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Hoffman Wins ASALMS Race In A Borrowed Car
By: ASA Late Model Series Staff
Lexington, Michigan (03/21/2006): The ASA Late Model Series Challenge Division
has completed the first event of the 2006 season!
The historical Music City (TN) Motorplex in Nashville, Tennessee served as
gracious hosts of the Waffle House 200 Presented by Dollar General. This was
the ASALMS first foray into the uncharted waters of a distance longer than 100
laps. 52 of the premiere drivers in the country met up at the famed Tennessee
State Fairgrounds oval.
Standing in victory lane was Wheaton, Illinois veteran, Eddie Hoffman, who
took the lead on lap 11 and led the remaining 190 laps enroute to his first
career ASALMS victory and a prestigious Barry Clapp originally designed Copley
Guitar.
What made the victory even more gratifying for the veteran Prairie State
driver was the fact that Hoffman’s win in Nashville was in a borrowed car!
The TK Racing Team’s primary ASALMS ride wasn’t quite ready for the ASALMS
Challenge Division’s first event of the 2006 season. Car Owner, Tom Kmak
called on fellow competitors, John Ferry and Bob Johnson and the Auto Glass
Authority team for the use of their ride for the event in Music City.
In an unfamiliar ride, the crafty veteran Hoffman showed why he is one of the
top short track stars in the country! The Wheaton, Illinois driver qualified
fifth out of the 52 cars on hand. With an inversion of six, that put Hoffman
on the outside of the front row for the Waffle House 200 Presented by Dollar
General.
After a first lap incident, Hoffman hounded fellow front row starter, Chad
Wood, who paced the field for the first 10 laps until lap 11 when the Illini
State driver drove by Wood for the lead. From there, Hoffman withstood
constant pressure all race long from a plethora of different competitors to
post his first career ASALMS Victory.
As for his first career ASALMS victory, Hoffman was ecstatic. “We had a
great car but so did everybody else.” Stated Hoffman during post-race
ceremonies on the famed Music City stage. “We had good track position and
the inversion helped too. We were up front all night and as even as these cars
are, it’s your race to lose.” He added.
“We had different guys on our backs all night, but we were able to pull it
off. I can’t thank John Ferry, Bob Johnson, and all their guys enough for
working with my TK Racing team this weekend and for giving us a great race
car!” Hoffman continued.
“Those guys behind us were right there every step of the way, I never had a
chance to relax all night. They definitely made things interesting for me.”
Hoffman added. “There is such a nice mix of young and experienced drivers in
this series. I had a lot of fun tonight.” Hoffman ended.
Later in the evening, Hoffman then jumped into his CRA Super Series ride for
another 150 laps and showed no signs of fatigue in posting another podium
finish in third behind All-American 150 winner, Eddie Mercer and fellow
Illinois state pilot, Boris Jurkovic.
Hoffman heads into the next event for the ASALMS Challenge Division at the San
Antonio (TX) Speedway in San Antonio, Texas on Friday and Saturday March 31st
and April 1st as the ASALMS Challenge Division Points Leader.
For the 2006 season, TK Racing's plans with Hoffman behind the wheel, call for
the Prairie State veteran to tentatively run the full slate of events in the
televised ASALMS Challenge Division as well as at least the first three events
within the ASALMS Northern Division
His 2006 schedule however gets interesting over the Memorial Day Holiday
weekend. In addition to running the full schedule in the ASALMS Challenge
Division, Hoffman’s TK Racing Team also has plans on the full CRA Super
Series Schedule as well.
The first conflicting event is Saturday May 27th! The ASALMS Challenge
Division is at the Madison (WI) International Speedway for the Madison 200.
The CRA Super Series is at the Berlin (MI Raceway the same night. With the
first conflicting date over two months away, the TK Racing Team looks to make
a decision as the deadline gets closer.
During the 2005 season, Hoffman's TK Racing Team, owned by Tom Kmak, won the
2005 CRA Super Series Owner's Points Championship and finished fourth in the
NASCAR Autozone Midwest Series Points chase.
