ASAMT HEADS TO NORWAY SPEEDWAY

By: Kari Shear-Carlson
(Monday, August 30, 2010) The American Speed Association® Kwik Trip Midwest Tour presented by ECHO Outdoor Power Equipment and grandstay.net heads to Norway Speedway in Norway, MI this coming Sunday, September 5th for the “Labor Day 125.” This event is the tenth out of eleven ASAMT events.

While Norway, MI is a long haul for many drivers, it is one event that can make all the difference as the season closes in on its final two races of 2010. Last year, Steve Carlson qualified the fastest out of 27 cars with a 14.381 and Jamie Iverson won the event at his home track for the third year in a row. This will be the fourth year in a row the ASAMT will compete at the third mile slightly banked oval. The track, originally a dirt track, was built in 1942 and was blacktopped in 1979.

As the season comes to a close, competitors and fans are keeping a close eye on the points standings. This season has been one of the closest points battles to date in the ASAMT. It seems that the racing season goes by faster and faster each and every year. Sometimes it is hard to imagine that all of the drivers came into the season on even ground.

On May 2nd the ASA Midwest Tour kicked off the 2010 racing season. Each and every driver came into the season opener with the same number of points; zero. All it takes is one lap to start earning points and they continue to accumulate throughout the season. Obviously this is not anything new and what everyone involved in the sport already understands. However, sometimes what looks good on paper and in theory needs to be challenged and reevaluated.

The ASA Midwest Tour officials did just that. During the off-season, the Touring Stars and ASAMT officials sat down together to revamp the previous system used by the ARTGO Challenge Series. The main objective was to tighten the battle between the competitors so that five to ten drivers could be in contention to win the championship instead of just two or three.

“Over the past four years, we have had awesome racing and great season ending battles. With the driver’s suggestions and the Tour rethinking, we feel that we have come up with a great points system. We still found some minor hiccups in the system this year and we'll be working with the teams once again to finesse the system,” added ASAMT President, Tim Olson. With only two races left in the 2010 season, every position is a points battle. As ASAMT Vice President, Steve Einhaus said, “The top ten guys are close enough that one major bobble in the points could change the season results for everyone.”

ASAMT officials were looking for a more effective system that put more in contention for the season long championship at the end of the year. Working together, the ASA Midwest Tour Stars and ASAMT officials were able to come up with a solution that positively impacts the series, competitors and the excitement for the fans. With only two points separating the top two and the top seven only 182 points out, the next two events for the Super Late Models are critical as all seven are in contention for the championship.

As the ASA Midwest Tour drivers look to solidify their positions in the points standings, this weekend could make all the difference. Norway Speedway may be small, a little out of the way, and even a little dusty, but when the dust settles and all is said and done, it might just be the event that shakes up the points even more before the ASA Midwest Tour heads to LaCrosse Fairgrounds Speedway for the final season championship event.

Norway Speedway is located on US Highway 8 in Norway, MI. ASA Midwest Tour qualifying begins at 4:00PM with racing at 6:00PM. For a complete schedule of the day’s events, click on Schedule from the ASA Midwest Tour homepage.

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.