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Gordon Carries Momentum
into Lucas Oil 200
Defending Northern Division champion
closing in on St. Amant, point lead
USAR ProCup, Paul Warner (June 26, 2007)
(Click Here for Original Article)
Myrtle Beach, S.C. - In racing, confidence is key. And Benny
Gordon has always had more than enough. That is, until after last
year.
After three consecutive Northern Division titles and one overall
Hooters Pro Cup title, Gordon found himself in the position no racer
likes to be in: looking for a ride.
Benny Gordon, driver of the No. 66n Samuel Metals
Ford, tries to make his way towards the front of the field
early in the Greased Lightning 200 at Myrtle Beach Speedway. Gordon
started 21st and rumbled to finish fourth.
(Kathy Bond Photo) |
Fortunately, for Gordon, Predator Performance and Johnny Dangerfield
merged to create North-South Motorsports, giving Gordon a home for
the 2007 season. But the deal happened late, and Gordon was behind
for the first time in his Pro Cup career.
"Anytime you have a bunch of changes in the off-season, it beats you
down, whether you think it does or not," said Gordon, driver of the
No. 66 Samuel Metals Ford. "We were looking for money to race, and
we lost some good crew guys. Thankfully, Samuel Metals came on board
and Johnny Dangerfield came into help me out. It just took a couple
of races to get going."
After two races, Gordon was 24th in points, the lowest he had been
since his rookie season. But that seems like an eternity ago now. |
Gordon
picked up his first win of the season at Madison (Wis.) Int’l
Speedway and jumped from 24th to fourth in the standings after
scoring a maximum 180 points. The DuBois, Pa., driver backed his win
up with a top-five run at Mansfield (Ohio) Motorsports Park, pushing
Gordon to second in points. He continued the momentum with top-15
run in his first Craftsman Truck start at Milwaukee and a top 5 at
Myrtle Beach.
"We had that win, then had a good run in the truck and we ran fourth
at Myrtle Beach, now the momentum is back on our side," said Gordon.
"Our guys have been making good pit stops, and the whole program is
turning around."
But Gordon will need the momentum-and more-to conquer Salem
Speedway, the site of Saturday’s running of the Lucas Oil 200
presented by Kmart. Salem Speedway is the only track that Gordon
hasn’t won at on the Northern Division schedule.
"I’m looking forward to going to Salem," said Gordon. "We won the
pole last year, and we’ve had fast cars there. For whatever reason,
we just haven’t been able to win there."
After starting from the pole last year at Salem, Gordon developed a
mechanical problem and finished 11th. Jeff Agnew, driver of the No.
73 Mark IV Suzuki/Team 7 Ford, worked his way around A.J. Frank on
Lap 229 of the BFGoodrich Tires 250 presented by Holley Performance
and held off a hard-charging Woody Howard to win at Salem Speedway
on Saturday, July 29.
While Howard, who switched to the Southern Division, won’t be in the
mix this season, Frank and Agnew will be in attendance. Former ASA
National Tour standout and current Southern Division competitor,
Mike Garvey, will also be making the trip, simply because Salem
Speedway is one of his favorite tracks. Throw in a 15 other could-be
winners, and Gordon will have his work cut out for him.
But as he’s shown in recent weeks, Gordon’s bravado is still intact,
and he’s ready to take on all-comers.
The Lucas Oil 200 presented by Kmart is scheduled for a green flag
at 7 p.m. on Saturday, June 30. Front gates will open at 3 p.m. for
the general public. BFGoodrich Tires Pole Qualifying is scheduled to
start at 4 p.m.
Following qualifying, the ARA Limited Late Models will compete in a
45-lap feature. The Wraps INK Autograph Session will begin at 5:45
p.m. Pre-race ceremonies begin at 6:30 p.m. After the Lucas Oil 200,
the ARA Pro Truck Series will compete in a 45-lap feature.
For more information, contact Salem Speedway at (812) 883-6504 or
visit www.salemspeedway.com.
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