ASA: Butch Miller Collects Sixth Pole of Season for Tecumseh 300

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

July 21, 2001

Tim Taylor Sits Outside Front Row with Best Qualifying Effort

Salem, Indiana – Veteran Butch Miller followed up his first victory of the season last week in his home state of Michigan by continuing his dominance of qualifying, collecting his sixth pole of 2001 for Saturday’s Tecumseh 300 at Salem Spee dway. Miller toured the .540-mile high-banked speedway at 17.223 sec. (112.872 mph), his 43rd career ASA pole position. It is the second-straight pole for the three-time ASA National Champion.

“I didn’t have a clue before qualifying,” said Miller. “We weren’t handling well in turns three and four. The crew made a call right before I went out and it really changed the car for the better. I’m still surprised I was faster than Tim (Taylor).”

Fourth-year ASA driver Tim Taylor collected his career best starting position, qualifying second, outside position of the front row after being the quickest car in practice. Taylor’s time of 17.271 sec. (112.559 mph) was of little surprise, considering the Indianapolis-native has won a number of races on the highbanks in his modified days.

“I thought I should have run even little bit better,” said Taylor. “We could have been maybe another tenth of a second faster. Obviously I’m happy with where we are and now I need a big finish tomorrow.”

Defending ASA rookie of the year Joey Clanton qualified third, turning his 17.278 sec. (112.513 mph) lap midway through the qualifying run. Veteran Indiana Late Model driver Brian Ross qualified fourth with his time of 17.283 sec. (112.480 mph). Gary St. Amant qualified fifth with a time of 17.308 sec. (112.318 mph).

Activities on Saturday for the Tecumseh 300 get underway with spectator gates opening at 4 pm and the on-track fan autograph session at 6 pm. Pre-race introductions start at 7:15 pm with the Tecumseh 300 set to take the green flag at 8 pm (local).

SALEM, IN – The starting line-up for Saturday’s American Speed Association ACDelco Series $237,010 Tecumseh 300 at the .540-mile Salem Speedway. The top 20 drivers were locked in during qualifications with the remainder of the field set by points and quali fying. Listed is driver, make of car and speed for top 20 qualifiers.

1) Butch Miller, Chevrolet, 112.872 mph
2) Tim Taylor, Chevrolet, 112.559 mph
3) Joey Clanton, Chevrolet, 112.513 mph
4) Brian Ross, Pontiac, 112.480 mph
5) Gary St. Amant, Chevrolet, 112.318 mph
6) Scott Hansen, Ford, 112.130 mph
7) Mike Garvey, Chevrolet, 111.982 mph
8) Robbie Pyle, Chevrolet, 111.969 mph
9) Mike Eddy, Chevrolet, 111.885 mph
10) Kevin Cywinski, Chevrolet, 111.718 mph
11) Mike Miller, Pontiac, 111.442 mph
12) Mike Cope, Chevrolet, 111.359 mph
13) Russ Tuttle, Pontiac, 111.168 mph
14) Ricky Bryant, Pontiac, 110.681 mph
15) Johnny Sauter, Chevrolet, 110.675 mph
16) Greg Williams, Chevrolet, 110.492 mph
17) Ted Smokstad, Ford, 110.317 mph
18) Tristan Dupuis, Chevrolet, 110.229 mph
19) Greg Stewart, Pontiac, 110.198 mph
20) Matt Sielsky, 110.110 mph
21) Chris Wimmer, Chevrolet
22) Johnny Spaw, Chevrolet
23) Chad Wood, Chevrolet
24) J.C. Beattie Jr., Chevrolet
25) Davin Scites, Chevrolet
26) John Silverthorne, Chevrolet
27) Travis Price, Pontiac
28) John Webb, Chevrolet
29) Mark Cole, Pontiac
30) Francesco Gaudesi, Chevrolet
31) Brandon Fagin, Chevrolet

Text provided by Jeremy Troiano

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