By: Kari Shear-Carlson
(Wednesday, January 27, 2010) The American Speed Association® Kwik Trip Midwest Tour presented by ECHO Outdoor Power Equipment and Grandstay® Residential Suites Hotels 2009 series banquet was held this past Saturday at the Chula Vista Resort in Wisconsin Dells, WI. Steve Carlson was honored with his first ASA Midwest Tour Championship and tenth series championship of his career and Jacob Goede was honored as the 2010 Rookie of the Year. The top 16 drivers and others were also honored during the awards presentation.

The awards ceremony opened with a welcome and video dedication to race teams, crews, families and sponsors followed by a recap of season highlights by emcee, Jim Tretow. Tretow who helped with the very first ASAMT awards banquet returns to the ASAMT as the host and producer of the 2010 ASA Midwest Tour televised events on Fox Sports North and Fox Sports Wisconsin. Tretow is a familiar name in the racing arena. He is the host of the Racing Round Up Radio Show heading into its 26th season. He has been a race reporter at numerous races and events since 1985. Tretow will once again be a voice in Daytona and Phoenix for all of their major events. As a pit reporter, Tretow will also continue his long-time relationship with the Speed Channel which began with ASA National Tour on TNN in 1996.

Other opening notes included a special message from John McKarns as well as a letter from American Speed Association President®, Dennis Huth presented by Kevin Ramsell, ASA® Director of Public Relations.

As the series champion, Steve Carlson walked away with $6000 in cash, a $4500 check from Wayne Lensing of Lefthander for his four tour victories, and an additional $4500 in awards from Hoosier Tire, Penske Racing Shocks, A-P Brakes, Bassett Wheels, Ferodo, Sonic Clutches, Hyper Coil Springs and special awards from Kwik Trip and ECHO. In his 11 starts, Carlson took home four victories, three quick qualifying awards, seven top-five and nine top-ten finishes. Known as a man of few words, Carlson thanked his family, crew, all of his sponsors, ASAMT series sponsors, the ASAMT, and everyone involved in making the 2009 season a success.

Each taking the top qualifying spot three times throughout the season, Nathan Haseleu and Steve Carlson each received a $250 certificate for the Five Star Race Car Bodies Fast Time Award. Carlson and Haseleu also each picked up a free case of Kwikade every week for a year with the Kwikade Team of the Year Award. Haseleu’s night was not over yet. Second place points finisher and season opener winner of the inaugural Joe Shear Classic, Nathan Haseleu received various awards throughout the night.

An award that any driver would be proud to receive, the Larry Detjens Sportsmanship Award, was given to the driver who showed sportsmanship regardless of circumstances throughout the season. This award was appropriately given to Nathan Haseleu. He received a unique die cast car designed by Shawn Weber representing Larry Detjen’s car on one half and Nathan’s car on the other. Later in the evening ASAMT VP, Steve Einhaus, awarded Nathan with the Dedication Award. Nathan called Steve every Monday to see how things went and what he could do to help the series. Nathan accepted the award with wit stating, “I was probably calling Steve on Monday’s to complain about the weekend.”

Chris Wimmer, victor at Iowa Speedway had six top-five and eight top-ten finishes in 12 starts to finish third in the standings. With 12 starts, one ECHO Quick Cut Qualifying Award, three top-five and six top-ten finishes, Tim Schendel ended his season in fourth. Rounding out the top five in series points, Jonathan Eilen had four top-five and five top-ten finishes in 12 starts.

Representation of each of the series presenting sponsors was on hand and recognized for their dedication and commitment to the ASAMT. They included; Bridget Coughlin representing Kwik Trip, Bob Burdick representing ECHO Outdoor Power Equipment, and new series co-presenting sponsor for 2010, Rod Lindquist, CEO of Grandstay Residential Suites Hotels. Coughlin and Burdick accepted plaques from ASAMT President, Tim Olson and Vice President, Steve Einhaus.

Rod Lindquist of Grandstay announced a new incentive and award for the 2010 season. The 2010 Driver of the Year Award will receive an all-expenses paid round trip for two to the 2011 Daytona 500. Pre-season ballets will be given to all teams to help spread the word about Grandstay and for guests to receive 10% off the nightly rate. Guests will write the name of the driver on the back of a card. Votes will be tallied throughout the year with the winner being announced at the end of the season.

“The Championship Banquet is my favorite event of the year and it’s so nice to see the smiles and energy that everyone brings that evening. It’s rejuvenation for the upcoming year and the drivers are able to walk away with a nice chunk of money to help them prepare for the 2010 racing season,” said Steve Einhaus, ASAMT Vice President.

