Nashville pre-race notes

Pendleton, Ind. (September 18, 2003) -- For years, the All American 400 late model race held at Nashville Speedway matched the top stock car drivers from the North versus the best drivers from the South. It was among the biggest, most anticipated, short track stock car events in the country. The "Civil War on Wheels" concept will be revived in 2003 when the Indiana based Sunoco Super Series and Alabama headquartered Southern All-Star Series co-sanction the Patriot 200 on the eve of the ASA Racing Series season finale at the Fairgrounds Speedway in Nashville on Saturday, October 19

Almost $85,000 in posted awards will be contested during the Patriot 200. The event features a 40-car starting field, paying $1,000 to start. The race winner will take home a value of over $30,000 with a minimum purse check of $5,000 and a $25,000 value for the opportunity to compete in the ASA Racing Series season finale with an all expenses paid ride. In addition, the purse includes a bonus for the top-five finishers from each of the competing sanctioning bodies.

The Sunoco Super Series features a mixture of racing talent from Indiana, Canada, Michigan and Kentucky. Atop the list is six-time ASA event winner Junior Hanley. The Canadian Hall of Fame inductee has been a regular fixture on the Sunoco tour since 2000, finishing the season points as runner-up to Scott Hantz in 2000 and Joel Kauffman in 2002. He currently ranks second in the standings behind Bobby Parsley, who drives one of his Hanley chassis. Hanley has tailed 17 wins in over 60 appearances.

Current point's leader Bobby Parsley of Kentucky has experienced a career best season, learning from the guidance of Hanley. Parsley won the season opening event at Anderson Speedway in Indiana in April and added the biggest victory of his career in July at the prestigious Chevy Dealers Anderson 400.

2000 Champion and Rookie of the Year Scott Hantz is always a series contender. Hantz has collected three wins in 2003 and has 12 for his career. The Angola, Ind., competitor has an extensive background in late model racing in Indiana, Michigan and Ohio.

Former USA Modified Champion Jeff Lane has won two Sunoco events in 2003 at Mt. Lawn Speedway in May and most recently at Shady Bowl Speedway in Ohio. J.R. Roahrig of South Bend, Ind., has competed the last two seasons with the series after being a regular with the NASCAR Midwest Series. Roahrig has scored three Sunoco wins.

Other top Sunoco Super Series competitors include Jim Crabtree Jr., Eddie Van Meter, Bull Baker, Rick Turner, Billy Barton, Chuck Barnes Jr. and Tom Hernley Jr. Part-timer racers that are expected at Nashville include Eddie Hoffman, Brian Hoppe, Joey Miller and Brad Mueller.

Wayne Willard of Georgia currently leads the Southern All Star Series standings in his first full year with the series. In the opening 10 events, he has scored four wins, three at Birmingham Int'l Raceway and one at the Montgomery Speedway.

Chad Brawn of Anderson, S.C. ranks second in the point standings and currently leads the Rookie of the Year Standings. Third place is another rookie Todd Trinkle of Monroe, Ga., with Jonathan Shields of Roundhill, Ky., in fourth position. Jeff Leston of Huntersville, Ala. rounds out the top five. Leston is a veteran of Open Wheel Modifieds racing.

Other drivers from across the southeast that are expected to be in competition include Tim Fryar of Chattanooga, Tenn., who has one victory this year at Huntsville, Jimmy Garmon of Gainesville, Ga., has scored three top-five and five top 10s in 2003.

Two-time Southern All Stars Champion Ricky Turner of Dawsonville, Ga., has visited the winner's circle on two occasions this year taking place at Fairgrounds Speedway in Nashville and Lanier National Speedway. Jason Hogan of Cleveland, Ga., has one win at Huntsville along with three top-five finishes and four top-10s.

1999 Champion Gary Helton of Tennessee recorded four top fives and four top 10s during the 2003 season. Johnny Brazier of Alabama, a two-time series champion, Stanley Smith of Chelsea, Ala., current NASCAR Southeast Series point's leader Charlie Bradberry of Chelsea, Ala., Dave Mader, Dick Anderson and Wayne Anderson are also expected to compete in the Patriot 200.

On Friday at Fairgrounds Speedway in Nashville, ASA and the Patriot 200 competitors will have optional practice beginning at 11 a.m. The respective sessions conclude at 5:15 pm.

On Saturday, practice resumes at 10:30 a.m. with the Patriot 200 field set in pole qualifying at 2:30. ASA qualifying for the BFGoodrich Tires Traction T/A 300 presented by Greased Lighting Orange Blast and Jani-King takes place at 4. There will be two last chance qualifying events for the Patriot 200 beginning at 5:30 and 6 with the 200-lap main event going green at 8.

On Sunday, ASA's on-track fan autograph session and live musical entertainment are scheduled for 1:30 p.m. with pre-race ceremonies set for 2:30. The BFGoodrich T/A Tires 300 presented by Greased Lighting Orange Blast and Jani-King goes green at 3:00. (Local)

Tickets for the BFGoodrich Tires Traction T/A 300 presented by Greased Lighting Orange Blast and Jani-King at Fairgrounds Speedway in Nashville are general admission and sold for $20 each in advance or $25 each on race day. Children 12 years old and younger will be admitted free with a paying adult. Tickets on Saturday for the Patriot 200 late model event are selling for $18 in advance and $20 on race day. If tickets are purchased for both days, the price is $35. For additional information call 1- 888-ASA-1020 or visit www.asaracing.com. VISA, MasterCard and Discover are accepted.