HENDERSONVILL, NC :: Mother Nature became the main factor in her third UARA-STARS event. After having a full season of scheduled events last season, this is the third event that has been rescheduled or postponed a day due to rain. As soon as the teams lined the cars on the track for the pit party the clouds opened up and washed out the Summer Slam 150 at Southern National Motorsport Park Saturday, August 10th. The officials and administrators are currently working on a rescheduled date to be announced soon.
Throughout the day, different drivers held the top positions on the leader board. First round of practice was a mock qualifying run for Garrett Campbell. Within his 9-lap practice, he was confident that his car was good to go. He held the second highest lap time during the second practice and would claim the pole for the event with a lap of 15.407.
Ronnie Bassett, Jr. used his first practice to perfect his setup on a set of old tires and helped teammate/brother Dillon during the second practice. Bassett, Jr. qualified on the outside pole. Garrett Jones and Brandon Jones also floated to the top of the leader board. Brandon Jones tested out a new set of tires during the first practice, which landed him third quickest. Garrett Jones lead the second practice with a new set of tires.
Banjo Matthews Memorial 150 winner Kaz Grala and newcomer Joey Mucciacciaro also had successful runs. Grala, who joined Falcon Racing this season, had a great car during Friday’s practice and only made minor adjustments during practice on Saturday to land another top-5 starting position. Muccicciaro joined Garrett Campbell Motorsports and was looking forward to his second UARA event.
“Hopefully I can continue my good luck #2 streak,” says Mucciacciaro. “I won my second night at Smyrna during Speedweek, I drive the no. 2 car, and It’s my second UARA-STARS event.”
Local drivers Brandon Brown and Michael Rouse were a part of the UARA-STARS family on Saturday. “I ran with the STARS two seasons ago and have been racing at Southern National since then,” says Rouse. “This is my first time on UARA Hooiser tires, so it’s like starting new again.”
UARA officials are working on securing dates to complete the 2013 schedule with the TBA, and two rainout dates to be announced hopefully before this weekend. They are conversing with promoters to get this in place. These updates on the schedule will be posted as soon as all is in place.
Fans don’t have to wait too long before the next UARA event, which is this Friday Night August 16th at Anderson Motor Speedway. To find out more information on their favorite STARSs, fans can follow them on Twitter, @uarastars, and “like” them on Facebook under the United Auto Racing Association.