Miller Earns Pole Position Before Rain Hits Irwindale

Rain washed out most of Friday night’s American Speed Assn. stock car program at Irwindale Speedway, but not before three-time series champion Butch Miller won the pole for tonight’s Tires.com 300 with a lap of 100.874 mph in a Pontiac.

“This is a great track with what looks like three distinct grooves to race on,” said Miller, 48, of Coopersville, Mich. “I can’t wait to get on it and go racing.

“It’s going to be an interesting race because nobody has been able to dial in a night setup. We practiced during the day and then got only two laps after dark, so everybody’s going to do a lot of guessing.”

Miller, who once drove NASCAR trucks for Walker Evans of Riverside, last won an ASA championship in 1994.

“If I could win a fourth championship this year, it would be the best one of all,” he said. “I’d be the happiest guy in racing.” Miller, who is third in career ASA wins with 42, also won the title in 1987 and 1988.

Another former champion, Kevin Cywinski of Wausau, Wis., qualified second at 100.379, with defending series champion Gary St. Amant of Columbus, Ohio, fifth at 99.972.

The ASA, an Indiana-based organization, is making its first appearance on the West Coast. Miller’s speed was shy of the track stock car record of 103.669 mph set by Brian Germone in a Featherlite Southwest Tour car in 1999.

Shortly after time trials were completed, rain caused the Wynn’s 100, a qualifying race, to be canceled. All 38 cars will start tonight’s race at 6 p.m. If rain postpones tonight’s race, it will be rescheduled for Sunday at 2.