SES: Rooke-of-the year contenders profiles

talented Rookie-of-the-Year contingent on Hills Bros Coffee All Pro Series, NASCAR Touring in 2002.

DAYTONA BEACH, FLA. (March 28 2002) -- Jason Hogan, Cleveland, Ga., is the youngest driver on the Hills Bros Coffee All Pro Series, NASCAR Touring in 2002 at 19 years seven months of age but don't let his age fool you. His talent is enormous.

After the first series event of 2002, Hogan with tutelage from former All Pro standout Rick Crawford who now competes on NASCAR's Craftsman Truck Series, has taken an early lead in the Rookie-of-the-Year points standing over three other drivers.

Hogan began his racing career in 1992 in go-karts before moving into Jr. Late Model racing at Lanier National Speedway where he earned championship honors in 1994 and 1996. With that experience under his belt, he moved to Legend Car racing where he gained valuable experience while chalking up 49 wins with the Legend cars. From Legend cars his next step in his racing progression was with the Southern All Stars Touring Series finishing fourth in 2000 and fifth in 2001 in end of year points standings.

"I have always wanted to compete with a NASCAR Touring Series", said Hogan from his race shop in Cleveland. "NASCAR rules treat everyone as equals which makes it fair for all drivers. Being with a NASCAR Touring Series is certainly different then running at a local track. These guys are professionals and they are able to adapt so fast at different tracks. Being a rookie we need that experience with this type car."

Hogan made his All Pro debut in 1999 with two starts finishing in the top ten in both outings. He had two more starts in 2001 but failed to record a top ten run. In his first race of 2002 at Big Daddy's South Boston Speedway, Hogan started right behind his mentor Crawford and drove his Universal Chevrolet to an 11th place finish. He was the highest finishing rookie contender in that event.

Hogan is single.

Dusty Williams hails from Savannah, Ga. and drove his Dixie Excavating Chevrolet to a 15th place finish at South Boston after starting 13th in the 32 car field. Williams started his racing career in 1996 at Oglethorpe Speedway Park and has competed in Mini-Stocks, Street Stocks, Late Models and the Parts Pro Truck Series. He earned honors in 2001 as the Parts Pro Truck Series Champion.

Williams is another single driver who wants to gain experience in NASCAR and with the structure of the Hills Bros Coffee All Pro Series rookie points, he is only one point behind Hogan.

<B>Jarod Robie should certainly receive an end of year award for his dedication and commitment to the series traveling from Candia, N. H. to compete with the Hills Bros Coffee All Pro Series in 2002. He has one goal in mind with his life and that is racing, racing and more racing. Another single driver, Robie started his racing career in 1991 and has competed in go-karts, Pro Stock cars, Busch North Series, NASCAR Touring and All Pro Series type cars.

He had three series starts in 2001 with one top ten finish and one start in 2002 resulting in an 18th place finish at Big Daddy's South Boston (VA) Speedway. His finish ranks him third in rookie points after the first race. His car carries sponsorship from Miller Fall Protection, Crews Eyewear, Squincher, Lumidor and others. Robie has a degree in Sports Management and Marketing from Southern New Hampshire University. Joe Aramendia rounds out the rookie contenders on the series for 2002 through the first event. Aramendia, like Robie, has to travel a great distance to compete for rookie honors with the series. Hailing from Sequin, Tx., east of San Antonio, Aramendia has his own Plumbing Business and finds racing an outlet to the rigors of owning a business.

He started his racing career in 1988 and has competed at San Antonio Speedway since 1988 in just about every division. He has also competed at Corpus Christi (TX) Speedway, the home track of Terry and Bobby Labonte, Kyle (TX) Speedway and Sooner Speedway in Altus, Ok. as well as tracks with the All Pro Series. He has four career starts with the All Pro Series with no top five or top ten finishes. At Big Daddy's South Boston Speedway he finished 21st and ranks fourth in rookie points. Joe is married to his wife Carolyn and they have two children, Joeylynn and Carol. Aramendia, at 38 years of age, is one of the oldest to ever compete for rookie honors with the series. He proudly displays the Texas colors on his Aramendia Chevrolet.

The Hills Bros Coffee All Pro Series, NASCAR Touring is one of eight NASCAR Touring Series that blanket the United States, bringing special events to many NASCAR Weekly Racing Series tracks and some NASCAR superspeedways and road courses. NASCAR Touring Series can provide a competitor with an entire career, or they can provide valuable experience to competitors moving through the NASCAR ranks. Corporate sponsors make significant contributions to NASCAR Touring Series point funds. The sponsors include Anheuser-Busch, Featherlite, Goody's Headache Powders, Hills Bros Coffee, Raybestos Brakes and RE/MAX International, Inc., and R. J. Reynolds brand, Winston.

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