Series makes initial Midwest appearance

ASA makes initial Midwest appearance in Toledo.

Pendleton, Ind. (April 16, 2002) -- Making its return to the Midwest, the ASA Racing Series roars into Toledo Speedway on Sunday, May 18. The Glass City 300 marks the 18th visit to the Ohio track for the series known to build champions and the first of two races in the Buckeye State during ASA's 36th season of championship stock car racing.

In ASA's most recent event at Toledo, eventual 2002 national champion Joey Clanton dominated the Metro Toledo/Northwest Ohio Ford Dealers 300 Presented by Jani-King and Sterling on Sunday, August 11 to score his eighth victory of the season.

Clanton drove inside 1997 series champion Kevin Cywinski coming off the fourth corner on lap 78 and then led the remainder of the 300-lap event. With this victory, Clanton retook the season point lead from two-time ASA titlist Gary St. Amant, who failed to lead a lap and was never a factor while finishing 12th. It was Clanton's 12th career ASA victory and his first since I-70 Speedway in June.

Over the final 123 laps, Clanton turned back challenges from Cywinski and Jason Boyd in the Jani-King car. During its one and only pit stop on lap 133, the Steve Dale-owned team kept its driver on the point.

Polesitter Butch Miller, driving the ASI Limited Chevrolet, trailed Clanton by 2.214 seconds at the checkers with Cywinski rounding out the top three. 2002 Rookie of the Year David Stremme rode home fourth, despite a last-lap incident with Boyd. Kyle Busch finished in fifth position.

"Our car was not that good on short runs and I couldn't get down on the inside," said Clanton. "After about 10 laps, we could go to the bottom, but the fast line was just off the bottom."

"At the finish the car would just roll through the corners. We've had fast cars at every track and just had some bad luck. We knew we had to get the monkey off our backs this weekend and the crew did a great job in preparing the car," added Clanton.

ASA returns to Toledo for the Glass City 300 on Saturday, May 17 and Sunday, May 18. Practice gets under way at noon Saturday with pole qualifying scheduled for 4 p.m. On Sunday, activities begin with ASA's exclusive on-track autograph session at 1 p.m. with pre-race ceremonies beginning at 2 and the Glass City 300 going green at 3 p.m. (Eastern)

Tickets are available 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. The event will be telecast live on Speed Channel at 9 p.m. (Eastern)

For more information on the ASA Racing Series, visit www.asaracing.com.

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