Several special awards and door prizes for drivers were given out throughout the evening. The first special award was a $500 certificate for the Five Star Race Car Bodies Hard Luck Award presented to Jacob Goede. Despite Goede’s difficulties throughout 2009, he did pick up a victory at Illiana Motor Speedway and was able to clinch the Rookie of the Year Award sponsored by Lane Automotive by a mere five points over Nick Neville. In addition to awards from Hyper Coil and Red Line Oil, Goede received a Roltek transmission valued at $5000.

Joe Hunter, President of RaceTeamGear.com was not on hand, but sent along his words and congratulations to Kyle Calmes and the #9 Thrive to Drive Motorsports team for their achievement of the RaceTeamGear.com Best Dressed Team Award.

Nick Murgic was next on the award recipients list. Mike “Lumpy” Lemke was happy to present Murgic with an HDC driveshaft for the Coleman Tech Award. This was only the first of several awards for Nick. Wayne Lensing, founder and owner of Lefthander Chassis, personally recognized Murgic awarding him with a brand new chassis as the Lefthander Chassis Hard Charger Award recipient. Nick thanked Wayne for the award and humorously said, “I have run Lefthander Chassis for my entire career…which has been a whole three years.” VDL Fuel Systems also recognized Murgic with a Hard Charger Award presenting him with a race-ready VDL Fuels Systems “44-12” Carburetor worth $750. In addition, Murgic walked away with a Raceline Oil Pump and Engine Kit worth over $1500. Nick welcomed each of the awards and thanked his parents for their support. “I want to thank my parents for paying all the bills because I don’t have any money,” stated Nick lightheartedly.

The Engine Builder of the Year Award was presented to B&B Racing Engines, accepted by Bruce Mueller. ASAMT President, Tim Olson announced that going forward this award will be presented to the engine builder of the series champion. Tesar also announced that they will be awarding a $200 harder charger cash bonus at every race.

Tim Olson, President of the ASAMT and VP Steve Einhaus give much credit to series sponsors and contingency companies not only for their support throughout the season, but their part in making the banquet such a great and memorable event. “We have to give a lot of thanks to our series sponsors and the contingency companies. Each driver left with contingency prizes worth well over $1000 and that says a lot. Everyone steps up to support the ASA Midwest Tour and our teams.” Einhaus also noted that Wayne Lensing, founder and owner of Lefthander Chassis, said that in his 30 years of attending banquets, he has never experienced one quite like the one on Saturday night. He was very impressed with the overwhelming support from the sponsors and companies who came together to support the series.

Tim Olson and Steve Einhaus took the stage to present their own awards and each took time to recognize and thank all of those who take part in making the ASAMT successful. Olson had the honor of presenting the ASAMT Employee of the Year Award. This award was given to Josh Friedrichs who has been with the series since its start and has only missed one race in all those years.

Car Owner of the Year was appropriately awarded to driver of the #9K, Mark Kraus. Car owner, Don Fanetti sadly passed away early in the season. Don’s wife Marilyn continued to support and encouraged Mark all year. Mark was also quick to recognize sponsor Jim Schlewitz who attends almost all of his races, “If I didn’t have him, I wouldn’t be at the races.” Kevin Ramsell was awarded the ASA Gold Award for his continued efforts and dedication to the series and he was recognized for his promotion to ASA® Director of Public Relations.

The banquet was brought to a close with announcement of the eligible 2010 Touring Stars and a special thanks to those who helped put the evening together; Steve Einhaus, Kevin Ramsell, Bill Holland, and Scott Lofquist.

The 2010 season will kick off with its first ASA Midwest Tour televised event, the Joe Shear Classic, at Madison International Speedway on May 1st-2nd.

To learn more about the American Speed Association® Kwik Trip Midwest Tour presented by ECHO Outdoor Power Equipment and Grandstay® Residential Suites Hotels, log on to www.asamidwesttour.com or call the ASA Midwest Tour office at (262) 514-3880 or e-mail Tim Olson at tim@asamidwesttour.com or Steve Einhaus at steve@asamidwesttour.com.

If you would like to learn more about the ASAMT series sponsors, please visit their websites: Kwik Trip, Inc. (www.kwiktrip.com), ECHO Outdoor Power Equipment (www.echo-usa.com), and Grandstay Residential Suites Hotels (www.grandstay.net).

To learn more about the Daytona Beach, Florida-based Racing Speed Associates or the American Speed Association® Racing Member Track program, call (386) 258-2221 or send an e-mail to info@asa-racing.com. For news and information from racetracks and regional tours involved in the American Speed Association®, visit www.asaracing.com.

ASA®, ASA Racing®, and American Speed Association® are registered trademarks of Racing Speed Associates, LLC. ASA International, LLC or Racing Speed Associates, LLC are not related to or affiliated with the ASA Late Model Series, LLC.