HAMPTON – Defending race winner Clay Rogers of Mooresville, N.C., will lead the charge as the USARacing Pro Cup Series rolls back into Langley Speedway this Saturday for the Second Annual Hampton Virginia 250.

The Crossroads Fuel Service Late Model Stock Cars, the track’s NASCAR Whelen All-American Series featured division, is also slated for action in the Budweiser 100, rounding out a big Memorial Day Weekend program.

Front gates open at 1 p.m. Late Model qualifying begins at 4, followed by Pro Cup time trials. The Pro Cuppers’ traditional autograph session gets under way at 5:45, while pre-race ceremonies and driver introductions start at 6:30. The Hampton Virginia 250 goes green at 7 and the Bud 100 wraps up the night.

Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for children, 6-12. “Little Race Fans” (under 6) are admitted free when accompanied by an adult. Military personnel (active-duty or retired, with ID) and senior citizens (60+, with ID) receive a $2 discount off the adult ticket price.

Advance tickets may be purchased online at www.langley-speedway.com or in the Speedway office during regular business hours.

With three lead changes on the final lap, last year’s edition of the Hampton Virginia 250 became an instant classic.

Local standout Woody Howard was out front at the white flag, but gave way to Bobby Gill. The two made contact at the end of the backstretch and skittered up the track in Turns 3 and 4, opening the inside lane for Rogers and rookie contender Lucas Ransone.

When the four-way slugfest reached the flagstand, Rogers was the winner by just 58-thousandths of a second over Ransone.

The victory was the first of three in a row for Rogers and propelled him to his third series title.

Through four Pro Cup events this season, Rogers resides atop the series standings.

While Rogers wheeled the No. 54 Chevy Impala for Charlotte car owner Jimmy Craig last season, he is bringing some local flavor to the current campaign, teaming up with Chesapeake-based L&R Racing, which fields the No. 16 Ford Fusion.

Led by crew chief Jamie Mosley, the L&R squad possesses a winning pedigree at Langley. The team produced a couple of Late Model championships with legendary driver Phil Warren before moving on to Pro Cup competition.

Heading into Saturday’s Budweiser 100, Greg Edwards holds a six-point advantage over his brother, Danny Edwards Jr., in the Late Model standings, 232-226. The Falk brothers, C.E. and Wes, are just behind with 224 apiece. Woody Howard is fifth, at 212.