ASA STARS TO WATCH IN 2012: AARON PAULSEN

PHOTOS BY MIKE BIBLE/JOE MIKLICH
He only lives a few minutes from the track and he is not the only family member to get behind the wheel. But last season, he thought he was the first family member to win a championship, until he realized that he was the second

Aaron Paulsen, a 27-year-old 2011 Grand American Modified driver at I-25 Speedway, an ASA Member Track in Pueblo, CO, won his first ever track championship in 2011. “I was the first member of my family to win a championship,” Paulsen said. “Oh wait, actually I am the second. My wife won the Hornet championship three years ago.”

Paulsen captured his championship with five fast times and four feature wins last season at the high-banked oval located north of Pueblo, CO. “I really like the track, especially the competition,” Paulsen said. “The high banks carry a lot of momentum. There are a lot of good drivers. Nobody walks away easily with a win there. This track is definitely family oriented.”

Paulsen is a member of a huge racing family that competes every week at I-25 Speedway. His wife Montie competes in the Sportsman division. His father Rick McComb competes in the Late Models and his cousin Greg Thurlow competes in the Mini Stocks. Oh yeah, there is one more family member, his grandfather Sam McComb competes in the Late Models at the young age of 73. His grandfather has raced for 48 years and his father has been racing for 25 years.

If that isn’t enough family involvement, his other grandfather Fred Wisthoff owns and maintains Aaron’s Grand American Modified. “My grandpa and my grandma own the car that I drive,” Paulsen said. “It keeps him going and it’s fun driving for him and seeing him enjoy it.”

Paulsen himself started racing in 2002 in a Ford Mustang Mini Stock. His dad parked him for the 2003 season because, as Paulsen said, he destroyed the car from being too inpatient. In 2004, his grandfather bought him his Grand American Modified and he went out to win the Rookie of the Year.

He has been close to winning the track championship. In the past seasons, Paulsen finished either second or third in championship standings at I-25 Speedway.

“He is a very good driver at I-25 Speedway,” Perry White, I-25 Speedway Promoter said. “He is very smooth behind the wheel and he is fun to watch week after week. It’s amazing watching him work his way to the front and he keeps the fans on the edge of their seats.”

Paulsen and his grandfather are already getting ready to defend their championship in 2012. “We are already re-building the car,” Paulsen said. “We are putting on some new parts and a new body and we will be ready to go this season.”

One thing that Paulsen also enjoys about racing at I-25 Speedway is being involved in the ASA Member Track program. “Dennis Huth has put together a great program for us local guys. It gives us a lot of benefits,” Paulsen exclaimed. “It’s nice to have the coverage we have at the track along with getting to the track and back home. The hotel discounts and other benefits are great. It is an awesome opportunity for small local teams like ourselves to get some national attention.”

Fans can learn more about I-25 Speedway by visiting www.i25speedway.com.

To learn more about the ASA Member Tracks and Sanctioned Series in your area, please visit www.asa-racing.com. Follow ASA Racing on Facebook at www.facebook.com/american.speed.assoc and on Twitter at @amerspeedassoc.

You can also look for the nearest ASA Member Track, get the weekend schedule, ASA Series information right on your smartphone by downloading the ASA Racing App for the iPhone and Android phones for free. Just search for ASA Racing on iTunes and the Android Market and get the app today for FREE!

The American Speed Association started as a single racing series in 1968 and is a fast growing racing sanctioning body today. The ASA Member Track program sanctions dirt and asphalt short tracks along with road courses around the United States, as well as a variety of regional and national touring series. For more information call (386) 258-2221, or send an email to info@asa-racing.com. The latest news and information from all the racetracks and tours involved in the ASA can be found by visiting www.ASA-Racing.com.

ASA®, ASA Racing®, American Speed Association® are registered trademarks of Racing Speed Associates, LLC.

HAROLD CROOK AND A SOCIAL MEDIA ROUNDTABLE ON THIS WEEK IN ASA RACING

Kevin Ramsell/ASA Racing PR
DAYTONA BEACH, FL (Tuesday, January 31, 2012) – Another great lineup is scheduled for this Wednesday night on “This Week in ASA Racing.” The new show will air at 7pm Eastern on RaceTalkRadio.com.

Harold Crook, Promoter of Lonesome Pine Raceway, an ASA Member Track in Coeburn, VA, will be on to preview their 40^th season of racing at the 3/8-mile asphalt oval. He will share some of their promotional plans, new divisions, and introduce a new member of the LPR team.

