Indy ORP: Robert Hight Showdown preview

HIGHT FIRED UP TO RACE IN US SMOKELESS SHOWDOWN

INDIANAPOLIS, IN --- Robert Hight is hoping his fourth chance at picking up the $100,000 in bonus prize money as the winner of the US Smokeless Showdown goes in a different direction than his previous three tries. The No. 2 qualifier for the Showdown his hoping to stand in two winners circles at O'Reilly Raceway Park at Indianapolis.

As a rookie he surprised the racing community qualifying for the specialty race without the benefit of the last half of the 2004 season qualifying points. He snuck in as the No. 8 qualifier, defeated father-in-law and No. 1 qualifier John Force before falling to veteran Del Worsham in the semi-finals. In 2006 and 2007 Hight entered the race at the top of the field as the No. 1 qualifier only to find disappoint as a semi-finalist and first round loser in 2006 and 2007 respectively.

This season he was in the No. 1 qualifier spot until the last qualifying race when his sister-in-law Ashley Force moved around him to become the first woman ever qualify for and stand atop the US Smokeless Showdown field. Hight was happy for Ashley and also interested to see if his luck can change from the No 2 position.

"If I get bumped it will be by my teammate Ashley Force. She had two number ones in a row. She is doing well and she deserves it. I wanted to stay number one if I could. I want to have some momentum going into Indy. I wanted to have a good race in Reading and just be up for Indy. There is a lot of money to be won there. It is the most prestigious race. "

"The last two years I have started from the No. 1 qualifying spot and I haven't won maybe this year from the No. 2 spot my luck will change. I am looking forward to racing Del (Worsham) in the first round. He is a tough competitor and a good friend. It will be an exciting race for sure," added Hight.

-credit: jfr