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ASA: Wimmer Wins Jani-King 300 in Hickory

23 April 2000

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

Becomes only the second rookie to win two races in a row

HICKORY, N.C.--Rookie sensation Scott Wimmer of Wausau, Ga. won his second straight ASA ACDelco Series event, capturing the Jani-King 300 at Hickory Motor Speedway in Hickory, N.C. It is the first time since 1996 that a rookie has won b ack-to-back ASA races, when Kevin Cywinski accomplished the feat.

This is awesome, I had an awesome car, said Wimmer, driving the W.J. Plemons Investments/USA Meats.com Chevrolet. I remember watching Kevin Cywinski on television when he won those races and for me to do it four years later is the best thing to ever hap pen to me.

The 2000 ASA National Points leader, Gary St. Amant of Ohio, came home second, .986-second behind Wimmer. St. Amant, who struggled all weekend, had to take a points provisional to make the field. Missouris Rick Beebe collected his first podium finish of the year, coming in third place. Beebe stayed near the front all day, but was never in contention for the win.

Wimmer held race leadership on two occasions for a total of 103 laps. He grabbed the top position from Brandon Sperling on lap 71 and paced the field for the final 66 circuits. Rounding out the top-five was rookie Robbie Pyle, fourth, and Ricky Johnson i n fifth. Pole-sitter Brandon Sperling finished just outside of the top-five, coming home sixth.

For the win, Wimmer collected $16,650 of the $200,200 purse. There were three lead changes with Tim Sauter leading the most laps, pacing the field for 127 circuits. A total of 15 cautions for 87 laps knocked out nine cars, including visiting Busch Series driver Kevin Harvick, who dropped out with suspension damage.

The ASA ACDelco Series returns to action on May 7, when the series makes its initial visit to Montgomery Motor Speedway in Montgomery, Ala. The Alabama 300 will take the green at 12:30 pm (Eastern). The event will be telecast live on TNN Sports.

PENDLETON, IN - Top 20 driver points standings after 3 events of the 2000 ASA ACDelco Series:

Pos.            Driver  Victories       Event Pts.      Total Pts. Deficit

1.              Gary St. Amant  1       185     555
2.              Brandon Sperling-       175     487     -68
3.              Kevin Cywinski  -       113     473     -82
4.              Ricky Johnson   -       170     456     -99
5.              Butch Miller    -       160     449     -106
6.              Mike Garvey     -       156     434     -121
7.              Mike Miller     -       143     433     -122
8.              Scott Hansen    -       150     433     -122
9.      R       Scott Wimmer    2       195     421     -134
10.             Tim Sauter      -       134     421     -134
11.     R       Robbie Pyle     -       141     414     -141
12.             Rick Beebe      -       180     411     -144
13.             Jack Landis     -       145     376     -179
14.     R       Mark E. Dismore -       105     371     -184
15.             Greg Stewart    -       81      363     -192
16.     R       Joey Clanton    -       175     362     -193
17.             Tristan Dupuis  -       133     359     -196
18.             Dave Sensiba    -       117     352     -203
19.             Tim Taylor      -       109     350     -205
20.     R       Larry Foyt      -       96      345     -210

Text provided by Jeremy Troiano

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