Could ‘3’ Be Gordon’s Magic Number in the Hooters 250?

Myrtle Beach, S.C.—Benny Gordon is looking his third win of the season and his third win at Jennerstown Speedway. If he can complete the trifectas in the Hooters 250 on Saturday, July 25, Gordon may be on the fast track to becoming the first Hooters Pro Cup driver in history to win four divisional titles.

“That’s the plan,” said Gordon, driver of the No. 66n Samuel Metals Ford. “Our team is really starting to come together at the right time.”

Even though Gordon didn’t pick up his first win until the last race out at Motor Mile, it wasn’t as though he was slumping.

The DuBois, Pa., driver started the season out with a win in a Southern Division race at USA Int’l Speedway, finished in the top five in the first four Sears Auto Center Northern Division races and held a 35-point lead over Mikey Kile going into the last event at Motor Mile.

Gordon’s win at Motor Mile, coupled with Kile’s 25th-place finish, pushed him 111 points ahead of Gary St. Amant coming into Jennerstown, which just happens to be Gordon’s home track.

“I have some special memories at Jennerstown,” said Gordon. “I got my first Pro Cup win there. It’s always fun to go there, especially with all the support we get from the fans. Plus, we usually have a bad [fast] car every time we unload.”

In seven starts at Jennerstown, Gordon has two wins, three poles and four top-five finishes. Even with the home-field advantage, don’t expect Gordon to waltz to victory. Jeff Agnew, driver of the No. 73n Team 7 Ford, has multiple wins at Jennerstown and has competed in every event run at the facility.

Southern Division regulars Mark McFarland and Clay Rogers will likely make the trip to Jennerstown for an out-of-division skirmish. Add Gary St. Amant, Brandon Ward, Mikey Kile, Allen Purkhiser, Jay Fogleman, Tim Bainey and Derek Kale to the list of contenders, and Gordon should have his hands full. But Gordon’s not one to back down from a good fight.

“I’m not trying to sound too cocky, but they could be in for a brutal beating,” said Gordon. “I think we’re going to have a really strong piece, and we’re going to go test. We’ve always been fast, and I don’t see that changing. I’m really looking forward to it.”

Gordon will get his chance to show his wares on Saturday at 11:30 a.m., when practice opens. Fans are encouraged to come out early for Awesome Awnings Pole Qualifying at 4:30 p.m. At 5:45 p.m., spectators will be allowed to mingle with the starting lineup during the Wraps INK Autograph Session. Prerace ceremonies begin at 6:30 p.m., followed by the start of the Hooters 250 at 7 p.m.