ANDY HANSON IS LOOKING FOR THE OPPORTUNITY
By: Kevin Ramsell (www.kevinramsell.com)

Burlington, WI (Monday, March 3, 2008) – Andy Hanson just wants a shot; he wants the opportunity to further his racing career. He feels that his best opportunity could come by running for the championship in the ASA Kwik Trip Midwest Tour presented by Echo Outdoor Power Equipment.

Hanson, a Ramsey, MN native, has teamed up with one famed car owner Mike Butz to make a run for the championship this season in this ASAMT. “The ASA Midwest Tour will help advance my career due to the competitive nature of the series,” Hanson recently stated. “There are many experienced and highly talented drivers competing, and it can only help me behind the wheel.”

But recently, the team suffered a setback with the loss of a potential major sponsor for this season. But neither Hanson nor Butz are giving up as they keep preparing for the April 19th opener at Elko Speedway in Elko, MN.

Hanson feels that he could be a great marketing tool for a sponsor. “We could offer a moving billboard throughout the Midwest by putting their name on the trailer,” Hanson stated. “A show car could be on display at the track or location of the sponsor’s choice. One of my favorite ways to help sponsors is talking to the fans during the race weekend, answering any questions they may have in a professional manner; however these are just a few ways to gain exposure for the sponsor.”

Hanson started his career by racing quarter midgets where he has over 150 wins and several championships from 1999-2002.

In 2003, he graduated up to the Legends where he was ranked sixth nationally and picked up multiple championships and Rookie of the Year titles. He also received “Most Popular Driver” honors.

It was in 2004 that he Hanson took a giant leap to compete in a Super Late Model where he earned Rookie of the Year honors at Fergus Falls Raceway (MN). In 2005, he finished fourth in the Midwest All-Star Racing Series point standings. In 2006, he was not only the July Spectacular and Governor’s Cup Champion at I-94 Raceway in Sauk Centre, MN but was also the track champion that year as well.

His 2007 season, was hampered to an injury he received while racing but was able to pick up a feature win at I-94 Raceway.

Butz has plenty of experience of working with young talented drivers. It was 15 years ago that he hired a young driver from Cambridge, WI named Matt Kenseth to drive his cars at Wisconsin International Raceway. Butz and Kenseth had nothing but success as Kenseth would earn Rookie of the Year honors in 1993 and then went on to claim the Fox River Racing Club championships in 1994 and 1995. The duo would also claim the 1995 WIR Red, White, and Blue Championship.

After Kenseth went on to further his racing career, Butz would hand the steering wheel over to Terry Baldry where that duo would win the FRRC championships in 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001, and 2002. They would take home the Red, White and Blue Championships in 2001, 2002. He would pick up the 2003 Red, White and Blue honors with Jeff VanOudenhoven along with the 2003 MARS title.

“It means a lot when you have an owner like Mike Butz and a young talent such as Andy Hanson wanting to compete in the ASAMT,” Steve Einhaus, ASAMT VP stated. “I hope that this team, along with the other teams competing in our series, gets the sponsorship needed to compete.”

Both Hanson and Butz feel they have most of the ingredients needed to go for the ASAMT Championship. But, they just need that one main ingredient to make it all happen, a major sponsor.

Hanson pretty much sums up their plans for this season, “Our main goal for the season would be to become the ASA Midwest Tour Champion. My crew chief, Mike Butz, has been successful for many years now in the Midwest and we firmly believe we can attain these goals.”

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.