USAR Hooters ProCup Series Races North

In the South when someone mentions racing, it usually means only one thing- stock car racing. Whether it be Saturday night short-track racing or NASCAR Winston Cup the South has a long and storied tradition of stock car racing. But today, this tradition has been carried to the rest of the nation via the explosion of popularity of NASCAR and riding on the coat tails of this wave of interest is the United Speed Alliance Racing (USAR) Hooters ProCup series.

A Southeastern series since its inception, USAR is poised to invade open wheel country to operate a stock car series with an elaborate schedule of events culminating in a North- versus- South battle on the high banks of USA International Speedway in Lakeland, Florida. The combined schedule (North, South and five champion’s races) will total 30 events with a total championship points fund of more than $1,000,000.

According to USAR President Gene Cox "We will have two distinct regions of competition next season. We will have 11 regular season races scheduled in the North, while 14 regular season events will be held in the South. After those events are completed we will invite the top 25 drivers in points from their respective region. Those 50 drivers will then have the opportunity to compete in the Four Champions Championship Series". The Championship series will consists of five races: September 15 at Chicago Motor Speedway, Chicago, Illinois ; September 29 at Jennerstown Speedway, Jennerstown, Pennsylvania ; October 13 at Myrtle Beach Speedway, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina ; October 27 at Concord Motorsports Park, Concord, North Carolina ; November 24 USA International Speedway, Lakeland, Florida.

Drivers and teams can compete in all 30 races if they wish, but they can only collect points from one region. "The top 25 from each division are assured rewards from the points fund," added Cox. "Where they finish in the final standings will be determined from the Four Champions Championship Series." The Total Championship Fund is broken down as follows:

Drivers Championship- $853,000

Car Owner Championship- $60,000

4 Champions Challenge- $100,000

Rookie of the Year- $10,000

USAR’s daring foray into the North should attract a whole new base of fans to what is currently a successful regional stock car series. The 2001season is sure to provide many stories that bear watching. Who will challenge Bobby Gill for an unprecedented third consecutive championship? Who among the northern contingent will challenge the likes of Gosselin, Lindley, Laughlin Jr., and Kelly? Will the Rookie of the Year campaign be as good as it was in 2000 between young guns Brian Vickers and Clayton Rogers? No one knows for certain how things will turn out, but you can bet the competition will be intense and the races entertaining. Stay tuned.