NEWPORT SPEEDWAY NEXT STOP FOR ARA SOUTHERN THUNDER CHAMPIONSHIP BATTLE

for immediate release
October 4, 2001


NEWPORT SPEEDWAY NEXT STOP FOR ARA SOUTHERN THUNDER CHAMPIONSHIP BATTLE

NEWPORT, TN - The battle for the American Racing Association (ARA) Southern 
Thunder series championship has been whittled down to a three-man fight, 
but there's a twist in fate in store for them all.  The series' first visit 
to Newport Speedway for this Saturday's Newport 125 will certainly make 
things interesting for Paul Kelley, Stephen Leicht and Michael Lance.

A strong challenge from the Newport Speedway regulars is expected to be led 
by 2001 track champion Brian Payne of Knoxville, TN.  Recent winner Ed 
Surrett of Asheville, NC, and fast qualifier Ronnie Romines, a Ford driver 
from Knoxville are among the drivers also expected to hold a home-track 
advantage against the ARA touring professionals.

"Hitting the right setup will be really important," says Leicht, 
"especially for qualifying.  I've got to qualify on the front row."

That's because qualifying on the front row is worth five bonus points, and 
with the introduction of the new Olympic Power Pole Award, setting the 
fastest time in qualifying is worth a $100 bonus.

ARA awards five bonus points to each of the front row qualifiers, and the 
top five qualifiers have the option of inverting, or starting five 
positions back in the field. Then they can earn up to 10 bonus points for 
passing.  Regular points are awarded based on the number of starters (i.e., 
if there are 20 starters, the winner gets 20 points, second place 19, etc.).

"All we can think about is points," says Leicht, a 14-year-old from 
Asheville, NC, who has won four ARA Southern Thunder races this year in his 
#99 Action Racing Collectibles Chevrolet. "How we qualify, where we start, 
how we run the race all depends on the points situation."

The 20-year-old Kelley of Snellville, GA, leads the standings with 280 
points.  Leicht is second with 263 and Michael Lance of Dacula, GA (#04 
Lance Used Auto Parts Chevrolet) is third with 251 points.

So, in effect, Kelley has almost a "full race" lead in the championship 
standings, but Leicht could make up some ground if the race attracts more 
entries.  And since the Newport Speedway weekly Super Late Models are 
eligible for Southern Thunder competition, the race should attract a 
significant field of fast race cars.

Leicht has four Southern Thunder wins this year, to Kelley's three, but all 
of Kelley's victories have come at his hometown track - Peach State 
Speedway in Jefferson, GA. Kelley won the most recent Southern Thunder 
event, Sept. 22 with Lance second, Marc Brenner of Birmingham, AL, third in 
his #4 Walker's Game Ear Chevrolet, and Leicht fourth.

Kelley may have the upper hand in the championship chase as two of the 
final three races are at Peach State. The Southern Thunder Series continues 
with the World Crown 200 at Peach State Speedway in Jefferson, GA, on Oct. 
27-28, and the Alabama 300 Nov. 10-11 at Montgomery (AL) Motor 
Speedway.  The final event of the Southern Thunder season will be a 125-lap 
feature at Peach State Speedway on Saturday, Nov. 24.