SAUTER WINS NUMBER SEVEN
August 4, 2001 - Cedar Rapids, IA

Rookie Johnny Sauter captured his seventh win in Saturday’s Texas Roadhouse 300 at the half-mile Hawkeye Downs Speedway.

Sauter started his # 9 A.P. Plasman Group/Build A Mold Chevrolet started from the outside pole and led 220 of the race’s 300 laps, holding off a charging Mike Eddy at the finish.

The win ties Sauter with Scott Hansen for the most victories in a single season since ASA’s modern era began in 1992. Veterans Butch Miller and Bob Senneker carry the record for single-season victories, with nine.

"We just stuck to our game plan, and it paid off here tonight," said Sauter. "Cedar Rapids is the greatest race track, and has the greatest fans. We just love coming here. And anyone who says Mike Eddy isn’t a great driver has a lot to learn."

Seven-time series champ Mike Eddy, driving the # 11 Meijer Chevrolet, had one of his strongest showings since returning to the series earlier this year. Fighting with and leading Sauter early in the contest, Eddy lost the lead on a yellow-flag pit stop that dropped him to ninth. However, he was able to chase down and pass all except the young Sauter.

"I don’t know what happened to him (Eddy) during those first pit stops, but I was waiting for him to come back up there and give me a run for my money. He is one of my heroes, and we put on one hell of a show tonight. It was a great night all over."

Eddy, known as the "Polar Bear" in the ASA circles, congratulated Sauter for his dominant win.

"He is just the class of the field right now," said Eddy. "We are all out here trying to chase him and his team. I know we are working hard at it, and it showed tonight. We are putting a lot of into this team. I am glad to finally be on the podium.

"Hopefully, next race we can be one position better."

Sauter took the lead for the final time on Lap 138 from polesitter Mike Garvey. Veteran Butch Miller was the only other driver to have led laps. Kevin Cywinski finished third. Miller and defending series champ Gary St. Amant rounded out the top five.

Joey Clanton, Robbie Pyle, Tim Taylor, Garvey and Mike Cope completed the top 10.

After 14 of 20 races, Sauter extended his series points lead to 77 over Gary St. Amant.

ASA moves on to the half-mile Madison International Raceway for the Wisconsin 300 on Aug. 17. The event takes the green at 9:00 p.m. EST, and will be broadcast live on TNN.

Race results:

1) Johnny Sauter # 9 - 300 laps
2) Mike Eddy # 11 - 300
3) Kevin Cywinski # 21 - 300
4) Butch Miller # 52 - 300
22) J.C. Beattie, Jr # 09 - 277

Fans in the Baltimore area can listen for J.C. Beattie, Jr. on The Checkered Flag, a radio program covering NASCAR, CART, IRL, and Maryland racing. The Checkered Flag can be heard on WNST 1570 AM, Saturdays between 9 and 11 AM. Be sure to check www.jcbeattie.com or www.asaracing.com often for the latest information on J.C. Beattie, Jr. and the ATI Performance Racing team.


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