Cedar Rapids Race Report

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa. (June 17, 2000) – ASA veteran Mike Garvey had the car to beat at Hawkeye Downs Speedway Saturday during the running of the WorldBestBuy.com 250 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He led 237 of the 250 laps at the half-mile oval, collecting his ninth career victory and first of 2000.

After leading the first 90 laps starting from the second position, Garvey briefly fell back while pitting under caution, but quickly made his way back to the front, taking the lead from Gary St. Amant on lap 104 and pacing the field the rest of the way.

“We hit on a set-up right out of the trailer that allowed us to be fast all weekend,” said Garvey, driving the Tecumseh Chevrolet. “My heart stopped on the final caution when the fuel pump shut off. I flipped the switch and the engine started right up.”

Rookie Joey Clanton recorded his career-best finish with a second-place result. After briefly falling back from his eighth starting position, Clanton moved back toward the front and held ground with the leaders all day, finishing 1.982 seconds behind Garvey. Clanton takes leadership in chase for Rookie of the Year honors by 39 over Scott Wimmer.

“This feels like a win to us,” said Clanton. “We brought the car home with no dents or bruises. I just didn’t want any problems and lose the podium finish.”

Also collecting his career best finish was second year driver Tristan Dupuis, coming home third. Jack Landis and Mike Miller finished fourth and fifth respectively. Pole sitter St. Amant hung second most of the day until a late pit stop for a miss in the engine reduced him to an 11th place finish.

For his winning efforts, Garvey collected $16,900 of the $198,550 purse. Three drivers swapped the lead three times, with rookie David Bonnett also leading five laps. At day’s end, there were nine caution flags totaling 43 laps.

St. Amant moves to the June 24 race at I-70 Speedway in Odessa, Mo. with a 133-point lead over Kevin Cywinski. The Missouri 300 presented by Jani-King will mark the series 25th visit to the half-mile high-banked oval. The race takes the green Saturday night at 8 p.m. (Central) and will be telecast LIVE on TNN Sports.