Butch Miller is early season points leader

Pendleton, IN (April 2, 2003) -- With scoring his 47th career ASA Racing Series victory, three-time ASA National Champion Butch Miller secured the number one position in the driver points standings after one of 17 events in 2003. Miller's dramatic pass on race leader Kevin Cywinski with eight laps remaining allowed the Timber Wolf number 52 machine to capture the initial win with new series owner Steve Dale.

1997 National Champion Kevin Cywinski is second after finishing runner-up at USA International Speedway. Cywinski of Wausau (WI) utilized superb pit strategy to grab leadership honors, but couldn't hold off the advances of Miller.

Rookie driver Reed Sorenson is third in points, after producing a career-first podium finish in the Jani-King 200 at Florida's premier short track. Sorenson made his debut with championship car owner Bud Gebben in the number 29 ACDelco car.

Florida competitor Scott Lagasse Jr. of St. Augustine holds the fourth position after posting a career best finish in just his second start in the series that is known to build champions. Lagasse started the season-opening event in third position and led 23 circuits.

Travis Kittleson struggled in qualifying, but made the most of his opportunity in the race, finishing in fifth position to round out the top-five in the driver points standings. 1997 ASA Rookie of the Year Steve Carlson is sixth with Virginia's Greg Edwards, Rookie Ryan Hemphill, Robbie Pyle and Russ Tuttle filling out the top 10.

The second event of the 2003 ASA Racing Series is set for Saturday, April 12 at Houston Motor Speedway in Houston (TX). The Texas 250 takes the green flag at 8 p.m. (Central) and will be telecast live on the SPEED CHANNEL.

-asa-