ASA: David Bonnett Returns As ASA Heads to Montgomery
Posted By Terry CallahanMotorsports Editor, The Auto Channel
May 4, 2001
Clanton Runs Purple Car, Miller Crests One Million, Wayne Anderson Debuts
PEDNLETON, Ind. – David Bonnett, 2000 ASA Rookie of the Year candidate and son of the late Neil Bonnett, will make his return to the series when the American Speed Association invades Montgomery Motor Speedway for the second-annual ACTIONLINE 300 this coming Sunday, May 6. The event is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. (Eastern).
“I’m really looking forward to coming back to the series and seeing a lot of the guys involved again,” said Bonnett. “I feel like we will be behind because we have not run this year and on the new tires, but we really aren’t expecting anything big. We just want to make the show, run competitively and have some fun.”
Bonnett competed in 17 events during his rookie year of 2000, where he collected two top-10 finishes and finished sixth out of 20 in the chase for the rookie of the year title. Bonnett’s seventh in the season-ending race at Gateway International Raceway wa s his best finish of the year. Bonnett indicates the team would like to run full-time and is currently looking for sponsorship. They hope to run a possibility of three races in 2001.
--- The ACTIONLINE 300 will mark the debut of southern short track veteran Wayne Anderson. Anderson, the 1999 All Pro Series Champion, has been a leading racer with All Pro over the last several years. He currently sits second in the 2001 All Pro standings while collecting three win in the series’ four events. He will drive a car with his familiar Jani-King sponsorship.
--- As of Thursday, May 03, 2001, the ACTIONLINE 300 currently has 44 entries. The starting field will consist of 32 cars witth a maximum of two provisional starters. Beside’s Hueytown’s Bonnett, the only other Alabama driver entered in the event is Grant’s Brad Lemley. Lemley made his first career ASA start at Hawkeye Downs driving for Noah Yoder. Other part-time drivers entered for the race are led by the return of David Stremme in the number 22 Herzog Motor Sports car. Others include Ryan Hemphill, Chris Bell, Greg Edwards, Michael Miller, Tommy Grimes, Jimmy Price, Travis Price and John Webb.
--- Veteran ASA driver and defending ACTIONLINE 300 winner Mike Miller reached yet another milestone in his 15-year ASA careeer. In a race where he collected the hard charger award for moving up the most spots in one event (started 31st, finished 6th), Mill er collected $5,050 in the Iowa 300 at Hawkeye Downs Speedway. The money Miller won allowed him to crest the $1 million mark for his career, having now earned a career total of $1,001,537.
--- Steve Dale Motorsports will unveil a special paint scheme this coming weekend to honor sponsors Zaxby’s Real Chicken and NAPA Auto Parts. The all-purple paint scheme will be run on a limited schedule throughout the entire 2001 ASA season.
--- Johnny Sauter’s win in Iowa marked the ninth time a rookie driver has collected his first career win in his rookie year. Others who have accomplished the feat include: Joey Clanton and Scott Wimmer (2000), Derrick Gilchrist (1999), Adam Petty (1998), Steve Carlson (1997), Kevin Cywinski (1996), Tim Steele (1990) and Scott Hansen (1989).
Text provided by Jeremy Troiano
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