November 29, 1999                                               -by Rick Anges

Derrick Kelley Wins Alan Kulwicki Memorial 300 At USA International

brought out by 16 year old Regan Smith #28, as he looped the car on lap 9. On the restart Smith's motor expired on the backstretch exploding in a ball of flame but was quickly extinguished ending the youngsters night early.

The green flag brought more side by side racing, with #17 Ricky Hendricks son of NASCAR star Jeff Gordon's car owner Rick Hendricks made impressive moves through the field battling up and moving into the top ten quickly in the event.
#44 Justin Labonte had his troubles after running well early in the race with several spins and hard crashes calling for him to retire before the end of the race.

On a restart after one of the 16 cautions in the race the cars mid pack were running 2 and 3  wide resulting in an inevitable 13 car pile up damaging several cars including rookie points leader #0 Steven Christian with severe front end damage. But he was able to return after great pit work when his team had to remove the whole front nose clip on the car making it look like a modified instead of a Pro-Cup car. Number 52, Jason Bowser's, car was the worst damaged in the melee and was unable to continue.

three wide -

Gill looked like he was going to runaway from the rest of the pack when he got tangled up with a lapped car and spun on lap 91 putting him to the rear of the field. After pit stops by several leaders for fuel and tires Hendricks assumed the lead under the caution followed by a hard charging #25 Scott Wimmer who made a great charge up through the field to battle and take the lead from the #17.

Also racing hard up through the pack after starting 26th was local favorite Derrick Kelley #21 sliding into 3rd the taking the 2nd spot from young Hendricks. Kelley and Wimmer fought tooth and nail for the lead for the next 35-40 laps trading the lead back and forth but also watching the other teams stop for gas and then on lap 148 the unthinkable happened as Kelley' machine sputtered on the back stretch and ran out of fuel causing him to coast in under green to get fueled. Adding to the problem, Derrick's car failed to fire and had to be pushed down pit road by his crew before he could get it running and rejoin the race two precious laps down to the rest of the field.

The half way leader Wimmer was the next to fall victim to the empty tank blues sputtering as he crossed the start finish line on lap 152 but being able to make it around to the pits to refuel and going one lap down.

#5 Gill was having a great drive through the field after his early problems. Mario Gosselin wasn't as lucky though breaking on lap 177. Meanwhile
Wimmer and Kelley were driving fast and furious trying to make up their lost
laps.  Kelley was in line for a $25,000 bonus from the Four Champions Challenge if he could pull off the win which with over half the race gone seemed literally impossible.

But the best was yet to come. Wimmer eventually got his lap back and Kelley also was able to get one of his back. #47 Andy Thurman was able to lead 63 of the laps followed the whole evening by a great driving #51 David "Buggy" Pletcher.
The #05 of Mardy Lindley also had an impressive showing in the Herschel Walker Aloe-Vera racing machine running in the top ten and avoiding trouble all through the night. Meanwhile Wimmer had made it back through the field and had cracked the top 5 when Hendricks dove low pushing him hard into the turn 1 wall taking him out and getting Ricky the black flag sending him to the trailer for rough driving.  Also running into trouble was the #5 of Gill who smacked the turn 3 wall ending it early.

Lyndon Amick, Scott Wimmner, David L. Pletcher, and Andy Thurman battled it out lap after lap

This opened the door for a dominating run to the front from 2 laps down for Derrick Kelley, who took the lead on lap 260 and never looked back, crossing the finish line to collect his $25,000 bonus and $8,000 winner purse for a very profitable evening after looking like was going to be a disappointing one.

#05 Marty Lindley captured 2nd, #47 Andy Thurman held on for a great run for 3rd, 4th place went a hard charging #51 of "Buggy" Pletcher and #00 Lance Moss quietly took the 5th place spot.

Champagne flew as a jubilant Kelly climbed from his machine saying" never count the 21 out!"as he collected his over $33,000 winnings.  #0 Steven Christian held on and ran right with leaders even with half a car and gathered '99 Rookie of the Year honors and fireworks flew as Bobby Gill was crowned 1999 Hooters Pro-Cup Champion to end another great year with a great race.

This series is one of the best in the country with up and coming and current stars from all divisions making the races and USA International Speedway is a fantastic speedway to watch them race on. With all the action and the fast paced excitement it was definitely the race of the year!!

 Congratulations to Bobby Gill on a super championship run this year and also to Derrick Kelley for a come back that rates right up there with a Elway or Marino feat(only  better)........
                                       From Lakeland............Rick Anges