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Charlie Menard Steps Into 2006 ASALMS Title Contention
By: ASA Late Model Series Staff
Lexington, Michigan (02/01/2006): The ASA Late Model Series Presented by GM
Performance Parts boasted the strongest field in its’ brief history during
the 2005 season. Led by 2005 ASALMS Champion, Stephen Leicht, the top 20 in
the final points standings read as a who’s who of short track racing in the
Midwest and beyond.
The 2006 season is fast approaching and with the multiplication of the ASALMS
to three divisions, the competition looks to be without question, the toughest
in the country! The crown jewel of the ASALMS is the Challenge Division,
expects to boast some of the strongest fields that will be seen all season
long and one driver has thrown his hat into the ring as a bonafide title
contender!
Eau Claire, Wisconsin driver, Charlie Menard, the winner of the 2005 ASALMS
Coca-Cola/Oktoberfest 100 back on October 7, 2005 at his home track of the
LaCrosse (WI) Fairgrounds Speedway, has announced his intentions on competing
for the 2006 ASALMS Challenge Division championship! In addition to the
Challenge Division, Menard will also compete in select events within the
ASALMS Northern Division as well!
"I am looking forward to a fantastic 2006 year racing for the ASALMS
Championship!” Stated Menard as he prepares for the upcoming season. “Our
team is looking great with returning sponsorship as well as new sponsors all
coming on board.” Menard added.
Menard’s 2006 season has already began as the Menards Racing Team ventured
down to the USA (FL) International Speedway on January 27-28 for the 2006
Speedfest Weekend. Menard came into last weekend as the defending champion of
the event.
After being involved in a first lap incident during the companion North 100 on
Friday night, Menard rebounded during Saturday’s 200-lap caution filled
affair and finished 14th.“We had a solid weekend down in Lakeland, made sure
all the nuts and bolts were tight!” Menard continued. “Now we’re getting
serious about things and we’re busy preparing our ASALMS cars for the opener
in Nashville.” Menard ended.
Charlie's 2005 season began and ended with wins! An impressive win at
Speedfest 2005 in Lakeland, Florida, and then during the previously mentioned
ASALMS show last October at LaCrosse. In addition to his ASALMS Oktoberfest
win, Menard would go on to win two more features during the Oktoberfest
weekend to complete the Oktoberfest Hat Trick!
The C.O.O. of the Menard's Home Improvement chain of stores had a banner 2004
season as well. Menard won the 2004 NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series Midwest
Regional Champion as well as 2004 LaCrosse (WI) Fairgrounds Speedway track
champion with six feature wins and 16 Top Five finishes!
Among those wins in 2004 were two victories during the 2004 Oktoberfest in
both the Wisconsin Late Models feature as well as the LaCrosse Late Models
feature. Menard has also picked up wins in recent seasons in a Late Model at
LaCrosse as well as the Marshfield (WI) Speedway and feature victories have
also came in the old MARS Series as well as the Wisconsin Challenge series.
The Eau Claire, Wisconsin driver began his racing career in go-karts on
various asphalt road courses when he was eight years old. Over the years,
Menard has also ran in Ice racing where he picked up the International Ice
Racing Association Champion in 1995.
Menard has also seen time in IMSA and Grand Am Cup Sedan Racing where he
placed a third in the GT 2004 Daytona 24-hour event. Menard also has won
several Legend Cars Championships, raced some shows in the old ASA Tour.
For the 2006 season, Menard will steer his 2006 Ford Fusion for a run at the
ASALMS Challenge Division Championship! In addition, Menard will run select
shows within the ASALMS Northern Division as well as the Wisconsin Challenge
Series and weekly events at his home track of LaCrosse.
The 32-year-old will carry primary sponsorship on the side of his machine from
Menards Home Improvement as well as Floors of Distinction by Custom Surfaces,
Jack Link's Beef Jerky, Crown Spray Power, The Tool Shop, Bud Light, John's
Manville Insulation, and Energizer Batteries
To learn more about Charlie Menard and the Menards Racing Team, log onto their
website at: www.menardsracing.com
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