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ASA: Steve Dale, Joey Clanton Head To ASA ACDelco Series

10 March 2000

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel
ATLANTA, Ga- Steve Dale, successful businessman and Legends Series racer, has assembled a stellar team to pursue the 2000 American Speed Association (ASA) Pat Schauer Memorial Rookie of the Year honors. Steve Dale Motorsports has tabbed Joey Clanton, a 1999 graduate of Georgia Tech in mechanical engineering, as driver for its newly formed team.

Clanton, 27, started racing when he was 16 and has progressed through the NASCAR Late Model Stock series to the Super Late Model class, capturing eight wins during the 1997 and 1998 seasons. After graduation from Georgia Tech, Clanton took the wheel of a Legends car and recorded 17 wins and 22 top-five finishes in 24 starts.

Gene Roberts will serve as general manager for the team and will share crew chief duties with Jack Long, a former crew chief for Morgan Shepherd in Winston Cup. Roberts enters the organization with prior crew chief experience, serving as crew chief for Bill Elliotts Winston Cup team. Marketing specialist and former Miami Dolphins and Philadelphia Eagles player Rich Bodmer will be the teams director of marketing.

"Steve Dale has assembled all the right people for a class-A team," explained Clanton. "We are hoping to turn a lot of heads in ASA this year. With ASA making the move up, we want to move up with them. All the old set-ups, gear ratios and such from years past are gone. The drivers, the crew chiefs and their teams will determine who wins.

Steve (Dale) has made every effort to make sure I have the best opportunity possible. Genes (Roberts) experience will help me get to that next level. I look to win races, run up front and show what I can do. This way I can focus on what I have to do as a driver which in turn will spotlight the whole team."

Clanton will pilot the number 83 Pontiac Grand Prix in search of the $50,000 Rookie of the Year bonus. The team has not secured sponsorship, but plans to make its debut at the first event of the 2000 season in Lakeland, Florida. For more information concerning the team or sponsorship contact Rich Bodmer at (404) 874-6824.

The season opens with the BFGoodrich Tires 200 on Sunday, March 26 at USA International Speedway at noon (Eastern). With ASAs two-day format, practice, qualifying and a 50-lap qualifying race will take place on Saturday, March 25. Tickets for the BFGoodrich Tires 200 are available by calling the ASA Ticket Line toll-free at 1-888-272-1020. The event will be telecast live by TNN Sports.

Text provided by Jeremy Troiano

Editors Note: To view hundreds of hot racing photos and art, visit The Racing Photo Museum and the Visions of Speed Art Gallery.