CRA: Series regulars New Smyrna preview

Salem, IN (February 2, 2004) -- The recent cold weather and snow in Indiana has even further motivated a group of Sunoco Super Series regulars and part-times to hit the road and head south for warmer weather and racing in the World Series Of Asphalt Stock Car Racing that begins this Friday night, February 6, at New Smyrna Speedway. That Friday night will be the first of nine consecutive nights of racing at the famed ½ mile oval that attracts racers from all over the United States and Canada each year during Florida's Daytona Speed Weeks.

The Super Late Models will compete in eight of the nine nights with regular feature events on February 6th and 7th. The Super Late Models will be off on Sunday, February 8th, but will return for regular feature action on the 9th, 10th and 11th. The Super Late Models will have a 50 lap special event on Thursday, February 12th, a regular show on Friday, February 13th, and will conclude the World Series Of Asphalt Stock Car Racing with the Florida Cracker 100 on Saturday, February 14th.

Dick Poe's EMF Corp Team, with driver Scott Hantz, is packed and ready to return to the warmer climate looking to build upon their success at New Smyrna Speedway last year. Hantz had some good runs during the early part of the World Series Of Asphalt Stock Car Racing last season, but it wasn't until he pulled out his Sunoco Super Series car, which he had brought as a backup to his Florida legal car, for the last two nights of competition that he became a serious contender to win.

"We had struggled getting the Florida legal car to hook up and be fast during most of the week," commented Hantz. "We talked it over after Thursday's 50 lapper and decided why not try the Sunoco Super Series legal car and see what would happen. We were really surprised at the results!"

Hantz managed to lead several laps of Friday night's feature before fellow Sunoco Super Series competitor and long time competitor at the World Series Of Asphalt Stock Car Racing, Junior Hanley, managed to get by late in the event and take the win, but Hantz knew he had a car that would be very competitive in Saturday's 100 lapper. Hantz grabbed the lead in the Florida Cracker 100 on Saturday, but had to fight hard all the way to the end to take the win after losing a cylinder late in the race.

"It was a great way to end our racing in Florida last year," said Hantz. "We are taking that same Sunoco Super Series car we won with last year as our main car this time, and we are taking another Sunoco Super Series car as our back up, we didn't even mess with the Florida legal car this time. Our goal is to win more than one race this time and win the World Series Of Asphalt Stock Car Racing Points Championship!"

After Florida, Hantz will begin preparations to compete for the 2004 Sunoco Super Series Championship. Hantz won the series championship and rookie of the year in 2000. Hantz was runner-up in series points in 2003 to series champion Bobby Parsley. Joining Hantz at the World Series Of Asphalt Stock Car Racing will be Sunoco Super Series regulars Junior Hanley and Eddie Van Meter along with part-time series drivers Evan Jackson, Jack Landis, Steve Keller and Eddie Hoffman. Sunoco Super Series owners R.J. Scott and Glenn Luckett will be at several of the events at the World Series Of Asphalt Stock Car Racing and will be posting reports on the performance of the Sunoco Super Series drivers on the series web site at www.sunocosuperseries.com.

-cra-