Robert Huffman Hoping The Banjos And Fiddles Of Bluegrass Will Play His Tune As The Goody's Dash Series, NASCAR Touring Heads To Kentucky

June 2, 2002

DAYTONA BEACH, FL - Robert Huffman's first super speedway win came in 1997 at Homestead Motorsports Complex. There have been eighteen super speedway events since then, and Huffman has won eight of them. Even more impressive, he has one the last five super speedway events in a row.

Winning the last five super speedway events in a Toyota Celica is an accomplishment that makes Huffman proud, as well as the car manufacturer. But, is it just the car? He has 38 career victories in Goody's Dash Series competition. He is quick to point out that 31 of those came in a Pontiac. Since 1999 he has won eight out of eleven races on a track of one-mile length or longer. He switched to Toyota at the beginning of 2001, seeking a new challenge. Huffman has four Series' Championships to his credit (1990, 1998, 1999, 2000) along with Rookie of the Year and Most Popular Driver awards. Seems like Toyota made the right move in selecting Huffman. He left the Goody's Dash Series in the early 90's to try his hand in NASCAR Busch Series competition. A fiery crash at Daytona and limited sponsorship dollars taught him a hard lesson. "I have had opportunities to move up, but I will never do that again unless the right situation presents itself," said Huffman. Though Huffman also made a few starts in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series a couple of years ago, it was not the right situation. Could the right opportunity be forthcoming? Toyota is letting it be known that they are eyeing the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.

For Huffman to defend his Kentucky Speedway title by winning back-to-back events in the Bluegrass, he needs to out run a list of strong contenders. Getting to victory lane has not been a cakewalk for any driver in 2002. The Hobgood brothers, Jake and Justin, showed the way at Daytona. But, a costly miscue in timing of a pit stop forced them to give up prime track position late in the race. Cam Strader encountered low fuel pressure at Hardeeville, robbing him of the win. Jake Hobgood was leading in turn three of the last lap at Orange County, when a tangle with another driver cost him the win. Zach Brewer clicked off the win at Lonesome Pine driven by fond remembrance on the anniversary of the death of his friend, Adam Petty. Huffman won at Lowes Motor Speedway by holding off a relentless pack of drivers while also fighting the effect of a right front tire that was quickly losing air. Huffman explains, "On the final restart, with two laps to go, I couldn't hold the car on the bottom. The car kept pulling me toward the outside wall. When I got out of the car, in victory lane, I saw that the right front was indeed flat!"

Who else has been hot but not? Scott Weaver quickly comes to mind. He has been showing some horses as of late. What better place to showoff some horsepower but where racing horses is a way of life. Danny Bagwell, Jake Hobgood, Cam Strader, and David Hutto are three other drivers who are hungry for that sweet taste of victory to return to their palette.

Special Note:

The Goody's Dash Series would like to express heartfelt condolences to the friends and family of Bob Harmon. We always enjoyed seeing Bob when we visited the Fairground Speedway in Nashville. Bob Harmon was a great promoter of stock car racing and will be greatly missed.

For More Information, Contact:
Randy Claypoole, Series Media Coordinator - (386) 437-1560 or email:([email protected])


GOODY'S DASH SERIES, NASCAR TOURING RACE FACTS

WHAT: Goody's Dash Series, NASCAR Touring Race 6 of 14
700 WLW "100"

WHERE: Kentucky Speedway, Sparta, KY
(1.5 Mile Paved Oval)

WHEN: Saturday, June 15, 2002

Race time 11:00 pm.
(Following the NASCAR Busch Series Event)

DISTANCE: 67 Laps (100 Miles)

PURSE: $87,350 (Including $6,600 Goody's Dash Series, NASCAR Touring Championship Point Fund money.)

FIELD: 36 Positions (Positions 1-30 determined by one-round of qualifying. Positions 31-33 have been established as driver provisionals. Positions 34-35 have been established as car owner provisionals. Position 36 is available for a former Series' Champion.)

CONTACTS: Tim Bray, Communications Manager, Kentucky Speedway
(859)578-6329 or ([email protected])

TELEVISION: Taped-delayed broadcast on Speed Channel
(Dates to be announced)

Schedule:

Friday, June 14th
	12:00 Noon		Noon Registration Opens
	3:00 pm.		Haulers Enter
	4:00 to 7:00 pm		Inspections
	6:00 pm		Draw to determine order of qualifying
	9:00 pm		Garage Closes
Sarturday, June 15th
	10:30 am		Garage & Registration opens
	11:30 am		Mandatory Rookie Driver's Meeting
	12:00 to 2:00 pm		Practice
	3:45 pm		Time Trials (2 Laps)
	5:00 to 6:00 pm		Final Practice
	6:30 pm		Mandatory Driver/Crew Chief Meeting
	11:00 pm		700 WLW "100"

*This is a companion event for the Goody's Dash Series. The Hills Bros. All- Pro Series, NASCAR Touring will compete on Friday evening. The NASCAR Busch Series will compete Saturday evening.

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