KANNAPOLIS, N.C. — Mike Herman, a 10-year-veteran of the USAR Hooters Pro Cup Series, will make his 90th and final scheduled Pro Cup start Saturday night as the series completes its 2007 schedule at USA Int’l Speedway in Lakeland, Fla.
Herman recorded a pair of second-place finishes — at Hickory in 2000 and Winchester in 2001 — but was never able to find victory lane in the series after winning the Late Model Stock title at Concord (N.C.) Speedway in 1997.
While competing this season, Herman also took on the role of spotter for Joe Gibbs Racing developmental driver Marc Davis, a role Herman expects to continue and grow in 2008.
“It’s been a tough decision to make, but at some point a man has to look at the big picture,” Herman said. “I’ve been fortunate to call the Hooters Pro Cup Series home for 10 years. As a team, we are proud of our longevity because we have watched many teams and drivers come and go. We might not have always had the best equipment, but we were always there trying to entertain fans of the series.”
While Herman is leaving the Hooters series after a long tenure, he said he won’t be retiring from racing.
He said he expects to run with the NASCAR Whelen Modified Southern Tour along with long-time sponsor Fireside Hearth & Home when his schedule with JGR allows in 2008. The Southern Tour runs a short schedule with most races within a short drive from Herman’s North Carolina-based operation and home.
“I’ll still be racing next year, but it’ll be on off nights from my JGR work schedule,” said Herman.  “I wish we could continue in Pro Cup, but this is a series in which you have to be 100 percent focused on to be competitive. It would be extremely tough to race Pro Cup part-time, so we’ll regroup and go have some fun when we can.”