ASA event richest in Irwindale Speedway's history

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

Irwindale, Calif. - - The American Speed Association historic first-ever foray West of the Rockies will also rank as the richest race ever presented at Irwindale Speedway with a staggering $286,000.00 in posted awards awaiting the competitors! The tires.com 300 will jump-start Irwindale's 2001 competition season with two nights of top stock car racing action revving-up with the Wynn's 100 qualifier on Friday March 9 and then blowing the lid off the place with the 300-lap hot-pits tires.com race on Saturday night.

"It's no wonder we're seeing such interest from fans and competitors," said track VP Bob DeFazio. "It seems that everyone wants in on this one! Since the first announcement a month and a half ago our phones have been busy with calls from fans all over the country answering questions about tickets, nearby hotel accommodations, airport suggestions, how to get to Knott's (Berry Farm) or Disneyland and even where the best pizza joints are closest to the track!"

Most of the competitors and many of the fans are planning a whole West Coast trip around this unique visit from what has become one of the hottest stock car racing series' in the United States.

The American Speed Association has come up with a terrific package that puts super competition at the forefront. All cars in the series must use the same GM Vortec ASA 5700 engine and identical BFGoodrich Traction T/A tires. With horsepower and tires thus equalized, competition is all about setup and driving ability, and there's plenty of that to go around as the American Speed Association begins its 34th season of racing in 2001.

The 2001 season also begins Gary St. Amant's quest in defense of his 2000 ASA National Championship. St. Amant, coming off a career season that saw him pick up his second ASA National Championship, will have plenty of contenders in 2001, led by the points runner-up in 2000, LaFavre Racing Teams driver Kevin Cywinski. Veterans Mike Garvey, Butch Miller, Mike Miller, Tristan Dupuis and Joe Nott will also compete for the title.

The 2001 rookie battle will begin to take shape in St. Augustine, with all of the leading candidates set to compete for the Pat Schauer Memorial Rookie of the Year award. They include Mike Cope, of Orlando; North Carolina's Ricky Bryant; Canadian Scott Fraser; Kenny Phillips, of Ohio; Johnny Spaw, of Iowa; and Wisconsin drivers Johnny Sauter and Chris Wimmer.

Text Provided By Doug Stokes

Editors Note: To view hundreds of hot racing photos and art, visit The Racing Photo Museum and the Visions of Speed Art Gallery.