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NEW POINTS
SYSTEM TIGHTENS COMPETITION
ASAMT HEADS
TO NORWAY SPEEDWAY
By: Kari Shear-Carlson
(Monday, August 30, 2010) The American Speed
Association® Kwik Trip Midwest Tour presented by
ECHO Outdoor Power Equipment and
grandstay.net
heads to Norway Speedway in Norway, MI this
coming Sunday, September 5th for the "Labor Day
125." This event is the tenth out of eleven
ASAMT events.
While Norway, MI is a long haul for many
drivers, it is one event that can make all the
difference as the season closes in on its final
two races of 2010. Last year, Steve Carlson
qualified the fastest out of 27 cars with a
14.381 and Jamie Iverson won the event at his
home track for the third year in a row. This
will be the fourth year in a row the ASAMT will
compete at the third mile slightly banked oval.
The track, originally a dirt track, was built in
1942 and was blacktopped in 1979.
As the season comes to a close, competitors and
fans are keeping a close eye on the points
standings. This season has been one of the
closest points battles to date in the ASAMT. It
seems that the racing season goes by faster and
faster each and every year. Sometimes it is hard
to imagine that all of the drivers came into the
season on even ground.
On May 2nd the ASA Midwest Tour kicked off the
2010 racing season. Each and every driver came
into the season opener with the same number of
points; zero. All it takes is one lap to start
earning points and they continue to accumulate
throughout the season. Obviously this is not
anything new and what everyone involved in the
sport already understands. However, sometimes
what looks good on paper and in theory needs to
be challenged and reevaluated.
The ASA Midwest Tour officials did just that.
During the off-season, the Touring Stars and
ASAMT officials sat down together to revamp the
previous system used by the ARTGO Challenge
Series. The main objective was to tighten the
battle between the competitors so that five to
ten drivers could be in contention to win the
championship instead of just two or three.
"Over the past four years, we have had awesome
racing and great season ending battles. With the
driver's suggestions and the Tour rethinking, we
feel that we have come up with a great points
system. We still found some minor hiccups in the
system this year and we'll be working with the
teams once again to finesse the system," added
ASAMT President, Tim Olson. With only two races
left in the 2010 season, every position is a
points battle. As ASAMT Vice President, Steve
Einhaus said, "The top ten guys are close enough
that one major bobble in the points could change
the season results for everyone."
ASAMT officials were looking for a more
effective system that put more in contention for
the season long championship at the end of the
year. Working together, the ASA Midwest Tour
Stars and ASAMT officials were able to come up
with a solution that positively impacts the
series, competitors and the excitement for the
fans. With only two points separating the top
two and the top seven only 182 points out, the
next two events for the Super Late Models are
critical as all seven are in contention for the
championship.
As the ASA Midwest Tour drivers look to solidify
their positions in the points standings, this
weekend could make all the difference. Norway
Speedway may be small, a little out of the way,
and even a little dusty, but when the dust
settles and all is said and done, it might just
be the event that shakes up the points even more
before the ASA Midwest Tour heads to LaCrosse
Fairgrounds Speedway for the final season
championship event.
Norway Speedway is located on US Highway 8 in
Norway, MI. ASA Midwest Tour qualifying begins
at 4:00PM with racing at 6:00PM. For a complete
schedule of the day's events, click on Schedule
from the ASA Midwest Tour homepage.
To learn more about the American Speed
Association® Kwik Trip Midwest Tour presented by
ECHO Outdoor Power Equipment and GrandStay
Residential Suites Hotels and Crossings by
GrandStay Inn & Suites, log on to
www.asamidwesttour.com or call the ASA Midwest
Tour office at (262) 514-3880 or e-mail Tim
Olson at tim@asamidwesttour.com or Steve Einhaus
at steve@asamidwesttour.com.
If you would like to learn more about the ASAMT
series sponsors, please visit their websites:
Kwik Trip, Inc. (www.kwiktrip.com), ECHO Outdoor
Power Equipment (www.echo-usa.com), and
GrandStay Residential Suites Hotels and
Crossings by GrandStay Inn & Suites (www.grandstay.net).
To learn more about the Midwest Sportsman Tour
log on to www.asamidwestsportsman.com.
To learn more about the ASA Midwest Truck Tour
log on to www.asamidwesttrucks.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®, ASA Racing®, and American Speed
Association® are registered trademarks of Racing
Speed Associates, LLC. ASA International, LLC or
Racing Speed Associates, LLC are not related to
or affiliated with the ASA Late Model Series.
