ASA's History Continues to Shine at Madison

  

Pendleton,  Ind.  (July  2,  2003)  –  In  a  short  period  of  seven  events  at  the  .50-mile
Madison  International  Speedway,  the  ASA  Racing  Series  has  built  an  impressive
resume. Seven competitors have driven into the winner’s circle in as many events with
home  state  hero  Jim  Sauter capturing the inaugural trip in July of 1984. Other victors
include three-time ASA Champion Butch Miller, four-time series titlist Mark Martin, 1989
Rookie of the Year Scott Hansen, two-time champion Gary St. Amant, Robbie Pyle and
Steve Carlson.

Jim Sauter’s victory in the initial event was dominant. He grabbed the pole position and
then led the opening 134 circuits of the Capital 300. Swapping leadership honors with
Dick Trickle on several occasions, Sauter completed the race-winning pass with 14 laps
remaining. Joe Shear and Trickle followed him across the finish line.

Controlling the last third of the 1985 event, Butch Miller of Coopersville, Mich., rocketed
to the winner’s circle, finishing .1 seconds ahead of Alan Kulwicki and Michigan legend
Bob Senneker. Trickle placed fourth with Martin rounding out the top five.

Completing the race-winning pass with six circuits remaining, Martin bagged $8,640 for
the win in 1986. Six drivers shared leadership honors with Martin pacing the event on
two occasions for 41 go-arounds. Tickle finished second with Senneker in third place.

After  a  seven-year  absence,  ASA  returned  to  Madison  in  September  of  1993  with
Hansen earning a dominating victory. The 1989 Rookie of the Year started third in the
35-car starting field, initially grabbing the top spot on the 22nd circuit. He led for 39 laps
and eventually made his final pass on lap 140, powering around Ken Schrader. At the
finish, he finished ahead of Jay Sauter and Illinois racer Jeff Neal.

Pulling away at the checkers, St. Amant notched one of his three wins during his second
championship season in 2000. The Ohio racer passed Dave Sensiba on the 239th lap
and then finished 2.075 seconds ahead of 1997 series champion Kevin Cywinski. Mike
Garvey  placed  third  with  Joey  Clanton  and  Butch  Miller  rounding  out  the  top-five
finishers.

In dramatic fashion, Robbie Pyle charged to his first ASA victory after leader Gary St.
Amant and Mike Eddy make contact on the final lap of the 2001 event. Pyle advanced
from third to capture the win. Eddy finished in second spot with St. Amant listed in 14th,
the first driver one lap off the winning pace.

Last season at Madison, 1997 ASA Rookie of the Year Steve Carlson started shotgun
on the field and took the lead with 44 laps remaining from Gary St. Amant. Carlson went
on   to   score   his   first   victory   in   the   series   that   builds   champions   since   1997   at
Jennerstown Speedway.

Carlson  initially  took  the  top  spot  on  lap  180  with  an  inside  pass  on  St.  Amant  in  the
ACDelco No. 7 Chevrolet. St. Amant reclaimed the top spot following the final pit stops
by the leaders on lap 217. On a restart following a late-race caution when Rookie Pat


Kelly spun his No. 66 car in Turn 4, Carlson slid into first place on lap 245 with an inside
move through turns one and two around St. Amant.

Carlson last started on the tail of an ASA event earlier in the 2002 season at La Crosse
Fairgrounds Speedway in West Salem, Wis., when Kevin Nuttleman qualified his car. In
that event, Carlson crossed the stripe in third at the finish.

At  Madison,  Carlson  finished  2.6  seconds  ahead  of  St.  Amant  with  David  Stremme,
1997  ASA  champion  Kevin  Cywinski  and  three-time  series  titlist  Butch  Miller  rounding
out  the  top-five  finishers.  Robbie  Pyle  placed  sixth  with  Scott  Hansen,  Greg  Stewart,
Kyle Busch and Rick Beebe comprising the top 10.

ASA  returns  to  Madison  International  Speedway  for  the  BFGoodrich  Tires  250  on
Friday, July 18, with the first of two practice sessions beginning at noon. Pole qualifying
is set for 4 p.m. with an autograph session and live musical entertainment to follow. The
BFGoodrich Tires 250 goes green at 8 p.m. (Central)

Tickets  are  available  through  the  ASA  office  at  a  cost  of  $25  for  general  admission
seats. Discounts are available when purchasing in advance. For additional information,
contact the ASA ticket line at 1-888-ASA-1020 or visit asaracing.com.