| Aaron's Hooters Pro-Cup in Lakeland |
February 26, 2005 – Lakeland, FL
The Aaron’s Hooters ProCup racing team and sports marketing team arrived at USA International Speedway on Friday ready for a big weekend of racing and fan interaction.
The Aaron’s Dream Machine was scheduled to practice on Friday, but due to the rain practice was canceled and rescheduled for Saturday morning. However, Saturday morning also brought clouds, but no rain. Ken Butler III, pilot of the 99 Dream Machine and a rookie to the series, was able to get out on the track and turn a few laps before qualifying later that day. Butler’s best lap time in practice was posted at 22.732 placing him 37th in the field.
While Ken Butler III and the Aaron’s Dream Team were working hard to get the Dream Machine just right, the sports marketing team was doing its part outside the track promoting Aaron’s first class merchandise and the celebration of Aaron’s 50th Anniversary. |
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Race fans had the opportunity to visit the Aaron’s tent where they could get a look at some popular merchandise Aaron’s offers for sale and lease. The product display was provided by the newly opened Aaron’s Sale & Lease Ownership store in north Lakeland. The fans were also given the opportunity to register for a chance to win a 1955 Chevrolet Bel-Air in honor of Aaron’s 50th Anniversary celebration.
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The rain continued to stay away as qualifying started at 4:30pm for 46 entries. Qualifying proved to be frustrating for the 99 Dream Machine. Butler had a lap time of 22.443 on his first lap .3 faster than his best lap in practice, but on the second lap the 99 spun around and was not able to better his first lap. Butler and the Dream Team would now have to sit back and wait to see if the lap time could get him into one of the 32 spots available. After waiting for more than half the field to qualify and sitting on the bubble for entry, the final car cross the start finish line and the 99 Aaron’s Dream Machine was in at position 32. Butler and the team were excited to make the field for their first USAR Hooters ProCup race. Chase Pistone sat on the pole. |
After a tough and stressful afternoon of waiting, the sun began to set over the USA International Speedway and the lights covered the ¾ mile track. The field was set and it was time to start the Naturally Fresh 250. The Aaron’s Dream Machine sporting its 50th Anniversary paint scheme was able to keep up with the field and stay around the 25th to 30th position for the first quarter of the race. However, on lap 74 the car spun around in turn two and fell off the pace, but Butler managed to keep the 99 machine off the wall. With four new tires and a full tank of racing fuel, the Dream Machine was back on the track several laps down. That would not be the end of trouble for Butler and the Dream Team because around lap 149 coming out of turn 2 the Aaron’s Dream Machine spun once again, but this time the nose of the car was slammed into the outside wall in center of the backstretch. This would end the day for the Aaron’s Dream Machine with a 26th place finish. The day did not end the way the team wanted; however, the team did make the field and learned a lot from its first experience in ProCup racing.
The next USAR Hooters ProCup race for Ken Butler III will be Saturday March 12th in Valdosta, GA at the South Georgia Motorsports Park.
Ken and Brett Butler will both be racing in the Aaron’s Pro Challenge race March 12th in Valdosta, GA at the South Georgia Motorsports Park.
The Georgia Force improved to 4-1 on a last second field goal over the Austin Wranglers, but the Force lost their quarterback Jim Kubiak for the season with a knee injury. The Force will host the Columbus Destroyers at Philips Arena on Sunday March 6th at 2:00. |
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