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ASA: Joey Clanton Takes First ASA Win at Memphis

11 September 2000

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

Georgia Rookie Holds of Butch Miller in Memphis 200

MEMPHIS, Tenn.--For the second week in a row, the American Speed Association ACDelco Series celebrated a first time winner, as the leader for the Pat Schauer Memorial Rookie of the Year, Joey Clanton, held off one the series wisest veterans to top a dominating performance in the Memphis 200 presented by Jani-King.

Clanton led for 101 laps, but had to deal with veteran Butch Miller who led much of the early event, lapped traffic and extreme heat and humidity, during two cautions late in the race, which allowed the leaders to line up and get a chance at the rookie. Clanton and Miller raced side-by-side several time in the closing laps, with the Georgia rookie pulling away at the end.

"When I saw the white flag and saw I had two or three car lengths on him, I remembered what my daddy always said to me," said Clanton. "My daddy always said, even if it is the slowest lap, keep the car on the bottom and let them pass you on the out side. I knew (Miller) wasnt going to pass me on the outside.

"It still hasnt sunk in yet, might not for a while," the winner said. "The crew did a great job of getting me out in front every time in the pits, so a big part of this win was their doing. I always wanted to win my first race racing."

Miller, who was one of seven drivers to lead on the day, ran Clanton a clean race over the final laps and was disappointed he couldnt collect his second win of the season. Miller finish .210 seconds behind Clanton at the finish.

Kevin Cywinski made up some valuable championship points, brining his LaFavre Racing Chevrolet home third. Scott Hansen battled back from a lap down to finish fourth, with points leader Gary St. Amant finishing fifth.

"The heat was far worst than the traffic today," said Cywinski, who had to fight high 80 temperatures and extreme humidity. "Our car got a lot better from yesterday because of some wholesale changes we made during each pit stop. We are really happy to walk away with this third-place."

Activities for the ASA 200 begin on Saturday with the on track fan autograph session at 6 p.m. (local). Pre-race ceremonies start at 1:15 pm, with the ASA 200 taking the green flag at 8 pm. The event will be telecast on a two-hour tape delay at 11 p.m (Eastern) and 10 p.m. (Central).

MEMPHIS, Tenn.--The results from Sundays American Speed Association ACDelco Series $212,200 Memphis 200 presented by Jani-King at the .750-mile Memphis Motorsports Park. Listed is finishing and starting position (in parenthesis) driver, make of car, laps completed and reason out, if any.

1)(4) Joey Clanton, Pontiac, 200
2)(2) Butch Miller, Pontiac, 200
3)(20) Kevin Cywinski, Chevrolet, 200
4)(13) Scott Hansen, Ford, 200
5)(3) Gary St. Amant, Chevrolet, 200
6)(5) Joe Nott, Chevrolet, 200
7)(17) Rick Beebe, Pontiac, 200
8)(8) Tim Sauter, Chevrolet, 200
9)(27) Russ Tuttle, Pontiac, 200
10)(18) Glenn Allen Jr., Pontiac, 200
11)(11) Mark Dismore, Chevrolet, 200
12)(1) David Stremme, Pontiac, 200
13)(21) Ricky Johnson, Chevrolet, 200
14)(17) Mike Miller, Pontiac, 200
15)(14) Greg Stewart, Pontiac, 200
16)(26) Ted Smokstad, Chevrolet, 200
17)(9) Robbie Pyle, Chevrolet, 200
18)(25) David Bonnett, Chevrolet, 200
19)(16) Larry Foyt, Pontiac, 200
20)(30) J.C. Beattie Jr., Chevrolet, 198
21)(32) Dave Sensiba, Pontiac, 197
22)(10) Tim Taylor, Chevrolet, 197
23)(36) Ken Alexander, Chevrolet, 197
24)(31) Ricky Bryant, Pontiac, 197
25)(12) Tristan Dupuis, Pontiac, 196
26)(29) Jack Landis, Ford, 196
27)(33) Craig Smith, Pontiac, 196
28)(24) Brandon Sperling, Chevrolet, 195, accident
29)(28) Paul Dallenbach, Ford, 194
30)(7) Mike Garvey, Chevrolet, 173, rear end
31)(22) Scott Wimmer, Chevrolet, 157, mechanical
32)(6) Johnny Sauter, Chevrolet, 134, handling
33)(35) Brian Schwartz, Chevrolet, 119, driveline
34)(34) Greg Williams, Chevrolet, 108, brakes
35)(23) Mike Cope, Chevrolet, 101, clutch
36)(19) Greg Edwards, Chevrolet, 66, handling

RACE STATISTICS:
Time of Race: 1 hour, 47 minutes, 39.520 seconds
Average Speed: 83.598 mph (new race record)
Margin of victory: 0.210 seconds
Lead Changes: 9 among 7 drivers

Lap Leaders: Clanton, 1-4; B. Miller, 5-62; Hansen, 63-68; Cope, 69-71; Clanton, 72-86; B. Miller, 87-94; Wimmer, 95-104; M. Miller, 105-112; Taylor, 113-118; Clanton, 119-200.

Cautions: 7 for 33 laps

Unofficial ASA ACDelco Series point standings after 17 of 20 races: 1) St. Amant, 3,034; 2) Cywinski, 2,690; 3) T. Sauter, 2,557; 4) Garvey, 2,516; 5) B. Miller, 2,476; 6) Hansen, 2,461; 7) M. Miller, 2,368; 8) Clanton, 2,336; 9) Johnson, 2,253; 10) Pyle, 2,208.

Text provided by Jeremy Troiano

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