JONATHAN EILEN…2007 ASAMT ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
By: Kevin Ramsell

Friday, November 2, 2007 (Daytona Beach, FL) – When you read Jonathan Eilen’s bio on his website www.eilenmotorsports.com, the first sentence says it all. It reads, “The word ‘success’ has been synonymous with his career.”

Fan, competitors and officials of the ASA Kwik Trip Midwest Tour presented by Echo Outdoor Power Equipment found out right away that he does live up to that sentence.

The 22-year-old Hampton, MN driver surprised many back on April 28, 2007 by becoming the inaugural ASAMT winner at Elko Speedway in Elko, MN. A track where has seen a lot of success.

In 2001, Eilen was the Rookie of the Year in the Thunder Car division where he finished tenth in points. A year later, he was the champion of the same division.

He moved up to the Sportsman division in 2003, where he claimed another Rookie of the Year title with 17 top-ten finishes at Elko.

In 2004, he competed in the Mid-American Series where took home five wins and 14 top-ten finishes.

It was in 2005, that he got behind the wheel of a Super Late Model and finished 15th in points at Elko. He competed in many Super Late Model events around the Midwest in 2006.

In 2007, he along with his Eilen Motorsports team committed to compete in the newly formed ASAMT. He made his presence known by winning the first event and then going on to finishing sixth in the final point standings with the one win, four top-five and five top-ten finishes and taking home another Rookie of the Year honor.

“It’s awesome to not only win the inaugural race but to also be the first Rookie of the Year for a series that is big and good as its going to be,” Eilen stated after the season finale at La Crosse. “I wouldn’t do another series unless something better came along for me. My crew guys and I had a blast. Every race, we left the track and couldn’t wait to get to the next track.”

Eilen shows no fear behind the wheel and can race with the best of them as he showed at the July 20th event at Madison International Speedway.

While fellow ROY contender Brandon Hill was driving away to his first win, Eilen was in an intense battle with multiple time MIS track champion, Dave Feiler for the runner-up spot. The two put on a great short track battle that kept the fans on the edge of their seats throughout the 100-lap event. Eilen would go on to win that battle and take home the second place finish while Feiler settled for third.

“I think Feiler and I ran side-by-side for about half the race,” Eilen stated after the MIS event as he and Feiler smiled and shook hands.

"Jonathan was a very big advocate of our series and how we ran things,” ASAMT VP Steve Einhaus stated. “It didn't matter if he was interviewed on the radio, at the track, or in the newspaper, he always spoke very highly about the ASAMT. That goes to show his professionalism and dedication to us and we can’t thank him enough.”

“He's 22 years old, has a bright future, and he is always in contention to win and his equipment always looks so good and is well prepared,” Einhaus continued to say. “He'll be knocking on the door for that Championship in 2008, just wait and see.”

Eilen will receive his Rookie of the Year honors on Saturday, January 26, 2008 at the Kalahari Resort in Wisconsin Dells, WI.
The Kalahari Resort has a special price of $159 per room for the ASA Midwest Tour. This cost does also include a waterpark pass for everyone registered in your room. To book your room, please call the Kalahari toll-free at (877) Kalahari (525-2427) and mention the ASA Midwest Tour when you call to reserve. Also, ask about any available condos or suites that can accommodate your entire race team.

To learn more about the American Speed Association Kwik Trip Midwest Tour presented by Echo Outdoor Power Equipment 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.

To learn more of 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.