Social Media will be part of a roundtable discussion with two young Public Relations Directors from an ASA Member Track and ASA Sanctioned Series. Bradley Carpenter of the ISCARS DASH Touring Series sanctioned by ASA and Hunter Thomas of Dillon Motor Speedway, an ASA Member Track in Dillon, SC, will be on to give their thoughts and insight about social media. They will share some of their ideas of how they are using social media to promote their respective track and series. These college students will also talk about where they see the use of social media in the future.

Fans can also listen live on your smart phone, or you can learn more by logging on to www.racetalkradio.com/mobile.html.

For the fans who cannot listen to the live broadcast, do not worry, there will be a replay available online at www.asa-racing.com. Fans can also subscribe to receive a podcast through iTunes, just look for ASA Racing.

Let your friends know about the radio show and follow us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/american.speed.assoc) and Twitter @amerspeedassoc.

To learn more about the ASA Member Tracks and Sanctioned Series in your area, please visit www.asa-racing.com.   

ASA FREE STATE 500...TWO YEARS LATER

(Above Photo...The start of the ASA Free State 500 on January 31, 2010 at the Phakisa Freeway Circuit in Welkom, Free State, South Africa. Photo by: tracksidepics.co.za)

Kevin Ramsell/ASA Racing PR

DAYTONA BEACH, FL (Tuesday, January 31, 2012) – The memories are still fresh of an event that happened two years ago today. It was on January 31, 2010 when ASA Racing did something that no other American racing sanctioning body has ever done. They organized and sanctioned an asphalt event at a one and a half mile oval in the Republic of South Africa.

The green flag flew around 1:15pm local time on a sunny, 80-degree day at the Phakisa Freeway Circuit located just outside of Welkom, Free State, South Africa. It was broadcasted live on Sirius-XM satellite radio.

24 cars took the green flag in front a large contingency of South African race fans at the oval that sat in the middle of four goldmines.

1986 Daytona 500 Champion Geoff Bodine had a comfortable lead with three laps to go, when he ran out of fuel going down the backstretch. As Bodine pitted, the lead was handed over to Toni McCray, a talented female driver from Southern California. Not far behind McCray was John Mickel, a winning stock car driver from the United Kingdom.

As McCray took the white flag, Mickel was looking for a way to get by her. The two went side-by-side going down the backstretch. Mickel would take over the top spot as the two battled in turns three and four. As Tom White waved the checkered flag, it was Mickel taking the win over McCray. Marc Davis was third with Rick McCray in fourth and South Africa’s very own Johan Spies rounding out the top-five.

"I can't believe it's been two years since such a memorable victory,” Mickel recently said. “It would be great to go back and race again! All the drivers, teams and mechanics loved the whole South African experience so much. We would like to go back and compete at Phakisa again."

It was truly an experience for just about everyone who was involved in this historic event. For many, it was their first trip outside of the United States. Over 300 people from around the world made the trip to the track located about two hours of Johannesburg and about 12 hours north of Cape Town. 16 drivers were from the United States along with six South Africans, one from the United Kingdom and one from Australia.

Rodney Schuette was the car owner of Steve Carlson’s #F-66 car that competed in the event. He wasn’t sure what to expect going over but hopes to go again. “When we were told that we were racing in South Africa, my first thought was, where do they have a track?" Schuette recalled. “The only thing I knew about that part of the planet was what I picked up from the Discovery channel or National Geographic. After being there, I have a whole new respect for the people and that area. They are very friendly, personable, and respectful. The racing facility is top notch. I could talk a long time about being there. It was quite an experience. ASA and Dennis Huth should be commended for thinking out of the box.”

The teams had a short period of time to prepare for the event. They put their time and dedication into preparing the cars and equipment for the 60-day boat journey to South Africa. In fact, the winning car didn’t arrive until the Thursday morning prior to the event.

Mike “Lumpy” Lemke was the Tech Director who put the rules together to make the race as equal as possible. “We had some unique situations with the different engine packages and cars coming to compete in the event,” Lemke said. “The teams understood our goal with this event and we all worked as one giant team to make this work. It was a privilege to be a part of this.”

The event was also the debut of the Schwanke ASA Transcontinental Series engine. A full electronic fuel injected engine. Johan Spies was the top finishing driver with the engine with his fifth place finish.

The event was replayed in 72 different countries reaching 110 million households.

