A VERY BRIGHT FUTURE FOR THE ASA IN '08

It appears that the American Speed Association, ASA, has spent their off time making some very impressive moves that has laid the groundwork for a banner season in 2008. That first move came late last fall when an announcement was made stating that Dennis Huth was now the new owner of ASA racing. Huth a former, and highly regarded, NASCAR executive VP, formed Racing Speed Associates and took over the ASA Member Track Program. At the time this program was in a state of chaos and headed for obscurity. It was Huth who rebuilt it, to its present 27 member tracks, by offering track owners and promoters special incentives to join the program. Among them was affordable yet viable insurance for the ASA member racing teams as well as contributions to the driver's points fund, marketing and promotional assistance to the tracks and even discounts on track equipment such as timing and scoring systems.

Huth took ASA member benefits a giant step further last month with the announcement of an expanded insurance plan that would protect racing team members off the track as well. The new plan will offer insurance protection while travelling to and from the tracks that host ASA sanctioned events. The new plan is the creation of a new ASA partnership with WSIB Motor Sports Insurance and will provide ASA members in good standing with a $500,000 excess medical benefit as well as $20,000 accidental death and dismemberment coverage. This unique coverage begins the moment the ASA member leaves his house to travel to the ASA sanctioned track or race and continues until the arrival to home again. This is assuming the basic guidelines are followed and no exclusions, such as a drunk driving incident, occurs.

From a prepared statement Huth commented on the highly unique new plan and said "the ASA insurance policy has always been head and shoulders above anything else available in short track racing and I am very excited that we can take another innovative step forward in protecting our members by covering them off and on the race track. They can take comfort in knowing they have an additional level of protection from the time they leave their home right up to the time they pull back in their driveway, if they follow the basic tenets. The ASA is the only sanctioning body to offer this unprecedented level of coverage and this is just another example of our continuous effort to improve the state of short track racing across the United States."

THE FUTURE IS ALSO BRIGHT FOR THE ASA SPEED TRUCK CHALLENGE SERIES

Many observers of this very fine truck racing series all agreed that its 2007 season was loaded with exciting drama. The final race of the season featured a skin tight points battle between two time series champ Darren Young and 16 year old Victor Pfluger who claimed his first title that night at the Havasu 95 Speedway.

While the ASA-STC red hot provided red hot racing to its loyal fans all year long, the series' officials were not resting on their laurels. They were in fact very busy laying the foundation for an even bigger and better season for 2008. That process began in late November with the announcement of the series' televised races on the Outdoor Channel. Series officials carefully handpicked some of 2007's best races, including the dramatic season finale, that began airing last month and will continue through January 14th. Dial up their official website, at www.speedtruck.com, for broadcast dates and times. For those of us who followed the series it will bring back many happy memories. For you race fans who has never seen the series before then check it out on the Outdoor Channel. I think you will become an instant fan once you see their races.

The ASA-STC officials were also busy signing a new title and television sponsor. TVT 24-7, a product produced by NRG Resources, will place their company logo on the series for the 2008 season. TVT 24-7 is a product line scientifically proven to reduce friction, as well as improve engine and machinery life, while reducing cost. TVT 24-7 is reported to be extremely environmentally friendly and is involved in the production of renewable, clean burning products such as lubricants and additives. The product has proven to reduce emissions, improve fuel economy and reduce wear in vehicles.

Also brand new to the ASA-STC sponsor team is DJ Safety, a long time leader in complete racing safety products. DJ Safety has now been designated as the series' official safety products for 2008.

There's also plenty of excitement regarding the series' recently released 2008 schedule. The new schedule currently features 13 races at eight tracks that range in size from one quarter mile ovals to a mammoth 2.7 mile road course. This year the series will make their traditional visits to the quarter mile ovals at the Havasu 95 Speedway, the Lucas Oil I 10 Speedway and the Orange Show Speedway. There are also traditional appearances at the three eighths mile oval at the Tucson Raceway Park and the half mile oval at the Irwindale Speedway. There's also an extra points events on the 1.7 mile road course at the Firebird International Raceway.

Some added excitment centers around two new raceways on the schedule. The series will be returning to Bakersfield this year to race at the Kern County Raceway which is the brand new half mile oval that will replace the former Mesa Marin Raceway. Also new to the series' schedule is a still tentative date to race at the Willow Springs International Raceway and its 2.7 mile, nine turn, mammoth road course. With a schedule like that it's no wonder that there's a lot of excitement being generated around the ASA-TVT24-7 Speed Truck Challenge Series' 2008 season.

A VERY IMPORTANT TEST.

The California Speedway will be hosting a two day test session, featuring teams from the NASCAR Sprint Cup, on January 31st and February 1st. This test is highly significant because it will allow teams to test the new COT, Car Of Tomorrow, for the first time on the two mile, D shaped, oval. The information gathered from this test will help the teams get prepared for the February 24th Auto Club 500. Test runs for January 31st will be held from 9am to 12 noon, 1-5 pm and 6-9 pm. The two sessions on February 1st will be held from 9am to noon and from 1 to 5 pm.

The really good news here is the fact that the two day test is open to the public and grandstand seating is free of charge. Fans who have already purchased their tickets for the Auto Club will receive free admittance to the infield root top terraces overlooking pit road. You can also get admission to the terraces by making a $5 donation to the NASCAR Foundation. Fans who are members of the speedway's Hard Card Program, or season ticket holders, will additionally get treated to a special Q&A session with driver Robby Gordon on the afternoon of the 31st. For more information dial up the speedway's official website at www.californiaspeedway.com.

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