Best Of The NASCAR Camping World Series Head To The Heartland

The entry list reads like a ‘who’s who’ of NASCAR short-track drivers, from NASCAR Sprint Cup Series development teams to seasoned veterans with championship resumes.

The US Cellular 200 marks the only time the NASCAR Camping World Series East and NASCAR Camping World Series West will meet in the same race with points on the line. And the event has produced an all-star roster of cars.

Mike David (No. 2 Bennett Lane Winery Toyota) and Eric Holmes (No. 20 NAPA Auto Parts Toyota) will resume their championship battle in the NASCAR Camping World Series West. A trio of drivers, including Holmes’ Bill McAnally Racing teammates Austin Cameron and Moses Smith, are lurking right behind the leaders.

“It’s exciting to go back and see what we’ve got,” said David. “When the East Coast guys and the West Coast guys get together, you have the best Camping World Series cars all across the nation. That’s what we do it for: the competition. It should be a lot of fun.”

Austin Dillon (No. 3 Garage Equipment Supply Chevrolet) leads a contingent of NASCAR Camping World Series East drivers that includes Joe Gibbs Racing development driver Marc Davis (No. 18 Slim Jim Toyota) and a bumper crop of Sunoco Rookie of the Year contenders. Five of the top 10 finishes in the season opener at Greenville-Pickens Speedway in South Carolina were rookies.

The roster also features NASCAR Sprint Cup Series star Kasey Kahne (No. 9 Dodge) and 18-year-old Alex Haase (No. 51 Kyle Busch Foundation/Electric Sunglasses Chevrolet) in a car fielded by NASCAR Sprint Cup Series points leader Kyle Busch. Three former NASCAR Whelen All-American Series champions — Greg Pursley (2003), Mark McFarland (2004) and Peyton Sellers (2005) — will attempt to qualify for Sunday’s race.

The Race: US Cellular 200
The Place: Iowa Speedway, Newton, Iowa
The Date: Sunday, May 18
The Time: 4:15 p.m. CT
TV Schedule: HDNet (Live)
SPEED (enhanced replay)
Track Layout: .875-mile paved
Race Purse: $199,970
2007 Winner: Joey Logano
2007 Pole: Kevin Harvick
Schedule:
Saturday: Practice 4:30-6 p.m.
Sunday: Practice 9-10 a.m., Time Trials 12:30-1:30 p.m.
Track Contact: Mike Beecher (641) 791-8000

News & Notes
The race … The US Cellular 200 is the fourth event on the 2008 schedule for the NASCAR Camping World Series West and the second event for the NASCAR Camping World Series East. It is the only combination points race this season for the NASCAR Camping World Series.
The procedure … The starting field is 44 cars, including provisionals. The first 38 cars will qualify through two-lap time trials. The remaining six spots will be awarded through the provisional process. The race will be 200 laps (175 miles).
The track … Iowa Speedway is a 7/8-mile paved oval with compound banking of 12-14 degrees in the corners, 10 degrees in the front stretch and four degrees in the back stretch. The facility, which was designed by former NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Rusty Wallace and opened for operation in 2006, is located east of Des Moines in Newton.
The points … Drivers must designate with series they are running with and will receive championship points based on their finish against drivers in their respective series.
The records … Qualifying: Kevin Harvick, May 20, 2007, 133.775 mph. 23.547 seconds. Race: Joey Logano, May 20, 2007, 80.686 mph, 2 hours 10 minutes 8 seconds.
The Showdown … The overall winner of the US Cellular 200 will earn a protected spot in the postseason NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown (Jan. 23-24, 2009). Mike David, Eric Holmes and Austin Dillon have already earned spots with their victories this season.