DEBRA SLATER-MANTER
PHOTO
The UARA-STARS had a weekend off and several of the
STARS drivers took on Hickory Motor Speedway for the
second annual Dwight Huffman Memorial race. Paddy
Rodenbeck was on the point for the show and he
definitely was on a mission. Rodenbeck lead many
laps wowing the crowd. Shortly after a caution on
the restart Rodenbeck and former UARA Rookie of the
Year Steve Wallace got together. There was some
serious racing between these two. Rodenbeck’s car
spun and he was relinquished to the rear of the
field. With a car like lightning Rodenbeck will come
through the field and still end up with a second
place finish.
2005 UARA Champion Matt McCall also showed the crowd
what the STARS are all about. McCall took the
Randolph Billiards Renegade Challenge to drop from
his second place qualifying position to the rear for
a chance to double his winnings if he could make it
to the front. Make it to the front is exactly what
he did and he did it in great style.
2008 UARA Champion Jake Crum brought home a fourth
place finish. Other STARS current and past were
former UARA rookies of the year Steve Wallace(2004)
and Kyle Grissom(2005). UARA regulars Coleman
Pressley, Jamie Yelton and Jamey Caudill also
competed but had mechanical problems that ended
their nights early.
From my point of view a lot of fans were asking one
another “Who are these guys and where did they come
from?” Local track hero Andy Mercer who has been
winning night after night was probably wishing the
UARA had an event scheduled elsewhere on Saturday.
Mercer was dethroned in a big way by the UARA-STARS.
Maybe he will come to Tri County Friday July 17,
2009 for his revenge.
Hats off to all the UARA-STARS drivers for an
excellent show of what the UARA is all about – Great
Racers with lots of speed and, talent that show of
what racing is all about.
These awesome drivers and many more of the UARA-STARS
will make their 9th UARA stop for 2009 this Friday
night July 17, 2009 at Tri County Motor Speedway and
will once again wow the fans. Racing along with the
latemodels will be the Street Stock division and the
Pro Challenge cars.
5:00 Grandstands Open: 5:00
5:30 UARA Qualifying followed by Pro Challenge
Qualifying
6:45 Street Stock Qualifying
7:15 Autograph Session
8:00 Gentlemen Start Your Engines
For more info visit www.uara-stars.com or call
828-692-3833
Press Release by: Wink Bodenhamer
