WEST ALLIS WI (8-30-06) – Bobby Gerhart, driver of the Lucas Oil Chevrolet, showed on Sunday at the Milwaukee Mile why he and his BGR Team are strong contenders to win the ARCA RE/MAX Series championship in 2006.

Gerhart qualified and started the Lucas Oil Chevrolet 14th in the 200 miler. With only 10 tires available in the pits per series rules, the BGR Team had a strategy to conserve tires for the first 100 miles. Gerhart moved into the top 10 by lap 25, and pitted for right side tires on lap 40. Gerhart headed to the pits again on lap 67 for left-side tires and an air pressure adjustment.

“We kept getting the car better with each stop,” said Gerhart. “We were really looking forward to the last 100 laps.”

Gerhart pitted again for right-side tires on lap 115. The BGR Team had a super stop and Gerhart lined up third for a restart on lap 120. Frank Kimmel led the field down for the start and seemed to overrun turn 1. Justin Allgaier and Gerhart got underneath Kimmel and moved into the first two spots. As they completed the lap and headed back to turn one, Kimmel ran into the left rear corner of the Lucas Oil Chevrolet and spun Gerhart in front of the tightly bunched pack. Michael McDowell in the #2 car hit Gerhart square in the driver’s door. The contact bent the left side frame rail, broke the transmission case, and pushed the door bars into Bobby’s left arm. With a badly bent car, Bobby headed back to the pits for repairs and tires. The team pitted often during the next 80 laps and somehow managed a 10th place finish while finishing on the lead lap.

“We hold Kimmel responsible for his actions,” said crew chief Billy Gerhart. “ARCA officials sent a warning to the 46 after the contact, and rightly so. With the championship on the line, he just plain dumped us. I am proud that our team kept their composure and acted in a professional manner during this difficult situation. I’m just glad Bobby was not hurt in the accident.”

“Needless to say, we are very disappointed with today’s events,” said Bobby Gerhart. “We have not made contact once this year with the 46; we expect the same professionalism in return. It’s just frustrating; we had a great car today. My crew did a great job getting me back onto the track without losing a lap. They have done a great job all year.”

Bobby Gerhart and the BGR Team head back to Toledo for the Hantz Group 200 this Friday Sept. 1st. The race will be LIVE on SPEED at 9 pm ET.