Cedar Rapids qualifying report

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (August 11, 2000) -- Driving the number 1 Tecumseh Chevrolet, Lakeville, Minnesota's Mike Garvey proved that he has the half-mile Hawkeye Downs Speedway oval figured out, as he captured his fifth pole of the season for Saturday's running of the ASA ACDelco Series Iowa 250. Garvey is the two-time defending event winner at the Cedar Rapids track, winning in September of 1999 and earlier this season, when Garvey led 237 of the 250 laps in the WorldBestBuy.com 250.

Garvey's qualifying attempt came near the end of the session, turning a lap of 18.967 seconds (94.902 mph).

"I didn't think we went that good," Garvey said. "The car was slipping all through the corners. The whole LaFavre Racing team hasn't been happy with the car since we got here, but things just seemed to turn around."

Gary St. Amant, of Columbus, OH, will start on the outside of the front row, posting a time of 18.986 seconds (94.807 mph) in the Wynns Chevrolet.

"I can't believe we held (the provisional pole) for that long," said the current National Championship points leader. "I thought for sure that Mike (Garvey) or Butch (Miller) would beat us, and one of them did."

Veteran and three-time ASA National Champion Butch Miller equaled his best qualifying run of the season. Miller's third starting position was matched at Louisville Motor Speedway, where he picked up his only win of the season. Glenn Allen Jr. and rookie Chad Wood will start fourth and fifth respectively.

Hiawatha, Iowa's Johnny Spaw fought a very loose car in practice and qualifying, only recording the 41st quickest time. Spaw, who made the event in June, will have to attempt to make the show through the 100-lap qualifying race.

Activities for the Iowa 250 begin Saturday, August 12 with the on-track fan autograph session scheduled to begin at noon (local). Pre-race ceremonies start at 1:15 pm, with the Iowa 250 taking the green flag at 2 pm.