Texas Speedzone - Roper Rocks ‘em in USRA Truck Series Event at Thunder Hill Raceway

For Immediate Release – April 16, 2006
Contact: Nick Holt, USRA Media Director
(210) 415-1251
(210) 690-8564
cnholt@sbcglobal.net
nick@texasspeedzone.com

Roper Rocks ‘em in USRA Truck Thriller at Thunder Hill Raceway
By J M Hallas

Kyle, TX (April 16, 2006) - USRA Truck Series driver Craig Roper came home with a victory Saturday night in the USRA Truck Series 50-lap feature at Thunder Hill Raceway in Kyle, Texas, Saturday night.

In qualifying the pace was set by Steve Green in the Magnum Trailers, Smokey J's BBQ, Royal Vista Custom Homes, ARTS Chassis truck. After a win in San Antonio last race, Green seems to be on a hot streak as he looks to unseat Lehman for the 2006 championship.

"We found some things," said Green. "We've put a lot of work into this and changed everything underneath. Of course, I've gained a little experience, too. Tonight we have something to prove after some things were said after the last race. We're going to work hard to win this race. With our starting spot (5th), we're going to have to tighten it up and probably run the high side some."

With a five-truck invert, rookie Jody Buzbee and Craig Roper led the field of 14 USRA Trucks, with fast-qualifier Green in fifth. Before the start of the 50 lap event, Bubba Marshall broke and rolled to a stop in the pit exit. Once the green flag flew, Buzbee and Roper stayed side-by-side with Buzbee leading the first lap. Roper fought back to get the bumper across the line first on lap 2. The young Buzbee, who won the series opener, regained the point on lap 3, with Green and Bryan Meredith door to door for third.

Buzbee finally cleared Roper on lap 4, leaving him now side-by-side with Meredith. Roper and Meredith continued their door-to-door battle with some occasional light contact until lap 9 when Roper got in line second. Once on the bottom, Roper quickly reeled in Buzbee for the lead. Roper looked high on lap 13 in turns 1-2, but fell back in line. By lap 15 the lead duo had a small gap back to Green and Meredith running side by side for third, with defending series champion, Shawn Paul Lehman a close fifth.

Green was able to get under Meredith, bringing Lehman along as they hung Meredith on the high side. Green caught the leaders on lap 20 with the top three now nose to tail. Roper ducked inside Buzbee coming out of turn 4 to get the top spot on lap 21, while Buzbee slammed the door on Green. Once in clean air, Roper was able to pull away from Buzbee and Green.

Coming to halfway Green got by Buzbee, with Roper on the point and Lehman and Rusty Mirth rounding out the top five. Roper ran out to nearly a three second advantage over Green who had a gap back to Buzbee and Lehman. Lehman had just gotten by Buzbee when the race’s only caution waved on lap 33 for a spin by Kevin Bendele, who looped it right in front of Roper.

Roper had a lapped truck between him and Green as the race resumed and was easily out to an eight truck-length lead. In the pack, Mirth, Mike Morganson and Bill Hamilton battled for fifth. Lehman was forced to re-pass Buzbee taking the spot on lap 44 as Buzbee began fading. With five to go Buzbee had fallen in the clutches of the three truck fight for fifth. Buzbee and Mirth
made contact as they fought for positions in the final laps. As the checkers waved it was Roper in the Brian’s Tire, Bradford’s Transmissions, McGinnis Welding Supply, ARTS Chassis taking the victory by 10 truck lengths.

"I just kept fighting," said Roper. "We got stuck outside, but I just dug and dug and made it stick. We changed a lot for the race. Kind of like the last race with springs. We tried some stuff and never got to practice it. You just have to see what the truck's doing. I hope we can keep up this momentum and run for the championship this year. We'll see how we do when we go back to San Antonio."

USRA Truck Series Results at Thunder Hill Raceway, 4/15/06

Finishing Position, Car Number, Hometown, Fastest Race Lap, Laps Completed

1. (40) Craig Roper, Vernon, TX, 16.448, 50 Laps
2. (54) Steve Green, Marble, Falls, TX, 16.435, 50
3. (28) Shawn Paul Lehman, Manchaca, TX, 16.590, 50
4. (1) Jody Buzbee, Waco, TX, 16.662, 50
5. (44) Mike Morganson, Magnolia, TX, 16.675, 50
6. (07) Rusty Mirth, Austin, TX, 16.680, 50
7. (11) Bill Hamilton, Red Oak, TX, 16.615, 50
8. (31) Jim Albert, Lockhart, TX, 16.767, 50
9. (12) Kevin Bendele, Cibolo, TX, 49, 16.798
10. (72) Brent Bell, Katy, TX, 16.896, 48
11. (38) Cameron Moore Jr, Buda, TX, 17.172, 47
12. (30) Bryan Meredith, Austin, TX, 16.635, 47
13. (32) Neal Rogers, Luling, TX, 17.010, 30
14. (42) Bubba Marshall, NT, 0
15. (2) Matt Howell-DNS