Rookie driver wins at Hickory

HICKORY, N.C. (April 22, 2000) -- Rookie sensation Scott Wimmer of Wausau, Ga. won his second straight ASA ACDelco Series event, capturing the Jani-King 300 at Hickory Motor Speedway in Hickory, N.C. It is the first time since 1996 that a rookie has won b ack-to-back ASA races, when Kevin Cywinski accomplished the feat.

"This is awesome, I had an awesome car," said Wimmer, driving the W.J. Plemons Investments/USA Meats.com Chevrolet. "I remember watching Kevin Cywinski on television when he won those races and for me to do it four years later is the best thing to ever hap pen to me.

The 2000 ASA National Points leader, Gary St. Amant of Ohio, came home second, .986-second behind Wimmer. St. Amant, who struggled all weekend, had to take a points provisional to make the field. Missouri's Rick Beebe collected his first podium finish of

the year, coming in third place. Beebe stayed near the front all day, but was never in contention for the win.

Wimmer held race leadership on two occasions for a total of 103 laps. He grabbed the top position from Brandon Sperling on lap 71 and paced the field for the final 66 circuits. Rounding out the top-five was rookie Robbie Pyle, fourth, and Ricky Johnson i n fifth. Pole-sitter Brandon Sperling finished just outside of the top-five, coming home sixth.

For the win, Wimmer collected $16,650 of the $200,200 purse. There were three lead changes with Tim Sauter leading the most laps, pacing the field for 127 circuits. A total of 15 cautions for 87 laps knocked out nine cars, including visiting Busch Series driver Kevin Harvick, who dropped out with suspension damage.

The ASA ACDelco Series returns to action on May 7, when the series makes its initial visit to Montgomery Motor Speedway in Montgomery, Ala. The Alabama 300 will take the green at 12:30 pm (Eastern). The event will be telecast live on TNN Sports.