This year,

though, Steve Dale Motorsports, based in Fayetteville, won the championship

over Ohio short track superstar Gary St. Amant. In the end, one point

separated Steve Dale Motorsports' driver Joey Clanton from St. Amant,

the slimmest margin of victory in ASA's history.

While the points

may show Steve Dale Motorsports winning the championship by the skin of

its teeth, the No. 83 Chevy team dominated the 2002 ASA season. Over the

20-race schedule, Joey Clanton drove to victory nine times, sat on the

pole on several occasions and led the most laps during the year. All of

this success from a team who, unlike its Midwest-based counterparts, must

travel a minimum of six hours attend the nearest ASA scheduled event.

You might attribute

the team's success to the southern upbringing of its members, many of

whom are from Georgia towns such as Carrolton, Atlanta, Stockbridge and

Woodstock. This theory rings true except owner Steve Dale hails from Michigan

and crew chief Bond Suss claims Minnesota as his home state. Perhaps it's

the camaraderie shared among the crew that helped the team survive the

ups and downs of a season which almost slipped through their fingers.

Steve Dale

Motorsports achieved success off the track as well in 2002. This year

the team partnered with Camp Fire USA Georgia Council displaying decals

of the not-for-profit organization on the car for the entire year. Camp

Fire USA Georgia Council, based in Atlanta, reaches out to children who

would not normally have the opportunity to participate in structured educational

club programs. The Georgia Council of Camp Fire USA makes a particular

effort to reach children in Georgia who have special needs.

Next month

the team will travel to Indiana to celebrate its championship in style

at the annual ASA banquet. The event, which allows team members the opportunity

to get out of their racing uniforms and into black-tie attire, always

supplies lasting memories for the year to come. The team has not yet committed

to running in 2003, but either way, thanks to Steve Dale Motorsports,

Georgia will forever be inked into the American Speed Association record

books.

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