Parker makes ASA, Herzog Motorsports and South Boston

SOUTH BOSTON, Va. (April 9, 2001) -- When Billy "Catfish" Parker arrived home from work on Thursday evening, he would have never dreamed that he would be driving to South Boston, Virginia in a matter of hours to qualify and compete in his first ASA ACDelco Series race at the famed South Boston Speedway. Parker, brother of NASCAR Busch Series regular Hank Parker, Jr. and son of bass fishing pro Hank Parker, not only qualified for Saturday's running of the Textilease Medique 300, he managed to put the No. 22 Herzog Motorsports Chevrolet Monte Carlo on the outside of the front row in the second position.

"I'm so excited to have this opportunity to race for Herzog Motorsports. I have never cut a lap in a racecar at South Boston Speedway, so to have put this No. 22 Chevrolet on the front row is great," Parker stated.

By race time, news had spread quickly that the Denver, North Carolina native was going to be one of the drivers to watch in this 300-lap event. Parker, despite never having run at South Boston Speedway or on BFGoodrich's radial tires, settled into a rhythm quickly after the green flag. Parker impressed his competitors, keeping the No. 22 Herzog Motorsports entry solidly in the top-10 for the first 125 laps of the race.

On lap 139, the fifth caution flag flew and it was time for the rookie to make his first pit stop of the evening with the No. 22 crew. Parker entered the pits in the fifth position, but left the pits in 10th position after stalling the car during the stop. Parker took on two right side tires and fuel.

At the halfway point, Parker and the No. 22 Herzog Motorsports team were well on their way to a top-10 finish. Staying out of trouble and gaining experience was the story of the night.

On lap 258, the lead car of Joey Clanton was close to putting Parker and the No. 22 Chevrolet Monte Carlo a lap down when the seventh and final caution flag waived, a lucky break for the entire Herzog Motorsports team. Crew chief Howie Lettow and the Herzog Motorsports crew brought Parker down pit road in the 12th position for the second and final pit stop of the night. Parker again took on two right side tires and fuel, positioning him to move up through the field.

The checkered flag fell and Billy Parker brought the No. 22 Herzog Motorsports Chevrolet Monte Carlo home in the seventh position and on the lead lap, advancing a total of five positions in the last 40 laps of the event.

"I have a lot to learn but I loved driving this No. 22 Herzog Motorsports Chevrolet Monte Carlo," exclaimed Parker. "I was really impressed with the car, the team, and Howie (Lettow). I just want to take this opportunity to thank Randy and Stan Herzog for the opportunity to drive with such an impressive team."

Herzog Motorsports is a successful, championship-winning race team. Based in Charlotte, N.C.; Milwaukee, Wis. and St. Joseph, Mo., Herzog Motorsports fields teams in the American Speed Association and NASCAR Busch Series.

The next event scheduled for the ASA Series is set to take place on April 28th at Hawkeye Downs Speedway in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, The fifth event of the begins at 9:00 p.m. EST and will be broadcast live on TNN Sports.

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