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2005 ASALM Rookie Class Retrospective
A capsule look at the 2005 ASA Late Model Series Pat Bourdow Memorial Rookie
of the Year Final Top 10.
By Matt Prieur-ASA Late Model Series
Lexington, Michigan (12/13/05): The 2005 season is complete for the ASA Late
Model Series Presented by GM Performance Parts, the points are tabulated and
the awards are being prepared to be presented to the well deserving teams that
called the ASA Late Model Series home during the 2005 season. The 2005 ASA
Late Model Series Awards Banquet is fast approaching on Saturday January 14,
2006.
With the 2006 campaign on the horizon, only 80 days away, and events within
the ASALM Series multiplying, three-fold with the ASA Late Model Challenge
Division, what was the 2005 ASA Late Model Series. Also the ASA Late Model
Series Northern Division, a brand new series, and the ASA Late Model Series
Southern Division, formally the Southern All-Stars Pro Late Model Division,
its now time to reflect back on what was a tremendous 2005 season and
take a look at the final Top 10 in the very competitive Pat Bourdow Memorial
Rookie of the Year title contenders;
10th; #111 Chase Austin-Eudora, Kansas. The 16-year-old rookie finished 10th
in the Pat Bourdow Memorial Rookie of the Year title chase as he recorded one
top five finish, a last to fifth place run at the Hawkeye Downs (IA) Speedway
on September 1st to go with his five Top 10 showings in 2005. For the 2006
season, Austin has a move planned to Mooresville, North Carolina and will run
a limited schedule in the ASA Late Model Series Southern Division.
9th; #84 Brett Piontek-Green Bay Wisconsin. Another solid Pat Bourdow Memorial
Rookie of the Year title contender. The former Mid-American Stock Car Series
star finished a season high 11th on two occasions. July 30, 2005 at the
Indianapolis (IN) Raceway Park, and again two weeks later at the Jennerstown
(PA) Speedway on August 13th. Plans call for Piontek to return to the ASA Late
Model Series Challenge and Northern Divisions.
8th; #81 Jesse Smith-St. Louis, Missouri. The lone Show-Me State
representative in the top 20 in 2005, the 16-year-old freshman won one GM
Performance Parts Shootout and recorded one Top 10 finish, an eighth place
showing during Oktoberfest Weekend at the LaCrosse (WI) Fairgrounds Speedway
in LaCrosse, Wisconsin on October 7, 2005. Smith looks to have a very
successful Sophomore season in both the televised Challenge Division as well
as the Northern Division.
7th; #90 Keeton Hanks-Auburn, Kentucky. A rising star in the ASA Late Model
Series, the 16-year-old Pat Bourdow Memorial Rookie title contender was the
2004 National Legends Series Champion and in 2005, stepped right into an ASA
Late Model with impressive results. One Top five finish, a season high fourth
place showing at the I-70 (MO) Speedway on June 18th to go with his four Top
10 finishes. Look for Hanks to run the full slate of events and compete for
the championships in the televised Challenge Division as well as the Northern
Division, in addition to select shows in the Southern Division.
6th; #25 Brent Downey-Avon, Indiana. Another top notch contender for the Pat
Bourdow Memorial Rookie of the Year award. Downey started the season by
winning the Motive Gear Fast Qualifier Award at the Baer Field (IN) Speedway
on May 7th and overall recorded four Top 10 finishes with a season high
seventh place finish at the Sandusky (OH) Speedway on August 20th. For the
2006 season, Downey has teamed up with Hock Motorsports and expert crew chief,
Glenn Allen Jr., for a run in the televised Challenge Division as well as the
Northern Division and some select events within in the Southern
Division.
5th; #92 Travis Dassow-West Bend, Wisconsin. A strong contender all season for
the Pat Bourdow Memorial Rookie of the Year title, Dassow earned three Top
five finishes including a season high third at the Sandusky (OH) Speedway on
August 20, 2005. Overall the 18-year-old picked up five top 10 showings during
the season and will be one to watch in 2006. Dassow hopes to step up as a
serious title contender in the televised Challenge Division as well as the
Northern Division.
4th; #6 Jason Dietsch-Edgerton, Ohio. One of only two Pat Bourdow Memorial
Rookie contenders to win a feature in 2005. The former USA Modifieds Series
Champion picked up the win during the KC Star 100 at the I-70 (MO) Speedway on
June 18th. Overall, Dietsch racked up seven Top 10 finishes during the 2005
season. Dietschs 2006 plans call for an all out assault in the televised
ASA Late Model Series Challenge Division.
