ASA: Sauter takes ASA pole for Chicago 200

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

July 8, 2001

Rookie Wins Third Pole of the Season, Eddy Wins Qualifier

Cicero, IL – ASA ACDelco Series leading rookie contender Johnny Sauter, of Necedah, Wis., captured the pole for Sunday’s ASA ACDelco Series Chicago 200. His qualifying time of 31.472 sec./ 117.705 mph resulted in a third pole of the 2001 se ason and fourth of his career. Sauter continues to keep other ASA drivers wondering, as the Wisconsin-driver has racked up four-consecutive wins.

“My team is just awesome, even in with our qualifying setup,” Sauter said. “At first we were slow but gradually got dialed-in. I’m thrilled to be on the pole at a place like this. The track really came to us.”

Sauter’s third pole of the season breaks the previous record of poles for an ASA rookie that he shared with Scott Hansen and Kevin Cywinski, who each captured two in their rookie seasons. Hansen was the ASA Rookie of the year in 1989 and Cywinski took top rookie honors in 1996.

Defending Chicago ASA winner Mike Garvey qualified second in the Tecumseh Chevrolet, while the lone Canadian in the field, Scott Fraser of Nova Scotia, posted the third best qualifying time. Gravey and Fraser made up the front row of last year’s Chicago ev ent.

Mike Eddy, of Michigan, won the 50-lap qualifying race after passing Greg Stewart with 19 laps to go. Florida driver Wayne Anderson ended up second, while Stewart came home third. Paul Paine and Chris Wimmer rounded out the top five.

Several Illinois drivers made the field for the Chicago 200, including Brian Schwartz of Countryside, Dave Weltmeyer of New Lenox, Matt Sielsky of Northbrook and Craig Smith of Godfrey.

Activities for the Chicago 200 get underway with spectator gates opening at 9 am. An ASA drivers autograph session is set for 10 am with introductions on tap at 11:30 am. The green flag will wave on the Chicago 200 at noon (local). The event will be telec ast live on TNN Sports.

CHICAGO, ILL. – The starting line-up for Sunday’s $217,810 American Speed Association ACDelco Series “Chicago 200” at the 1.029-mile Chicago Motor Speedway. The top 18 drivers locked in during qualifications with the remainder of the field set by season po ints and a 50-lap qualifying race. Listed is driver, make of car and speed for the top 18 drivers.

1) Johnny Sauter, Chevrolet, 117.705 mph
2) Mike Garvey, Chevrolet, 117.540 mph
3) Scott Fraser, Chevrolet, 117.258 mph
4) Joey Clanton, Chevrolet, 117.143 mph
5) Robbie Pyle, Chevrolet, 116.582 mph
6) Danny Edwards, Chevrolet, 116.542 mph
7) Scott Hansen, Ford, 116.362 mph
8) Brian Schwartz, Chevrolet, 116.162 mph
9) Kevin Cywinski, Chevrolet, 115.929 mph
10) Butch Miller, Pontiac, 115.705 mph
11) Mike Cope, Chevrolet, 116.814 mph (2nd round qualifier)
12) Dave Weltmeyer, Chevrolet, 115.701 mph
13) Travis Kittleson, Chevrolet, 115.676 mph
14) Gary St. Amant, Chevrolet, 115.647 mph
15) Ryan Hemphill, Chevrolet, 115.575 mph
16) J.C. Beattie Jr., Chevrolet, 115.571 mph
17) Johnny Spaw, Chevrolet, 115.549 mph
18) Tim Taylor, Chevrolet, 115.535 mph
19) Mike Swaim Jr., Chevrolet
20) Mike Miller, Pontiac
21) Mike Eddy, Chevrolet
22) Wayne Anderson, Chevrolet
23) Greg Stewart, Pontiac
24) Paul Paine, Pontiac
25) Chris Wimmer, Chevrolet
26) Russ Tuttle, Pontiac
27) Craig Smith, Pontiac
28) Chad Wood, Ford
29) Ricky Bryant, Pontiac
30) Greg Williams, Chevrolet
31) Travis Price, Pontiac
32) Tim Schmidt, Chevrolet
33) Matt Sielsky, Chevrolet
34) John Silverthorne, Chevrolet
35) Mark Cole, Pontiac
36) David Elliot, Chevrolet

Text provided by Jeremy Troiano

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