MIDGETS MAKE SOUTHERN NATIONAL DEBUT SATURDAY;

EAST SNAGS ANDERSON 50-LAPPER

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                APRIL 7, 2008

Contact: DICK JORDAN                                                                                                  08-34

Tracy Hines will lead the USAC National Midget Series to Southern National Raceway Park in Kenly, N.C. Saturday for the first USAC National Midget race in the Tar Heel State since Bobby Santos’ victory at Concord two years ago.

Hines emerged as the new series point leader after his third-place finish in Sunday’s 50-lap race at Anderson (Ind.) Speedway, won by Bobby East. Hines has a five-point lead over Cole Whitt and is 33 ahead of defending two-time National Midget Champion Jerry Coons Jr. A 40-lap feature is planned on the 4/10-mile paved oval.

East, of Brownsburg, Ind., posted his 28^th USAC National win Sunday at Anderson, his 14^th in National Midget competition, driving the Ford Racing Beast/Esslinger Ford. He passed early leader Brad Kuhn on lap 23 and led the final 27 laps to beat Kody Swanson, Hines, Kuhn and Mike Murgoitio.

At least two female drivers will bear watching Saturday. Stephanie Mockler of Westfield, Ind. and Caitlin Shaw of Albuquerque, N.M. are in the field. Mockler posted the second fastest qualifying time at Anderson but fell victim to engine problems and did not compete in the 50-lap feature.

Saturday’s race will only be the fifth for the National Midgets in North Carolina. Mel Kenyon won at Asheville in 1968, Jim Hettinger won at the Charlotte Coliseum in 1990, Tony Stewart won at Lowe’s Motor Speedway in 1998 and Santos at Concord in 2006.

USAC MOPAR NATIONAL MIDGET CAR SERIES POINT STANDINGS

Southern National Raceway Park’s next race is Saturday, April 12, when the USAC Mopar National Midget Car Series comes roaring into the high banks of SNRP.  Open-wheelers from all over the country, including those racing for Tony Stewart and Kasey Kahne, will race a 40 lap feature event, as well as a 12 lap semi-feature and many heat races.  Also racing Saturday night will be the Nascar Whelen All-American Series Late Model Stocks, Bobby Murray Chevrolet GM Performance Parts Limited Late Models and Super Stocks, 4 Cylinders, Papa Jack’s Store and Grill Street Stocks, 4 Cylinders, UCARs and V-6 UCARs.  Tickets for this special event are $20 for adults, $18 for military and seniors, with kids 8-17 $8 and children 7 and under free.  For more information, contact the track office at (919) 284-1114 or on the web at http://www.southernnational.net.