A look forward at 2008!

With the 2007 season officially behind us, it is time to look forward to 2008. 2007 was a great season, but filled with many problems that seemed to lurk around every corner we turned. From the imposter situation in the fall all the way back to the record car counts for the All American Series in February the season had its highs and lows. Some changes are occurring as we prepare for 2008, for one we have added the Free Pass to all events. This will not only tighten up the competition but will also give the lapped cars a chance to regain that lost lap and contend for the win.

One of the most important things we can take from 2007 into 2008 is the great competition we have seen. Drivers like Justin Trombley, EJ McDonell, Skip Honaker, and Daniel Pope have entered for the entire 2008 season along with the new drivers like Timmy Johnston, and Caleb Hindes (who had a successful partial season last fall). Throw into that mix drivers like Wes Johnston, Steve Buhala, Paul Boswell and Dave Soja and the talent runs through the field and the competition is as tight as ever. And then you throw in the part timers who always seem to dominate, NASCAR Nationwide Series driver Cale Gale will return for a partial schedule as well as Nashville area Legends driver Josh Berry.

“The addition of the USA Series has drawn positive feedback from most people; the only negative thing I have heard is that my attention will be split between ASRS and the USA Series. I look at it from a different perspective, the USA Series is a part of ASRS, to me it is just another division, much like the newly renamed Camping World Grand National Division is to NASCAR or the Indy Pro Series is to the IRL. It is another route for us to develop drivers and to bring more talent and attention to online short track racing, which is our goal with the acquisition of the USA Series name. I truly believe this will only strengthen our league. I was a USA Series Official in 2004 and then again for a brief time in 2005 until the doors were shut, and I can honestly say that Jimmy McKinley is the man when it comes to short track online racing. He taught me everything I know, and worked with me when ASRS was just some crazy off the wall idea. Nevertheless, all along, he knew I could do the job he needed to have done, and he worked with me and molded me into an official. Therefore, to be able to run a division under the USA Series name is my way of paying him back for all his help over the years.” –Jim Foose

One of the more exciting parts about the 2008 schedule is that Rockingham is on the schedule for the first time. Rockingham will see the ASRS Modified Series on the track October 15th, the ASRS BozPC East Series Grand National Division will crown the 2008 champion at Rockingham on October 22nd, and the Outlaw Paintshop All American Series will crown the 2008 Fall Season Champion on November 11th in a special Veteran’s Day event. Rockingham is a just a tick over a mile in length and hosted the NASCAR Cup Series for many years before big money business moved the race dates to other venues in different markets in 2005. The final event at Rockingham for the NASCAR Cup Series will forever be remembered for Carl Long’s wild flip on the backstretch, and the amazing finish between defending Cup Champion Matt Kenseth and rookie Kasey Kahne. The ASRS Administration is excited about the opportunity to showcase our divisions on the speedway.

North Wilkesboro Speedway will also have its first ASRS event in 2008, the track that has sat dormant for 11 years will see the ASRS Modified Series on July 9th, ASRS Outlaw Paintshop All American Series on July 15th, and the ASRS BozPC East Series Grand National Division on August 27th. These 3 events will pay tribute to the Wilkes County area and the Save Our Speedway group, who is trying to save the racetrack.

Other tracks that will host their first ASRS events will be the Minnesota State Fairgrounds and Watkins Glen International Speedway.

2008 will mark the return of the ASRS to the Richmond International Raceway, as the ASRS Modified Series will hit the track in late April for their inaugural event at the speedway, while the ASRS BozPC East Series Grand National Division will compete on the ¾ mile for the first time in May. The ASRS Outlaw Paintshop All American Series will also host its inaugural event at Richmond July 1st.

In other track news, the I-70 Speedway will replace Mesa Marin Raceway on the ASRS Craftsman Truck Series schedule. After 3 years at Mesa Marin, the birthplace of the Truck Series, the series moves the date to Odessa, Missouri for a 100-lap event.

Returning again for 2008 will be at least 2 special events, the 11th Annual All American 400 and the 3rd Annual Snowball Derby. Both events carry a lot of prestige and to win them is a honor for anyone.

As we turn our attention to 2008, we all need to keep a few things in mind. We’re all here to have fun, there is no need to go around attacking people and causing problems for each other. The ASRS is like a family, and we all should work together to accomplish our goals. We also need to work together to identify problems, nothing can be done about a problem or potential problem until after it is identified. So if you see or hear something you are suspicious about please contact one of the ASRS Officials. Lets make this a great season, and a memorable one. If we all work together, we can make this even better!

Have a safe and enjoyable holiday, and lets all have a prosperous new year!

The ASRS Administration,

Jim Foose, President & General Manager
Wes Johnston, Vice President/ Competition Director
Eric Bannenberg, Short Track Coordinator
Bud Watson, Communications Director
Skip Honaker, Race Official