Huge NTB Trans-Am Field Set For Homestead

HUGE NTB TRANS-AM FIELD SET TO SQUARE OFF AT MIAMI-HOMESTEAD MOTORSPORTS COMPLEX ROAD RACING EXTRAVAGANZA WEEKEND

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (April 24, 1998) -- With 38 entries already lined up, the largest NTB Trans-Am Series field since 1990 is primed for the Homestead-Miami Motorsports Complex Road Racing Extravaganza, May 15-17, a weekend that promises hot action as the NTB Trans-Am stops for its second race of 1998 and second-ever race on the 2.21-mile, 14-turn Homestead circuit.

The 46-lap, 101.66-mile NTB Trans-Am race, set to begin Sunday, May 17 at 1:00 p.m. (EDT), will be broadcast live on The Nashville Network with an encore telecast on Speedvision Monday, May 18 at 9:00 p.m. (EDT).

"The Homestead-Miami Motorsports Complex Road Racing Extravaganza weekend is going to be the ultimate event for all road racing fans," said SCCA Pro Racing President and CEO, K.C. Van Niman. "Not only is there the NTB Trans-Am headline -- with a near-record entry -- the weekend also features the USRRC's Can-Am and GT Championship competing at the world-class Homestead facility."

The last time the Trans-Am raced at Homestead, Tom Kendall snuck past Paul Gentilozzi late in the race to take the checkered flag on the way to his 1996 Drivers' Championship. This year, Gentilozzi, after scoring the opening-round win at Long Beach, is the hot driver heading into Round Two, but he will need all of his speed and then some to hold off a hard-charging field that put on a memorable show behind his No. 3 AutoLink Corvette at Long Beach. Battling Gentilozzi for the checkered will be a host of top competitors, including John Miller IV, in the No. 64 PLC Direct Camaro, Brian Simo (No. 2 Valvoline Mustang Cobra), Gentilozzi's teammate Bill Saunders (No. 8 AutoLink Corvette), Max Lagod (No. 83 Hypermax Engineering Camaro), Chris Neville (No. 40 Safariland/Morwear Camaro), Michael Lewis (No. 12 Red Line Oil Mustang Cobra) and Leighton Reese (No. 66 Phillips/Banner Engineering Grand Prix).

The 38-car NTB Trans-Am entry for Homestead tops last year's high-water mark of 37 (Watkins Glen) and approaches the series' modern-era record of 41 starters (1990, Road America; the all-time record is 54 starters, Road America, 1983). Helping to boost the Homestead field are a host of Florida-based racers, including Ned Yeaton, Delray Beach (No. 16 CLR Camaro); Bill Eagle, Tampa (No. 17 Chloe Camaro); Jon Leavy, Miami (No. 18 Murrays Auto/National Litho Camaro); Jim Crist, Clearwater (No. 19 Eckler's Corvette Parts Corvette); Tommy Riggins, Jacksonville (No. 21 Riggins Motorsports Mustang Cobra); Kenny Bupp, Ft. Lauderdale (No. 25 Sentry Bank Camaro); Albert Ruzi, Ft. Lauderdale (No. 33 Ruzi Motorsports Mustang Cobra); Gary Smith, Ft. Lauderdale (No. 34 Carolina Racing Engines Camaro); Manny Sanchez, Miami (No. 80 Racetech Motorsports Camaro); and Michael Cohen, Hollywood (No. 08 Economy Auto Painting Camaro).

SOURCE: SCCA