2001 season broke records

2001 ASA ACDelco Series Season Was One of Many Record Breaking Moments
Rookie Sauter, Veteran Eddy Among Those Who Rewrote ASA Records Book

PENDLETON, Ind. (October 17, 2001) -- When Johnny Sauter captured the checkered flag at Indianapolis Raceway Park on September 29, following the ASA ACDelco Series season finale, he put a wraps on what was one of the most remarkable seasons in ASA's 34-year history. It was remarkable, not only for the rookie, but for several other ASA rookies and veterans.

The 23-year-old Sauter became the first driver to win both the ASA National Championship and Pat Schauer Memorial Rookie of the Year titles in the same season. He spent all season breaking record after record, including batting .500, winning 10 events in 2 0 races. He bettered every competitive rookie record, with 10 wins, four poles, 13 podiums, 15 top fives, 16 top 10s and 2,039 laps led. His laps led total was second on the all-time single season list, and only the second time ever someone has led over 2, 000 laps in a single year. Seven-time ASA National Champion Mike Eddy led 2,183 laps in 1992.

Eddy became ASA's all time Money Leader in 2001, after season earning's totaling over $109,000. Through his 29-year ASA career and 57 victories, Eddy has amassed $1,989,762, which put him ahead of ASA's all-time event winner Bob Senneker for first on the l ist. Gary St. Amant, a two time ASA National Champion, moved into second after earning nearly $300,000 during his runner-up finish to Sauter in the standings. St. Amant now has $1,961,402, only $28,360 behind Eddy. Both drivers are planning to return in 20 02 and will look to become ASA's first "2 million" man.

Sauter's single season money earnings of $501,000 was the highest in ASA history, the first time any driver has won over half a million in a single season. St. Amant's total season earnings were good enough for third on the all-time single season list, whi le Joey Clanton's $261,000 is seventh best all time.

St. Amant collected two wins in 2001, both of which were among the highest payouts to a winner in ASA history. St. Amant's win at Salem Speedway during the Tecumseh 300 netted the Columbus, Ohio driver $26,830, the sixth highest single race payout in ASA h istory. His win at Irwindale Speedway earned him $23,580, 10th highest all time. Sauter also had a piece of the action in this category, as his victory from the pole at Chicago Motor Speedway earned him $25,380, good for eighth all time.

Three-time ASA National Champion Butch Miller lead the series with six poles in 2001, giving him 43 for his career. That moved him ahead of Mark Martin into third on the all-time pole position list, behind Senneker (49) and Dick Trickle (45). His one win i n 2001, coming at Berlin Raceway in Marne, Mich., gave him 43 wins for his ASA career, which is also good for third on the all time list.

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