Lanier National Speedway Preview

PENDLETON, Ind. (March 31, 2000) -- The opening event of the American Speed Association's 33rd season, the BFGoodrich Tires 200, held March 26 at USA International Speedway in Lakeland, Fla., saw 1998 ASA National Champion Gary St. Amant pull off one of the biggest victories of his career.

The win in the first of 20 ASA ACDelco Series races gives St. Amant the lead over 1997 ASA National Champion Kevin Cywinski by eight points in the standings. St. Amant led the final 85 laps en route to earning his 15th career victory. St. Amant's win placed his name as the first driver to win a stock car race with the new GM Vortec ASA 5700, a factory-produced, fuel-injected engine mandated for use by all competitors in 2000. It was also the first race with the new BFGoodrich Traction T/A radial tire, the first use of radial tires in the sanctioning body's history.

Tim Sauter, 1999 ASA National Champion, sits third in the points after a workman-like third-place finish at USA International Speedway. He is 20 points behind St. Amant, as is 1999 Rookie of the Year Rick Johnson. Brandon Sperling, outside pole-sitter for the BFGoodrich Tires 200, is fifth in the points, just 21 markers behind St. Amant, following a fifth-place finish in the season opener.

Son of legendary motorsports driver AJ Foyt, Larry Foyt leads the Pat Schauer Memorial Rookie of the Year standings after the start of ASA's 33rd season. Foyt, who finished ninth in the event, leads Gary Sherman by nine points, and sits 10 ahead of J.C. Beattie, who won the qualifying race on Saturday night prior to the event. Mark E. Dismore and Philip Kranefuss round out the top-five rookies.

The Discount Auto Parts 300 will mark ASA's return to Georgia. On six previous visits, four at Peach State Speedway and two at Atlanta Motor Speedway, winners have included the late Alan Kulwicki, Rusty Wallace, Jim Sauter, Steve Carlson, Mike Miller of Georgia and Mike Garvey. Miller and Garvey are both scheduled to compete in the 300-lap showdown.

Activities for the Discount Auto Parts 300 presented by Jani-King begin Friday, April 7, with qualifying starting at 4 p.m. (Eastern) and a 100-lap qualifying race at 8 p.m. Saturday, April 8 activities begin at 7 p.m. with the exclusive ASA on-track autograph session, and the second race of the 2000 season taking the green at 9 p.m.

Tickets are available by calling the ASA ticket line, toll-free at 1-888-ASA-1020.