LAST YEAR’S WINNER, MORRISSEY LOOKING FOR A REPEAT

By: Kari Shear-Carlson
(Monday, July 26, 2010) Several drivers from the American Speed Association® Kwik Trip Midwest Tour presented by ECHO Outdoor Power Equipment and grandstay.net will be heading up to State Park Speedway, an ASA member track, this Thursday night for the “Larry Detjens Memorial 105.” While this is not an ASAMT sanctioned event, it is supported by the ASAMT because of their long-standing relationship with the Wimmer family and the Larry Detjens Sportsmanship Award given to a driver each year at the end of the ASAMT racing season.

"The Detjens Memorial is a great event honoring a very special person and it also has a special connection with the ASA Midwest Tour and our competitors. We are honored to be associated with the Detjens family and the Wimmers at SPS,” said ASA Midwest Tour Vice President, Steve Einhaus

Started in 1981, the Larry Detjens Memorial race pays tribute to one of the greatest short track racers of his time.  Detjens, a former Wausau short track racing star and 1977 track champion lost his life in a racing accident in 1981 at Wisconsin International Raceway. From 1981 to 2006, the Larry Detjens Memorial took place at State Park Speedway. For the past three years, the event was moved to Golden Sands Speedway in Plover, WI. Scott and Ron Wimmer purchased State Park Speedway last year and have moved the event back to the track where it originated.
 
Several ASA Midwest Tour drivers have competed in the Larry Detjens Memorial event at both State Park Speedway and Golden Sands Speedway in Plover, WI. Last year ASAMT Swiss Colony Touring Star, Andrew Morrissey and ASAMT regular, Travis Sauter started on the front row. Morrissey was able to hold off the entire field of drivers which also included, ASAMT drivers, Nathan Haseleu, Mark Eswein, and Larry’ Detjen’s nephew and ASAMT Swiss Colony Tour Star, Chris Wimmer. Andrew took home the victory after leading from the drop of the green to the checkered flag.

The young ASAMT driver had a pretty tough year in 2009, but worked really hard prior to last year’s event and it paid off. Many of today’s young drivers are not familiar with the legacy of Larry Detjens. “It was probably the most memorable event I’ve ever won. I never really realized how big of a deal it was until I won it,” Morrissey said. Morrissey joined past event winners that include short track legend, Dick Trickle, Tom and Bryan Reffner, and Chris and Scott Wimmer.

Morrissey is looking forward to competing in the 30th annual event at State Park Speedway, a track he has never been to. Some of the other ASA Midwest Tour drivers that plan to compete include; Raceway Park winner, Nathan Haseleu, Jeff Storm, and of course, Chris Wimmer.

Fans who attend the “Larry Detjens Memorial” event can bring their tickets to Wisconsin International Raceway on Tuesday, August 3rd and receive $2 off the general admission ticket price for the ASAMT “Dixieland 150.” This annual event will include all of the ASAMT drivers, local favorites, and Wisconsin’s own NASCAR stars, Scott Wimmer and Johnny Sauter.

To learn more about the American Speed Association® Kwik Trip Midwest Tour presented by ECHO Outdoor Power Equipment and GrandStay Residential Suites Hotels and Crossings by GrandStay Inn & Suites, 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 and Crossings by GrandStay Inn & Suites (www.grandstay.net).

To learn more about the Midwest Sportsman Tour log on to www.asamidwestsportsman.com.

To learn more about the ASA Midwest Truck Tour log on to www.asamidwesttrucks.com.

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.