Arena Racing returns for stretch run
Published 10:05 pm Friday, January 9, 2009
HAMPTON — After a nearly-month-long holiday break, Arena Racing USA’s Hampton Roads series swings back into action this Sunday, Jan. 11, as the stretch drive to the $10,000 championship begins in earnest.
Sunday’s “Faith Night” lineup includes A, B and C Mains — 50 laps apiece. The top six finishers from the A Main and the top four finishers from the B and C Mains advance to the 50-lap Top Dog finale, the day’s featured event. Also, Christian rock band “Solace” will perform during the intermission between the Mains and the Top Dog feature.
Doors open at 3 p.m. and racing starts at 4. Drivers will be available to meet and greet fans before and after the program.
Adult tickets are $10 and include one free kids (3-12) ticket. Additional kids tickets are $5 each. Tickets for military, senior citizens and students (13-18) are $7. Kids under 3 are admitted free when accompanied by an adult.
Teammates Adam Florian and Scott Prillaman hold the top two spots in the current series standings. Florian enjoys a 13-point advantage, 245-232, over defending champ Prillaman.
Derek Miller (228), Jordan Wood (222) and Patrick Morgan (214) round out the top five, while Charlie Green (212), Denver Alvis (201), Greg Pass (195), Spencer Saunders (195) and Craig Carlton (192) complete the top 10.
At the end of the season each driver’s two worst outings (or missed events) will be tossed before the final standings are calculated.
In the current “adjusted” rankings, Florian and Prillaman still occupy the first and second places. Florian’s margin shrinks, however, to only six points, 193-187.
Five drivers from the Hampton Roads series — Patrick Morgan, Jordan Wood, Aaron Leach, Matt Leach and Mike Weddell — got an early jump on the 2009 portion of the schedule, heading up to the DeltaPlex Arena in Grand Rapids, Mich., for last Saturday’s North vs. South Shootout.
Weddell scored a win in the C Main. Aaron Leach, led the local contingent in the A Main, coming home in third. Morgan was fourth and Wood was eighth.
In the evening’s final race, the 50-lap North vs. South Shootout, Hampton Roads drivers flexed their muscles and swept the top four spots. Morgan posted the victory, followed by Wood, Aaron Leach and Weddell.