By: Kevin Ramsell
BURLINGTON, WI (Friday, April 25, 2008) – The Lane Automotive ASAMT Rookie of the Year presented by Red Line Synthetic Oil and Hyperco is off and running after the Kwik Trip 125 event at Elko Speedway. Six drivers have taken the green flag towards a Rookie of the Year title with a potential $10,000 in awards to be handed out at the end of the season.

The first event of the ASA Kwik Trip Midwest Tour presented by ECHO Outdoor Power Equipment showed how tough the competition can be as some of its Touring Stars failed to make the feature event. But, four of the six rookies in attendance were able to make the feature field just by qualifying in the top 16.

Matt Kocourek was the fastest of the rookies as he qualified tenth. He would struggle with a tight race car throughout the 125-lap event. The only time the car got loose enough for him was on lap 45 when he spun in turns one and two to bring out the second of two cautions in the event. He would finish 20th.

Billy Mohn would qualify 12th and had his night end early as he was involved in the event’s only accident on lap 23. He would finish 25th.

17-year-old Nick Murgic started his day by qualifying 13th. With the invert being 13, Murgic would lead the field of 26 to the green flag and would lead 22 of the 125 laps. He would finish 8th and earn a Touring Star bonus of $300 for being the highest finishing rookie.

Murgic battled a loose race car throughout the feature event, “It was cool to lead the race for the beginning, being a rookie, but I knew the car was going to get too loose at the end,” Murgic stated. “We tried to tighten it up in the break at lap 75 but we didn’t get it quite enough so it got loose at the end again. All in all I was happy to run where I did because it's not a bad start to the season, I thought we could have done a little better being my home track but we are working on the car. It gives me a little confidence to be the highest finishing rookie, but I haven't seen Madison so I'm hoping talking to people will get me an idea. It should be a challenge but I think we might be able to do alright at Madison. I guess we will find out on May 4th.”

Joel Theisen barely got in the feature field as he qualified 16th. When we say barely, we are talking 0.002 seconds, which was the difference between 16th and 17th in qualifying. He would go on to finish 21st in the Kwik Trip 125.

“I practiced OK, but knew I needed to make some more changes and drive the heck out of the car to get in the show,” Theisen recalled. “Fortunately, it worked out and we qualified in 16TH! I did not know I was in until I heard them announcing it over the speaker! That was one of the better feelings I have ever had in racing. With the field of 47 of the best, I had met my goal for the weekend.”

Two other rookie drivers attempted to qualify into the feature event, but came up short.

Adam Hensel, the 2006 WISSOTA Dirt Late Model Champion, made the move from dirt to asphalt in his ASAMT debut. Hensel would qualify 28th and finish 4th in the Last Chance race.

Overall, though, Hensel was pleased with his debut, “Chad (Wehrs) and the crew worked there tails off getting the Rod's Painting and Sandblasting / Wehrs Machine Chevrolet dialed in,” Hensel stated. “We were fighting with the car all day long, but all in all, it was a great first race for me. I was a little disappointed that I didn't make it in the show for the guys working on the car. I didn't make the show, but got some seat time. I feel that seat time is the most valuable thing for me right now because I'm not 100% confident or 100% comfortable on this asphalt surface yet, but a little more seat time and a few more races and I think we'll be alright.”

Chris Skrede was the final driver to attempt to qualify in the feature event. Unfortunately, his day wasn’t the best as he was the 47th qualifier. He would rebound to finish 15th out of 25 cars competing in the Last Chance race.

Overall, the rookies are excited to be involved in the ASAMT, “After competing in this series, I see just what everyone is talking about...how competitive it is and how tough it is! I love it!” Hensel exclaimed.

“You’re only going to be as good as the people your race against and racing against everyone in this series is only going to help me get better. The best of the best are racing in this series, and that gives me something to build off from. Making the transition from racing on dirt to asphalt is quite a change! I enjoyed the asphalt a lot and hope we can keep things rolling. There are a lot of things I need to improve on, a lot of habits I need to lose from dirt for this asphalt deal, and we should be pretty good. I look forward to improving and growing in this series. I'm just happy to have the chance to be racing with the ASA Midwest Tour. I look forward and hope to keep building off from where ever this asphalt deal takes me!”

Theisen shares the same sentiments as Hensel, “The whole weekend was incredible. The level of professionalism from the series was unlike I have ever experienced. You could feel the energy in every person representing the ASA and series sponsors, as well as the genuine appreciation they had for every driver and all the teams. From the coffee and rolls in the morning, the welcoming and smiles at every registration... I felt like I was a true partner in the deal.”

“Along with the professionalism, was the intense nature of the competition. It was obvious just being a part of the show that this was no joke. The equipment, crews, cars and purposeful movement quickly told me that we need to be completely on our game.”

“I think one word sums up the group of rookie drivers we have competing this season…talent,” Tim Olson, ASAMT President stated. “It should be a fun season to not only watch the chase for the ASAMT championship but also watching the chase for the Lane Automotive Rookie of the Year. With Lane Automotive’s support along with Roltek Transmission giving the Rookie of the Year a $5000 transmission, this will be a good battle to watch.”

The second event of the 2008 season will take place on Sunday, May 4th at Madison International Speedway with the running of the ECHO Chainsaw 100. Ticket prices for the May 4th MIS event are $17 for ages 12 and up. 11 and under will get FREE admission. Qualifying starts at 2:30 pm. Autograph session at 4:15 pm with racing at 5:00 pm.

To learn more about the American Speed Association Kwik Trip Midwest Tour presented by ECHO Outdoor Power Equipment and the engine giveaway program, please contact the ASA Midwest Tour office by calling (262) 514-3880 or by e-mailing Tim Olson at tim@asamidwesttour.com or Steve Einhaus at steve@asamidwesttour.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 all the racetracks and regional tours involved in the American Speed Association, visit www.asa-racing.com.