ASA: Warm Weather Could Improve Hot Streak for Ryan Hemphill

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

APOLLO, PA - North-central Florida is not the warmest place in the world. However, it certainly beats western Pennsylvania's cold February chills. In comparison, two twelfth place finishes are not something to write home about for some teams in the American Speed Association. But when those two twelfth place finishes come in a team's first two races, and the two races with the highest car counts of 2000, it's an exceptional accomplishment.

In those two races of 2000, Ryan Hemphill had minimal experience at the facilities. IRP's result was a matter of perseverance, while Gateway's finish was a product of hard-work and a little luck. Entering the season-opening ASARacing.com 300 at St. Augustine Speedway, Hemphill has knowledge from previous Legacy car experience as well as a January testing session at his disposal.

"We made a lot of progress as far as qualifying and race setups (in testing). We got a good baseline on what to expect and what to do. That's the most important thing," commented Hemphill, driver of the No. 02 Argo Packing Chevrolet. "It helps right off the bat because I've been there. I kind of know what to expect from the track and where the groove is. Racing in a Legacy car hasn't help because when I was there I ran by myself a lot. But it's definitely an advantage that I've raced there in Legacy Cars because it won't take me as long to learn the track."

St. Augustine is not an easy track to learn. It might be one of the newest tracks on the ASA ACDelco Series circuit, but it fathoms some of the oldest enemies of racecar drivers. With its narrow, D-shaped racing surface, St. Augustine can create a traffic jam in very few laps. Track position will be key, as will patience. With so many uncertainties surrounding this 300-lap marathon, Hemphill knows what his focus will be on this upcoming weekend.

"We have to be cautious and hope everything turns out and run our own race and hope everyone else will run their own race and be careful around us," said Hemphill. "I want to qualify good. My main goal is to avoid the qualifying race. It wouldn't bother me a bit to run it because I don't mind running it. It's more seat time for me and that doesn't hurt me at all, but I'd like to qualify in the top twenty and stay out of trouble and on the lead lap the whole race."

In addition to knowing what to expect from other drivers, Hemphill must be aware of what could destroy a successful run for his own team. With the errors from 2000 on his mind, he analyzed his problem areas for the weekend. Particularly, he is concerned about the narrow pit road at the Florida half-mile.

"My biggest worries are about myself in the pits. I've 100% confidence in my crew, but I'm worried about myself getting in and out of the pits and keeping good track position," revealed Hemphill. "I know that if we get a long green flag run, I can just settle in and get my rhythm. I think we'll do really well. I think maintaining track position and keeping out of trouble are my only worries on the track, and then getting through the pits off of it."

The starting field for the ASARacing.com 300 will consist of 32 cars and drivers. The event will be televised live on The National Network (TNN) at 9pm ET on February 17, 2001. Friday festivities include practice, qualifying, and a last chance qualifying race. Saturday's events include a one hour pre-race autograph session on the front straightaway with all of the ASA drivers. Tickets are still available and can be obtained by calling 1-888-ASA-1020.

Text Provided By Tony "Tex" Stevens

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