ASA: In the Right Place at the Right Time, Pyle Collects First Career Win

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

August 19, 2001

Second-year Driver takes advantage of leaders’ accident on final lap

MADISON, Wis. – Robbie Pyle, starting his 37th career ASA race, was in the right place at the right time, collecting his first career American Speed Association ACDelco Series win, as leaders Gary St. Amant and Mike Eddy wrecked with just two turns remaining in the Wisconsin 300 at Madison International Speedway in Oregon, Wis.

St. Amant, the winner from Madison in 2000 and defending ASA National Champion, took the lead on lap 243 and was in a close battle with seven-time ASA National Champion Mike Eddy over the race’s final 20 laps. As the white flag flew, Eddy made an attempt t o pass St. Amant coming off turn two. The cars made contact, with St. Amant spinning and hitting the back stretch wall and Eddy limping home.

Taking advantage of the situation, Pyle, who was running a distant third, avoided the trouble and passed the injured Chevrolet of Eddy coming out of turn four en route to the victory.

“I was figuring I would have a third place finish when everything brook loose front of me,” said Pyle. “Both guys (St. Amant and Eddy) were racing hard and both really wanted to win. They got together and it upset both cars. It hasn’t really hit me yet. Th e crew did a great job making adjustments to the car. It was the best at the end of the night. Everything went our way.

St. Amant confronted Eddy on the front stretch after the event, as the accident left some animosity between the two series veterans, with Eddy finishing second followed by Kevin Cywinski. Third-year driver Russ Tuttle collected a career-best fourth, follow ed by leading ASA rookie Johnny Sauter.

“I would have been happy with a second-place finish, I’m racing for points,” said St. Amant, who finished 14th. “I’m mad. The replay clearly shows that he got into me and turned me down. This isn’t the first time I’ve been ‘Mike Eddy’ed’ and it won’t be th e last time I am ‘Mike Eddy’ed.’ I just went over there after the race to tell him he was a hell of a driver and I am glad he got second.”

Eddy had a different perspective.

“St. Amant pushed up and came down into me,” said Eddy. “He didn’t give me the racing room I thought he was. I was just hoping my car was going to make it to the end, but I was worried about that. I just couldn’t hold him (Pyle) off.”

The race saw 19 different lead changes among 10 drivers, with Cywinski leading the most laps. The event was slowed by 11 cautions, including one for a brief rain shower that fell over the half-mile oval. Mike Garvey captured the pole for the event, the 11t h of his career, and led the first 57 laps before finishing 17th.

The series returns to action next weekend, traveling to Jennerstown Speedway for the Pennsylvania 300. The August 26th event is set to go green at 1 p.m. (local) and will be telecast live on TNN Sports.

1)(6) Robbie Pyle, Chevrolet, 300
2)(13) Mike Eddy, Chevrolet, 300
3)(10) Kevin Cywinski, Chevrolet, 300
4)(24) Russ Tuttle, Pontiac, 300
5)(11) Johnny Sauter, Chevrolet, 300
6)(16) Chad Wood, Chevrolet, 300
7)(17) Steve Carlson, Chevrolet, 300
8)(2) Johnny Spaw, Chevrolet, 300
9)(28) David Stremme, Ford, 300
10)(23) Chris Wimmer, Chevrolet, 300
11)(5) Mike Cope, Chevrolet, 300
12)(3) Mike Miller, Pontiac, 300
13)(7) Paul Paine, Pontiac, 300
14)(9) Gary St. Amant, Chevrolet, 299, accident
15)(25) Matt Sielsky, Chevrolet, 299
16)(22) Ricky Bryant, Pontiac, 299
17)(34) John Silverthorne, Chevrolet, 299
18)(1) Mike Garvey, Chevrolet, 298
19)(26) Doug Mahlik, Chevrolet, 298
20)(33) J.C. Beattie Jr., Chevrolet, 297
21)(31) Craig Smith, Pontiac, 296
22)(19) Mark Pluer, Pontiac, 295
23)(14) Joey Clanton, Chevrolet, 294, clutch
24)(8) Greg Stewart, Pontiac, 291
25)(27) Greg Williams, Chevrolet, 287
26)(18) Travis Kittleson, Chevrolet, 265
27)(32) Francesco Gaudesi, Chevrolet, 250
28)(15) Scott Hansen, Ford, 212, accident
29)(12) Tim Taylor, Chevrolet, 207
30)(20) Rick Nelson, Chevrolet, 148, overheating
31)(4) Jason Schuler, Chevrolet, 127, brakes
32)(30) Chris Purdy, Chevrolet, 101, radiator
33)(21) Butch Miller, Chevolet, 81, accident
34)(29) Tim Schmitt, Chevrolet, 65, brakes

Text provided by Jeremy Troiano

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