USAR: South Boston race report

SOUTH BOSTON, VA. (August 20, 2000) - What a difference a couple of months can make. Hal Goodson made the transition from unemployed driver to winner in just four races as the Darlington, SC driver won the State Fair Brand Mini Corn Dog 250 at South Boston Speedway Saturday night. Goodson, who replaced Darryl Hayes in the #45 Carlin Financial Chevrolet, enjoyed his first win in the United Speed Alliance Racing Hooters ProCup Series.

"I can't believe this," said an ecstatic Goodson from victory lane. "A couple of months ago I was sitting at home wondering if I was ever going to get to drive a car again. I am so grateful to everyone on this team for giving me this opportunity."

Goodson won the Discount Auto Parts Pole and led the first 77 laps, until he made a pit stop during a caution period. Most drivers wait until near the halfway point to pit for tires, but, Goodson felt track position was more important.

"The tires were holding up fine and we felt track position was more important and decided to make the early stop," said Goodson. "The car was great and the pit strategy obviously paid off for us tonight."

Current USAR Hooters ProCup Series points leader Bobby Gill collected his second consecutive runner-up finish, while Brian Vickers finished third. Johnny Rumley returned to action and finished fourth. South Boston native Stacy Puryear rebounded from an early spin to finish in the top-five for the first time since the season-opening race at USA International Speedway in February.

After Goodson made his pit stop, Vickers took over the lead and remained out front until lap 131, when he pitted during caution. Rumley took over the top spot for nine laps then Goodson took it back on lap 141 keeping it until the checkered flag.

"I knew we would have to try something on the last restart and Goodson was able to stay out front," said Gill. "This PGT Ford team will take this second place and get ready for USA International. Everybody around us in the points dropped off a little tonight so we should have gained a few points on them."

Gill was making reference to second place points leader Mario Gosselin. Gosselin, who entered the night 66 points behind Gill, suffered mechanical problems early on lap 169 and suffered his first DNF of the season which enabled Gill to increase his lead over Gosselin to 166 points (1,876-1710).

Regan Smith rebounded after a tough afternoon in practice to collect a sixth-place finish. Smith damaged his car during practice and was able to use a back-up car from Bill Plemons, Jr. to qualify for the race. Fellow rookie driver Jon Wood finished seventh, with Steven Christian and Charlie Ford in eighth and ninth, respectively. Billy Morris finished 10th in just his second career USAR Hooters ProCup Series race.

The race was slowed nine times by caution, highlighted by an eight-car accident on the front stretch on lap 83 when John Kinder, Dave Hyder, Andy Thurman, Sean Studer, Jeff Agnew, Gill and Jabe Jones and Morris got together on the tight track.

Tim Edwards and Plemons, Jr. were involved in a two-car accident which resulted in a 10 minute red flag period after the head-on collision in turn three resulted in a small fire in the Edwards car. Both drivers escaped injury in the accident.

Goodson also won the Miller Lite Rookie of the Race Award in addition to his pole award while Vickers won the Lucas Oil Products Halfway Leader bonus and Gill won the State Fair Brand Hard Charger Award when he finished second after starting 26th. Colan Ingle won the W.J. Plemons Investments Crew Chief of the Race Award as voted on by members of the media for his work on the Goodson car during the their winning night.

The USAR Hooters ProCup Series returns to action on September 2nd when it returns to USA International Speedway in Lakeland, Florida. Vickers won the last Hooters ProCup Series race held at the track in June. For more information please contact USAR Media Relations Director Tim Southers.

<pre> USAR Hooters ProCup Series Points Standings

Pos. Driver     Points Wins
1) BOBBY GILL    1,876  (6)
2) MARIO GOSSELIN   1,710
3)  BRIAN VICKERS   1,688 (2)
4) STEVEN CHRISTIAN  1,674
5) JON WOOD    1,631
6)  MARDY LINDLEY   1,591 (2)
7) CLAY ROGERS   1,563
8) JEFF AGNEW   1,510
9)  CHARLIE FORD   1,478
10) ANDY THURMAN   1,456 (1)
11) DAVID PLETCHER   1,394
12) MART NESBITT   1,298
13) STACY PURYEAR   1,269
14) BILL PLEMONS, JR.   1,262
15) REGAN SMITH   1,170
16) SEAN STUDER   1,139
17) DON SATTERFIELD  1,127
18) MARTY WARD   1,061
19) TRENT OWENS   1,029
20) KERTUS DAVIS   978