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ASA Qualifying Rumble at South Boston

South Boston, Va…..”America’s Hometown Track” welcomed the sounds of VORTEC engines, as they rumbled to life in qualifying exercises for the Hardee’s Textilease Medique 300. ASA/AC DELCO Series machines powered up in front of the newly refurbished grandstands for two laps of qualifying.

Joey Clanton (Stockbridge, Ga) set the quick time of the day in his Zaxby’s Real Chicken Chevrolet with a time of 15.338 (93.884 mph). South Boston favorite, Nick Woodward, posted the 22nd fastest lap in his Hardee’s/Hills Bros. Coffee team. Woodward, who had a Top 15 car in practice, slipped a little on qualifying and had to transfer to the 100 lap qualifying race.

“We had a good car in practice”, said Woodward, “ I felt that if we turned our practice time we would have been there. I am really fortunate to be hooked up with Wade Stewart, Hardee’s, and Hills Bros. Coffee. This is a chance of a lifetime. South Boston Speedway provided me with an awesome opportunity.”

As the 17-car qualifying field was set, Russ Tuttle (#16- Indianapolis, IN) pulled to an early lead with Davin Scites (#06-Wayne, WV) battling with third place Woodward. Caution claimed the first casualty on lap 3. Greg Williams (#55-Haubstadt, In) made contact with J.C. Beattie (#09-Baltimore, Md) going into turn one and was forced to retire from the race.

Woodward moved to 2nd on lap 19 until a restart and hung gearbox caused him to slip to third place. After two more cautions and some slipping n’ sliding Mike Eddy, 7 time ASA National Champion from Midland, Michigan sliced his Tony’s Pizza machine through the field and captured the lead. With clear running up front, Eddy charged to the checkered flag to claim the first win by an ASA car at the fabled 4/10th mile oval.

Woodward finished third and will advance to the 300 lap Textilease Medique event. With a full field of competitiors for Saturday’s race- NASCAR Winston Cup celebrities Ward Burton, Elliott Sadler, Junie Donlavey, and Hut Stricklin will welcome fans to a full night of “Super Short Track” racing action. Textilease will present their legendary Late Model Division in a 100 lap race at 6:30 p.m. followed by an ASA driver autograph session in preparation for the LIVE TNN broadcast of the Hardee’s Textilease Medique 300.