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| Staropoli takes part in Hopkins Family Truckers 200 | C.A.R.S. Motorsports & Racer Marketing
Orlando FL. 12-9-06 - Hialeah's own Patrick Staropoli would be one of 29 drivers to take part in the Hopkins Family Truckers 200 to benefit Tommy Hopkins at Orlando Speedworld.
Staropoli who captured the Fascar Pro-Truck 100 Championship at New Smyrna Speedway just two weeks prior came in to the event on a roll. Friday night it was Ramm Transport Pole night and Staropoli had is eye on the award and a $100 bonus. He would clock in fourth when all was said and done.
In Saturday mornings Happy Hour Practice Staropoli knew he had a good truck as the set up from New Smyrna was working well at Orlando as well. " The truck is good and I think we may have something for them tonight" stated Staropoli.
The field prepared for the first ever 200 Lap truck race in Florida. The opening ceremonies involved the Hopkins Family, David Reutimann, David Starr, Sponsor Racezingmania.com and all the truck drivers. The introductions were made and then the field roared to life.
On the start Patrick settled into the fourth spot and was just going to ride. Third place Wayne Jefferson dropped off with an oil fire moving Staropoli up to third.
Just after the halfway break, Staropoli started putting some pressure on Sean Bass who was running second and worked his way past to second. After a caution flag, on the restart Staropoli drove down in the corner and the truck shot up the track. " I Thought we had a sway bar break but we discovered Sunday it was a cracked rim allowing the air to seep from the right front tire".
That caused Patrick to slip back to the seventh position, where he was able to hold on with a soft right front tire. " I have to thank my dad and crew for all the hard work to get me here, and throughout the year. I want to thank my sponsors Paul's Transmissions, American Auto Electric, Snap-on and Palm Truck Centers".
" I want to thank Rick Bristol for organizing such a great event and I am so glad I could participate. To see Tommy having such a good time was the real payoff for this event" stated Staropoli.
The team will now ready for the 2007 season and the Speedfest at USA International at the end of January. You can read more about this great young driver at www.patrickstaropoli.com.
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