WILSON, NC :: Michael Rouse has always been an underdog but he’s been one who’s been able to play the spoiler role before. Rouse will now come to Martinsville Speedway for the third time in his career as he hopes to make the 42-car field that will compete for $25,000 in the Virginia is for Racing Lovers 300.
Rouse enters the race with one win on the season which he recorded back in March at Southern National Motorsports Park.
“Our expectations are really just to make the race and finish inside the top-10,” Rouse said of his expectations for Sunday’s race. “That’s definitely our goals for this weekend.”
Rouse turned heads in 2012 when he played a spoiler role at Southern National Motorsports Park when a bounty was placed on Deac McCaskill. While several competitors chased the bounty, Rouse pulled off one of the biggest upsets of that season with a late race pass on McCaskill. McCaskill knows he’s an underdog once again but he relishes in that role.
“I definitely enjoy being an underdog,” Rouse remarked.
Rouse has one start in the Virginia is for Racing Lovers 300 when he made the race and finished inside the top 20.
“We ran back here in 2008 and made the race,” Rouse stated. “We came the year after, we had some motor problems. I’ve only been here twice.”
When asked what it would mean for Rouse to win the race, Rouse said it would be special.
“Oh lord,” Rouse exclaimed. “That would be pretty special to bring home the clock and win that race. It would definitely help in the financial department.
Rouse comes in as an underdog with an all-volunteer crew made up almost entirely of friends and family members. He brings a built Chevrolet engine and is supported by local sponsors which comprise of Performance Muffler of Wilson, Climate Control and Wilson Starter and Generator.
For Rouse, the time is now. If he can win, it could be the biggest upset of the season.
RACE22.com will have Five Star RaceCar Bodies Live Coverage of the Virginia is for Racing Lovers 300 presented by JRi Shocks beginning Saturday morning and running through the weekend.
