First in a series of 10

By: Kari Shear-Carlson, ASA Midwest Tour PR
Burlington, WI (Monday, February 8, 2010) The American Speed Association® Kwik Trip Midwest Tour presented by ECHO Outdoor Power Equipment and Grandstay® Residential Suites Hotels driver Mark Kraus finished out the 2009 season tenth overall in the point standings only three points out of ninth position.

The driver of the #9K Ford Fusion overcame some battles that many drivers have never had to face. Early in the season, Mark’s car owner, Don Fanetti passed away from cancer. Mark was not sure if he would be able to continue racing. But Don’s wife Marilyn continued to support Kraus and encouraged him all season long. Mark also assumed the role as car owner, crew chief, mechanic, and transporter driver throughout the entire 2009 season.

As one of the 2009 ASA Midwest Tour Kwik Trip Touring Stars, Kraus attended all 12 of the ASAMT events in 2009, starting in all but two of the main events. The ASA Midwest Tour Kwik Trip Touring Stars Program is designed to create successful promotional programs, marketing opportunities, fan excitement, and the development of current and future stars within the series. Touring Stars are required to lead by example at all times which has never been a problem for the Jim Schlewitz sponsored #9K. Throughout the 2009 season, Kraus exemplified sportsmanship and a never give up attitude.

While he did not make it to victory lane in the 2009 season, Mark put up a good fight at both Illiana Motor Speedway and Hawkeye Downs Speedway in Cedar Rapids, IA. He finished in the second position in each race respectively. In addition to his two top five finishes, Mark was also credited with 4 top ten finishes in ten starts. The competition in the ASAMT is tough and Mark has what it takes to get the job done. “The ASAMT is one of the best in the country and has some of the most talented drivers” stated Kraus.

Overcoming the adversity of losing his car owner played a huge role in Mark’s season and his stats in 2009 are only the tip of potential that Mark has. “He (Don) knew that I could drive, but I always wanted to win for him and show him that I could do it” said Mark. Don Fanetti believed in him and Mark knows what it takes to get into victory lane. As strong as his 2009 season was despite the loss of Fanetti, that win is sure to come in the very near future.

At the 2009 ASAMT Awards Banquet Kraus was appropriately awarded the car owner of the year award. Mark Kraus will once again be one of the ASA Midwest Tour Kwik Trip Touring Stars in 2010. Vice President of the ASA Midwest Tour, Steve Einhaus had this to say, "Mark has earned everything that comes to him. He's exceptional to deal with and he treats our officials and competitors with great respect. Being named car owner of the year is proof that he's well respected by his peers and we are honored to have him as a Touring Star in 2010.”

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.