or immediate release

Hendersonville, NC (7/31/06) 

Stars to Shine over Newport Speedway 8/5/06

The Stars will shine extra bright at Newport Speedway this Saturday when the UARA-STARS and Gotham Records recording star Tony Justice make their appearance at the speedway for the FOOD CITY 150 Lap Steve Pendergrass Memorial Race.  This race and concert will be a tribute to our friend lost too soon in life. Tony will be on hand to perform with his band, sign autographs and give out tee shirts.  Tony from Rutledge, TN is known for his recording of NASCAR Chicks.  C-93 East Tennessee Racing Station of Newport will be doing a live remote radio show from Food City as well for the fans.

Tony and several of the STARS drivers will be at Food City in Newport Friday night from 4-6 doing a tailgate party.  This is an annual event the STARS have at Food City giving fans some one on one time with the drivers to get autographs etc.  The drivers and Tony both look forward to this event as well as the pit party on Saturday night immediately before the 150 lap race. 

The STARS series have 33 pre race entries for Saturday’s race from six states, more than likely a speedway record late model attendance.  STARS bring with them some of the best late model competitors in the country along with local favorites trying to compete to take the $3000 first place prize. 

Alex Yontz a 20 year old from Walnut Cove, NC has 14 years racing experience.  He began his career in go karts winning both the WKA State and National Championships.  He also has an INEX Legends State Championship under his belt.  Alex ran 4 Craftsman Truck races in 2005.  Alex is the current points leader and feels very confident coming into the next three races.  He visited Newport for the July 3^rd race on an off week for the STARS and had quite a good run and was leading the race when he and the Jeff Myers car got together and he ended up finishing second.  He won the UARA-STARS race at Shenandoah, VA in June and Shenandoah will be our next event after Newport.  Alex said he didn’t want to jinx himself but that things “seem to be going our way”.

R.A. Brown who is currently 5^th in the UARA points hopes to change a pattern he has been in lately.  R.A. said  “We finish fourth and blew up, we finish fourth and crash, we finish fourth and crash” with luck he will break this streak. He then stated “I figure we need to run at least third this week”.  R.A. is a very likeable fellow from Irmo, SC driving a Leicht built Pontiac Grand Prix with a Kowalsky powerhouse in it sponsored by Brown Motor Works, Edens, Avant & NBSC.  R.A. has been racing with the UARA-STARS series since it’s inception in 2002.  Thus far this season R.A. has been awarded the Holley Performer of the Race twice.

R.A.’s father “Pop” is always there and is a very impressive 90 years young and was honored at our Florence race with a plaque presented to him prior to the race.  Pop was a fighter pilot in his younger days and we too honor him for the great service he has done for our country and us.  We always enjoy his friendly personality at our races.   R.A. has a crewmember J.B. who is a motivator for the crowd always going into the stands and tier parking areas talking to the children.  J.B. says that the “ kid karma” brings good luck to the team.  The Brown Racing team is a definite plus to the STARS racing family. 

Melling Select Rookie leader Lucas Ransone has been awarded the rookie of the race award four times thus far this season. Lucas says “ I feel very thankful to be leading the rookie points, there are a lot of good rookie drivers.  If I could end up winning The Melling Select Rookie of the Year that would be a great start to my young racing career.” 

Lucas has also been recognized as the Hard Charger at our race in Lanier.  Lucas a sixteen year old from Madison, NC drives the Tarheel Machine/KRG Utilities Townsend built Monte Carlo powered by a Ronnie Prestwood engine.  Crew chief Charlie Sigmon is not a rookie to racing having worked the ranks from Limited Late models on up to Nextel Cup.  Like Alex Yontz, Lucas also raced in the karting world.  He has 2 WKA National Championships and 5 State WKA titles to his resume. 

The racing at Newport this week should be fast and furious.  Qualifying is usually very close and with the added concert by Tony Justice this will be one fantastic show.   

Grandstand gates open at 4pm. Adults are $15, students $10 and children 9 and under with paying adults are free (these prices does not apply to the pit area).  

For more information go to www.uara-stars.com or call 828-692-3833   Press release by Wink Bodenhamer