Win-Tron Racing; Matt Merrell Rocked At Bristol

“Tennessee Thunder Strikes USAR Hooter’s Pro Cup Team”

BRISTOL, Tennessee (August 25, 2008) - - Matt Merrell had high hopes for the final USAR Hooter’s Pro Cup Series event of the season at Bristol Motor Speedway, but Merrell’s high hopes were trashed after the 23rd year old phenomenon was collected in an incident on lap one in last Wednesday’s Aaron’s 150.

Earlier in the day, Merrell had stepped up from practice and placed his No. 32 Tejas Exotics Chevrolet 18th on the starting grid.

When Merrell took the green flag on Wednesday night, he quickly began moving through the pack but little did the Portland, Texas native knew that his night would come to a crashing halt. Coming around to complete lap one, a couple cars ahead of the No. 32 team got together and headed towards the inside-wall. One of the machines bounced back onto the race track directly in the path of Merrell.

Slamming on the brakes, Merrell did everything he could, but made hard contact with the wall. The damage was deemed beyond repair forcing Merrell to exit the event with a disappointing 40th place finish.

“I don’t know what to say,” said Merrell. “You would expect the beating and banging to go on at Bristol, but the first lap was ridiculous. It took out some good cars and left us with a less than enthusiastic finish. The story continues, good cars, no luck. Hopefully we can go to the championship races and turn the bad luck around.”

Next up for the USAR Hooter’s Pro Cup Series is the first of four championship races set to begin Saturday, August 30th with the Charlie Campbell Memorial Sears Auto Center 250 at Mansfield Motorsports Park. Earlier this year at MMP, Merrell finished 22nd after encountering mechanical hiccups.

Tejas Exotics, Merrell Lease Service and Win-Tron Driver Development held the sponsorship roles on the No. 32 entry at Bristol.