Monday, July 7, 2008

New Winner and New Points Leader for the GAS Series

Jefferson, GA - - - It was a night of changes for the Georgia Asphalt Series at Peach State Speedway Thursday night. In front of a tremendous crowd, not only does the series have a new winner, it now has a new points leader. Ryan Crane of Panama City, Florida, took his first ever win in the GAS Series in the Toyota Tundra - Independence 125. This was only Crane's second start with the series. In addition, Ryan Sieg of Decatur, Georgia, took over the points lead from Russell Fleeman of Dacula, Georgia. This was the first time Fleeman has not led the series points since last summer. Sieg holds a slim 6 point lead over the 2007 GAS Series Champion. During GAS Series qualifying, leading Five Star Rookie driver T.J. Reaid of Acworth, Georgia, took the HGR'S Truck & Trailers - Pony Express Pole Position on the 1/2 mile oval with a 18.438 second lap. Reaid rolled a four on the dice, moving Crane to the pole position. In racing action,Crane took green flag and maintained a comfortable lead until lap 89 when the caution came out. Several of the leaders, including Crane, chose to go into the pits to change tires. Rookie Kyle Mitchell of Hampton, Georgia ,running in the top 10, remained on the track to take the lead. Mitchell maintained the lead until lap 100 when Crane was able to run him down to resume the lead. Crane led the remainder of the race to win the Toyota Tundra Independence 125. Mitchell's evening ended on lap 100 with a broken rear end tube. The competition was intense during the race among the top 10, especially during the last third of the race when Ryan Sieg, Paul Kelly, Joey Senter, Kyle Fowler and Russell Fleeman were battling for the second position. Sieg finished second followed by Kelly, Senter and Fleeman to round out the top 5. NOTES... Another top 10 finish for GAS Series Veteran Nick Potts of Jefferson. Potts has been consistent in 2008 and is currently fifth in GAS Series points. Michael Phelps of Suwanee, Georgia, made his first start of 2008 with the GAS Series. Phelps has been racing with the ARCA/ReMax Series this season. Phelps' evening ended with a hard crash in turn 3. Former Peach State Speedway Champion, Clay Dale of Jefferson, Georgia, had a top 10 finish in only his second start with the series in 2008. Next up... Anderson Motor Speedway, Anderson, South Carolina on Friday, July 18th in the Upstate 100.

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