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Bennett, Stephens Tied for Late Model Points Lead at Lanier

BRASELTON, GA (July 17, 2001) - The NASCAR Winston Cup Series may be bragging about a tight points battle, but Lanier National Speedway has a championship chase that's just as close. Tony Bennett claimed last Saturday's Budweiser Pro Late Model victory which propelled him from third to a tie for first in points. Jamie Stephens', who entered last weekend as the points leader, endured some bad racing luck and had to settle for a ninth-place finish on July 14 which was enough to hang on for a tie for the top spot in the late model championship battle at Lanier with Bennett.

Shane Chastain is just three points behind and veteran Mike Love is by no means out of the championship hunt as he sits just 12 markers behind the co-leaders. Former track champion Tom Hardy trails by 40 points.

The late model points battle will heat up again Saturday July 21 on Arctic Cat night with a 50 lap war on the .375 mile layout scheduled.

Budweiser Pro Late Model Points (through July 14, 2001)
1.  Jamie Stephens  840
2.  Tony Bennett       840
3.  Shane Chastain   837
4.  Mike Love            828
5.  Tom Hardy           800

The Lanier Legends return to action Friday night. Racing starts Friday at 7:30 PM. Grandstand and trackside parking gates open at 5 PM Saturday with qualifying slated for 6 PM. The Artic Cat night of racing starts at 7 PM.

August 4 is the ReMax Saturday of Speed with the Southern-All Stars running a 150 lap race. The Budweiser Pro Late Models will run 100 laps that evening and the opener will be 30 laps from the Akins of Winder Pro Trucks.