October 22, 2005 (Myrtle Beach, SC)
The USAR Hooters ProCup Championship Series traveled to Myrtle Beach Speedway this weekend to run the third race of the championship. With sunny skies and warm temperatures, fans began filing into the speedway. The Aaron’s Sports Marketing team was in attendance. Well represented, the Aaron’s storefront balloon was the main attraction when fans entered the speedway. Greeted by the Aaron’s Sports Marketing Team and franchisee Jim Smith, fans were given the opportunity to view Aaron products as well as register to win the Aaron’s Dream Weekend in Talladega. For registering, each individual could spin the Aaron’s prize wheel to win give-a-ways such as, Aaron’s hats, “Do the Math” calculators, and Aaron’s #99 Dream Machine Die cast.
Festivities began at 4:30 with qualifying followed by the on track autograph session at 6:15 with the race kicking off at 7:30. Aaron’s was not only represented well around the track but also on the track. Behind the wheel of the #99 Aaron’s Dream Machine was rookie, Ken Butler III. Having raced earlier in the season at Myrtle Beach Speedway, KBIII and the Aaron’s Dream Team had high hopes of a great finish. Before the race, KBIII said, “We know that the car will run well on really old tires. I think that if it sticks to the track like I think it will, we have a good shot at a good run!” The qualifying times were some of the closest of the year, with only 1/2 of a second separating 1st from 30th. The tight times put KBIII in the 28th position for the start of the race but he was determined and focused on bring his Aaron’s Dream Machine to the front of the pack.
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With the green flag waving, the 35-car field took off. Running clean, the first caution of the race did not come out until lap 89, allowing drivers to regain their positions and take a quick pit stop. In and out, the Aaron’s Dream Team had outstanding pit stops throughout the evening. Passing was the name of the game for KBIII. Running very good, KBIII fought his way toward the front of the pack making it into the 12th position. Lap 192 brought out the third caution of the night when Shane Huffman, driving the #81 car spun his car down the front straightway. KBIII held good positioning for the restart on lap 201 but was forced to the back of the pack when he was penalized for getting into the inside lane to early. On the restart on lap 201, KBIII experienced trouble when the engine shut off. KBIII attempted to get going again but with internal technical problems, the car slowed and the Dream Machine was hit from behind by #51 Joey Logano. Having to make a quick decision, KBIII and the Aaron’s Dream Team decided to park the Dream Machine instead of taking chances on blowing up the motor. KBIII was forced to park the Dream Machine on lap 205 taking the 29th position in the Mark Brooks Memorial Bi-Lo 250.
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The Mark Brooks Memorial Bi-Lo 250 featured eight lead changes among six drivers and was slowed six times for 37 laps of caution. Benny Gordon, driver of the #66 Predator took home the checkered flag.
To see the race:
You can catch the Mark Brooks Memorial Bi-Lo 250 on Saturday October 29, at 10:00pm on the Speed Channel
Next Stop:
With only two races remaining in the USAR Hooters ProCup Series, the next stop will be the Dan Duncan Memorial Kroger 250 at Motor Mile Speedway in Radford, VA. Saturday, November 5th at 6:00pm.
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