3rd; #32 Ryan Carlson-Loves Park, Illinois. The second of two Pat Bourdow
Memorial Rookie of the Year title contenders to win a feature as Carlson won
the Barron Motor Supply 100 at the Hawkeye Downs (IA) Speedway on September 2,
2005. Carlson also picked up five Top fives and eight top 10 finishes during
the 2005 season to crack the top five overall and third place in the rookie
title chase. For the 2006 season, Carlson hopes to contend for the series
titles in both the televised ASA Late Model Series Challenge Division as well
as the Northern Division.
2nd; #23 Kris Stump-Tipp City, Ohio. Finished second in the Pat Bourdow
Memorial Rookie of the Year title chase with a very consistent 2005 season.
Stump racked up six Top five finishes including a season high third on two
occasions. The first during the 2005 door opener on May 7, 2005 at the Baer
Field (IN) Speedway and the second third place showing came at the Hawkeye
Downs (IA) Speedway on September 2, 2005 where he also won his first career
Motive Gear Fast Qualifier Award. Overall, Stump recorded 10 Top 10 finishes
during his rookie campaign in the ASA Late Model Series. For the 2006 season,
Stump will be steering a potent Chevrolet Monte Carlo from the esteemed SS
Racing Stable and car owner, Ken Smith and run the full schedule of events in
the televised Challenge Division as well as the Northern Division.
1st; #29 Brian Campbell-Grand Rapids, Michigan. The 2005 Pat Bourdow Memorial
Rookie of the Year and perennial bridesmaid of the 2005 season. In addition to
finishing second in the overall final points standings, Campbell finished
second an amazing six times during the 2005 season. His runner-up showings
came at; Baer Field (IN) Speedway twice on May 7 and September 11.
In addition, Campbell's other four runner-up finishes were recorded at the
I-70 (MO) Speedway on June 18, Illiana (IN) Motor Speedway on July 23,
Jennerstown (PA) Speedway on August 13, and Hawkeye Downs (IA) Speedway on
September 2. Campbell also recorded 10 Top 10 finishes and won two Motive Gear
Fast Qualifier awards at I-70 and Illiana. For the 2006 season, Campbell will
make an announcement soon regarding next season within all three divisions of
the ASA Late Model Series.
The next scheduled event for the ASA Late Model Series will be the 2005 Awards
Banquet to be held at the Quality Inn/Summit Center in Fort Wayne, Indiana on
Saturday January 14, 2006, beginning at 6pm. The ASA Late Model Series will
honor the 2005 ASA Late Model Series Champion, Stephen Leicht, as well as the
2005 Pat Bourdow Memorial Rookie of the Year, Brian Campbell and the top
twenty drivers in the final points standings.
In addition, the GM Performance Parts Winner's Circle participants will be
awarded as will the GM Performance Parts Shootout Points Champion, Mark
Hartline, along-with special sponsored awards and some surprise awards which
will be handed out as well.
The banquet is a semi-formal event and we encourage everyone to put on their
best. The ASA Late Model Series will continue with the tradition that started
with the first annual banquet to begin the awards presentation first followed
by dinner and dancing. Everyone is welcome to attend and to celebrate the 2005
season. Attendance is mandatory for teams receiving awards. Tickets for the
banquet must be purchased in advance through the ASALM Series Office.
Also on that same day, the 2006 ASA Late Model Series Owner/Drivers meeting
will also be held at the Quality Inn/Summit Center from 9am-Noon. This meeting
will be open for all three divisions and its participants and the ASA
Late Model Series management and staff encourages all teams that plan on
running with any of the three traveling series in 2006 to attend or send a
representative to the meeting.
In addition, the 2006 ASA Late Model Series Southern Division Owner/Drivers
meeting is set for Saturday January 21, 2006 at the Quality Inn/Marietta Room
in Marietta, Georgia from 10am-1pm. Just a reminder to all teams that plan to
attend the January 21st Informational meeting in Marietta Georgia;
It is very important that you register your attendees with the ASA Late Model
Series South Office as soon as possible. There is no charge to attend the
meeting but we will need an accurate head count to ensure that we are properly
prepared. Please register via e-mail or call the Southern Division office at:
(770) 630-4571 or you can e-mail Southern Division Director, Randy Rabinowitch
at: randyr@asalatemodels.com
For more information about the 2005 ASA Late Model Series Awards Banquet as
well as the approaching 2006 season with the ASA Late Model Challenge
Division, and the ASA Late Model Series Northern and Southern Divisions; check
out the websites at: www.asalatemodelsnorth.com
and www.asalatemodelssouth.com
You can also call the ASA Late Model Series home offices during normal
business hours (9am-5pm Eastern Standard Time) at 1 (800) 385-2503 or log onto
the main ASA Late Model Series website anytime at: www.asalatemodels.com
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