TIGHT ARA POINTS RACE HIGHLIGHTS WORLD CROWN WEEKEND

For immediate release
October 21, 2001


TIGHT ARA SOUTHERN THUNDER POINTS RACE HIGHLIGHTS WORLD CROWN WEEKEND AT 
PEACH STATE SPEEDWAY

JEFFERSON, GEORGIA - The American Racing Association (ARA) Southern Thunder 
Series points race is incredibly tight as the late model tour prepares for 
the historic World Crown 200 this Saturday and Sunday, October 27 and 28 at 
Peach State Speedway.  Paul Kelley, of Snellville, Georgia, leads Stephen 
Leicht, of Asheville, North Carolina, by a single point, with Michael 
Lance, of Dacula, Georgia, just nine points behind Kelley.

Kelley, driver of the #24 Roy Kelley Chevrolet, expanded his points lead 
with a win in the tour's most recent appearance at Peach State 
Speedway.  However, he fell victim to a first-lap incident at Newport 
Speedway and allowed Leicht, in the #99 Action Racing Collectables 
Chevrolet, and Lance, in the #04 Lance Used Auto Parts Chevrolet, to close 
the margin.

"Newport was a bad deal for us in the points race," Kelley said.  "I'm 
looking forward to returning to Peach State.  We've have had a pretty good 
record there this year."

Each of Kelley's three 2001 ARA Southern Thunder wins have come on the 
half-mile paved oval.  Leicht has made one trip to Victory Lane at Peach 
State this year.  So far, the 14 year-old has won four ARA Southern Thunder 
events this season.

"When the points are this close, there's no room for error," Leicht 
said.  "We plan to be prepared and hope to have some luck, too."

Qualifying for the historic World Crown races for the ARA Southern Thunder 
Series and local racing divisions are scheduled to be held on Saturday, 
October 27.  The green flag is set to fall on the ARA World Crown 200 at 
2pm on Sunday, October 28.

For more information, the new telephone number for Peach State Speedway is 
706-387-7490.

AMERICAN RACING ASSOCIATION
Southern Thunder Series
UNOFFICIAL POINTS

1. Paul Kelley,Snellville GA,288
2. Stephen Leicht,Asheville NC,287
3. Michael Lance,Dacula GA,279
4. Dwayne Buggay,Marietta GA,194
5. Jeff Gore,Powder Springs GA,182
6. Russell Fleeman,Dacula GA,174
7. Kevin Perry,Jefferson GA,172
8. Rodney Landrum,Jonesboro GA,127
9. Mickey Cain,Gainesville GA,127
10. Ricky Moore,Gainesville GA,124