Earlier in the 2005 season, Hoffman also won his second straight Elmer
Musgrave Memorial at the Illiana (IN) Motor Speedway back on June 25, 2005. In
addition, Hoffman is now a two-time champion in the National Short Track
Championships at the Rockford (IL) Speedway.
Over his stellar career, Hoffman has won races on both super speedways and
short tracks over his career. Eddie has won numerous Bud Pole awards in the
NASCAR Midwest Series. Hoffman was the highest finishing Midwest driver during
the 2005 Toyota All-Star Showdown, with a fourth place finish.
The 46-year-old began his racing career on a high note by winning three
straight Mid-American Stock Car Series championships from 1993-1995. In 1996,
he moved into the ARTGO Challenge Series where he easily won the Rookie of the
Year title and in 1997 Hoffman picked up the Series Championship in what is
now the NASCAR Midwest Series.
In 1998, Hoffman won his first of three Oktoberfest’s at LaCrosse on his way
to a third place showing in the NASCAR Midwest Series. Hoffman ranks only
behind the late Joe Shear in career Oktoberfest wins!
In 1999, Hoffman ran a full schedule in the now defunct ASA National Tour
driving for famed car owner, Don Fanetti. During that season, he won one pole
award at the Memphis (TN) Motorsports Park and finished a season high third at
the Desoto (FL) Speedway.
The year 2000 saw Hoffman join forces with the TK Racing/Lisa Thomas Salon
Team led by Car Owner, Tom Kmak. In 2001, Hoffman picked up a fifth place
finish back once again in the NASCAR Midwest Tour as well as the Bud Pole
Champion. In 2003, Hoffman was voted Most Popular Driver in the NASCAR Midwest
Series.
In addition, Hoffman is a two-time track champion at the Grundy County (IL)
Speedway most recently in 2004. He was also the 1997 titleist, both in the
tracks Late Model division. Hoffman is also a three-time winner of the Tony
Bettenhausen Memorial at the Illiana (IN) Motor Speedway. His wins in the
prestigious event came in 2003, 2000, and 1998. Finally, Hoffman is also a
two-time winner of the George Appleton Memorial, held traditionally at Grundy
County.
Eddie make his ASA Late Model Series debut during the 36th annual Oktoberfest
Weekend at the LaCrosse (WI) Fairgrounds Speedway on October 7, 2005 driving a
Tony D'Ambrose owned Chevrolet Monte Carlo. Hoffman was the Motive Gear Fast
Qualifier Award and finished fourth in the feature.
For the 2006 season, Hoffman carries sponsorship on the side of his Chevrolet
Monte Carlo from Lisa Thomas Salon as well as Appleton Rack and Pinion, M.R.
Lee Building Materials, and TK Racing. To learn more about Eddie Hoffman and
the TK Racing Team, log onto their website at: www.lisathomasracing.com
The next event for the ASALMS Challenge Division is on Friday March 31st and
Saturday April 1st at the San Antonio (TX) Speedway in San Antonio, Texas for
the running of the Alamo 200.
A week later the ASALMS Southern Division returns to action on Saturday April
8th at the Shenandoah (VA) Speedway in Shenandoah, Virginia for the Virginia
100. Finally the all-new ASA Late Model Series Northern Division will hold
its’ inaugural event on Saturday May 6th at the wicked fast ½ mile of the
I-70 (MO) Speedway outside of Kansas City in Odessa, Missouri for the Show-Me
100.
For more information about the 2006 seasons with the ASALMS Challenge
Division, as well as the ASALMS Northern and Southern Divisions; You can also
call the ASALMS home offices during normal business hours (9am-5pm Eastern
Standard Time) at 1 (800) 385-2503.
You can also log onto any of the three websites for more information. For the
Challenge Division, go to: www.asalatemodels.com
For the Northern Division, log in at: www.asalatemodelsnorth.com
and finally for the Southern Division click on: www.asalatemodelssouth.com
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