Mignogna looks forward to jennerstown return

GREENSBURG, PA (May 20, 2005) … United Speed Alliance Racing (USAR) Hooters ProCup North rookie-of-the-year contender Jason Mignogna is looking forward to returning to the friendly confines of Pennsylvania’s  Jennerstown Speedway Saturday evening May 28 for the running of the Naturally Fresh 250.

Mignogna, who started his racing career at Jennerstown back in 1991 driving a street stock, is hoping a return to the Somerset County half-mile paved oval will bring him some ‘home cooking’ and as change of luck.

The 32-year-old Greensburg driver has been plagued with engine problems during his last two outings at Lonesome Pine, VA and Indianapolis Raceway Park.

“We could sure use a change of luck,” said Mignogna. “We didn’t make the race in Virginia after blowing up in practice. Things were a little better at Indianapolis, but the end result was the same.”

For awhile at Indianapolis things appeared to be a great deal better for Mignogna and his Jugular/YET Health Drink team. After qualifying 18^th out of a 46 car field on the tricky 5/8 mile IRP oval, Mignogna worked his way to 12th place in the race before he heard strange noises coming from the engine department.

“We were cruising and heading for the front,” Mignogna said. “Right around lap 50  I heard something break in the engine and that was it. The good news is that the car is working much better. Our crew chief, Denny Wade, had a perfect set-up under the car, and I’m confident we would have had a top-10 run.”

Mignogna is hoping a return home will bring an end to the run of early season misfortune.

“Jennerstown is only a half hour from my house. I have turned a lot of laps there, and we’re looking to turn things around,” added Mignogna. “Carl Wegner is putting together a new engine package for us, and I’m confident we’ll get things back on track.