ASA: Handling Is The Key To Success When ASA Visits Jennerstown
Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel
August 21, 2001Hansen Looks to Repeat, Gain First Win of 2001
PENDLETON, Ind. - As was the case so much in the 2000 season, the Pennsylvania 300 at Jennerstown (Penn.) Speedway was affected by rain. After a full day of activities on the preliminary day, the start of the Jennerstown event was delayed for more than four hours following a heavy rain shower that moved through the area.
When the rains subsided, Scott Hansen made a late decision to stay out on the track when leader and pole-sitter Gary St. Amant came in to pit with only 23 laps remaining. Hansen went on to win the race, his first ASA ACDelco Series event win at the track.
Hansen will look to defend his title as the series visits the .522-mile facility on Saturday and Sunday, August 25-26 for the Pennsylvania 300. It will be the 16th appearance for the 34-year-old stock car series at the middle Pennsylvania facility.
“It takes an extremely good handling race car and keeping the car on the bottom of the track through the corners,” said former Jennerstown winner Mike Garvey. “The key to the track is getting the car to turn quickly and being able to get back into it on th e exit.”
Activities for the 2001 Pennsylvania 300 begin on Saturday, August 25, with spectator gates opening and ASA practice beginning at 1 p.m. (Eastern). Two-lap ASA qualifications will start at 6 p.m. On Sunday, August 26, activities begin with spectator gates opening at 10 a.m. The on-track autograph session is scheduled at 11 a.m., with pre race ceremonies starting at 12:15 p.m. The Pennsylvania 300 is set to begin at 1 and will be telecast live on TNN Sports.
ASA first visited the rolling hills in 1990, when Bob Senneker took his first of three wins at the track. Hansen finished second and Tim Steele finished third. The only other driver to win multiple races at Jennerstown is Mike Eddy. Single-event winners ha ve included Hansen, Tom Jones, Glenn Allen Jr., Mike Miller, Tony Raines, Steve Carlson and Garvey.
St. Amant and Eddy have both recorded three poles, while Todd Forbes, Allen, Johnny Benson Jr., Reffner, Joe Nott and Hansen have each recorded one pole.
One of the most dramatic finishes in ASA history occurred at Jennerstown in 1995, as a battle late in the race between Senneker and Nott eventually resulted in a door-to-door race to the line. Coming off the final corner both cars got crossed up and starte d crashing before they got to the line. Both cars finished the race while spinning. Both cars became briefly airborne with Senneker’s car going nearly over the inside wall into the pit area. Senneker was credited with the victory and Nott with the runner-u p position.
Text provided by Jeremy Troiano
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