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The ASALMS Of Past, Present And Beyond 2007 Is On Its Way
By: ASA Late Model Series
Lexington, Michigan (11/11/2006): The ASA Late Model Series teams can look
forward to another solid year of racing during the 2007 season. All three
divisions are on schedule with 10-12 events each throughout 1/3 of the
country.
Once again we will offer the teams the best place to race with the highest
level of competition at some of the finest venues in the country. Over the
years the series has seen many teams from all over come out and compete with
others that mirror their level of talent and skill.
The rapid growth of this series is phenomenal. In 2003 for the inaugural event
of the USPRO Racing series which is now know as ASALMS had 13 cars show to
compete. The series although small, started the wheels in motion for a change
that would sweep the short track-racing world throughout the Midwest and
beyond. Mark Kortz was the inaugural USPRO Racing Series Champion for the 2003
season.
The Crate Motor, Template Body package with cost limitations on parts was
appealing to not only drivers, but to race tracks throughout the country. Late
in 2003, USPRO owners were approached by the former historic American Speed
Association National Tour to form a partnership and launch a series that would
forever change the history of short track racing; ASALMS.
The 2004 season had the ASALMS teams and series sweep through the Midwest with
gusto. Bobby Stremme became the 1st ASALMS Series Champion for the 2004 season
and opened the door to the highest levels of talent throughout the series.
Despite what was happening with the former American Speed Association National
Tour, the ASALMS continued to grow and prosper. Soon, a deal was made to
return the ASALMS back to the original owner of the USPRO series, Ron Varney
who helped kick-start this awesome trend in racing.
During the 2005 season the series gained momentum and began to grow and expand
at unparalleled levels. The series completed the season and crowned our 2005
Champion Stephen Leicht of Waltom Racing. Stephen became the American Dream
for many race teams throughout the country and continued to excel as he moved
into the Busch Series and joined with the Robert Yates race team during the
2006 season.
2005 was a pivotal year for the series and teams, we had to prove to the
racing industry that we were up to the task of being the number one late model
series in the country and we did.
Due to the high demand from tracks and teams throughout the country, the
series put plans in place to expand during the 2006 season. The ASALMS would
launch three separate divisions to accommodate the high demand. The Challenge,
North and South Divisions were put in place and teams, sponsor, officials and
promoters headed once again into the unknown.
The 2006 season was a flurry of activity with 40 events overall throughout the
country. Dozens of new teams, tracks and partners joined on to be a part of
this. Once again it was another audition year for the series and teams as many
watched and waited to see if the series had the staying power or if it was
just a fad. Although faced with many trials and tribulations, the goal was met
with success across the board.
2006 Gave the series three new Champions; Kelly Bires of Waltom Racing was
crowned the Champion of the Premier ASALMS Challenge Division, Jesse Smith was
crowned the ASALMS North Division Champion and James Buescher was crowned as
the ASALMS Southern Division Champion. As a series we are very fortunate to
have had the opportunity to work with these Champs and are glad to have become
a part of their racing history and success.
The 2007 season is underway and the series has remained a cornerstone of late
model racing throughout the country. Teams can expect to see 10-12 events per
division, a minimum overall points fund of $100,000 and overall Winners
Circle Program of $50,000 with marginal increases in purses with special
payouts at select events. In addition to that, those great companies that
support our series offer awards upwards of $3500 per event and well over
$40,000 year end.
Bonus programs have been put in place to reward those teams that want to run
more than one division. As the series continues to grow and prosper we will
continue to reward those teams that support us.
One thing to remember is that the series is much the same as it was in its
original days with small changes implemented to make it more conducive to the
travel and safety. It is still by far the most cost-effective high profile
traveling series around. The benefits to the teams that are a part of the
series is far reaching and offers teams a chance to compete with the best of
the best. The ASALMS is professional racing; it is not just a Saturday night
show at the track. The teams that race are professional race teams of varied
backgrounds, ages, geography and income.
Teams come out not only to compete, but also to perfect their skills as a
professional driver. To run the series, you will visit a number of varied
tracks with different speeds, sizes and banking. The teams also have the eyes
and ears of the racing world upon them and many will use this as a tool to
launch their racing careers. The ASALMS is a premier series, with premier
drivers and tremendous support from some of the largest companies in the
racing industry.
For all our success as a series, one of the best accomplishments is not as
highly publicized, the ASALMS Rules package. Tracks and Series throughout the
country have implemented our rules package into their own weekly programs. The
series has helped set the wheels in motion to unify short track racing
throughout the country.
As we continue to grow, we also continue to support and encourage those
efforts. In order for our series to be successful, there needs to be a solid
late model market that is not limited to just one series or track. Each year
adds more and more venues for ASALMS legal cars and adds great value to teams
throughout the country that want to be on the racetrack.
A new era is upon us all and what we do in the ASALMS arena is paramount to
the short track community. We encourage everyone involved to step up their
game and help set the tone for the next decade of short track racing.
As a series we are blessed with all the things needed to be successful; great
teams, great track and great marketing partners. The ASALMS is just a name
that helps promote the finest people in the industry, it is not a stand alone
entity and thrives because of the outstanding people involved.
2007 TENATIVE SCHEDULES
*SCHEDULES ARE TENATIVE AND SUBJECT TO CHANGE
South:
March 17th - Bronson, FL
April 21st -TBA
May 5th - TBA
June 2nd - South Georgia Motorsports Park, GA
June 23rd - New Smyrna, FL
July 14th - TBA
August 11th TBA
September 22nd - World Cup I-70 Speedway, MO
October 6th - Desoto, FL
October 27th - TBA
November 3rd and 4th - Music City Motorplex, Nashville, TN
*Tentative venues not yet scheduled in North Carolina, Georgia and Alabama
Challenge:
March 3rd - San Antonio Speedway
March 31st - Music City Motorlex, TN
April 14th - Toledo Speedway, OH
May 12th - Hawkeye Downs, IA
May 19th - Iowa Speedway, Newton, IA
June 16th - Berlin Raceway, MI
June 30th - Cayuga Speedway, Canada
July 21st - TBA
August 4th - Bristol Motor Speedway, TN
August 25th - Milwaukee Mile, WI
Sept/Oct - TBA
November 3rd and 4th - Music City Motorplex, TN
North:
April 28th OReillys Raceway Park, (IRP) Indianapolis, IN
May 26th Grundy County Speedway Morris, IL
June 9th I-70 Speedway Odessa, MO
July 7th Tenative, Madison, WI
July 28th Rockford Speedway Loves Park, IL
August 17th Dixie Motor Speedway Birch Run, MI
September 1st Hawkeye Down, - Cedar Rapids, IA
September 22nd I-70 Speedway World Cup Shoot-out Odessa, MO
October 6th Lacrosse Fairgrounds West Salem, WI
November 3rd and 4th Music City Motorplex Nashville, TN
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