ASA: Robbie Pyle Captures Third Career Pole in ASA at Concord

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

May 20, 2001

Ohio native only competitor to clock sub-16 second lap

CONCORD, N.C. (May 19, 2001) – Stock car veteran Robbie Pyle captured his third career ASA pole for the BFGoodrich Tires 300 at Concord Motorsport Park in Concord, NC. Pyle’s lightning quick lap came early in the session, which resulted in the Columbus, Oh io native having to wait most of the session to see if his 15.982 sec. (112.627 mph) lap would hold up.

“I wanted to get a clean lap and it is good thing I got it in the first one, cause I messed up and almost crashed on the second one,” said Pyle. “Normally I don’t like starting on the pole, but I didn’t mind it today, because it gave the team a big boost.”

Pyle’s sub-16 second lap was the first and only 15-second lap turned during both practice and qualifying. 2001 Pat Schauer Memorial Rookie of the Year leading candidate Johnny Sauter was the closest to Pyle, turning a lap of 16.001 sec. (112.493 mph) on th e tricky half-mile tri-oval.

“I believe we could have been in the 90s (15.900s), but I screwed up on the second lap,” said Sauter. “This is a good starting spot here at Concord. You have to finesse this track and the guy who can do that will win.”

North Carolina native (Mooresville) Rodney Childers Jr., making his first career start in ASA, qualified third with a time of 16.032 sec. (112.275 mph), followed by Kevin Cywinski (16.079 sec./111.947 mph) and defending ASA National Champion Gary St. Amant (16.137 sec./111.545 mph).

Short track veteran Bobby Gill of Georgia earned a spot for the BFGoodrich Tires 300 during the 100-lap qualifying race. Gill took the lead from his front-row starting position at the beginning and never looked back. Wayne Anderson of Florida finished sec ond after starting from the tail of the 19-car field. Travis Kittleson of Florida finished third.

Other North Carolina drivers qualified include Four Oaks’ Greg Stewart, Mooresville’s Brandon Sperling, Kannapolis’ Dean Clattenburg and Archdale’s Ricky Bryant all made the show.

Activities for Sunday’s BFGoodrich Tires 300 begin with spectator gates opening at 10 a.m. and the on-track autograph session at 11. Pre race ceremonies begin at 12:15 with the BFGoodrich Tires 300 going green at 1.

BFGoodrich Tires 300

CONCORD, N.C. – The starting line-up for Sunday’s $186,810 American Speed Association ACDelco Series BFGoodrich Tires 300 at the half-mile Concord Motorsports Park. The top 18 drivers were locked in during qualifications with the remainder of the field set through a qualifying race and season points. Listed is driver, make of car and speed for the top 18 qualifiers.

1) Robbie Pyle, Chevrolet, 112.627 mph
2) Johnny Sauter, Chevrolet, 112.493 mph
3) Rodney Childers, Chevrolet, 112.275 mph
4) Kevin Cywinski, Chevrolet, 111.947 mph
5) Gary St. Amant, Chevrolet, 111.545 mph
6) Davin Scites, Chevrolet, 111.462 mph
7) Russ Tuttle, Pontiac, 111.372 mph
8) Mike Garvey, Chevrolet, 111.331 mph
9) Joey Clanton, Chevrolet, 111.221 mph
10) Dean Clattenburg, Pontiac, 111.187 mph
11) Greg Stewart, Pontiac, 111.132 mph
12) Scott Wimmer, Chevrolet, 111.029 mph
13) Butch Miller, Pontiac, 110.906 mph
14) Brandon Sperling, Ford, 110.749 mph
15) J.C. Beattie Jr., Chevrolet, 110.687 mph
16) Scott Hansen, Ford, 110.606 mph
17) Tim Jedrzejek, Pontiac, 110.592 mph
18) Scott Fraser, Chevrolet, 110.572 mph
19) Mike Miller, Pontiac
20) Mike Eddy, Chevrolet
21) Bobby Gill, Ford
22) Wayne Anderson, Chevrolet
23) Travis Kittleson, Chevrolet
24) Larry Raines, Pontiac
25) Ricky Bryant, Pontiac
26) Johnny Spaw, Chevrolet
27) David Elliott, Chevrolet
28) Greg Williams, Chevrolet
29) Doug Stevens Jr., Ford
30) Ken Alexander, Chevrolet
31) Mike Cope, Chevrolet
32) Tim Taylor, Chevrolet
33) John Silverthorne, Chevrolet, provisional
34) Matt Sielsky, Chevrolet, provisional
35) Dennis Lampman, Chevrolet, provisional

Text provided by Jeremy Troiano

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