Erie, Pa. (August 23, 2003) – South Carolina driver Toby Porter bumped the American Speed Association current point’s leader Kevin Cywinski from the top spot to claim his first career pole position during qualifying for today’s Erie 250.

The Erie 250 will be broadcast Sunday on the Speed Channel starting at 5 p.m.
(EDT).

Porter in the Meijer Chevrolet toured the .375-mile oval in 15.096 seconds (89.428 mph) to knock Cywinski in the Great Clips Chevrolet from the top spot and then watched as rookie point’s leader Reed Sorenson in the ACDelco Chevrolet came up short in the run for the pole.

Sorenson was the quickest driver during two of the three practice sessions, but lost about a tenth of a second in qualifying to claim the outside starting position on the front row with a time of 15.141-seconds (89.162 mph).

Cywinski, looking to capture the “Top Gun” award for winning at the three new tracks visited by ASA in 2003, will start third after turning a lap at 15.149-seconds (89.115 mph). Florida rookie Travis Kittleson will start fourth in the Bob Steele Chevrolet with a time of 15.177-seconds (88.950 mph).

Porter replaced Pennsylvania driver Ryan Hemphill in the Meijer Chevrolet at the sixth event of the ASA season at Hawkeye Downs Speedway and has driven to three top-ten finishes in seven starts.

“We made a few changes in the car after practice,” said Porter of the pole run. “We just had to fine tune the car after testing here last week, Every race we’re getting a little better.

“Having tested here made the day easier,” he continued. “We never made a sticker run because of traffic on the track. I’m excited about winning the pole. It’s nice to get that first one.”

Sorenson said the Chevrolet was good all day on old and new tires.

“The car was still good in qualifying,” he said. “We were about a tenth of a second off our practice times. We have a good car for the race and maybe can get that first win.”

Cywinski has already won in 2003 at Houston Motor Speedway and Mansfield Motorsports Speedway during ASA’s initial stops at the tracks in Texas and Ohio.


He is coming off a win last Saturday in the Pennsylvania 250 at Jennerstown Speedway and leads Butch Miller by 134 points for the championship with five races remaining.

Cywinski said he was surprised by Porter’s lap and expected Sorenson to be quick after the three practice sessions.

“We needed to back up our mock qualifying run, which we were able to do,” said Cywinski. “I thing we have a little more for the race, hopefully we will.

“This is a great facility,’ he said. “To win at all the new tracks would be great. This track is unbelievably smooth and there should be two racing grooves.”

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

ASA BOX

American Speed Association
Lake Erie 250
Erie, Pennsylvania
Starting Line-up
Race Sunday

1) Toby Porter, Chevrolet, 89.428 mph
2) Reed Sorenson, Chevrolet, 89.162 mph
3) Kevin Cywinski, Chevrolet, 89.115 mph
4) Travis Kittleson, Chevrolet, 88.950 mph
5) Joey Miller, Chevrolet, 88.874 mph
6) Butch Miller, Chevrolet, 88.652 mph
7) Peter Cozzolino, Chevrolet, 88.647 mph
8) Robbie Pyle, Chevrolet, 88.612 mph
9) Mike Garvey, Chevrolet, 88.594 mph
10) Glenn Allen Jr., Chevrolet, 88.588 mph
11) Gary St. Amant, Chevrolet, 88.467 mph
12) Chris Wimmer, Chevrolet, 88.426 mph
13) Greg Stewart, Chevrolet, 88.264 mph
14) Todd Kluever, Chevrolet, 88.241 mph
15) Andrew Morrisey, Chevrolet, 88.189 mph
16) Rich Bickle, Chevrolet, 88.178 mph
17) Bryan Reffner, Chevrolet, 88.178 mph
18) Chad Wood, Chevrolet, 88.103 mph
19) Zach Niessner, Chevrolet, 88.103 mph
20) Rick Beebe, Ford, 87.965 mph
21) Boris Jurkovic, Chevrolet
22) Davin Scites, Chevrolet
23) Ed Brown, Chevrolet
24) Greg Williams, Chevrolet
25) Kris Stump, Ford
26) Brent Downey, Chevrolet
27) Billy Whitaker, Chevrolet
28) Troy Wangerin, Chevrolet
29) Jim Ross, Chevrolet
30) Greg Edwards, Chevrolet
31) Tim Jedrzejek, Chevrolet
32) Kyle Burts, Pontiac








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