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ASA: Garvey captures first pole of new ASA era

26 March 2000

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

LAKELAND, FL--Veteran driver Mike Garvey started the new era in

American Speed Association with the newly developed Vortec ASA 5700 engine by grabbing the pole for Sundays running of the BFGoodrich Tires 200 at USA International Speedway. Garvey in the Tecumseh Chevrolet Monte Carlo was one of the last of 48 cars to make a qualifying attempt on the .75-mile speedway and turned a lap of 21.362 seconds at 126.393 mph to edge out Brandon Sperling of California.

It was Garveys seventh career ACDelco Series pole position.

"We achieved our first goal of the weekend," said Garvey, "now we hope to follow it up with a win. The new motor is fantastic. I didnt know what to expect but the motor is powerful and smooth.

"Its going to make the competition closer," he said, "as we saw today with 41 cars qualifying within one second of each other."

Sperling in his second year of competition for car owner Denny Crookston put the Crookston Poured Walls Chevrolet on the outside of the first row with a lap of 21.375 seconds at 126.316 mph.

"After practice I thought we had a competitive car," said Sperling. "I expected a top five out of this car. The new B.F. Goodrich tires were consistent for us all day.

"We did no testing before the start of the 2000 season and we shook the car down on Friday," he said. "Once I got comfortable in the car, our lap times got quicker all the time. This is an awesome way to start the season."

Rookie competitor Robbie Pyle of Columbus, Ohio, one of 23 freshman to try to make the 36-car starting field, posted the third fastest time with a lap of 21.388 seconds at 126.239 mph. Former ACDelco Series champion Kevin Cywinski will start on the outside of the second row in the LaFavre Racing Chevrolet.

"That lap really surprised us," said Pyle. "We hadnt been that fast all day. Going out late in the qualifying session helped because there was more rubber on the track. I knew that second lap was a good one and I tried not to overdrive the car."

Pyle said the race will be a different situation and he plans to complete all 200-laps.

"Im surrounded by veterans so I hope to learn from them and run with them," he said. "This is a real confidence boost for the team, which has worked hard all winter. It makes me feel like we showed we belong here."

Pyle said the team has not practiced pit stops very much and that could be a problem during Sundays BFGoodrich Tires 200.

Activities at USA International Speedway gets underway on Sunday at 9 a.m. when spectator gates open. An ACDelco Series exclusive on-track autograph session will take place from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Pre-race ceremonies begin at 11:20 a.m. with the green set to wave for the BFGoodrich Tires 200 at 12:04 p.m.

Text provided by ASA

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