2009 ASAMT TOURING STARS: JAMIE IVERSON, 2008 ASAMT LARRY DETJENS SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD & KWIKADE TEAM OF THE YEAR WINNER

10th in a series of 14 announcing the 2009 ASAMT Touring Stars

By: Kevin Ramsell
BURLINGTON, WI (Monday, February 23, 2009) - Jamie Iverson is a quiet and humble person. He does his talking behind the wheel of his Super Late Model stock car. At the recent American Speed Association Midwest Tour presented by ECHO Outdoor Power Equipment Championship Banquet, his peers made sure that he was heard as this 2009 Touring Star was recognized for his efforts on and off the track.

Iverson, from Escanaba, MI, ended the 2008 season with one win, two top-five's and eight top-ten finishes in 14 starts. He finished fifth in points, the second year in a row that he finished in the top-five in the final ASAMT point standings.

At the Championship Banquet, Iverson along with his family and friends, were watching a video saluting the 2008 Larry Detjens Sportsmanship Award winner. The video featured old footage of Detjens racing against the late Joe Shear. The video then transitioned over to showing Iverson and his crew pushing his car. The rest of the footage was isolated to Iverson.

"It's pretty amazing, I was like it can't be and then they show me again and again, and I was like oh no I think I won that," Iverson recalled, as the video announced he was the 2008 Sportsmanship Award winner. "It's quite an honor to win the Larry Detjens Sportsmanship Award. I remember watching him quite a bit when I was younger racing with my dad (Bob Iverson). He was well respected on and off the track. To be mentioned with his name is quite an honor."

And that wasn't all, a few minutes later; his team was announced as the Kwik Trip Kwikade Team of the Year. Iverson was thankful to his crew and reminded others why his team is competing in the ASAMT, "It shows the dedication that my crew has and what we are out there for and that is to have fun. Have fun with all of the other competitors, race as clean as you can, and have a good time."

Iverson's only win of the 2008 season came at his home track of Norway Speedway in Norway, MI. A full grandstand watched the local hero battle with 2008 ASAMT Champion Dan Fredrickson throughout the 100-lap event. Iverson used the outside line to get past Fredrickson to win the event for the second year in a row.

"The competition level is so high and it means a lot to go out there and make shows with some of the best racers in the country week in and week out," Iverson stated.

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.