IVERSON GOING
FOR FOUR IN A ROW AT NORWAY SPEEDWAY
POINTS BATTLE
TO HEAT UP WITH ONLY TWO RACES TO GO
By Kari Shear-Carlson
September 1, 2010, The name Jamie Iverson and
the track Norway Speedway make up a combination
in upper Midwest racing that is hard to compete
with. The American Speed Association® Kwik Trip
Midwest Tour presented by ECHO Outdoor Power
Equipment and
grandstay.net
will be making its fourth consecutive stop at
the 1/3-mile oval this Labor Day weekend. For
the past three years, seven-time Norway Speedway
Late Model Champion, Jamie Iverson has been
victorious in the ASA Midwest Tour event. This
year he is going for his fourth consecutive
"Labor Day 125" victory.
Even though he has dominated this event for the
past three years, when asked if it being his
home track gives him an advantage, he simply
said, "Well it's just like any other home track
advantage. You know the tricks of the track and
how to get around people, but that's about it."
Sometimes dominating an event or multiple races
can place undo pressure on a driver and the
crew. But the laid-back, soft-spoken driver of
the #97I does not feel any extra pressure. In
fact, to him it is just like any other race.
However, Iverson was quick to add with a laugh,
"I didn't really expect to win the first one to
be honest." Well, sometimes victories do come as
a surprise.
Even though the Escanaba, MI driver's success at
the track comes as no surprise to the fans, his
three previous victories have not always come
easy. In fact, in 2007 Jamie suffered mechanical
problems earlier in the day and fellow ASAMT
competitor, Travis Sauter supplied Iverson with
the parts he needed to compete. He was overcome
with emotion in victory lane thanking all of
those who helped him throughout his career, and
those who helped him that day.
In 2008, Dan Fredrickson also did not let
Iverson's victory come easy. The two started the
event side-by-side and Fredrickson held onto the
lead until 10 laps to go. Iverson who had been
trying the inside all night, made a daring move
to the outside of the #36 and took the point,
finishing with a one car-length margin of
victory over Fredrickson.
In 2009, Iverson started on the pole and held
off Jonathan Eilen for his third consecutive
win. While it was not quite as dramatic as 2008,
it was still impressive nonetheless. When asked
what it would take to make it four in a row,
Iverson said, "Well a good-handling car and some
luck. Luck is always good."
Norway Speedway was paved back in 1979 and has
continued to be an exciting track to compete on.
Iverson who has been racing there for many years
explained that the surface is a little more worn
out and slippery. Therefore the set-up that
worked a couple years ago may not work the same
in 2010. "You really need good bite, even more
so today than before. I actually tried something
different last weekend (during a weekly event)
but had some mechanical problems so I don't know
if it will work. It's going to all be new to us,
just like the ASAMT guys."
The Dickinson County Fair in Norway, MI has been
a tradition like any other. Great food, fun, and
entertainment. Add to that the ASA Midwest Tour
"Labor Day 125" and local hero, Jamie Iverson
going for four in a row, and fans have a whole
new addition to tradition. However, Jamie is not
the only local driver that will be competitive
against the stars of the ASAMT. According to
Iverson, "If they are all able to compete, Kris
Kelly, Mike Reichenberger and Tom Lindquist will
definitely be right up there at the front."
With a fan-filled, packed grandstand, and the
excitement of history continuing to be made,
this Sunday night is a Labor Day event that is
sure to go down in the history books. Will Jamie
Iverson continue to keep his streak alive? How
about the top seven shaking up the ever-so-close
points battle? Make your way out to Norway
Speedway this Sunday to catch all of the live
action before the ASAMT 2010 season comes to a
close at LaCrosse Fairgrounds Speedway in
October.
Norway Speedway is located at 1476 US Highway 8
in Norway, MI. Qualifying begins at 4:00PM with
an autograph session at 5:00PM and racing at
6:00PM. Tickets for all ages are $12. For more
race day information, click on Schedule from the
ASA Midwest Tour Homepage.
To learn more about the American Speed
Association® Kwik Trip Midwest Tour presented by
ECHO Outdoor Power Equipment and GrandStay
Residential Suites Hotels and Crossings by
GrandStay Inn & Suites, log on to
www.asamidwesttour.com or call the ASA Midwest
Tour office at (262) 514-3880 or e-mail Tim
Olson at tim@asamidwesttour.com or Steve Einhaus
at steve@asamidwesttour.com.
If you would like to learn more about the ASAMT
series sponsors, please visit their websites:
Kwik Trip, Inc. (www.kwiktrip.com), ECHO Outdoor
Power Equipment (www.echo-usa.com), and
GrandStay Residential Suites Hotels and
Crossings by GrandStay Inn & Suites (www.grandstay.net).
To learn more about the Midwest Sportsman Tour
log on to www.asamidwestsportsman.com.
To learn more about the ASA Midwest Truck Tour
log on to www.asamidwesttrucks.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®, ASA Racing®, and American Speed
Association® are registered trademarks of Racing
Speed Associates, LLC. ASA International, LLC or
Racing Speed Associates, LLC are not related to
or affiliated with the ASA Late Model Series. |
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