LANDIS FINALLY CAPTURES GOLD CUP

 August 7, 2009

     In 2007, Jack Landis was leading the SUPERPRO Series International Trucks Gold Cup 100 when a failed ignition cost him victory. Last year, he blew an engine after taking the white flag while leading. Saturday night, he led the final 67 laps around the ½ mile Baer Field Speedway to capture the twelfth annual classic.

     Leading rookie contender Kyle Hayden and Rick Everidge led the 20 car field to the green with Everidge jumping into the early lead. An altercation between Matt Hall and Royce Mason brought out the first caution on lap 10. Everidge and Hayden continued to lead the pack as Landis, Mike Kugler and current point leader Tom Smith began to move through the field.

     Landis grabbed third on lap 25, second on lap 31, and into the lead on lap 33. Kugler moved to second on lap 34 and began to apply the pressure to Landis. On lap 47, Smith moved into third and made it a three way battle for the lead.

     At the halfway point, it was Landis, Kugler, Smith, Al Cook, Jr., Everidge, Steven Brooks, Andy Marchiniak, Hayden, Jason Dietsch, and Mark Hankowsky. The tough luck that has hounded Everidge for the entire 2009 season continued as he dropped out on lap 59 with engine failure.

     The top 5 remained the same with the exception of Brooks moving into fifth with Everidge’s departure. Kugler made several bids for the lead but Landis managed to hold him off. A late race caution on lap 92 brought out the final caution and closed Kugler and Smith to the leader’s rear bumper but Landis was able to hold on the final eight laps for the victory. Al Cook, Jr. was fourth followed by Dietsch, Brooks, Marchiniak with Hayden, Hall and Ryan Inman rounding out the top ten.

    "This place owed me one,"said a happy Landis in victory lane. "After coming so close the previous two years, I was wondering what was going to happen next."

     Smith was the Aluminum Racing Products fast qualifier and Hankowsky was awarded the ARP "Hard Luck"award. Hayden was again the Turbo Blue Racing Gas - Corrigan Oil "Rookie of the Race" Hall was the AllStar Performance - Lane Automotive Hard Charger and Kevin Todd nabbed the Penske Racing Shocks "Shocking Move of the Race"award. Dietsch and Inman were awarded Randercar Racing Enterprise contingencies with Al Cook, Jr, Brooks and Hayden grabbing the Racing Junk.com awards.

     The SUPERPRO Series moves to Plymouth Speedway on Sunday, September 27 for its Season Championship race as part of the 2009 Stock Car Festival. For more information, go to the web at www.superproracing.com.

INTERNATIONAL TRUCKS AND ENGINES GOLD CUP 100 RESULTS

1. JACK LANDIS #10

2. MIKE KUGLER #2

3. TOM SMITH #27

4. AL COOK JR. #88

5. JASON DIETSCH #7

6. STEVEN BROOKS #05

7. ANDY MARCHINIAK #72

8. KYLE HAYDEN #14

9. MATT HALL #04

10. RYAN INMAN #94

11. HANK TEWES #12

12. KEVIN TODD #92

13. MARK HANKOWSKY #19

14. ROYCE MASON II #5

15. RICK EVERIDGE #63

16. TOMMY COOK #8

17. PAUL FREELAND #77

18. DANNY LEECK #12

19. SCOTT MENLEN #86

20. JACK SMITH #28

21. JEREMY CURNS #98 DID NOT START