USAR: Illiana: Northern Division round two preview

USAR returns to Illiana Motor Speedway.

Fayetteville, GA (April 9, 2002)-- The second stop on the Northern Division schedule for United Speed Alliance Racing in 2002 will be historic Illiana Motor Speedway in Schererville, Indiana on Saturday, April 27th. The Hooters ProCup Series will race at the track located just east of Chicago for the second consecutive year in the Miller Lite 250.

Last year Brian Vickers outlasted Mardy Lindley and Jeff Agnew for the win. Vickers has since moved on to the Busch Series, which means there will be a new winner this year. One driver who would like to move into the winner's circle at Illiana is Agnew, the 1998 USAR Hooters ProCup Series and Miller Lite Rookie of the Year.

Agnew finished a respectable third last season at the challenging track and hopes this season will give him a chance to improve on that finish.

"We took only two tires on the last pit stop there last year and tried to use track position to get the win," said Agnew."We could never get the car to turn like we wanted it to and those guys were able to get by us and go on for the win. We didn't have the car set up to turn as good as I wanted it to."

Agnew also mentioned the pit road used at Illiana Motor Speedway. The unique pit road layout will offer new challenges to drivers and crews.

"This is the strangest pit road we go to, where we have to make lit stops during the race," Agnew said."You enter the pits in turn one and exit coming out of turn four. It is very strange."

Another driver looking to improve on last year's performance will be Lonnie Rush. Rush enjoyed a good night last year at Illiana coming home fifth on one of his two top-five finishes last year.

"We made a commitment to this Series during the off-season with equipment and cars and, hopefully, by the time we get a race or two under our belt, we should be able to contend for a win,' Rush said."The competition is great in this Series but I feel some of the Northern guys will be better prepared for this season and this race."

Dave Weltmeyer finished a disappointing 22nd in this race one year ago after mechanical problems ended his day early on lap 50. Weltmeyer, along with car owners Roulo Brothers Racing have won many Late Model races at the track and are expected to return this year for the Miller Lite 250.

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