“As we look back, this was a huge undertaking for ASA Racing and we were ecstatic with the results,” Dennis Huth, ASA President said. “In one week, 24 race teams from around the world came together for the ASA Free State 500. It was an incredible race with an exciting finish. The top-five alone showed how diverse this event was with three different countries from three different continents represented. Many of us still cannot believe that it has already been two years.”

The day after the race, everyone visited Savannah near Parys, Free State, South Africa where they enjoyed a safari, an up close encounter with a cheetah, and enjoyed the South African culture with music and dance. It was a great way to end their South African experience.

ASA has several YouTube videos from the 2010 ASA Free State 500 available on their YouTube page at www.youtube.com/Americanspeedassoc.

To learn more about the ASA Member Tracks and Sanctioned Series in your area, please visit www.asa-racing.com. Follow ASA Racing on Facebook at www.facebook.com/american.speed.assocand on Twitter at @amerspeedassoc.

You can also look for the nearest ASA Member Track, get the weekend schedule, ASA Series information right on your smartphone by downloading the ASA Racing App for the iPhone and Android phones for free. Just search for ASA Racing on iTunes and the Android Market and get the app today for FREE!

The American Speed Association started as a single racing series in 1968 and is a fast growing racing sanctioning body today. The ASA Member Track program sanctions dirt and asphalt short tracks along with road courses around the United States, as well as a variety of regional and national touring series. For more information call (386) 258-2221, or send an email to info@asa-racing.com. The latest news and information from all the racetracks and tours involved in the ASA can be found by visiting www.ASA-Racing.com.

ASA®, ASA Racing®, American Speed Association® are registered trademarks of Racing Speed Associates, LLC.

2010 ASA FREE STATE 500 RESULTS

Pos    No.    Name
1    09    John Mickel (United Kingdom)    
2    90    Toni McCray (United States)
3    96    Marc Davis (United States)
4    08    Rick McCray (United States)
5    900    Johan Spies (South Africa)     
6    73    Gary Lewis (United States)
7    19    Tiffany Daniels (United States)
8    55    Greg Barnhart  (United States)
9    8    Geoff Bodine  (United States)
10    68    Danie Correia  (South Africa)
11    20    Gugu Zulu  (South Africa)
12    97    Mark Ebert  (United States)
13    41    Ron Norman (United States)
14    98    Shaun Richardson (Australia)
15    22    Johan Cronje (South Africa)
16    F22    Russ Blakeley  (United States)
17    61    Tim Olson  (United States)
18    00    Johan Coetzer  (South Africa)
19    F66    Steve Carlson (United States)
20    52    Chris Wimmer  (United States)
21    11    Jaco Correia  (South Africa)
22    80    Mark Shaffer  (United States)
23    85    Lance Fenton  (United States)
24    88    Don Uhlir (United States)

ASAMT CHAMPIONSHIP BANQUET THIS SATURDAY AT HO CHUNK CASINO

By Kari Shear-Carlson
February 2, 2012 - Champions in all three ASA Midwest Tour Divisions will be honored this Saturday, February 4th at Ho Chunk Casino in Wisconsin Dells. ASAMT Champion, Andrew Morrissey, ASA Midwest SCAG Truck Tour Champion, Jerry Wood, and ASA Midwest Sunoco Tour Champion, Chris Marek will join the rest of the teams and crews for the annual banquet.

In addition to all three champions, Rookies of the Year, Skylar Holzhausen, Austin "The Ace" Luedtke, and Jerome Suderland will also be recognized along with several special awards recipients.

A cocktail hour will begin the night's festivities at 5:00PM followed by dinner at 6:00PM and the awards ceremony at 7:00PM. Comedic entertainment will begin at 9:15PM for all to enjoy. An after-party in the Wo Zha Wa Bar will conclude the night and there is probably a sure bet for someone to win big in the casino.

Tickets can still be purchased at the door for $100 per person. Hotel reservations can be made by calling 800-746-2486 or 608-356-6210. If still available, double rooms for this event are $99. Use block rate number 344 when calling for reservations.

The menu will include a dinner salad, baked chicken, chef carved prime rib, oven roasted rosemary potatoes, rice pilaf blend, green beans almondine, casino vegetables mix, marinated vegetable salad, coleslaw, dessert, coffee, milk, soda, and water.

To learn more about the American Speed Association® Midwest Tour, log on to asamidwesttour.com. For questions call the ASA Midwest Tour office at (630) 212-6022 or Tim Olson at (612) 327-5831 or e-mail Tim Olson at tim@asamidwesttour.comor Steve Einhaus at steve@asamidwesttour.com.

