AMERICAN SPEED ASSOCIATION MIDWEST TOUR ANNOUNCES THE "JOE SHEAR CLASSIC PRESENTED BY ECHO CHAIN SAWS"

Second event of the season at Madison International Speedway honors the legendary driver will pay $3636.36 to the winner.

By: Kevin Ramsell
BURLINGTON, WI (Wednesday, April 1, 2009) - He collected 58 ARTGO wins in 360 starts. He is still the only driver to win Oktoberfest three years in a row. An eight-time National Short Track Series champion. He won seven features in a row at Madison International Speedway (back when it was known as Capital Super Speedway) in 1982.

Those are just some of the statistics of the late Joe Shear, a two-time ARTGO champion, and one of the more popular drivers in the history of midwest short track racing. When he lost his battle with cancer in March 1998 the short track world lost a great champion but the memories of him still last today.

Earlier this year, Kari Shear-Carlson, Joe's daughter, and Steve Einhaus, ASAMT Vice-president started talking about having an American Speed Association Kwik Trip Midwest Tour presented by ECHO Outdoor Power Equipment event in honor of Joe Shear. When asked which track they would like to have the event, it was with no hesitation both agreed that it should be held at Madison International Speedway, an ASA Member Track, as the track's season opening event on Sunday, May 3, 2009. The event will pay $3636.36 to the winner and $650 to start.

"Most knew my dad as a man of few words and when he talked everyone listened. He never said a bad word about anyone, including his competitors. He was the most humble man I knew. Racing was our family's life. It kept us close and it was never quite the same if one of us was not there. Having this race at MIS is very special to me because while I was living in Madison, my dad would meet me at the track every Friday night to watch the races," Kari Shear-Carlson remembered. "After he died, I tried to go back, but not seeing him standing at the pit fence when I arrived was more than I could bear. After one of the last events he raced at MIS, I was giving him a hug goodbye and he said, 'I am so sorry I didn't win for you.' I never quite understood why he said that, but as his daughter it meant so much. Our family has so many memories of MIS and we are both humbled and honored to have this race dedicated to him. He was not just a great racecar driver. He was a great man, husband, father, and friend."

"It is very difficult for me to explain how special this race is to me as a promoter, but its very easy for me to remember one of my hero's in short track racing. I was a young teenager growing up at Grundy County Speedway and there was one of a few guys that I followed and new exactly when he would be racing in my back yard. Joe Shear, Dick Trickle, and Ed Hoffman Sr., my hero's and when those guys came to race, the entire town shut down to watch them battle," Einhaus recalled. "I had always wondered if I would have this opportunity after the racing world lost a true legend. While I didn't know him personally, I can remember each and every time I went to the pits and stood within feet of him just to feel his success. A few months ago I decided to personally ask the family if we could start something special at Madison and carry this event on for years and I was speechless when they told me that they would be honored. Kari (Joe's Daughter) told me, 'we think its time, and we are ready for this' and that made it a very moving, but proud moment."

The feature event will be 136 laps in length with a break at lap 100 creating a special 36-lap shootout in honor of Joe's car # 36.

Along with the ASAMT, the BRP Big 8 Series presented by Gandrud Chevrolet Late Models will also be competing with Kyle Shear, a second cousin to Joe, competing.

"We have some exciting things planned for this event with an increased purse, numerous special awards, and meaningful lap bonuses that remember Joe in many ways. We hope that all of those that were part of Joe's life will come out that day and participate in this great event. Most of all, as a fan, it will be an experience that will stay in your mind forever," Einhaus stated.

The "Joe Shear Classic presented by ECHO Chain Saws" will feature many special guests including Jerry Lemke, Joe's close friend, who will wave the green flag for the feature event.

Anyone interested in being a lap sponsor for this event, please contact Steve Einhaus at steve@asamidwesttour.com.

It promises to be one great event as friends will come together, share their favorite memories of Joe Shear, and see today's best super late model competitors compete on the same track Joe had much success on.

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.

ASA™, ASA Racing™ and American Speed Association® are trademarks of Racing Speed Associates, LLC.  Racing Speed Associates, LLC is not related to or affiliated with ASA Late Model Series, LLC.

Saturday May 2nd
10:00am- Pit Gate Opens
10:00am- Hoosier Tire Sales (Practice and Race)
12:00pm- Practice Begins
 5:00 pm- Practice Ends
Haulers can be left in place for Sunday

Sunday May 3rd
9:30am-Pit Gate Opens
9:30am- Practice Tech ASAMT
10:45am- Driver Meeting
11:30am- ASAMT Practice 45mins
12:15pm- Big 8 Practice 30 mins
12:45pm- ASAMT Practice 45 mins
1:30pm- Big 8 Practice 30mins
Hoosier Tire Rabit Run
2:00pm- ASAMT Qualifying 2 Laps (Hold cars on ¼ mile)
Big 8 Qualifying to follow
3:15pm- Driver Autograph Session (Main Grandstand)
3:40pm-Opening Ceremonies
4:00pm- ASAMT Last Chance 25 Laps
Big 8 Last Chance Event (2)
ASAMT Hoosier Fast Dashes (10 Laps)
Big 8 Feature Event- 38 Laps
ASAMT Cars Grided for Driver Intros
ASAMT  "Joe Shear Classic 136" presented by ECHO Chain Saws
7:00pm- Racing Complete