Southern National: Cam Strader race summary

Strader capitalizes on home field advantage.

Kenly, N.C. (July 27, 2002) Cam Strader, of nearby Wilson, N.C., gave the fans what they came to see Saturday night in the running of the NASCAR Goody's Dash Series, AYCOCK AUTO AUCTION 150 held at Southern National Speedway. The packed crowd came out to see an exciting event and their hometown hero win the race. Strader gave them just what they wanted.

The defending 2001 Series' Champion rocketed into the lead on lap 98 of 150, en route to his first victory of the 2002 season. "I love coming to Southern National Speedway and seeing my hometown crowd. It is great to pull off a win for them." Strader said in victory lane. "We slicked up this ole engine with some of that great Wesson Oil, ate a Peter Pan Peanut Butter sandwich for energy, called all my friends and family on my new Sprint phone, and now we're taken the money home to Heritage Bank. Everything worked out just like it was supposed to," he quipped. "Billy Owen also got his first win as a crew chief tonight. We work shoulder-to-shoulder every day on these cars, and I appreciate the effort he puts into the racecars and my driving career."

"I'll tell you what--no one could be happier to win a race this weekend," he said. "The people of Wilson, North Carolina came out tonight in one of the biggest crowds I've ever seen here at Southern National. Ron Gammons (track owner) and the rest of his staff obviously did an outstanding job in getting the word out about the Dash Series coming to town, and the crowd response to all the drivers in this series has just been awesome. They wanted to make this a nice homecoming for me and this race team, and I am truly touched by their show of support."

The event only took 54 minutes, and 22 seconds to complete, but in that time there were four lead changes among four drivers, and six caution periods for 35 laps.

Strader started from the seventh position, and methodically raced his way into the lead on lap 98. "I learned the hard way in my late-model days here at Southern National that you have to be patient and let the track come to you," he said.

The Dash Series will travel to the South Boston Speedway in Virginia for the next event on August 3rd.

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