UARA-STARS Newport Bound for the Jeff's Auto Sales 150

The first few UARA-STARS events have been scattered over the calendar, but with summer finally here things are looking consistent.

This weekend the STARS will be in the deep mountains of Tennessee at Newport Speedway for the Jeff's Auto Sales 150 lap feature event. Jeff Caldwell is no stranger to the racing community having been involved with racing for many years along with his father Ted. The Caldwells have been avid supporters of the sport and Jeff has even manned the wheel in the past.

Along with the UARA-STARS will be the BM Modifieds, the local Street Stock division and Front Wheel Drive cars.

It will be interesting to see how all the new rookies and newcomers with the UARA will be able to compete on the asphalt oval. Alex Yontz claimed his first 2011 season victory at the last event, with Garret Campbell winning during the spring visit to the track.

UARA contender Kaleb Pressley won the 2008 championship at Newport Speedway. Pressley is a fan favorite at the track and plans a good run there this Saturday. He said " It's a fast little bullring you better bring your A game." Pressley is hoping to turn his luck around after his run at Anderson. He had a throttle return spring break early in the race and ended up watching the action from the pits after lap 29.

Scott Turlington has his momentum built up and should be a strong contender. Devin Jones had his best run with the UARA at Anderson with a second place finish and should be a powerhouse at the Newport oval as well. Several teams have been to practice at Newport last week trying to get a handle on the track. It's any mans game and survival of the speedy little track will be a key to a good finish. With so much talent in the UARA this year any one of the starting drivers is very capable of bringing on the win.

Grandstands will open at 2 p.m. with qualifying at 5:30 p.m. The driver autograph session will begin at 7:00 p.m.
followed by the invocation and National Anthem at 7:55. Racing action will begin at 8:00 p.m. with the Street Stock cars hitting the track for the first event with a 35 lap feature.

Staying on track, the STARS will be hosting their 4th annual Banjo Matthews Memorial 150 at Hickory Motor Speedway the following week, June 23rd. The Banjo Matthews Memorial 150 is in remembrance of Banjo Matthews, who was a hard working and successful race car builder. This memorial race will also help raise awareness and money for a recent scholarship fund in memory of Matthews for the students at Buncombe County Schools. The scholarship is designated to help students who want to pursue a career in motorsports. This year’s scholarship winner is Tanner Lee Brookshire, who is the grandson Ronnie Silvers. Silvers raced at the Asheville and Hickory tracks and housed Busch cars for Michael Waltrip back in the mid 80's.

It will be a full house at Hickory with the local Super Trucks, Allison Legacy, and Vintage cars accompanying the STARS. Not only will fans get the opportunity to meet the UARA-STARS, but also NASCAR Legend Bobby Allison and Ronnie Silvers will be there to sign autographs during the pit party.

Fans can have full and complete access to their favorite UARA-STARS by following them on Twitter (@uarastars) and “like” them on Facebook under the United Auto Racing Association.