th. Herring’s victory in the Sunoco 250 moved him to the point lead, which would be short-lived due to several weeks of bad luck in the following events.

And as already noted, one of the most wild and crazy finishes in the Series history took place in just the third event of the season at Langley Speedway in Hampton, VA. Two-time series champion, Clay Rogers, leading Raybestos Rookie, Lucas Ransone, four-time Series Champ, Bobby Gill and hometown favorite, Woody Howard, ran four-wide coming off turn four on the last lap of the HAMPTON VA 250, giving fans a show that left them standing on their feet and screaming for more. On a flat, two-groove, short track, no one would have thought a four-wide finish was possible. But the foursome pulled it off and Rogers came away with his first win of the season by just 0.058 of a second ahead of Ransone.

The Langley Speedway victory would be the first of three consecutive wins for Clay Rogers and his JCR3 team. Rogers proved to be the class of the field when he showed up at Winchester Speedway in Winchester, IN on June sixth, and dominated the Lucas Oil 250. He led all but six laps of the 250 lapper event and took the point lead for the first time in 2009.

The Series was then headed south to the heat of Myrtle Beach (SC) Speedway June 20th. But Rogers didn’t let the temperature or the heat of the competition get to him that night. The Grand Strand 250 presented by Black’s Tire Service was by far the hottest event of the season so far, but Rogers was hotter as he took his third career and season win at the track.

Rising star and Raybestos Rookie Lucas Ransone became a first time winner in the Series in another exciting finish just a week later, at Lanier National Speedway in Braselton, GA. Ransone was running in the fourth position when a late race caution came out after Clay Rogers caught up with the race leader, Caleb Holman. Rogers was looking to take the lead from Holman when contact was made, leaving Holman backed into the wall and Rogers facing a restart at the tail-end of the longest line. The green-white-checkered restart had A.J. Frank leading the field to the green with Ransone directly behind. Ransone was able to get around Frank coming to the checkered flag, which earned him his first career Pro Cup win.

The USARacing Pro Cup Series will be at Motor Mile Speedway this weekend after a well deserved two weekends off. For a complete schedule or for the latest news and updated on the USARacing Pro Cup Series, log on to www.usarprocup.com.

You can see each of these exciting races every Sunday at 11:00am on your local FSN station. Log on to www.usarprocup.com for the listing in your area. Next up is the HAMPTON VIRGINIA 250 presented by Racing Electronics which will air on Sunday, June 19.

- USARacing Pro Cup Series Press Release

“I am excited to get back to the USAR Series to race with many of the guys I have competed with for the past six years,” said Benny. “We have had good success at this track and I think we can be competitive even though we have only raced one USAR event this year. We will be returning with proven equipment and the added benefit of strong power plants from Roush Yates Race Engines.”

Benny won the race last year competing in the USAR North Division. In seven starts at the speedway, Benny has one pole, six top five’s, seven top ten finishes and has won the race four times. Benny has the second highest number of USAR starts at the speedway behind Jeff Agnew, who has 13 starts.

This will not be the last USAR race for Benny this year. “We plan to race several other selected races that fit into the schedule of USAR and Nationwide events that we have planned for this year,” said Benny. “We are planning to race at least South Boston and Iowa.”

Come join Gordon and the rest of the Pro Cup drivers on July 18th at Motor Mile Speedway in Radford, VA. Gates open at 3:00pm. Qualifying starts at 4:30pm, on-track autograph session begins at 5:30pm and the green flag waves at 7:00pm. For ticket information, contact Motor Mile Speedway at 540.639.1700.

- USARacing Pro Cup Series Press Release

“This is our first top five of the season and even top ten,” said Butler. “I am really excited for our team. They have all worked so hard to get here and I could not have done it without them.”

It was a nail biting start when just after one lap was completed there was a pile up in turn four causing damage to the No. 1 Chevrolet on the left front. Luckily, Brett was able to recover and remained in control. The No. 1 LoanMax car entered pit road during the caution to repair the damage and replace the two left side tires. Brett restarted in the 15th position.

It did not take long for Butler to work his way up into the top ten, where he would stay for most of the night.

While the No. 1 LoanMax car was running in the ninth place position, a caution came out on lap 38 when the No.56 got a flat tire. The No. 1 Chevrolet pitted for two more tires and would restart 16th on lap 43. Butler was back in the top ten by lap 48.

On lap 135 another caution comes out and the LoanMax team chooses not to pit. Since Butler was the first car a lap down, he was awarded the Aaron’s Lucky Dog and was able to get his lap back starting in 5th place.

When the No. 22s car began to smoke heavily during lap 200 a caution came out just in time for the No. 1 LoanMax car to get gas during the pit stop. Butler would restart in the fourth place position.

When the No. 04s spun out the yellow flag began to wave and Butler brought the No. 1 Chevrolet down pit road for four tires. He left pit road with fresh tires and restarted in fifth place.

The final caution comes out when the No. 54 spins out the leader No.75s taking the car into the wall. The No.54 was placed in the back of the field and Butler restarted in fourth place on the green, white, checkered restart and crossed the finish line in the fourth place position.

“The crew was great tonight,” said Butler. “The pit strategies played out in our favor and we were able to have good fielding position on the restarts. I knew the LoanMax Chevrolet was capable of getting these types of finishes, now we just need to try to do this each week.”

Brett Butler will race the No.1 LoanMax Chevrolet again on July 18th for the Heritage Truck and Equipment 250 at Motor Mile Speedway in Radford, VA.

Starting this Sunday, each race will be televised on FOX Sports South at 11:00 AM. This Sunday, July 5th the race that will be aired is from April 4th at Concord Speedway.

- Butler Racing Press Release