USAR: Hittin'' Myrtle Beach

FAYETTEVILLE, Ga. (May 1, 2000) - It is that time of year again for the United Speed Alliance Racing Hooters ProCup Series. Each year the Hooters ProCup Series schedule features four special races that are the backbone of why this ever-growing and popular series was created and has flourished so well in just four short years.

The "Four Champions Challenge Series" was created to honor the memory of Alan Kulwicki, Mark Brooks, Dan Duncan and Charlie Campbell who were killed in a plane crash on April 1, 1993. The Hooters/Mark Brooks Memorial 250 will be the first of the four-race series designated to recognize the memory of these champions.

The first round of the "Four Champions Challenge" is dedicated to Mark Brooks. His father, Robert Brooks, is the CEO of Hooters of America, Inc. and is Executive Commissioner of the USAR Hooters ProCup Series. Myrtle Beach Speedway will once again host the Hooters/Mark Brooks Memorial 250. Mario Gosselin, the Hooters ProCup Series all-time leader in wins with 15, led 132 laps en route to winning last year’s race. Derrick Kelley won two of the four races to become the only driver to collect a $25,000 bonus for winning two of the four races in 1999. This year USAR has joined forces with Hooters Restaurants and Black’s Tire Service to host the event at Myrtle Beach Speedway. Driver and show car appearances are scheduled at the Myrtle Beach area Hooters Restaurants on Friday, May 5th.

"We are certainly looking forward to this night," said USAR Media Relations Director Tim Southers. "A "Four Champions Challenge Series" race is unlike any other race on our schedule. This series is an ongoing memorial for the four men who made the ultimate sacrifice doing something they loved to do – stock car racing. We want to honor them for their efforts and that is why winning one of these races means so much to our competitors."

Kelley echoed those sentiments recently when asked about the significance of the "Challenge Series" and what it means to the competitors on the Hooters ProCup Series.

"Winning at Hickory Motor Speedway (Charlie Campbell Memorial) and at USA International Speedway (Alan Kulwicki Memorial) last year were special," said Kelley. "The money is nice and that is a definite plus, but it is also a great feeling knowing your name is listed as a winner of such special events. I think the Four Champions Challenge Series really says something about Mr. Brooks’ commitment to this series and his desire to keep the dream of those men alive through the Hooters ProCup Series."

This year will be the first year Black’s Tire Service will be presenting sponsor for this event and the Myrtle Beach-area tire distributor will also be involved with several appearances scheduled for their driver Stacy Puryear. Puryear has made his impact on the series quickly in 2000 as he captured the pole for his very first Hooters ProCup Series race at USA International in February.

The 2000 version of the "Four Champions Challenge Series" features a bonus system created to reward a driver for winning the multiple challenge series races. A $25,000 bonus will be paid to any driver who wins two of the "Four Champions Challenge Series" races. Winning any three of the four races will pay a $50,000 bonus, while any driver who can win all four races can win a staggering $100,000 in bonus prize money.

Should the driver who wins all four races also win the coveted Hooters ProCup Series points championship that driver will collect another $150,000 from Eastern Foods, Inc. of Atlanta, GA through the company’s Jackaroo Sauces and Naturally Fresh Foods Brands. The Hooters ProCup Series championship pays $250,000 which means the 2000 Hooters ProCup Series champion could take home $500,000 in bonus money.