CANONSBURG,
PA (May 27, 2004) – It’s always been said that
playing on a home field is advantageous to
competitors in any sport. It’s the hope of Logan
Dernoshek that home field advantage will play into
his favor this weekend at Jennerstown Speedway for
the USAR Hooters ProCup Series Lucas Oil 250
presented by Murray’s Freightliner/Sterling/Western
Star.
Dernoshek
raced late models in western
Pennsylvania at
Motordrome Speedway between 1999 and 2002, and made
a number of trips out US Route 30 to compete at the
Jennerstown half-mile during those four years. In
2002, he came extremely close to victory in the
Naturally Fresh Challenge Series before a late race
incident while battling for the lead cost him a shot
at the trophy. Coming off of a 14th place
showing at Indianapolis Raceway Park two weeks ago,
Dernoshek is confident that his team has the ability
to run well at his hometown track.
“We want
to improve on our performance from IRP,” said the
Pittsburgh-area resident. “I think we are definitely
capable of a top ten finish. The key to a good
performance is going to be making the most of our
practice time.”
Dernoshek
and others had scheduled a test date at the
Laurel
Highlands facilty on May 21, but severe weather in
the area prohibited anyone from taking to the track
for any number of laps. After the track was repaved
just weeks ago, teams wanted to get an idea of how
the new radial tires and asphalt surface would
react, but everyone will be unloading this weekend
with virtually blank notebooks to base their setups
off of. Normally, running close to home on a green
racetrack
would put
more stress on other competitors, but not Dernoshek.
He’s very optimistic about this weekend’s event.
“The
track is beautiful,” commented the 25-year old
ProCup rookie. “We had a few laps on it when we
shook the car down three weeks ago. It is super
smooth, and I think it will make for great racing. I
would have loved to have gotten to test because I
think it would have been a huge advantage and helped
us do well. Of course, we want to do well
everywhere, but I don't think there is any added
pressure here. It helps that I have had a few laps
around the track. The new pavement kind of puts
everyone on the same page though.”
Tickets
are still available for the Lucas Oil 250 presented
by
Murray’s
Freightliner/Sterling/Western Star by calling the
Jennerstown Speedway ticket office at (814) 629-6677
or visiting
www.jennerstown.com. Spectator
gates open at 3pm and the evening is supplemented by
Allison Legacy Series competition as well as an
on-track autograph session with Dernoshek and the
rest of the stars of the Hooters ProCup Series.
Logan
Dernoshek Racing, Inc. is actively seeking sponsors
and marketing partners for the 2004 season and
beyond. Interested parties can contact the team
through USAR or through team marketing rep Tony
Stevens at (412) 225-0348 for more information. More
information about Logan Dernoshek and the team can
be found online at
www.logandernoshek.com.
The Lucas
Oil 250 will be broadcast on Speed Channel at
8pm ET on June 3 and at
noon on June 4 in conjunction with the "Lunch at
Hooters" promotion.
