Wednesday, July 17, 2002
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Wednesday, July 17, 2002 |
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Typical ASA-style Racing Lands Clanton in 10th
Hello race fans. The series I race in, the American Speed Association (ASA), is known to be one of the most competitive short track series in the United States. What it might be better known for is the excitement that the teams bring to the racetrack. This week was no exception. Despite having one of the best cars, and leading 169 laps, the Camp Fire USA Georgia Council team finished 10th due to contact with another car late in the race. While I am disappointed that our team wasn't able to capture its eighth victory of the 2002 season, I am pleased that we were able to put on a great show for the race fans in Pennsylvania. There were 10 lead changes in the race among five drivers and it was a battle to the end between the winner and second place finisher. That kind of racing is what makes the ASA Series so special. Like I said, we were having a great day on Sunday when we got bumped from behind by the car running in second. It was just close racing and he went into the corner at a different line than I did. I've bumped into some cars this year going for the win and I know that's just what he was doing. The car didn't suffer much damage and we salvaged a 10th place finish, so all in all, I was pretty pleased. We also kept our lead in the point standings. On Monday we tested at Toledo (Ohio) Speedway in preparation for the race in August. Toledo is the one track on the ASA schedule that the Steve Dale Motorsports team just hasn't had any luck at. We finished 30th there last year and 27th the year before, so I am pretty confident we can better those finishes. Testing at Toledo really helped, it allowed me to get familiar with the track again. This weekend we are going to Salem Speedway in Salem, Indiana. The track is really high banked and is so much fun to race on. We're taking a car that we have set up specifically for high-banked tracks. We used the car last year at Winchester (Ind.) Speedway and won the race, so I know that it's a good car. Be sure to check us out this weekend. The race will be broadcast tape delayed on The National Network (TNN) beginning at 12 a.m. on July 21 - so be sure to program your VCR. Until next time, Joey
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