by Erika Helsel

JENNERSTOWN, Pa. (Aug. 27, 2001) - Joey Clanton experienced a day full of ups and downs in the American Speed Association (ASA) Pennsylvania 300 held Sunday afternoon from Jennerstown (Pa.) Speedway. The No. 83 Zaxby's Real Chicken Chevrolet Monte Carlo was listed in the seventh position at the completion of the 300th lap, but not before rising and falling in the lineup several times during the event.

The No. 83 started the race in the 19th position after a mechanical difficulty slowed Clanton's qualifying effort. Clanton quickly rallied back from his lowest starting position of the 2001 season moving into the top-five after a lightning fast pit stop by his crew during the first caution period of the race at lap 95. The team entered the pits in the 11th position, changed two tires, added fuel and left pit road six positions higher. When the green flag waved on lap 96, Clanton was able to move his Chevrolet Monte Carlo into the second position as a car running in front of him had trouble on the restart causing a log jam among the leaders.

The team was running in the front pack when the No. 83 entered pit road during the second caution of the event. Pitting on lap 114, the team attempted to place two fresh tires on the No. 83 when the jack failed causing Clanton to fall to the 15th position when he returned to the asphalt of the Pennsylvania facility. With two racing grooves and 177 laps left in the event, Clanton had plenty of time to move back through the field.

Clanton suffered a second long pit stop during the third caution of the day as a mishap in the pits caused the front and rear tires to be switched. The team recovered and the No. 83 was listed in the seventh position at lap 200. Clanton kept the No. 83 in the top-five until a lap 251 altercation with the No. 11 car put Clanton into the turn four wall. When Clanton straightened the No. 83 and returned to the lower groove, the team had fallen to the ninth position.

Clanton had climbed back to the sixth position at lap 260 hoping to carry the momentum to the end of the race. Unfortunately, Clanton and the No. 18 car of Mike Miller collided causing ASA officials to throw the ninth caution flag of the race. Under the caution period, a heated Miller drove his car into the back of the No. 83 Chevrolet Monte Carlo causing damage to the right rear of the car. Despite the damage, Clanton kept the No. 83 in the top-10 crossing the finish line in the seventh position.

"It was a rough day for the Zaxby's Real Chicken Chevrolet Monte Carlo," stated Clanton. "We had a great car, but couldn't seem to avoid bad luck during the race. Even with all the trouble we had this weekend, we had a strong finish and will look to the last four races of the season for a victory."

Clanton and his team will head to the heart of the Midwest to the Minnesota State Fair Speedway in St. Paul, Minn. for the 17th race of the 2001 ASA schedule. The No. 83 Zaxby's Chevrolet Monte Carlo will make a Labor Day appearance on Monday, September 3. The race will begin at 3:00 p.m. EST and will be broadcast tape-delayed at 12:30 a.m. EST on Tuesday, September 4.