PARTS: Trucks Invade St. Augustine Speedway
6 May 1998
1/2-mile track is expected to be invaded by late model trucks. The PARTS Pro Truck Series has had record numbers of trucks show up at its first two events and expects the same for the NAPA 100k."We had 71 trucks show up at our opener at Lanier National Speedway and two weeks ago, 66 tried to make the field at Concord Motorsports park," said Larry Evans, president of PARTS Pro Truck Series. "Most of the drivers enjoy coming to Florida and enjoy racing at St. Augustine, so who knows how many we will have there."
This will be the second trip by the series to St. Augustine Speedway. Last year it was Danny "Coon" Ayers of Mt. Airy, Ga. scoring a win. This year Kevin Barrett has won the first two races of the season in his Barnacle's Restaurant/DISH Network Chevrolet and is looking to keep his streak alive.
With drivers from Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Maryland, the Florida drivers want to show some state pride by winning in their home state. Leading the "Sunshine State" drivers' quest for a victory is Paul Booher of Pinellas Park. Booher is currently seventh in the point standings.
Another Florida drive who would like to score a win May 9 is Tony Hargraves of Lakeland. Hargraves is no stranger to the St. Augustine Speedway, having competed at the track several times in the Florida Legends Series.
Florida fans will also be pulling for Mickey Kempens of Tampa. The 16-year old driver has shown a lot of talent and indicated at Concord that he couldn't wait to get back to Florida and have a good show in front on a home crowd.
Leading the drivers from the neighboring state of Georgia is the PARTS Pro Truck Series point leader and winner of the first two events. Barrett of Cleveland said he was ready for St. Augustine and still just as hungry for a win.
Clay Young, Roswell, Ga., is second in the series points and still looking for his first win. Butch Gafney, McCalla, N.C. would also like to put his home state in Victory Lane. Gafney is currently fifth in point and finished a strong sixth the last time out at Concord.
Racing action at St. Augustine Speedway will get underway Saturday, May 9 with qualifying for the PARTS Pro Truck Series drivers at 6 p.m. The trucks will then stage a Division 2 race of 30-laps for the drivers not qualifying for the NAPA 100k.
The Division 2 race will also serve as a "last chance" race for the PARTS drivers, as the top four finishers will advance to the NAPA 100k.
In addition to the PARTS Pro Truck Series action, St. Augustine Speedway will host four divisions of local racing. The night of racing will include Hobby, Mini-Stock, Modified and Street Stock competition.
For additional information about the NAPA 100k and St. Augustine Speedway, contact the track at (904) 825-2886.
