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American Speed Association Signs Vadnais For Midwest Tour
DAYTONA BEACH, FL (January 6, 2007) - The American Speed Association Midwest
Tour is elated to announce the signing of 29-year-old Josh Vadnais of White
Bear Lake, Minnesota, as a registered contender for the 2007 championship
season.
"Everyone always talks about the glory days of short track racing when
ASA and ARTGO were part of all the premier events in the Midwest. They set a
high standard and when they disappeared there hadn't been anything that had
come close until now," Vadnais expressed, grateful for the creation of
the Tour.
Vadnais was a dominating competitor in the former NASCAR Autozone Elite Series
and continues to top local contests in super late model racing. Vadnais
trekked as far west as Irwindale, California and as far east at
Greenville-Pickens, South Carolina in 2006, qualifying on the pole twice,
setting a new track record at I-94 Raceway (Sauk Centre, MN), and sweeping the
win in the NASCAR Autozone Elite Division Combined race at Colorado National
Speedway.
While Vadnais enjoys traveling he is thrilled to have a series that competes
close to home. He explained, "Until now there has not been a Midwest
series that was actually in the Midwest. It will be great to have an
opportunity for local fans to cheer for local drivers...I know my family is
very excited to attend the majority of the races."
Josh started his racing career at the age of seven in Quarter Midgets. He
moved up into the NASCAR Elite Division Midwest Series in 2002 and showed he
was a driver to be reckoned with by winning the Rookie of the Year in what was
the NASCAR Re/Max Challenge Series. In addition to that honor Josh also won
the Larry Detjens Sportsman of the Year award, proving he not only could race
with the hottest stars in the series but also earn their respect on and off
the track. Vadnais's record consistently placed him in the top ten at a
variety of racetracks and his qualifying ability has won him poles at Dells
Raceway Park, LaCrosse Fairgrounds Speedway, I-94 Raceway and Colorado
National Speedway.
“Josh and his father are two of the most supportive and dedicating guys that
I know that run a traveling series,” Tour VP Steve Einhaus beamed. ”Josh
is fan-friendly, sponsor-friendly, and media-friendly and one of the hottest
names in racing today. His whole team is a class act and I couldn't be happier
to have them supporting the program.”
“I have watched Josh grow over the years and have raced against him many
times,” Tour President Tim Olson recalled. “He brings his 'A' game to each
event and has proven that he is capable of being a superstar week in and week
out.”
Vadnais is a 2000 graduate of the University of Minnesota with a
communications major and general business and marketing minor. He has given
back to his community by speaking with young fans all over the Twin Cities
Metro Area, in correlation with the area Fire Departments for a “Learn not
to Burn” program. He combines his love of racing and the need for fire
safety in this unique community program.
Josh was raised just outside St. Paul, Minnesota, where he currently lives
with his wife, Katie and works for the family towing business. His plans
include moving to the upper levels of NASCAR and driving in the Craftsman
Truck, Busch, or Nextel Cup Series. His primary sponsor is Discount Taxi.
"For quite a while, the ladder leading to professional stock car racing
was missing some rungs. The ASA Midwest Tour helps to pave a clear pathway for
young drivers to make it to the professional level of our sport,” Vadnais
declared excitedly, "I think it is exactly what the Midwest needs. With
losing the NASCAR Midwest Series -but actually before that when ARTGO left-
there has been a huge void that the ASA Midwest Series will fill."
More information about Josh Vadnais is available online at www.vadnaisracing.com
or by calling Vadnais Racing Enterprises at (651) 429-5720.
To learn more about the American Speed Association Midwest Tour 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.
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