BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (March 21, 2002) – 20-year old ASA Rookie Brandon Miller is poised for victory at W J Pleamons Investments 200 presented by Jani-King at USA International Speedway in Lakeland, Florida this Sunday, March 24. Miller will be driving the # 4 Oakley/Mercury Racing/Lennox Chevrolet Monte Carlo. The race will be broadcast live on TNN at 2 p.m. EST.
Miller tested at USA International Speedway in early March and quickly felt at home. “USA International is a fast, challenging track, just like my home track, Mesa Marin in Bakersfield,” says Miller. “But USA International is bigger and faster, with long straights and tight turns. The track will make for a very exciting race this Sunday.”
Miller comes to USA International Speedway as the latest member of the Holland, Mich.-based API Motorsports team. API tapped Miller when owner Bud Gebben decided to add a second car to his championship-winning team for an up-and-coming driver. Gebben’s other car is driven by ASA legend and two-time series champion Gary St. Amant. “When we decided to field a second car, we were looking for someone who was young, fast and willing to learn,” says Gebben. “We knew as soon as we met Brandon that he was the man for the job. Reinforcing our decision was his test earlier this month. Brandon looks like he’s going to be a great success this year and is a great addition to our team.”
St. Amant, a seventeen year ASA veteran, agrees. “Brandon is very smooth and within minutes of first seeing and driving USA International, he was fast,” he says. “He’s going to be a tough competitor and a great teammate this season.”
Joining Miller’s efforts for the 2002 season is Mercury Racing, a division of Mercury Marine. “Mercury Racing is proud to sponsor a successful racer such as Brandon Miller and to rekindle the rich stock car racing heritage Mercury Marine founder Carl Kiekhaefer created with his innovative NASCAR teams in the 1950s,” said Tony Esposito, Director of Mercury Racing Marketing and Sales. “It's an easy decision to back a comer of Brandon’s caliber. We look forward to a long relationship.”
Oakley returns for 2002 as a longtime Brandon Miller sponsor. The southern-California based manufacturer of high-performance apparel has supported drivers such as NASCAR legends Rusty Wallace and Bobby Labonte and Formula One pilot and Indianapolis 500 champion Juan Pablo Montoya. They see the same potential in Miller. “I have been working with Brandon Miller for six years and have known him for more than 10,” says Todd Hayes, Oakley Sports Marketing. “Brandon has the whole package. Appearance, image and talent is what I base my program on and Brandon Miller fits that mold.”
A new associate sponsor for 2002 is Lennox Industries, a premium manufacturer of residential and commercial heating and air conditioning equipment and related products.
About Brandon Miller
A lifetime race fan born into a racing family, Miller began racing go-karts at the tender age of 11. After six years of U.S. and Europe karting experience, Miller found a home driving stock cars. In the 1999 through 2001 racing seasons driving Super Late Model stock cars in the southwest, Miller finished in the top ten 30 times and won seven races. Miller has also driven in one ASA race, a few NASCAR Featherlite Southwest Series races and one Winston West race.
“Those experiences just whet my appetite for more big-time racing opportunities,” says Miller. “Our 2002 program with API Motorsports and Gary St. Amant, and great sponsors Oakley, Mercury Racing and Lennox will put us in the winner’s circle this year.”
Race Information
The first of three practice sessions for the W J Pleamons Investments 200 presented by Jani-King begins at 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 23 with two-lap qualifications for the 36-car starting field taking place at 4 p.m. On Sunday, the on-track autograph session begins at noon with pre-race ceremonies starting at 1:15 p.m. The 200-lap event goes green at 2 p.m. Tickets for the season-opening event are available through the ASA ticket office and are $12, $15, $20 and $25 dollars each depending on seat location. Qualifying day admission is $10. For additional ticket information, call the ASA ticket line, (765) 778-2105 or, toll-free, 1-888-ASA-1020.
