Pendleton, Ind. (October 3, 2003) – ASA Racing Series Qualifications will have an extra sense of urgency with the announcement of the McDonald’s i’m lovin’ it Pole Award at Salem Speedway on Saturday, October 4. The fastest qualifier receives a $1,000 bonus from McDonald’s Restaurants.

This driver is also eligible to win the VP Racing Fuels Front Runner Award, valued at $500, if he can also win the 300-lap event. The McDonald’s i’m lovin’ it Pole Award winner will be honored in pre-race activities on Saturday evening, prior to the Pep Boys 300 presented by Greased Lightning Orange Blast.

ASA McDonald’s i’m lovin’ it Pole Qualifying is set for 4 p.m. onSaturday, which establishes the starting field for the 16th event of the 2003 season.

The Pep Boys 300 presented by Greased Lightning Orange Blast starting field will consist of 32 cars, with positions 1 through 20 coming from qualifications. Positions 21 through 24 will come from the current 2003 Owners’ Point Standings. Positions 25 through 32 will be filled with the fastest eight cars remaining from qualifications. A
maximum of two provisional starters may be added to the field by the order specified in the ASA Racing 2003 Official Rulebook.

In ASA’s most recent event at Salem Speedway in July of 2002, 1997 ASA National Champion and current point’s leader Kevin Cywinski recorded his fifth career pole and second of the season. Cywinski toured the .54-mile oval in 17.521 seconds at 110.953 mph. 2002 Rookie runner-up Dan Fredrickson timed in second quickest, just .059
seconds behind Cywinski. Three-time series champion Butch Miller was third quickest with 17-time event winner Mike Garvey and North Carolina’s Greg Stewart rounding out the top five.

In ASA’s history at Salem, Michigan racer Randy Sweet tops the pole charts at Salem, earning a total of five. Bob Senneker and John Anderson tied for second position, both earning four. Butch Miller and Mike Eddy have scored three fast qualifier awards. Single-event pole winners include Dave Wall, Dick Trickle, Don Higgins, Glenn Allen Jr., Harold Fair, Jerry Makara, Johnny Benson Jr., Larry Moore, Mark Martin, Mike Garvey, Mike Miller, Robbie Pyle, Scott Hansen, Tony Raines and Cywinski.

ASA returns to Salem Speedway for the Pep Boys 300 presented by Greased Lightning Orange Blast on Saturday, October 4, with the first of two practice sessions beginning at noon. Pole qualifying is set for 4 p.m. with a fan autograph session and live musical entertainment to follow. The Pep Boys 300 presented by Greased Lightning Orange Blast goes green at 8 p.m. (Central)

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



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