ASA Midwest Touring Stars Application Deadline Approaching
The American Speed Association Midwest Tour “Touring Stars” program deadline is just around the corner (February 1st). Competitors that are interested in qualifying for the program must be registered by the deadline in order to be considered.
The “Touring Stars” program was designed to create excitement for local fans when the Midwest Tour rolls into town for each event. The selections for the program will consist of 10 pre-registrants, one by draw in each event drivers meeting, and the final spot is to be filled by the highest finishing Rookie of the Year candidate of each race. (note: starting positions are not guaranteed for Touring Stars) In 2008 the Touring Stars selections will be based off of the top 15 in year-end championship points.
“I can remember the days when you went up to the local gas station as a young kid and you saw the “ARTGO Stars and Cars” posters with pictures of Trickle, Reffner, Musgrave, Shear, Martin and Wallace. You couldn’t wait to get to the event so you could see them in person and root them on. It’s just not like that anymore when a series comes to town and the fans have no idea who the competitors are, so we are going to recreate what once was,” stated series VP Steve Einhaus.
“You have to allow the fans to place a name with a face, give them something or someone to root for, and allow them to see those competitors as a hero or an icon in the short track world”, added series President Tim Olson. The selections for the inaugural year of the “Touring Stars” program will be based on those pre-registrants that are considered to have the most significant impact on the short track fan, which in turn helps each racetrack be successful for our events. The current ASA Midwest Tour advisory board will evaluate all of those that are registered on an individual basis and selections will be through a voting process instituted by the advisory board members.
“We have a fantastic list of eligible candidates that are registered for the program and that shows how many drivers are interested in our series. It’s going to be a very difficult decision for our advisory board members to decide because there are so many quality individuals entered into the program,” Olson remarked. “I am very excited to begin the selection process but it’s also very difficult on us because I want to select them all to be a part of the program. This is fantastic for the fan and the driver because it builds the excitement level for each event knowing that the traveling stars are coming in to town,” stated advisory board member Carl Schultz.
"In ARTGO we had a similar program which was called 'ARTGO Achievement Awards' and the old American Speed Association had their 'Winner's Circle'. Those contract bonus plans were one of the keys to the success those series enjoyed. Fans knew months in advance that certain headline drivers would be racing in certain events," added series advisor John McKarns. "I predict the 'Touring Stars' program for this new series will focus the spotlight on all of their events scheduled."
The inaugural event for the American Speed Association Midwest Tour will be Saturday April 28th at Elko Speedway in Elko, MN. More information and a complete schedule can be found by visiting the series website at www.asamidwesttour.com or by calling the series office at 262-514-3880.