First in a series of 14 announcing the 2009 ASAMT Touring Stars

By: Kevin Ramsell
BURLINGTON, WI (Wednesday, November 19, 2008) – Steve Carlson’s career is one that would easily get him into any racing hall of fame. With his nine championships in the ARTGO/NASCAR Elite Series, five NASCAR Weekly Series rings, a NASCAR Weekly Series National Championship, three track championships at La Crosse Fairgrounds Speedway, and a track championship at Hawkeye Downs Speedway, Carlson has yet to pick up a championship under the American Speed Association banner.

In the first two seasons of the American Speed Association Kwik Trip Midwest Tour presented by ECHO Outdoor Power Equipment, Carlson has competed in 18 events where he has two fast qualifier awards, three wins, 13 top-five’s and 14 top-ten finishes.

In 2008 alone he has one fast time, two victories, seven top-five’s and seven top-ten finishes in nine starts.

Those two victories were memorable for the veteran driver. In July, he captured his record setting fifth Keith Fleck Miller 100 win at Hawkeye Downs Speedway in Cedar Rapids, IA. It was the second time in his career that he won the prestigious event back to back. The first time he accomplished this was in 1996-97. He picked up his third win in 2001.

A month later, he would collect his sixth SCAG Power Equipment Dixieland 150 win at Wisconsin International Raceway in Kaukauna, WI, again becoming the only driver with the most victories in this event.

It was at that event that Carlson gave a quote that showed how humble this talented driver is behind the wheel, “I have a well balanced crew,” Carlson stated in victory lane. “One guy wants to change a lot of things and another won’t let me change anything and it just balances out so well.”

In the ASAMT, Carlson admits that this is the series where he has faced his toughest competition so far, “There is a lot of talent in this series and when you can win that is really big,” Carlson stated.

And when asked to compare the competition in the ASAMT to what he has faced in his ARTGO/NASCAR Elite days, he had a simple three-word answer, “Just as tough.”

At the end of the season, Carlson finished 14th in points making him eligible for the ASAMT Touring Star program in 2009 if he decides to run the full season.

The ASAMT Touring Star program was developed to help the series promote each special event prior to, during, and after each event. Each year a group of Touring Stars will be selected to the travel bonus program.

In 2009, the top-14 from the 2008 points standing will be eligible for the Touring Star program. Those drivers who are eligible will be required to sign an agreement with a promise to attend all ASAMT events and to participate in all promotional programs or opportunities. Failure to do so will result in removal from the bonus program. Touring Stars will be allowed one (1) excused absence due to unforeseen reasons that is approved by the ASAMT office.

Those eligible drivers must have their agreement signed by February 28, 2009 to be in the program. If an eligible driver declines, then the Touring Star offer will go to the next eligible driver in the 2008 points standing prior to the start of the 2009 season. If a star drops out during the season, it will go to the next eligible driver in the current 2009 points standing.

The 15th spot in the ASAMT Touring Star program is reserved for the highest finishing rookie at an ASAMT event. If they are the highest finishing eligible rookie at any 2009 ASAMT events, they will receive a Touring Star bonus at the next event.

“The Touring Star program accomplishes a major goal that Tim (Olson, ASAMT President) and I set when we started this series. That is we want to have our fans local heroes to compete against the best Midwest drivers,” Steve Einhaus, ASAMT Vice-President stated. “When we come to compete at a track with our Touring Stars, we encourage the local competitors to race with us. This is a win-win for everyone. The fans get to see some great racing and the local heroes get to show their talent against some of the toughest competition in the United States.”

The next event for the ASAMT will be the 2008 Championship Banquet on Saturday, January 24, 2009 at the Kalahari Resort in Wisconsin Dells, WI.

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.