Clanton Salem preview

ATLANTA (July 17, 2001) - Joey Clanton and the Steve Dale Motorsports No. 83 team will travel to the heart of the Midwest this weekend to test their talent on the super-fast, high-banked oval of Salem (Ind.) Speedway in Saturday's American Speed Association (ASA) Tecumseh 300. With regular sponsors Zaxby's Real Chicken, Racing Radios, Quaker State, and Pro Shocks on board the No. 83 Monte Carlo, Clanton and the team will get a little additional help from race sponsor Tecumseh.

This weekend, Clanton, along with the rest of the field that were listed in the top-20 in owners points at the ninth race on the 2001 schedule, will display the company decals of Tecumseh suppliers and distributors. The No. 83 yellow and blue Zaxby's Real Chicken machine will carry the logo of Trace Die Cast, an aluminum castings product.

In addition to the regular racing action, Clanton and the crew will participate in the "Tecumseh Support Network Pit Stop Challenge". The No. 83 crew are favorites for the title as they have clocked some of the fastest pit stops this 2001 season. The winner of the pit stop challenge not only wins bragging rights, but also a Murray Riding Mower.

Clanton is heading to Salem Speedway this weekend with hopes that he has better luck at the half-mile oval than he had last year. In his 2000 rookie season, the No. 83 Steve Dale Motorsports-entry faltered with 50 laps to go in the race due to a broken alternator wire. The team had been running strong all night but just caught a little bad luck, finishing 18th in the final rundown.

"We are looking for another top-five finish," stated Clanton. "Consistency will be key to the series championship, and we are hoping to score another strong finish."

The Tecumseh 300 will take place this Saturday, July 21 beginning at 9:00 p.m. EST. The race will be broadcast live on The National Network (TNN).

-SDM