Charlotte: Ryan Hemphill race notes

Hemphill Patiently Wins 2nd Race of Year
"Rookie Continues Dominant Ways"

May 31, 2004 (Concord, North Carolina) -- In arguably the most watched race of the season for the ARCA RE/MAX Series, rookie Ryan Hemphill entered the event with a sense of purpose and acknowledgement of the watchful eyes of many people. In a continuance of his impressive performances this season, the 22-year-old used the patience of a wily veteran to garner his 2nd victory of the season in the running of the Quaker Steak & Lube 100 at the Lowe's Motor Speedway.

"I really need to credit my crew chief (Greg Tester) and my crew for this win, stated Hemphill. "Once again these guys on the Braun Racing team gave me a great car. They kept me focused on the big picture all night and just told me to run my race. That was kind of hard to do with the way the #77 (Sorenson) jumped out there like he was shot out of a cannon -- but I heeded their advice and here we are in Victory Lane again."

Hemphill started the 67 lap event from the pole -- which was his second of the season in the five events he has competed in. Upon the dropping of the green flag, Ryan led the first 5 laps before Reed Sorenson and his #77 machine, in his series debut, darted past him for the lead. Ryan and his #64 TRIMPSA DODGE settled into the second position as instructed and stuck to his game plan for the race.

The 100 mile race was marred by 6 cautions which amounted to a total of 36 laps -- or half of the total race laps. After a green flag restart on Lap 56, the #64 TRIMPSA DODGE was the fastest car on the track and that resulted in a pass for the lead a few laps later. As he distanced himself from the rest of the field, the last caution of the evening waved just 4 laps from the finish. With the ARCA Series mandating a green-white-checkered finish, clean-up efforts from the caution extended the race to a total of 72 laps. With a 2 lap dart to the finish, Hemphill nursed his #64 DODGE around the 1.5 mile track with fuel mileage concerns on his mind to the victory.

"Each race I just feel very privileged to race for this team and the guys on the crew," said Ryan. "They have helped me mature as a race car driver in such a short time and that really helped me know what I needed to do there at the end. Our TRIMSPA DODGE seemed to get better there at the end of the race and I think that was a result of my guys encouraging me to save my stuff for the end when it really counted. This is really going to be a special season for myself and the guys on this Braun Racing/TRIMSPA team."

Amazingly, after only competing in 5 of the 6 events thus far this season in the ARCA RE/MAX Series, the Apollo, Pennsylvania is 10th in the overall driver's standings. Hemphill also stays near the top in the highly contested battle for the highly coveted Rookie of the Year honor.

Hemphill and his #64 TRIMSPA DODGE will now have a quick turnaround with the series' heading to the heartland and the ever popular Kansas Speedway. The running of the Kansas Lottery $200 Grand is scheduled for a 3:00 p.m. CST start on Saturday.

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