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

By: Kevin Ramsell
BURLINGTON, WI (Friday, November 21, 2008) – Jeff Storm returned to Super Late Model racing in 2008 driving for Scott Dahlberg. The goal was simple, get into the American Speed Association Kwik Trip Midwest Tour presented by ECHO Outdoor Power Equipment Touring Star program for 2009. He accomplished that goal by finishing 13th in the 2008 point standings.

Storm collected two top-ten finishes in twelve feature starts this season. “It’s been up and down, we have been trying to learn these new setups and it’s probably got us in more trouble then not,” Storm stated. “It’s fun to be back racing again; we are having a real good time. We had some great runs along with some bad luck with some part failures. We are doing what we need to do to get after it for next year and get after it good.”

The racing veteran, who was the 1997 & 98 Mid-American Series Champion and 1999 MARS Rookie of the Year, has raced against some of the best competition around the Midwest. But when you ask him about the competition in the ASAMT, he doesn’t mince his words, “Oh my God it’s insane,” Storm jokingly said. “It’s crazy, you got to be perfect and sometimes all of us aren’t so perfect and we just keep working hard. These drivers are amazing and they are talented. There is a lot of give and take on the track. I love racing with these drivers.”

Going into the 2009 season Storm, like many of his fellow competitors, are always looking for sponsorship to continue to compete in the ASAMT. “Sponsorship is the only way we are going to be able to do this again next year,” Storm stated. “I am a very social person, like to be outgoing and have a positive attitude all the time and that is huge.”

When asked what he can offer to a potential sponsor, Storm was open to do whatever it takes, “Just being there for them, whatever they needed, we would take care of them. Sounds like we will have two cars next year which will allow us to do something at their store or business, wherever. Whatever they need we would certainly bend over backwards to assist them.”

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.