St. Amant carries top ranking into Madison race

MADISON, Wis. (May 25) — Short-track legend Gary St. Amant arrives at Madison International Speedway for this Saturday’s Sears Auto Center 200 presented by BFGoodrich Tires tied for first in the USAR (United Speed Alliance Racing) Hooters Pro Cup Series Northern Division points.

At last year’s Madison race, St. Amant, a two-time world champion on the American Speed Association circuit (1998 and 2000) who now drives the No. 7 JEGS.com – Speedco Chevrolet Monte Carlo, led the pack for several laps and was in position to win before a late caution flag caused him to run out of gas before he could make it to pit row under power. He ended up fourth, but hasn’t forgotten the one that got away.

“We’ve run Madison three times now and had a legitimate shot to win two of those events so I’d have to say it’s one of my favorite races,” St. Amant said friom his Delaware, Ohio base. “Last year was so close we could taste it but the cards just didn’t fall our way. I remember lots of guys running out of gas that lap.

“We’re excited to be in the points lead along with Clay Rogers and we feel real good about this weekend’s race and the next one in Mansfield, Ohio, which is at our home track. We’ve done well at both venues in the past and that always makes you feel a little extra confident going into the race.”

St. Amant has a fifth- and third-place finish to his credit after the first two races of this year. With just six events left on the Northern Division schedule, he knows he must keep his slick hot rod at the front of the leaderboard.

“Usually after two races you wouldn’t be thinking about the points too much but with only six races left, it almost feels like we’re halfway done with the schedule. We’ll compete at all the Championship Series races as well but first things first; we want that Northern Division title.”

Qualifying for the Sears Auto Center 200 begins at 4 p.m., Saturday, with the green flag dropping at 7 p.m.