2009 ASAMT TOURING STARS: CHRIS WIMMER

11th in a series of 14 announcing the 2009 ASAMT Touring Stars

By: Kevin Ramsell
BURLINGTON, WI (Monday, February 23, 2009) - In 2008, he came in the American Speed Association Kwik Trip Midwest Tour presented by ECHO Outdoor Power Equipment series quietly. At the end of the season, Chris Wimmer was still soft spoken but was speaking volumes behind the wheel.

The Wausau, WI driver finished fourth in the final 2008 point standings with two ECHO fast qualifier awards, five top-five's and nine top-ten finishes. In fact, his five top-five finishes came in five consecutive events which started with a fifth place finish at Iowa Speedway, a fourth place at Wisconsin International Raceway, a fifth at Shakopee, a second at Milwaukee, and a fifth at Norway.

The Milwaukee Mile event was his best finish of the season as he finished in between winner Kyle Busch and the 2009 Daytona 500 champion Matt Kenseth. "I was really excited about that," Wimmer recalled. "Any time you get a chance to race with those guys it's awesome, and to compete with them only builds confidence. It's always neat to watch them race on Sunday and win Cup races and then to get a chance to race against them on our local tracks."

At the end of the season, he almost pulled off a huge win at the All-American 400 event at Nashville's Music City Motorplex, but engine problems with ten laps to go gave him a second place finish.

"This is the most fun I have ever had racing and I hope to have as much fun next year," Wimmer stated. "I plan on doing the whole deal again next year."

One of his goals coming in was to be a Touring Star this season. With that accomplished he has two more goals in 2009, "The first goal next year is to win my first ASAMT race and then get in the top three and go for the championship."

Wimmer already has a head start on the upcoming season as he won a new Tesar Engineering ACE motor at the recent Championship Banquet.

Wimmer does have sponsorship availability for the 2009 season. For more information, please contact Chris at cwimmer05@yahoo.com, 715-212-6105, or his PR person Jana Jurkovich jjurkovich@gmail.com, 612-819-4564.

The ASAMT Touring Star program was developed to help the series promote each special event prior to, during, and after each event. Each year a group of Touring Stars will be selected to the travel bonus program.

In 2009, the top-14 from the 2008 points standing will be eligible for the Touring Star program. Those drivers who are eligible will be required to sign an agreement with a promise to attend all ASAMT events and to participate in all promotional programs or opportunities. Failure to do so will result in removal from the bonus program. Touring Stars will be allowed one (1) excused absence due to unforeseen reasons that is approved by the ASAMT office.

Those eligible drivers must have their agreement signed by February 28, 2009 to be in the program. If an eligible driver declines, then the Touring Star offer will go to the next eligible driver in the 2008 points standing prior to the start of the 2009 season. If a star drops out during the season, it will go to the next eligible driver in the current 2009 points standing.

The 15th spot in the ASAMT Touring Star program is reserved for the highest finishing rookie at an ASAMT event. If they are the highest finishing eligible rookie at any 2009 ASAMT events, they will receive a Touring Star bonus at the next event.

"The Touring Star program accomplishes a major goal that Tim (Olson, ASAMT President) and I set when we started this series. That is we want to have our fans local heroes to compete against the best Midwest drivers," Steve Einhaus, ASAMT Vice-President stated. "When we come to compete at a track with our Touring Stars, we encourage the local competitors to race with us. This is a win-win for everyone. The fans get to see some great racing and the local heroes get to show their talent against some of the toughest competition in the United States."

The season opening event will take place on Saturday, April 25 at Dells Raceway Park in Wisconsin Dells, WI with the Race for the Gold - Bronze Race.

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.

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