NEWS FROM JERRY HIGBIE RACING
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GOSHEN, NY: Jerry Higbie Takes Ill Thursday Night After Returning To Hotel; Does Not Race Friday Night By Steve Pados, GA Motorsports Media

Slate Hill, New York Modified star Jerry Higbie took ill on Thursday evening after returning to his Hotel room after the wrap-up of the day's racing events at the Chili Bowl. Higbie stopped along the way to grab a late night snack in preparations for the Friday racing action in which he was entered. Shortly after eating, Higbie became ill and spent the remainder of the evening vomitting wit hhot and cold sweats and faint from the untimely experience.

Higbie went to the race arena as scheduled on Friday morning and explained his situation to car owner Corey Tucker. After some discussion, Tucker told Jerry to go out and hot-lap the machine and see how he felt after the warm-up session. Higbie went onto the track and practiced with the race car but by his own admission was way off his A-Game and informed Tucker of that upon returning to the pit area. After careful consideration and being very much concerned for his driver, Higbie was sent to the emergency room of the hospital where he was given some medication for his nausea. Higbie went back to the Hotel and slept for more than fourteen hours and missed the entire Friday racing action at the Chili Bowl.

Tucker immediately went looking for a driver to fill the seat of his Midget racer. Tucker didn't have to look far as 17 year old Elk Grove, California sprint car driving sensation Kyle Larson was in the house and was seeking an opportunity to race. After being re-fitted to the car and going out to find some racing gear, Larson went out and and snared a thrid place in his heat race just behind Dustin Morgan and Greg Wilson. Larson then moved to the A-Qualifier where he finished in 6th place. The finish moved Larson into the B-Main and the youngster was getting faster as the evening progressed. In the B-Main, Larson put on a dazzling show and finished just behind winner Rich Camfield to gain entrance into the Friday evening A-Main. Larson's Cinderella bid ended just five laps into the A-Main as mechanical woes put the CTR machine and Larson behind the pit wall. Nevertheless, the entire day brought about a bunch of dramatics to the Chili Bowl floor for Higbie, Larson and the entire CTR race team.

Larson will find himself another opportunity to do some further racing today as the alphabet races take place all day Saturday to determine who will be the final twelve drivers joining the twelve drivers already qualified for the Saturday night spectacular. For Higbie, who came into his second setting of the Chili Bowl with such high hopes for a stellar performance, the turn of events has left him very much disappointed with the outcome. The 2008 Orange County Fair Speedway 358 Modified Champion will watch from the sidelines as his mount is put through the paces by the youngster Larson. Always keeping his air of professionalism for which he is well noted for, Higbie explained, "While I am disappointed myself and for my loyal legion of fans who support the efforts of Jerry Higbie Racing, it was great for the CTR Team to be able to find a great young driving talent such as Kyle Larson to be up to the task to make the most out of his opportunity to shine at the best open wheel race in the country. It was a great team effort and I am proud and honored to be a part of the CTR Team".

Two-time National Midget driver of the year and current USAC Sprint and Silver Crown Champion Jerry Coons Jr won the Friday night feature with Levi Jones and Brad Loyet also making the transfer to the Saturday night main. Another CTR driver, Billy Wilburn, shook off the rust from not racing for the past five years and finished a commendable 8th place in his B-Main event.

Higbie and his new "HigFab" racing shop, located on the outskirts of Goshen, New York, continues to fabricate all of the necessary components for today's racers. Higbie has found himself immersed in the business at hand as his new shop is filled with racers in all forms of build or re-build.

Anyone wanting to lend additional support to the CTR Team for the Chili Bowl can contact Corey Tucker at: 704 467 0956. Jerry Higbie can be reached at his shop at: 845 294 0898.

For additional information and updates regarding Jerry Higbie Racing, go to their website at: http://www.higbieracing.com