ASAMT Top Ten Of 2010: Number 10 - Steve Carlson
By: Kari Shear-Carlson

(Monday, February 7, 2011) Steve Carlson, driver of the #66 Chevy Monte Carlo, needs no introduction when it comes to Midwest short track racing. In 2010, Carlson collected his 11th career short track series championship and his second consecutive American Speed Association® Kwik Trip Midwest Tour presented by ECHO Outdoor Power Equipment and GrandStay Hospitality Championship.

Carlson started his 2010 season on the right foot. Winning the "2nd Annual Joe Shear Classic" was an event that he had hoped to add to his resume'. Carlson had the honor of racing against Shear for many years. He dropped out early in the 1st annual event, so coming back to win it was a great way to start off a winning season.

On June 6th, the ASA Midwest Tour headed to Elko Speedway, a track where Carlson is familiar with victory lane as well. However, it was not meant to be on that sunny afternoon. After only 44 laps, Carlson dropped out of the event with mechanical problems, finishing an uncharacteristic 24th.

However, it did not take long for Carlson to redeem himself. The next event of the season was the 38th Annual Keith Fleck/Miller 100; an event Carlson is very familiar with. After a hard-fought battle with Dan Fredrickson, Carlson brought home his seventh, and fourth consecutive, Keith Fleck/Miller 100 victory. On one of the most hot and humid nights of the season, Carlson had this to say, "When you're hot, your hot and tonight I am really 'hot!"

He continued his winning streak at Illiana Motor Speedway in the Elmer Musgrave Memorial, becoming the ninth winner of the event. "I raced against Ted Musgrave before he moved up to NASCAR, so this is really cool to win this race," said a smiling Carlson.

The ASA Midwest Tour returned to Madison International Speedway for the Swiss Colony All-Star Challenge featuring Matt Kenseth and Tony Stewart. Carlson was looking forward to the event after winning the opener back in May. Unfortunately Carlson was unable to continue his winning streak after being passed by 2003 NASCAR Sprint Cup Champion and crowd favorite, Matt Kenseth, in turns three and four on the final lap. Carlson's words were few during his post-race interview. All he had to say was, "Well, that's racing."

On July 19th, Carlson and the rest of the ASAMT headed to Shakopee, MN for the "Kwik Trip Stores 125." Carlson led the field to the green flag. What looked like it was going to be yet another victory for the #66 turned out to be a runner-up night, as Nathan Haseleu passed him with only four to go.

The famous "Dixieland 150" was next on the ASAMT schedule. This is an event Carlson has won an astonishing seven times. The driver of the B&B Racing Engine's #66 looked as though he was going to make it a historic eighth victory, but NASCAR Camping World Truck Series driver, Johnny Sauter had other ideas. Carlson finished a close second to Sauter, but continued to keep the points battle a close one.

On August 14th, the drivers headed to Dells Raceway Park. Carlson headed into the event as the point leader and looking for his fourth victory of the season. While he was having a stellar season, Carlson was hungry for another 2010 victory. Unfortunately, DRP was not the place for it to be. He had a rather quiet night, finishing in fourth, but continued to hold on to the series point lead as the season was beginning to wind down.

The ninth event of the 2010 season was at Marshfield Motor Speedway. The 2009 ASA Midwest Tour Champion qualified and started in 14th for the 100-lapper. Starting mid-pack has never been a factor in whether or not he could bring it to the front. However on that Saturday night, Carlson appeared to be using his usual patience during the first half of the event. Unfortunately Carlson spun on the backstretch with five laps remaining in the event. He finished a disappointing 17th, slipping him into second in the point standings behind Chris Wimmer.

The ASA Midwest Tour has only seen one winner at Norway Speedway. Steve Carlson was on his way to breaking that streak when he led the field to green on September 5th. Carlson took a healthy lead over the field, but with 40 laps to go, Jamie Iverson made his move on Carlson. Carlson settled for a third place finish after the young Nick Murgic was also able to get by for second.

For the second year in a row, the championship all came down to the final even of the season; Carlson's home track. While Dan Fredrickson dominated the event and was crowned the 2010 Oktoberfest Champion, Steve Carlson did what he needed to do to collect his 11th overall short track series championship and second consecutive ASAMT championship. With Chris Wimmer having problems all afternoon, Carlson finished 7th, clinching the 2010 title.

To learn more about the American Speed Association® Kwik Trip Midwest Tour presented by ECHO Outdoor Power Equipment and grandstay.net, 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.

If you would like to learn more about the ASAMT series sponsors, please visit their websites: Kwik Trip, Inc. (www.kwiktrip.com), ECHO Outdoor Power Equipment (www.echo-usa.com), and GrandStay Residential Suites Hotels and Crossings by GrandStay Inn & Suites (www.grandstay.net).

To learn more about the Midwest Sportsman Tour log on to www.asamidwestsportsman.com.

To learn more about the ASA Midwest Truck Tour log on to www.asamidwesttrucks.com.

To learn more about 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 registered trademarks of Racing Speed Associates, LLC. ASA International, LLC or Racing Speed Associates, LLC are not related to or affiliated with the ASA Late Model Series, LLC.