KELLEY'S LEAD IN ARA SOUTHERN THUNDER POINTS CUT TO ONE

for immediate release
October 8, 2001


KELLEY'S LEAD IN ARA SOUTHERN THUNDER POINTS CUT TO ONE

PENDERGRASS, GA - Stephen Leicht of Asheville, NC, has closed to within one 
point of Paul Kelley of Snellville, GA, in the American Racing Association 
(ARA) Southern Thunder point standings, based on their results in 
Saturday's Newport 125 at Newport (TN) Speedway.

Each earned five bonus points for qualifying on the front row, and Leicht 
led the race's first 106 laps before tangling with a lapped car.  He 
dropped to ninth, but charged back through to pack in his #99 Action Racing 
Collectibles Chevrolet and finished third.

Meanwhile, Kelley got hit on the first lap and wound up 19th in his #24 
Kelley Motorsports Chevrolet.  That earned him only three points, compared 
to the 19 Leicht got for finishing third.

So, Kelley's 17-point lead entering the Newport race is now only one, 
288-287 over the 14-year-old Leicht.  Michael Lance of Dacula, GA, used 10 
bonus passing points and a fourth-place finish at Newport to remain a 
strong third with 279 points.

The next ARA Southern Thunder race is the World Crown 200 at Peach State 
Speedway in Jefferson, GA, on Oct.27-28.

Unofficial ARA Southern Thunder Point Standings:

The American Racing Association (ARA) Southern Thunder unofficial standings 
following the Oct. 6 Newport 125:

1. Paul Kelley, Snellville GA, 288
2. Stephen Leicht, Asheville NC, 287
3. Michael Lance, Dacula GA, 279
4. Dwayne Buggay, Marietta GA, 194
5. Jeff Gore, Powder Springs GA, 182
6. Russell Fleeman, Dacula GA, 174
7. Kevin Perry, Jefferson GA, 172
8. Mickey Cain, Gainesville GA, 127
9. Rodney Landrum, Jonesboro GA, 127
10. Ricky Moore, Gainesville GA, 124


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