ASAMT SEASON KICKS OFF NEXT SATURDAY AT ELKO SPEEDWAY
By: Kevin Ramsell

BURLINGTON, WI (Friday, April 11, 2008) – Last year, the ASA Kwik Trip Midwest Tour presented by ECHO Outdoor Power Equipment made its debut at Elko Speedway, the 3/8-mile high banked oval located in Elko, MN. That event catapulted the series to a successful first season and series officials are hoping for another great start at Elko for the 2008 season.

“When Steve Einhaus and I started, we would be happy with around 30 cars. But to have 51 cars show up at the first event was amazing,” Tim Olson, ASAMT President recalled. “It showed us right away that we made the right decision to start this series and it just got better throughout the season. Elko was a great starting point for us, and we are looking forward to that start again this season.”

So far, over 30 paid entries have been received in the ASAMT offices.

Last year, a packed grandstand witnessed Jonathan Eilen become the inaugural ASAMT after Nathan Haseleu fell out with burnt ignition wire with only 11 laps to go in the event.

“We got the lead in the early going and I knew that Eilen and Donny (Reuvers) were faster than me, but I was able to hold them off,” Haseleu recalled. “In the late going, we were able to get away and then the ignition wire burnt and we were done. We owe ourselves one at Elko, Elko doesn’t owe us one.”

Four Minnesota drivers and one Wisconsin driver earned a top-five finishes at the 2007 event with Eilen in victory lane and Reuvers finishing second. Dean Cornelius of Chaska, MN was third with New Market, MN’s Jason Schneider in fourth. Dave Feiler of Sun Prairie, WI was fifth.

“That was a great kickoff for our series, and I am confident that the momentum we have going will continue to this season by returning to Elko for our first event,” Steve Einhaus, ASAMT VP stated. “Last year, we had quality races with quality drivers and we have more quality drivers like Tim Schendel and Chris Wimmer joining us this season. If the fans that came to an ASAMT race last year enjoyed what they saw, wait until we come to your track this season.”

The 2008 13 race schedule will begin on Saturday night, April 19th at Elko with the running of the Kwik Trip 125.

The total posted awards for this event is $37,600 with $3,000 going to the winner and each driver starting the feature event earning at least $600.

The top 16 in qualifying are automatically locked into the feature event with positions 17-22 coming from odd/even qualifying heats. Positions 23-24 will come from a last chance race. Position 25 will go to the highest finishing driver in 2007 ASA Midwest Tour points while position 26 will go to the highest 2007 Elko Speedway points.

Some of the registrants include: Nathan Haseleu (Marshall, WI), 2007 ASAMT Champion; Tim Schendel (Sparta, WI), 2006 NASCAR Elite Division Midwest Series Champion; Dan Fredrickson (Elko, MN), former Elko Speedway Champion; Chris Wimmer (Wausau, WI), 2003 ASA National Tour Elko Speedway Fast Qualifier; Donny Reuvers (Dundas, MN), Defending Elko Speedway Champion; Jonathan Eilen (Hampton, MN), Defending ASAMT Elko Winner & 2007 ASAMT Rookie of the Year; and Josh Vadnais (White Bear Lake, MN), former NASCAR Elite Division Midwest Series competitor.

An updated entry list can be found at www.asamidwesttour.com.

Elko Speedway is a high-banked, 3/8-mile; paved oval track located 10 minutes south of Burnsville on 1-35, Exit 76. The track allows for 2 and 3 wide racing. The pit area is completely paved and offers paved areas for the cars. The track is well lighted with lights around the entire track.

The weekly Saturday night program includes: Super Late Models, Sportsmen, Thunder Cars, and Power Stocks.

Their 2008 season opened this past Saturday night with Dan Fredrickson; the only ASAMT multiple feature winner, picking up his first feature win of the season. Fredrickson was also the evening’s fast qualifier.

The racing action will get underway at 7:00pm on Saturday, April 19th. Fans are encouraged to arrive early and visit the ECHO Power Equipment, SCAG Power Equipment, and Hype Energy Drink displays and participate in an autograph session with the ASAMT competitors at 5:30pm in the Champions Event Centre.

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.

EVENT SCHEDULE

8:00 AM ASAMT Officials Meeting
8:30 AM Pit Window Opens
9:00 AM Rig Parking Begins
9:00 AM Driver Registration Check In Trailer Open (Designated in Pit Area)
9:00 AM Practice Tech Line Opens
9:40 AM Hoosier Tire Sales Open
10:30 AM Crew Chief/Spotter Meeting
11:00 AM Driver Meeting
12:00 PM First ASAMT Practice Session 60 mins
1:15 PM Second ASAMT Practice Session 75 mins
2:30 PM Practice Ends
2:45 PM ASAMT Qualifying Tech Opens
4:00 PM ASAMT Qualifying (2 Laps – Top 16 Advance) Local Qualifying follows
5:30 PM ASAMT Driver Autograph Session in Champions Event Centre (60 mins)
6:00 PM Local Heats Begin
6:45 PM Opening Ceremonies
7:00 PM ASAMT Odd/Even Qualifying Races 10 Laps (Top 2 Advance)
ASAMT Odd/Even Fast Heats 10 Laps (Top 16)
Super Hornet/Power Stock Features (2)
ASAMT Last Chances (2) (20 laps – Top 2 Advance)
Great North Legend Car Feature (1)
ASAMT Cars Grided, Driver Out of Car Introductions
8:30 PM Kwik Trip 125 Feature Event (10 minute break lap 75)
10:00 PM Racing Complete
11:30 PM Presentation of Winner Trophy in Champions Event Centre