USAR: Rockingham Speedway news 2009-10-05

Rogers Pulling Double-Duty at "The Rock"

ROCKINGHAM, N.C. - The last time the cars of the USAR Pro Cup Series made a stop at the Rockingham Speedway, Clay Rogers found his way to victory lane, taking the checkered flag in last year's American 200.

This year, the Mooresville, N.C. racer and his JTR3 race team are looking to make that hard left into Rockingham's victory lane not once, but twice. Rogers' team has entered cars for in both Saturday's USAR Aaron's 150 and Sunday's ARCA RE/MAX American 200.

"We tested well in both cars," said Rogers, who will be making his third ARCA start of the year. "I am really happy with the car we brought for the ARCA practice session ...The car actually ran a lot like my Pro Cup car there at the end (of the test) which was pretty stout."

Stout is a good way to describe the season that Rogers is having in the USAR Series. The 28-year-old, who in addition to USAR and ARCA competition has raced in the UARA and NASCAR Late Model Stock Car Series this year, currently sits second in the USAR points, only two points behind leader Drew Herring with only Rockingham and South Boston Speedways left on the schedule. A strong run at Rockingham would go a long way toward a second USAR championship for Rogers.

"I know we've got a car capable of winning at Rockingham," Rogers said. "In fact, we are running the same car that we won with last year. We've been competitive all year. That (Pro Cup) is really our focus since we are contending for a championship on that side."

Despite the team's primary attention being directed toward a USAR Championship, Rogers, bolstered by a strong test session at Rockingham on Sept. 23, is optimistic about his chances in the ARCA American 200.

"To come out here against these great ARCA teams and post the second-fastest time of the day was great," Rogers said. "But these ARCA races are so different (than USAR) with the pit strategy that it takes. There are some very stout teams with the Venturinis, those Eddie Sharp teams and the Penske development team with a lot of smart guys on top of those pit boxes.

"But if we can run all day, I think we'll have a shot at it at the end of the day on Sunday."

For more information about the ARCA/REMAX American 200 or the USARacing Aaron's 150 October 9-11 or to order tickets, please contact the Rockingham Speedway at (910) 205-8800 or visit our website at www.rockinghamspeedway.com. Tickets begin at $20 for single-day reserved seating with $5 back-to-school special pricing for students. Weekend and pit passes are also available.

-credit: rs