For Immediate Release
Release Prepared By: RACE22.com
Photo Courtesy: RACE22.com

Coeburn, VA(July 8, 2010) -- Ronnie Bassett Jr. continued his quest for the Rookie of the Year honors in the UARA-STARS series this past Saturday when the series visited Lonesome Pine Raceway for a Fourth of July special. From the very start of the day Bassett felt it would be his chance to shine in the spotlight and got the ball rolling well by winning his first series pole with a lap of 16.480 seconds besting series veteran Alex Yontz by a mere 0.037 seconds.

At the start cold tires got the best of Bassett causing him to be a touch loose while coming up to speed and allowing Yontz to get the advantage and take over the top spot on the track. Bassett made the wise choice and tucked into Yontz's tire tracks and
 

began to follow him as the laps ticked onto the score board.
Bassett continued to run in Yontz's tire tracks unchallenged for over 50 laps until UARA regular and occasional Nationwide driver Coleman Pressley caught up to him and began to make looks for the second spot.

The challenges began on lap 58 but it would take Pressley until lap 85 to be able to work his way past Bassett. Bassett then followed Pressley on the outside a handful of laps later to bypass Yontz and move back into second place. About 30-laps later Brennan Poole, who remains the only repeat winner in UARA this season, began to challenge Bassett for second and Bassett wisely chose to duck behind Poole and follow him. Not long after, Poole would reel in leader Pressley and make contact on lap 122 sending Pressley for a spin and putting Bassett safely back in second place on the track.

After a few more cautions the field was about to restart with ten laps to go and Bassett lining up in second behind Poole looking to make a challenge for the win. As they went green Bassett made his look to the inside going into the corner but it just wasn't enough to overcome the series points leader as Poole drove away leaving Bassett to settle for second place.

Although he had to "settle", the second place finish made for Bassett's best of the season and earned him the Rookie of the Race award, his second this season. Bassett also made considerable gains in the points standings as three of the drivers in front of him all encountered troubles en route to finishing ninth or worse in the final rundown.

"It was a great day for us and I owe it all to BJ Mackey and the guys behind me," said Bassett of his run on the 3/8 mile track. "Winning that first pole was a great feeling, now it's time to go out and earn that first win."

Bassett will take this upcoming week off as a chance to go over ways to improve his game as they prepare for a return trip to Tri-County Motor Speedway in Hudson, North Carolina on Friday, July 16 for what should be another amazing, fireworks filled show from Ronnie Bassett, Jr. and the rest of the UARA-STARS series.

Bassett is supported by K-Guard Gutter Systems, Bassett Gutters and More, Marlowe Racing Chassis, BJM Racing, Billy Banks Racing Engines, Circle Racing Wheels and RACE22.com. For more information on Ronnie Bassett, Jr. visit his website at www.ronniebassettjr.com or contact RACE22 Driver Management at 276-613-4208.