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USAR: Lakeland CS: Final round preview

Gill closing in on fourth title Five drivers chase veteran in Robert H. Brooks Memorial Aaron's 250 Myrtle Beach, S.C.--After his fourth-place finish at South Georgia Motorsports Park, Bobby Gill quipped, "I guess we're going to Lakeland, race and ...

Edited: Nov 3, 2009, 6:20 PM

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Gill closing in on fourth title
Five drivers chase veteran in Robert H. Brooks Memorial Aaron's 250

Myrtle Beach, S.C.--After his fourth-place finish at South Georgia Motorsports Park, Bobby Gill quipped, "I guess we're going to Lakeland, race and not worry about points."

Well, not exactly.

Gill can't just cruise to his series-high fourth title. Mathematically, five drivers could pass him if he suffers a DNF in the Robert H. Brooks Memorial Aaron's 250 presented by NGA Hooters Pro Golf Tour at USA Int'l Speedway on Saturday, Nov. 3.

Trevor Bayne, second in points, would have to win, lead halfway and the most laps and hope that Gill finishes 15th or worse without scoring any bonus points. If he does that, Bayne would erase the 80-point deficit and, at 16, become the youngest Hooters Pro Cup Champion.

Mike Garvey and Gary St. Amant, who are tied for third, would have to finish first, lead the most laps and halfway and have Gill finish 28th or worse without scoring any bonus points.

Brandon Ward, fifth in points, would have to win, lead halfway and the most laps and hope that Gill finishes 29th or worse without scoring any bonus points.

Mark McFarland, sixth in points, would have to win, lead halfway and the most laps, grab the Hard Charger bonus and have Gill finish last without scoring bonus points. If that happened, the two would be tied, but McFarland would have the tie-breaker advantage because of his three wins.

But don't expect Gill to lose sleep over the five guys chasing him for the title. A top-10 finish at USA Int'l would give Gill the title, regardless of what anyone else does. In 30 races at the .75-mile track, Gill has racked up 24 top-10 finishes, and 12 of those were wins.

"I've always liked [USA Int'l]," said Gill, driver of the No. 06s USG Sheetrock Ford. "I like the fast tracks on the schedule. We don't run superspeedways, so this is kind of like our superspeedway."

Knowing the situation, Gill's closest pursuers can't--and won't--play it safe in the season finale.

"I very seriously doubt that we have a shot at the title," said Trevor Bayne, driver of the No. 29s STRUTMASTERS.com Chevrolet. "Now we've just got to win a race. We're not going to do the points racing that we would've had to do if we were closer. We're going to go to Lakeland with a whole different attitude. We're going to have fun and try to win the race."

The Robert H. Brooks Memorial Aaron's 250 at USA Int'l Speedway is scheduled for a green flag at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 3. Fans are encouraged to come out early for the two-hour practice session starting at 11 a.m.

Awesome Awnings Pole Qualifying will begin at 4 p.m. and be followed by the BFGoodrich Tires Pit Crew Challenge at 5:15 p.m. The Wraps INK Autograph Session will start at 6:15 p.m. Pre-race ceremonies for the Aaron's 250 will start at 7 p.m.

For ticket information, contact USA Int'l Speedway at 800-964-7223.

***

WHERE: USA International Speedway, Lakeland, FL
.75-mile, semi-banked asphalt oval

WHEN: Saturday November 3, 2007

DISTANCE: 250 Laps/ 187.5 Miles

POSTED AWARDS: $134,470 (Includes $37,000 Point Fund)

STARTING FIELD: 36 car starting field --1-32 qualifying time trail positions, 33 -34 provisional from the final divisional points, one south, one north (first eligible); 35-36- provisional from current Championship driver points

TELEVISION: SPEED Channel
Wednesday, November 14, 2007 (4 p.m. ET)
Friday, November 16, 2007 (12 Noon ET)

WEEKEND SCHEDULE:

Saturday November 3, 2007:
11:00 am Front Gates Open
11:00 a.m. USAR HPCS Practice Begin
1:00 p.m. USAR HPCS Practice Ends
1:30 p.m. USAR HPCS Drivers Meeting (Engines Off)
1:45 p.m. Chapel Service (Engines Off)
4:00 pm Awesome Awnings Pole Qualifying for the USAR HPCS
5:15 pm BFGoodrich Tires Pit Crew Challenge
6:15 pm Wraps Ink Autograph Session for the USAR HPCS
7:00 p.m. Pre-Race Ceremonies for the Aaron's 250
7:30 p.m. Robert H. Brooks Memorial Aaron's 250

-credit: usar

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