ROCKINGHAM, N.C. (April 15, 2009) – Race weekend at Rockingham kicks off this Friday when the UARA Late Model Series takes to the track for practice and qualifying before their race Saturday afternoon.
The entry list contains a mixture of youth as well as veterans who will be attempting to win the first late model race at the Rockingham Speedway.
The youth side contains some big names in motorsports; Pressley, McReynolds and Grissom.
Third generation driver Coleman Pressley, son of Robert Pressley and developmental driver for JTG Daugherty Racing is no stranger to victory lane in late model competition having won several races last season at multiple tracks. Pressley will be attempting to win his first UARA race and make it into the Rock’s victory lane.
Larry McReynolds might be in Phoenix this weekend announcing the NASCAR Sprint Cup race for FOX, but his heart will be with his son, Brandon who will be running the UARA race a few hours before the Cup telecast. McReynolds won his first UARA race last season picking up the win at Franklin County Speedway.
Kyle Grissom has been a force in the late model ranks for several years now and will be looking to join his father Steve Grissom, the 1993 NASCAR Nationwide Series Champion, with a win at Rockingham. Steve won the 1990 Nationwide race at Rockingham while Kyle was one of the fastest cars in recent testing for the UARA race.
“It would be neat to come here and win and run good where he [Steve Grissom] has won so we will see what we can do,” said Kyle Grissom. “I mainly feel lucky to have him helping me.”
Other young drivers to watch for include: Matt DiBenedetto, Brennan Poole, Darrell Wallace, Jr., Dylan Presnell, Joey Coulter and John Stancill.
The veterans will not make it easy on the young stars during the 70-lap race and will want to claim the top prize for themselves.
Clayton Rogers has already chiseled his name into the rock, having won the Pro Cup race at the track last November. Rogers will be looking to become the first two time winner at the track since it reopened for racing last year. He was one of the fastest cars during the open test last month.
Only one race of the UARA season has actually been run so far, thanks to Mother Nature. Matt McCall was the winner of that race at the Bristol Motor Speedway leading the most laps on his way to the win. McCall will try and make it two in a row for the series with a win on Saturday.
Jamie Caudill will be looking to gain one position from Bristol where he finished second in the season’s only race so far. Another good run could see Caudill leave Rockingham with the UARA points lead.
Rockingham’s Randy Benson and Late Model legend Hal Goodson are two more veterans on the UARA entry blank.
Developmental drivers are another part of the mix of the UARA Series. Coleman Pressley with JTG Daugherty Racing was already mentioned, but he will not be the only developmental driver in the field.
Joe Gibbs Racing developmental drivers Matt DiBenedetto and Darrell Wallace Jr. are both racing this Saturday as well as John King driving for Bill Elliott Racing. JR Motorsports owned by Dale Earnhardt Jr. will have two cars in the race with Owen Kelley and Richard Boswell driving.
Carolina 200 race weekend kicks off on Friday April 17th with Thunderfest in downtown Rockingham from 11:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. There will be a hauler parade through downtown Rockingham at noon on Friday for the day-long celebration as well as most of the drivers signing autographs at 6:00 p.m.
On track activities begin Friday as well with UARA practice and qualifying. Saturday April 18th will feature the UARA race and practice and qualifying for the ARCA cars. The Carolina 200 is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. on Sunday April 19th.
Reserved seat tickets for the Carolina 200 start at $20 with kids 12 and under admitted for only $15 in any section with paid adult.
Tickets for the UARA race and ARCA practice and qualifying are only $15 in advance or $20 the day of the race with kids 12 and under free with a paid adult for general admission seating. Friday is free grandstand admission for everyone.
For more information about the Carolina 200 or to order tickets, please contact the speedway at (910) 205-8800 or visit our website at www.rockinghamspeedway.com.
