FORMER NATIONAL CHAMPION RAY RETURNS FOR ANDERSON MAY 8


Robbie Ray of Davenport, Iowa, USAC’s 2005 National Ford Focus Champion, returns to USAC competition May 8 at the Anderson (Ind.) Speedway. Ray will pilot the #1 Gregg Steele Ford Focus Midget at the quarter-mile paved oval where he won the 2005 title.


 


The nephew of former USAC Midget driver Dave Ray and cousin of current USAC driver Davey Ray, Robbie and his father Mark also won the 2003 USAC Indiana Ford Focus title and he ranks fourth all-time in terms of USAC Ford Focus victories with 15.


 


Ray last competed with USAC three years ago but he says he’s ready for next Friday’s challenge. He’s been racing Midgets at Angell Park Speedway in Sun Prairie, Wisc. for the past two years and in 2007 won the Badger Midget Racing Association Rookie of the Year honors.


 


“I have fond memories of my first feature win at Anderson and I like the track. It’s fast and as far as a short track it’s my favorite. You can go from a high to a low in just one turn and I’ve done both at Anderson. In 2004 I had what was probably my worst crash there. When Gregg called and asked if I wanted to race, I jumped at the chance. It’s an honor to race for him and I hope we can continue his string of successes.”


 


Car owner Steele, of Shelbyville, Ind., has won 37 USAC Ford Focus features with drivers Tate Martz, Tony Ave, Bobby East, James Robertson and Kyle Hamilton. Ray has never driven for Steele, a seven-time USAC car owner champion, but looks forward to becoming Steele’s sixth different race winner May 8 at Anderson.


 


Steele also plans to field a USAC Regional Midget this year for Martz, USAC winningest driver in 2006.