By: Kevin Ramsell
BURLINGTON, WI (Friday, April 11, 2008) – It was a banner year in 2007 for Nathan Haseleu as he became the first ASA Kwik Trip Midwest Tour presented by Echo Outdoor Power Equipment Champion. He is looking forward to defending his championship with stronger competition in 2008.
“It’s not going to be easier, it was tough to start with,” Haseleu recently stated. “It is going to be interesting to see what happens with the additional quality drivers we are going to have this year. I have to say with the quality of cars and drivers competing in the ASA Midwest Tour this season; this has to be one of the best series going in the country right now.”
“I am real excited about this season,” Haseleu stated when asked about the upcoming ASAMT season. “I think the schedule is great. We are going to some real competitive tracks and going to some new ones like Iowa Speedway and The Milwaukee Mile. It says a lot about our series when we get the opportunity race at tracks like those two.”
Haseleu will be back this season driving for Gary and Jo Schultz with The Swiss Colony and raceteamgear.com as his primary sponsors. But, he will be showing a new sponsor on his car this season as UPS comes on board his famous #87 car.
“The Swiss Colony has been a huge help for us over the last three years,” Haseleu said. “Joe Hunter and his staff have gone above and beyond then what we agreed upon. It’s a nice feeling to where I don’t have to worry about things on a day to day basis.”
Haseleu will also be competing this season for Pathfinder Chassis out of Sun Prairie, WI. The April 19th race at Elko will be his first race with the new chassis, “I am also excited about this, it’s great for our racing program and I think it will help us a lot,” Haseleu explained. “Joe Wood and Jason Schuler are racers and they know what we need to be successful on the track and I think that will be a big advantage for us.”
Many fans have been curious if Haseleu plans on making another attempt to race in one of NASCAR’s top three divisions. Back in 2001, he competed in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, where he earned 4 top-ten finishes in 12 starts. But he stated that he is happy where he is at.
“I am very comfortable racing in the Midwest, I am in a good position here,” Haseleu stated. “I don’t have to worry about paying the bills; I have great sponsors and support. I really like the situation I am in now. Up here the best drivers are the ones competing in the feature events at every race and I like that.”
He is looking forward to going back to compete at Elko Speedway next weekend. Last year, he had a dominant car and appeared to be holding off Jonathan Eilen until an ignition wire burnt off with 11 laps to go forcing him to drop out. Eilen would go on and become the inaugural ASAMT winner.
“I wouldn’t say that Elko owes us one, we owe one to ourselves,” Haseleu exclaimed.
“The whole Swiss Colony team has all of the right tools to be successful. They have a great car owner, team members, sponsors, and a fantastic driver,” Steve Einhaus, ASAMT VP stated. “They are great to have around and they are always supportive of the ASA Midwest Tour. He's a proven champion and he'll be right there at the end, you can bet on it.”
Over 30 paid entries have already been received for the season opening event on Saturday, April 19th at Elko Speedway. Defending race winner and 2007 Rookie of the Year, Jonathan Eilen, along with 2007 ASAMT Champion, Nathan Haseleu, and the rest of the ASAMT Touring Stars are preparing to challenge the 3/8 mile oval. It will be, “Certified Super Late Model Excitement!!!”
To learn more about the American Speed Association Kwik Trip Midwest Tour presented by Echo Outdoor Power Equipment 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.
To learn more of 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.
This article was posted to the website on April 11th, 2008
