Series has Georgia on the mind

Pendleton, IN (April 3, 2003) -- Making its eighth appearance in Georgia, the ASA Racing Series will commence with a national touring stock car event on Saturday, April 26 at Lanier National Speedway in Braselton (GA). America's premier short track stock car racing series will compete in the Peach State for the first occasion since April of 2000.

The series that is known to build champions has raced in Georgia on three different racetracks with seven competitors scoring victories in these events. 1983 ASA National Champion Rusty Wallace won the inaugural event at the 1.522-mile oval of Atlanta International Raceway in April of 1983. Wisconsin ace Jim Sauter captured the checkered flag in the second appearance at the super speedway.

In ASA's debut at Georgia International Speedway (known today as Peach State Speedway) in 1985, Alan Kulwicki won his fifth ASA National event. 1997 ASA Rookie of the Year Steve Carlson scored his initial victory at Peach State with Mike Miller winning in 1998 and Mike Garvey taking the checkers in 1999. The following season, ASA made its first appearance at Lanier National Speedway, with Scott Wimmer pulling off a stunning first victory in just his second-ever appearance in the series.

In ASA's Georgia debut, 1983 ASA National Champion Rusty Wallace won the Kraco Dixie 200 at Atlanta International Raceway. Wallace of St. Louis (MO) powered around Kulwicki on the 118th circuit and then led the final 15 circuits of the 200-mile event.

Dominating the last portion of the 1984 event at Atlanta International, Jim Sauter finished ahead of Dick Trickle and Harold Fair. Bobby Dotter finished fourth with seven- time ASA National Champion Mike Eddy grabbing fifth-place honors.

The second event of the 1985 season took place at the .50-mile oval of Georgia International Speedway with Kulwicki winning the event. The Wisconsin racer inherited the top spot on lap 204 when race leader Butch Miller dropped out of contention with overheating troubles. Kulwicki was followed across the line by all-time victory leader Bob Senneker and Eddy.

After a 12-year absence, the series that is known to build champions returned to Peach State Speedway in April of 1997. Eventual 1997 ASA Rookie of the Year Steve Carlson won the biggest event of his racing career, after advancing past Brandon Sperling on the 271st circuit. Two-time ASA National Champion Gary St. Amant placed second with Senneker taking third-place honors.

Winning his eighth event, Mike Miller of Marietta (GA) took top honors in the 1998 season-opening race at Peach State Speedway. Miller completed the race-winning pass on the 258th circuit, bypassing St. Amant. Following the top-two finishes included 1996 ASA National Champion Tony Raines and Senneker.

Mike Garvey of Atlanta won the 300-lap event in April of 1999 at the Jefferson (GA) oval. He completed the final pass of the event on the 266th lap, passing St. Amant. 1999 ASA National Champion Tim Sauter finished second.

In the most recent event in Georgia at Lanier National Speedway, 2000 rookie Scott Wimmer was victorious in just his second appearance in the series. Wimmer of Wausau (WI) passed second place Tim Sauter and race leader Mike Miller with 122 circuits remaining. Miller held on for runner-up honors with three-time ASA National Champion Butch Miller, Scott Hansen and two-time ASA National Champion Gary St. Amant rounding out the top-five finishers.

The ASA Racing Georgia 250 Presented By Jani-King kicks off on Saturday, April 26 with the first of two practice sessions scheduled for 1 p.m. with qualifying at 4:30. ASA's On-Track Fan Autograph session begins at 7 p.m. with pre-race ceremonies starting at 8. Driver introductions are scheduled for 8:20 with the National Anthem and command to start engines set for approximately 8:45. The ASA Racing Georgia 250 Presented By Jani-King goes green at 9 p.m. (Eastern).

Tickets are available in advance through the ASA office at a cost of $25 for general admission seats. Discounts are available when purchasing in advance. For additional information, contact the ASA ticket line at 1-888-ASA-1020.

For additional information on the ASA Racing Series visit asaracing.com.

-asa-