Carolina 200 Fast Facts
Rockingham Speedway Hosts a Saturday Double-Header with Unique Storylines
ROCKINGHAM, N.C. (May 11, 2011) – When the green flag waves for the Carolina 200 at Rockingham Speedway on Saturday afternoon, a multitude of up-and-coming drivers will take to the high banks of this one-mile race track, each hoping to etch their name into the famous “Winners’ Rock” which sits outside the track office.
Rockingham Speedway is set to play host to the UARA Late Model and USAR Pro Cup series and there are a few drivers in each category with a unique storyline or two. Practice sessions begin on May 12th and general admission to the grandstands is free on Thursday. Friday, May 13th is pole qualifying day for both series and fans will be admitted to the grandstands for a $5 fee. The Carolina 200 gets underway Saturday at high noon, with the UARA Late Models rolling off the starting grid for a 75-lap race, immediately followed by the USAR Pro Cup race, which runs 150-laps. Tickets are $20 in advance and $30 on race day.
The UARA Late Models will be competing in their fourth out of 16 total events for the 2011 season. The series will make a return to Rockingham Speedway on November 5th for their season finale. Brennan Poole holds the points lead in the series after three races with two victories and one second place finish. Poole will likely be a threat again as he sat on the pole for Rockingham Speedway’s American 200 last fall and placed third in the final rundown. Other notable names competing in the UARA event include Kyle Grissom, son of former NASCAR star, Steve Grissom. Steve made nine starts at Rockingham Speedway and won a Busch Series event in October of 1990, besting a venerable second place finisher that day-the late Dale Earnhardt, Sr. Robert Johnson, son of the legendary Junior Johnson, will also be looking for the checkered flag after finishing fifth in the final UARA standings last year. Robert’s father’s NASCAR teams won 13 races at Rockingham Speedway and three pole positions.
The USAR Pro Cup series comes to Rockingham Speedway for their fourth race of the year as well. And, like the UARA series, they will also hold their season finale at the Rock on November 5th of this year. The big news of the week in this class was the entry of Chase Elliott into the field, son of NASCAR Champion, Bill Elliott. There already seems to be much parity in the USAR series this year, with three different winners in the first three races. Competitors Brad Rogers, Caleb Holman and J.P. Morgan each have one win and one pole position heading into this weekend’s race.
To order advance tickets for the Carolina 200 presented by Black’s Tire and Auto Service, contact the Rockingham Speedway ticket office at (910) 205-8800 or visit the track’s official website at: www.rockinghamracewaypark.com.
