HAMPTON, Va. (Mar. 24) — Virtually deadlocked atop the Pro Series standings after 14 events, Scott Prillaman and Adam Florian square off one last time this Saturday, Mar. 27, as Arena Racing Hampton Roads puts the wraps on its 2009-10 season with the Great Atlantic 200 to benefit the Tidewater chapter of Susan G. Komen for the Cure.
Saturday’s Pro Series lineup includes three 50-lap feature races — the A, B and C Mains. The top six finishers from the A Main and the top four finishers from the B and C Mains advance to the 50-lap Top Dog race, the evening’s grand finale. The Youth Series is also slated for action as Connor Hall looks to cap an unbeaten campaign.
Doors open at 6 p.m. for the pre-race pit party and the racing program gets under way at 7, following opening ceremonies. Drivers will also be available to meet fans on the concourse at the conclusion of the Top Dog feature.
Tickets are $10 for adults. When purchased at the Coliseum box office, each regularly-priced adult ticket also includes one free kids (3-12) ticket. Additional kids tickets are $5. Military personnel (with ID), senior citizens (65+, with ID) and students (13-18) receive a $2 discount off the adult ticket price. Tiny race fans (under 3) are admitted free. Tickets are available at the Coliseum box office, Ticketmaster locations and online at www.ticketmaster.com. A service fee will be added to each ticket purchase.
Heading into Saturday’s season-ender, the battle for the $10,000 Pro Series crown could hardly be closer. Prillaman, the 2007-08 champ, holds a one-point edge over Florian, the 2008-09 titlist — 434-433.
Before the final standings are tabulated, though, each driver’s two worst showings will be tossed out. Taking those dropped events into consideration, Florian moves ahead of Prillaman by one — 383-382. If momentum plays any role in this week’s outcome, Prillaman could be in trouble. His worst two outings of the season have come in the last two events.
With the points so tight, a definite possibility exists that Prillaman and Florian could finish in a dead heat. In that case, Prillaman would get the championship nod. He enjoys a 5-4 edge over Florian in A Main wins — the first tiebreaker. Should Florian even that count with an A Main win on Saturday, then the second tiebreaker would come into play — B Main wins. Prillaman has the advantage there, 1-0.
Behind Prillaman and Florian in the standings, four drivers are tussling for the third spot. With an A Main win and a runner-up finish in the Top Dog race last Friday, Jordan Wood has opened a nine-point edge over Derek Miller, who ranks fourth. Travis Wall and Charlie Green are just one point behind Miller.
The top 20 drivers will each earn a share of the series’ $35,000 points fund and the tussle for the final paying position could turn out to be as heated as the chase for the title. Matt Midgett is currently on the bubble, one point ahead of Mike Dayton and two ahead of Anthony Perez and Josh Ayer. Jason Styron and Chris Crecelius are also in the mix, four and six points behind Midgett, respectively.
Inspired by a woman’s promise to her dying sister, Susan G. Komen for the Cure was founded in 1982 and has become the global leader in the fight against breast cancer. The organization is the world’s largest source of nonprofit funds dedicated to finding a cure for the disease, having invested nearly $1.5 billion toward the effort over the years. To learn more about the group, visit their Web site — www.komen.org.
Arena Racing Hampton Roads will hold its annual awards banquet on Saturday, April 3, at the Hilton Norfolk Airport. The social hour begins at 6 p.m. and dinner is served at 7, followed by the awards ceremonies, dancing and other fun activities. Tickets are $50 and may be purchased through the series office. Call (757) 216-4426 or e-mail Blake@ArenaRacingUSA.com.