Open Setups, Oh My!

The announcement came earlier today, the ASRS Cup Series would be running open setups. That one announcement, sparks one of the greatest debates in sim racing, Open vs Fixed setups. It's a debate that at time is even more heated than the age old Ford vs. Chevy rivalry. After all the votes were counted, ASRS memberswho particpated in a poll regarding the topic voted to utilize fixed setups, but that poll just fueled the great debate and eventually ASRS Officials decided to give the Cup Series it's own identity. Without any further delay here is the announcement that was made this afternoon:

"The ASRS Cup Series will utilize open setups at all short track and intermediate track events. SuperSpeedways and Road Courses will utilize a fixed setup, to be determined by ASRS Officials. Fixed Setup Tracks: Daytona (SS) Talladega (SS) Road America (RC) Infineon (RC) Watkins Glen (RC) Montreal (RC) Seven of the 36 events will be contested using open setups, two at Daytona, and one at Talladega, Road America, Infineon, Watkins Glen and Montreal."

And with that, the Cup Series instantly was given it's own identity. Now, with a 36 race schedule ahead the drivers of the ASRS Cup Series can begin testing and planning for the 2010 season.

The American Sim Racing Series has seen continued growth since its birth in 2002. Since 2005, some of the biggest names in short track sim racing have raced in the American Sim Racing Series, making it America’s #1 Online Short Track League. For more information on the ASRS visit www.americansimracing.com.

Trucks Racing into your Home!

It's one of the best kept secrets in sim racing, the ASRS Camping World Truck Series provides more side by side racing action than one can handle. With the expansion in place for 2010, you can expect even more excitement, as new teams form and new drivers join the series. A quick look at the first stage of 2010 registrations:

New Teams:

• Wes Johnston Racing:a brand new team that will field atleast one truck full time in 2010, with plans for a second if a driver comes along.
• EPD Motorsports: another brand new team, this one will field two part time entries with a newcomer Kevin Pearson calling the shots.
• Nascimento Motorsports: Rookie Colby Potts thros his hat in the ring as team owner of the #12 Chevrolet, which he plans to run all 25 races with.
• Maynard Motorsports: Aaron Maynard joined the ranks of ASRS drivers a few weeks ago and became a team owner this past week with the announcement that he would form Maynard Motorsports and run the #46 truck in 2010.
• Robert Panko Motorsports: While not a new team, the team will expand to two trucks in 2010 with Ford as the manufacturer.
• High Performance Racing: Brad Wrenn has been a journeyman driver in the short track ranks at ASRS for a little over a year, but he steps up to the big show in 2010 with atleast a limited schedule behind the wheel of his Toyota.
• Woodham Racing, Inc.: Josh Woodham, another driver who has competed in short track events at ASRS will step up for a part time run in 2010, that schedule could be adjusted to inclued the full 25 race run.
• JK Racing: John Kenny formed his own team with plans to compete in all 25 events in 2010.

In all there are over twenty drivers committed to the 2010 ASRS Camping World Truck Series at this time, and there is still a long time before Daytona. With so many changes in store for 2010 and such a talented field, the truck series will be racing into your home in 2010 in style.

2010 Expansion Plans

Beginning in 2010, ASRS will be hosting a Cup Series using a current style NASCAR vehicle mod. Already in two tests, the Cup Series has been given a vote of confidence by the drivers who attended. The new Cup Series represents a change in the philosophy of ASRS as the league grows and expands into places it has never been before.

A 36 race, 4 season schedule is planned with each of the four seasons hosting atleast one race each on a short track, superspeedway, road course and intermediate track. The schedule is comprised mostly of current cup tracks, with Nationwide and Truck tracks tossed in to add flavor. Additionally, a couple former cup series tracks, such as those in Rockingham and North Wilkesboro will fill the schedule. Road America will also be included in the schedule. 13 companion events with the ASRS Camping World Truck Series will be spread throughout the schedule.

2010 ASRS CUP SERIES SCHEDULE
Date Site
Feb. 7 Daytona International Speedway (ASRS Shootout At Daytona *)
SEASON 1:
Feb. 15 Daytona International Speedway #
Feb. 22 Auto Club Speedway
March 1 Las Vegas Motor Speedway
March 8 Atlanta Motor Speedway #
March 22 Bristol Motor Speedway (Day)
March 29 Martinsville Speedway #
April 12 Road America
April 19 Texas Motor Speedway
April 26 North Wilkesboro Speedway
SEASON 2:
May 3 Richmond International Raceway (Day)
May 8 Darlington Raceway
May 17 Dover International Speedway #
May 24 Lowe’s Motor Speedway #
June 7 Gateway International Raceway
June 14 Michigan International Speedway #
June 21 Infineon Raceway
June 28 Kentucky Speedway
July 5 Daytona International Speedway (Night)
SEASON 3:
July 12 Chicagoland Speedway
July 26 Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Aug. 2 Pocono Raceway #
Aug. 9 Watkins Glen International
Aug. 16 Texas World Speedway
Aug. 23 Bristol Motor Speedway (Night) #
Aug. 29 O'Reilly Raceway Park
Sept. 13 Richmond International Raceway (Night)
Sept.20 New Hampshire Motor Speedway #
SEASON 4:
Sept. 27 Iowa Speedway (Night)
Oct. 4 Kansas Speedway
Oct. 11 Nashville Superspeedway
Oct. 18 Rockingham Speedway
Oct. 25 Circuit Gilles Villeneuve
Nov. 1 Talladega Superspeedway #
Nov. 8 Mansfield Motorsports Park #
Nov. 15 Phoenix International Raceway (Day) #
Nov. 22 Homestead-Miami Speedway #

* – Denotes non-point event.
# - Denotes companion event with truck series.

"These changes in addition to the revamped truck series, we feel will be great for the ASRS and our drivers. The changes made should attract new drivers and continue to grow relationships with our current members" said ASRS President, Jim Foose.

The American Sim Racing Series has seen continued growth since its birth in 2002. Since 2005, some of the biggest names in short track sim racing have raced in the American Sim Racing Series, making it America’s #1 Online Short Track League. For more information on the ASRS visit www.americansimracing.com.