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CAM STRADER CLAIMS THIRD VICTORY OF THE SEASON

Jacksonville, N.C. (June 9, 2001) - Cam Strader on a roll as he claims yet another victory in a Goody's Dash Series, NASCAR Touring event. Strader started the day by winning the Bud Pole with a time of 16.437 seconds. He would dominate the race leading twice for 128 of the 150 laps in Saturday night's United Rental/Global Systems, Inc. "!50" at Coastal Plains Raceway.

Justin Hobgood jumped out front to lead the first 16 circuits. Strader fought his way into the lead on lap 17 and led until lap 46 when he and most of the lead lap cars made a pit stop under caution for gas only. Eric Van Cleef, in his Toyota Celica, remained on the track and led the field on the restart. Van Cleef held the top spot from lap 47 through 52 before a tenacious Strader grabbed the lead once again.

The race saw four caution periods for a total of 26 laps. Strader set a blistering pace throughout the remaining laps setting a race record average speed of 66.156 mph. "I have an awesome team led by my Crew Chief Barry Owens and great engines prepared by Jan Smith. I am so excited that we are having this much success so early in the season." Strader was the 2000 Rookie of the Year.

There was plenty of action throughout the field as drivers drove hard trying to keep up with Strader. 2001 Rookie of the Year Points Leader Shane Hmiel scraped the frontstretch wall while running in the top five. Though Hmiel barely broke stride the damage was severe enough to cause him to lose several positions. He ended up in tenth place.

Justin Hobgood finished in second place. Jake Hobgood came in third. Local favorite, Mike Conover finished in fourth place. Conover is from nearby Greenville, N.C. and races in the Late Model Stock Division at Coastal Plains Raceway. This was only his second start in the Goody's Dash Series, NASCAR Touring Division. His first start was last October at this same track. He finished in eleventh place in that race. "I am hoping to run more races this year. Finishing in the top five in only our second start is a real boost for our team."

Series defending Champion Robert Huffman rounded out the top five. Huffman was running in third and tried desperately to get by Justin Hobgood. With just a few laps remaining Huffman dove under Hobgood in turn one and his car broke loose causing him to get into the side of Hobgood providing both drivers with an anxious moment. After the race Hobgood thanked Huffman for keeping them from wrecking. Neither driver wanted a repeat of their last lap tangle the previous week at Louisville.

1. (1) Cam Strader, 150 
2. (3) Justin Hobgood, 150 
3. (4) Jake Hobgood, 150 
4. (8) Mike Conover, 150 
5. (7) Robert Huffman, 150 
6. (5) Joey Miller, 149 
7. (11) Roger Sawyer, 149 
8. (12) Larry Caudill, 149 
9. (10) Eric Van Cleef, 149 
10. (2) Shane Hmiel*, 149 
11. (14) Tim Nichols*, 148 
12. (16) Scott Redmon*, 148 
13. (15) Wayne Edwards*, 146 
14. (6) Scott Weaver, 145 
15. (13) Doug Gainey, 141 
16. (20) William Horton Jr., 112, Engine 
17. (9) Jimmy Britts, 73, Rear End 
18. (17) Bobby Dayton, 65, Accident 
19. (18) Davis Myers, 47, Engine 
20. (19) Scott Thorton, 29, Engine