CARS Pro Cup Series Weekly Pre-Season Notebook – Feb. 8th

Goodyear Signs Three-Year Agreement with CARS Pro Cup Series

Mooresville, NC –  The CARS Pro Cup Series will run Goodyear Racing Eagles beginning with the 2012 season, the first of a three-year agreement.  Goodyear’s D2925 racing slick has been selected to be used at all Pro Cup events.

The Pro Cup Series, which has been a prestigious short track stock car program for decades, was searching for a race tire package that would be more affordable to the racing teams, and still compromise nothing in track performance for the fans.

“We are pleased to be running on the Goodyear brand again.  We tested Goodyear’s short track tire and found that we definitely have a tire that met all of our needs.  The Goodyear D2925 will save each team several thousand dollars over the course of the season,” said CARS Pro Cup Series President, Jack McNelly.

Goodyear sales manager for short track racing tires Scott Junod said, “We have been talking to the Pro Cup folks for some time and are extremely pleased to have the opportunity to work with CARS starting this season. This series has a terrific tradition for great racing and we are very proud to be part of again.” 

The CARS Pro Cup 2012 season opener at Anderson Speedway, on March 24^th is six weeks away. 

Test Session Scheduled:  The Pro Cup Series has scheduled a test session for all 2012 competitors for March 3 at Hickory Motor Speedway from 3:30pm – 8:00pm.  Goodyear engineers will be in attendance and the Goodyear D2925 will be available to help teams make adjustments to the new tire.  Track rental is $150 per team.  MTP Tire and Racing Center will service all Pro Cup Events this season and teams my contact Kevin Piercy with MTP at 828.217.0002 for all of their tire needs.    

New Teams Join Pro Cup Series for 2012:  Two new race teams have joined the Pro Cup Series for the 2012 season, as pre-season registration continues. 

WJP Motorsports, with Owner/Driver Bill Plemons will be returning to the series this season, after several years away. 

Team McClure, Inc Owned by NASCAR Nationwide Series Driver Eric McClure will field a Pro Cup car for Rookie of the Year candidate Cody McMahon.  Team McClure is also hoping to field a second car this season to run as a teammate to McMahon. 

“We are looking forward to competing in the CARS Pro Cup Series this year. The series is the perfect place to lay a foundation, both for me as an owner and for young drivers,” said Team McClure Owner, Eric McClure.     

Five Questions with CARS Pro Cup Series Driver AJ Frank:

Off-season activities and preparations?

AJ Frank:  “My full-time job is working for a team that runs late-models, with driver Gus Dean and we are preparing to head down to speed weeks at New Smyrna Speedway, where we plan to run all nine nights.  My Pro Cup team up in Syracuse is preparing those cars and looking for some additional sponsorship, while I am in Bluffton, SC.  I am trying to eat right, stay in shape and I am ready for March 24^thopener at Anderson Speedway.”

2012 Season Outlook?

AJF:  “We have one goal this season – to win every time we go to the racetrack.  I have always wanted to win a Pro Cup Championship, and have been competitive for a number of years.  This will be my second season with Progressive Racing and Owner Danny Aboldt and that should be a huge help to us.  Last season we got together halfway through the season and were fast right out of the box, got a win at Hickory and ran really well every week.  I’m looking for our team to be strong right out of the gate this season.”

Favorite Race Track?

AJF:  “My favorite track is Rockingham.  It combines speed, as well as handling and is very much a driver’s track.  I have been close to getting a trophy there a few times.  On this year’s Pro Cup schedule, I really like Myrtle Beach.  Always been a good track for me and it too is a driver’s track.   Handling and conserving tires is very important there.  I always look forward to heading to Myrtle Beach.”

Hometown & Family?

AJF:  “I am from Bluffton, SC. I still live here with my wife, Allison and our eight year-old daughter Brenna.” 

Hobbies outside of racing?

AJF:  “Living in Bluffton, we enjoy the water and do a lot of boating on the inter-coastal waterway.   After getting home from a race on Sunday, we usually head right for the water.  I also take advantage of the great golf courses in this area and of course, I enjoy doing anything with my wife and little girl.”