To learn more about the Daytona Beach, Florida-based Racing Speed Associates or the American Speed Association® Racing Member Track program, call (386) 258-2221 or send an e-mail to info@asa-racing.com. For news and information from racetracks and regional tours involved in the American Speed Association®, visit www.asaracing.com.

ASA’S EAST BAY RACEWAY PARK KICKS OFF WINTERNATIONALS, ASA MIDWEST TOUR & ACE SPEEDWAY BANQUETS THIS WEEKEND

Kevin Ramsell/ASA Racing PR
DAYTONA BEACH, FL (Thursday, February 2, 2012) – East Bay Raceway Park kicks off their 36^th Annual Winternationals on Thursday, February 2. The ASA Midwest Tour and Ace Speedway will honor their 2011 Champions this Saturday night.

Here is a quick look at what is happening this weekend in ASA Racing.

EAST BAY RACEWAY PARK (Tampa, FL)

The ASA Member Track near Tampa, FL host the first weekend of their 36^th Annual Winternationals this Thursday, Friday and Saturday. The NeSmith Dirt Late Model Series and the World Street Stocks will be competing all three nights. In fact, about 50-60 NeSmith cars were practicing on Wednesday night. A three-day grandstand pass is available for $40. Racing starts at 6:30pm each night.

www.eastbayracewaypark.com

ASA MIDWEST TOUR (Super Late Models, Sportsman, Trucks)

Ho Chunk Casino near Wisconsin Dells, WI will host the stars of the Midwest this Saturday night as they celebrate their 2011 season. Andrew Morrissey will collect his championship trophy in the Super Late Models. Chris Marek will receive his second Sportsman championship and Jerry Wood will also collect his second Truck championship trophy. The schedule is: Cocktails at 5:00pm, Dinner at 6:00pm, Awards at 7pm.

www.asamidwesttour.com

ACE SPEEDWAY (Altamahaw, NC)

Ace Speedway will honor their 2011 Champions this Saturday night at the Burlington Shrine Club in Burlington, NC. The festivities will get underway at 6pm. Congratulations to 2011 Champions: Barry Beggarly (Late Models), Gary Young Jr. (Modifieds), Dillon Bassett (Limited Late Models), AJ Sanders (Mini Stocks), Barry Wilson (Extremes), Clyde Johnson (Street Stocks), Junior Chrisco (Mini Trucks).

www.acespeedway.com

To learn more about the ASA Member Tracks and Sanctioned Series in your area, please visit www.asa-racing.com. Follow ASA Racing on Facebook at www.facebook.com/american.speed.assoc and on Twitter at @amerspeedassoc.

You can also look for the nearest ASA Member Track, get the weekend schedule, ASA Series information right on your smartphone by downloading the ASA Racing App for the iPhone and Android phones for free. Just search for ASA Racing on iTunes and the Android Market and get the app today for FREE!

The American Speed Association started as a single racing series in 1968 and is a fast growing racing sanctioning body today. The ASA Member Track program sanctions dirt and asphalt short tracks along with road courses around the United States, as well as a variety of regional and national touring series. For more information call (386) 258-2221, or send an email to info@asa-racing.com. The latest news and information from all the racetracks and tours involved in the ASA can be found by visiting www.ASA-Racing.com.

ASA®, ASA Racing®, American Speed Association® are registered trademarks of Racing Speed Associates, LLC.

ASA STARS TO WATCH IN 2012: AARON PAULSEN

PHOTOS BY MIKE BIBLE/JOE MIKLICH He only lives a few minutes from the track and he is not the only family member to get behind the wheel. But last season, he thought he was the first family member to win a championship, until he realized that he was the second

ASA FREE STATE 500...TWO YEARS LATER

(Above Photo...The start of the ASA Free State 500 on January 31, 2010 at the Phakisa Freeway Circuit in Welkom, Free State, South Africa. Photo by: tracksidepics.co.za) Kevin Ramsell/ASA Racing PR

ASAMT CHAMPIONSHIP BANQUET THIS SATURDAY AT HO CHUNK CASINO

PHOTOS BY MIKE BIBLE/JOE MIKLICH
He only lives a few minutes from the track and he is not the only family member to get behind the wheel. But last season, he thought he was the first family member to win a championship, until he realized that he was the second

(Above Photo...The start of the ASA Free State 500 on January 31, 2010 at the Phakisa Freeway Circuit in Welkom, Free State, South Africa. Photo by: tracksidepics.co.za)

Kevin Ramsell/ASA Racing PR