UARA-Stars Late Model Series Test Wraps Up at Rockingham
Clay Rogers Tops The Speed Chart
Rockingham Speedway PR Report
It took an extra day, thanks to heavy snow in the Carolina’s, but 24 UARA Late Model Stock Cars made it onto the Rockingham Speedway for their test in preparation for the Aril 18th race at the historic speedway.
The fastest car during the test session was Clayton Rogers. Rogers is one of the favorites to win the UARA race since he is a former winner at the track having won the Black’s Tire American 200 only four short months ago.
“Anytime I get the chance to come to Rockingham to run, I do, this place is a blast,” said Rogers. “We unloaded really fast off the bat and have only made minor tweaks here and there and I think we will definitely be a contender to win when we come back here.”
Kyle Grissom – son of Steve Grissom the 1991 AC Delco 200 winner at Rockingham in the NASCAR Nationwide Series was also one of the fastest cars throughout today’s test session.
“We made some gains and just tried some stuff today but I was really happy with that considering this is a lot faster than we go anywhere else,” said Grissom. “I feel very fortunate to have him [Steve Grissom] because he has been able to help me out a lot today and I think that gave me a leg up on a lot of these guys – he was able to tell me where the bumps are and what I need to expect.”
Rockingham’s own Randy Benson was also very quick during the test session with a solid Seventh place in the final rundown. Benson is a two time Late Model Stock Car Champion at the Caraway Speedway but is finally getting his first shot at racing on the Rockingham Speedway thanks to the UARA Series.
“We didn’t put on new tires until right at the end but we ran consistent times with the older tires and there were probably 90-laps on them,” said Benson. “I’ve heard anywhere from 70 to 100 [cars] will be trying to make the race so making the field is going to be hard but if we stay where we are at we should be good.”
Carolina 200 race weekend kicks off on Friday April 17th with Thunderfest in downtown Rockingham from 11:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. There will be a hauler parade through downtown Rockingham at noon on Friday for the day-long celebration as well as most of the drivers signing autographs at 6:00 p.m.
On track activities begin Friday as well with UARA practice and qualifying. Saturday April 18th will feature the UARA race and practice and qualifying for the ARCA cars. The Carolina 200 is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. on Sunday April 19th.
Reserved seat tickets for the Carolina 200 start at $20 with kids 12 and under admitted for only $15 in any section with paid adult. Tickets for Saturday April 18th are only $15 in advance or $20 the day of the race with kids 12 and under free with a paid adult for general admission seating. Friday is free admission for everyone.
For more information about the UARA open test and the upcoming Carolina 200 or to order tickets, please contact the speedway at (910) 205-8800 or visit our website at www.rockinghamspeedway.com.
Unofficial Practice Times:
1. 52 Clayton Rogers 25.092
2. 32 Kyle Grissom 25.105
3. 55B Alex Yontz 25.208
4. 51 Matt McCall 25.353
5. 55 Alex Yontz 25.469
6. 44 Matt DiBenedetto 25.568
7. 02 Randy Benson 25.633
8. 22 Justin Boston 25.756
9. 1 Jake Crum 25.762
10. 76 Darrell Wallace Jr. 25.823
11. 75 Paul Bryant 25.871
12. 48 Scott Turlington 25.898
13. 92 Matt Godley 25.909
14. 59A Coleman Pressley 25.912
15. 84 Clay Greenfield 25.920
16. 24 Luke Laney 26.450
17. 31 Ryan Robertson 26.457
18. 45G Hal Goodson 26.717
19. 19 Kyle Moon 26.782
20. 60 R.A. Brown 26.822
21. 52 Brad Queen 26.849
22. 97 Bryan Dauzat 26.997
23. 81B Jeremy Burns 27.478
24. 59 Coleman Pressley ---
