USAR: Kyle Fowler to join series at Myrtle Beach

Kyle Fowler Joins the USARacing Pro Cup Series This Weekend at Myrtle Beach

Concord, NC (June 12, 2009) - The newest addition to the USAR Pro Cup Series may be 16-years-old, but he is no stranger to racing. Kyle Fowler, a Smyrna, GA native has been racing since he was four-years-old. The Grand Strand 250 presented by BTS at Myrtle Beach Speedway, June 20, will be his first Pro Cup appearance.

Fowler first began racing behind the wheel of a Quarter Midget and has since competed in Bandoleros, Legends, and late model cars. In 2007, at the age of 15, Fowler made his late model car debut. He was named the Georgia Asphalt Series Rookie of the Year and finished fifth overall in points. Fowler made 18 starts in the season and had 5 top fives and 14 top tens. In 2008, Fowler set a new track record at Peachstate Speedway in the Georgia Asphalt Series, posted two 2nd place finishes and 7 top tens.

For the 2009 season thus far, Fowler has competed in the Ice Cold Shriner's Bowl at Lanier Speedway alongside NASCAR driver, David Ragan, where he posted a top ten finish. Fowler also raced at Speedfest, one of Lanier's biggest races of the year and attracts some of the best drivers in the nation, including NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver, Kyle Busch. Fowler qualified third of 31 cars and battled for a 2nd place finish among the talented field of drivers. In April, Fowler had a once in a lifetime opportunity to run for Ken Schrader Racing in the NASCAR Camping World East Series at tri-county.

For the past few weeks, Fowler debated on the best course of action that would be the most beneficial to furthering his racing career. The decision to compete in the USARacing Pro Cup series seemed like the best option to gain more experience. After talking with some pretty experienced and seasoned veterans in the racing industry, Fowler felt it was time to make the transition to Pro Cup.

"We had been trying to figure out what we were going to do, then I talked with Ken Ragan and Kyle Busch, and they both said a heavier car on a radial tire was the proper step to go with. Those cars are closer to the Cup cars, so going to the Pro Cup series seemed like a good way to get that experience," Explained the young rookie.

Fowler has chosen Myrtle Beach for his Pro Cup debut and is anxious to begin competing against the other Pro Cup drivers. He is currently the youngest driver on the circuit, but the age deficit does not intimidate him.

"I'm excited to make my first start [in USAR]; there are a lot of great drivers to learn from like Bobby Gill and Clay Rogers. I'm not really nervous about it; I'm used to being one of the youngest ones. I've been racing since I was four so I've been at it for awhile now."

Fowler's plans for Myrtle Beach are to keep the car in one piece, have a good solid run and be up front at the end. He has chosen Myrtle Beach Speedway for his debut because of the close proximity to home and this has been one of his first opportunities to compete in the series.

"I heard Myrtle Beach is a great track and a very nice facility. It's kind of flat so it is a driver's track. I feel like I can learn a lot there, and it's close to home. We were going to race at Winchester, but the cars weren't quite ready, so this is pretty much the first opportunity we have had to get to the track."

Kyle Fowler and the USAR Pro Cup Series will return to action Saturday, June 20 at Myrtle Beach Speedway for the Grand Strand 250 presented by BTS with engines set to fire at 7:30.

-credit: usar