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ASA: St. Amant opens new ASA era with victory

27 March 2000

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

LAKELAND, FL. - Veteran Ohio driver Gary St. Amant was patient in the early stages of the BFGoodrich Tires 200 and avoided a major incident following a restart to score the win on Sunday as the new Vortec ASA 5700 engine made its competitive debut.

Two years in the making, the Vortec ASA 5700 is the stock engine that is being used by all competitors during the ACDelco Series. At the same time a radial tire produced by BFGoodrich becomes the new official tire of the Indiana based series.

Driving the Wynn's Chevrolet, St. Amant started 14th in the 38-car field and patiently moved his way to the front. After making their only pit stop on lap 82, many of the front runners including Mike Eddy and Rick Beebe got caught up in a seven-car incide nt entering turn one.

Second year driver Rick Johnson in the Nationwide Auction Systems Chevrolet was out in front with St. Amant running second. On lap 115 St. Amant moved inside of Johnson entering turn one and grabbed the lead that he wouldn't relinquish.

Over the final 63 laps St. Amant kept Kevin Cywinski in the LaFavre Racing Chevrolet and defending ACDelco Series champion Tim Sauter in the Build-A-Mold Chevrolet at bay despite two more caution periods.

It was St. Amant's 15th career victory and marks the second time he has started the beginning of a new decade with a win in an ASA season opening race. St. Amant scored the win in the 1990 season opener at Columbus (Ohio) Motor Speedway.

"We really wanted to win the first race of the new era," said a smiling St. Amant in victory lane at USA International Speedway after collecting $18,700 of the $209,950 purse. "The engine ran good for us all day and the tires were awesome."

St. Amant said he's glad that some veteran drivers like Cywinski, Butch Miller, Scott Hansen and Mike Eddy returned to full time ASA competition in 2000.

"I've always loved racing against the tough dogs," he commented. "It's good racing against these guys because they race you clean."

St. Amant said he knew that the key to the race would patience early in the BFGoodrich 200.

"I knew we had to have patience," said St. Amant. "Early in the race I wasn't patient and started racing hard with Larry Foyt and decided it was time to ride for awhile."

He said missing the lap 87 seven-car incident was the key part of the race.

"Dodging that big wreck was about the most excitement I had all day, except for being in victory lane," explained St. Amant. "The only reason I missed the wreck was because I was just a little further back in the field."

Cywinski, the 1997 champion, started fourth in the field and raced with the lead pack all day long taking the lead briefly from teammate Mike Garvey in the Tecumseh Chevrolet early in the race.

"It's fun to be back," said Cywinski. "I tried to put pressure Gary (St. Amant), he never gave me the line I needed. I'm looking forward to going to the next race."

He said the Vortec ASA 5700 engine ran great and makes everyone equal. Cywinski said to make a pass a car has to be superior or another driver has to make a mistake.

Sauter, the 1999 champion, started seventh in the Build-A-Mold Chevrolet and although he never led a lap was always hanging around the top five.

While running second on lap 137 Sauter was tapped by Cywinski coming off the second corner, did a complete 360 degree spin and recovered to only lose one spot.

"We were just riding early in the race," said Sauter. "We didn't know what to expect with the engine and tires and we were concerned about the brakes. We were also a little off on our pit stop."

Of the incident with Cywinski, Sauter said the pair were racing hard and Cywinski got a good run off the corner and they made contact.

"This is a good way to start the new season," said Sauter. "We want to run in the top five, just like we did last year."

Pole sitter Garvey lost the lead at the start to outside front row starter Brandon Sperling in the Crookston Poured Wall Chevrolet. Sperling led until lap seven when Garvey drove inside entering turn one.

Garvey lost the lead on lap 33 to Cywinski but reclaimed it on lap 49 and remained in front until all the leaders pitted for the only time on lap 82.

The ACDelco Series next travels to Lanier National Speedway in Gainesville, (GA) on April 8 for the running of the Discount Auto Parts 300. The race will be telecast on TNN Sports at 9 p.m. (Eastern).

Text provided by ASA

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