Photos © Dwight Drum
Web work by Gary Larsen

USAR Hooters Pro Cup Series

Series slogan:

We understand the Hooters approach to racing. It's promotional and exciting. Sponsorship in stock car racing these days almost have to have big reasons and big pockets. The United Speed Alliance Racing Hooters Pro Cup series is supported by the Hooters organization and other sponsors with proper payout and prime coverage. They bring a TV eye, the Speed channel, to their races and they bring their support groups including many Hooters girls to beautify and promote the racing environment. Mostly, it's just fun.

Drivers of all ages and stages in their racing careers vie for the checkered flag in USAR. Some have raced in the NASCAR Busch series and Craftsman Truck series, some aspire to race to the top. Zoomster.com attended a Hooters Pro Cup event at USA International Speedway in Lakeland. Dwight Drum interviewed several drivers- some young, some not-so-young and some older. That mix fits the slogan, where racing's past, present and future collide.

Our next interview is with a seasoned contender, Joe Gaita

"Probably the thing that helps me the most is I'm a little aggressive."

Dwight asked Joe Gaita:

"I like the competition the best. The speed, I like a lot, but racing side by side with everybody and just competing that's what I like the best. "

"I wish it was, but I do contracting work at home. If we could just get secure enough sponsorship maybe it could be, but right now it's not."

"I just kind of work two full-time jobs. I do contracting work and work these race cars."

"Yeah. I'd like to. At my age 46 it's kind of working against me, but I'd like to. I'd like to do that for several years and I hope I get the chance."

"I've had several actually. Probably winning Martinsdale in Latte Model was a highlight. My first win in Hooters Cup, that was a big win here at Lakeland. Those were probably two of my biggest moments."

"My best goals short term would be this Hooters championship this year and win several more races. With this team, I plan on running a couple Busch races. That's a good goal for that. If starting out we could get a top15 finish, I think we'd be happy with that."

"I'm a little aggressive sometimes. It hasn't really got me in any trouble, but these cars now, they're running softer springs. You're really got to float them in the corner and I like to get in the corner a little harder. I have to change my driving style a little but, but probably the thing that helps me the most is I'm a little aggressive."

"I just try to do the same thing in every corner. My driving style is that I try not to knock anybody around. It's kind of just be able to pass other drivers is what I strive for. You know it's just to get a good rhythm on the racetrack."

"I like to play guitar a little bit."

"For one thing their organization is really committed to this series. At the last banquet Hooters committed to 10 more years of promoting and sponsoring this series. That's a good commitment from a company that large. Of course, that's what every series would want."

Additional comments

"I want to thank our sponsors Kimnach Ford, Interior Products USG, Building Specialites, and ACS. I've got a great car owner, Tim Mosley. He likes everything first class and crew chief Jamie Mosley, he really stays on top of these race cars and gives me great race cars to drive. I'm thankful to have the opportunity to drive in this series and just to be racing at all."