Penalties, Procedures and Some Explanation

I wish I had better news to report to all the blog readers, but I have some negative news to report. Recently a rash of suspensions have been handed down to drivers, who unfortunately did not follow the rules. So I want to take a little time to explain why some penalties are more harsh than others.

First off, as the top ranking official here at ASRS, it is my duty to ultimately decide if the penalty is appropriate and then report it to the league. This can be a challenging task at times, as different circumstances lead to different penalties. For example, a driver was suspended for an incident a few weeks back where he spun the leader after making contact with the leader no less than three times on the straightway leading up to the incident. The driver was on probation at the time (for a similar incident), and was suspended for two weeks. More recently a driver slammed another driver after the checkered flag, to pay the driver back for an earlier accident, which coincidently was not that driver’s fault. Not only did this driver hit the car he targeted, he collected the race winner and other drivers in the mess. When the smoke settled, the winner did not get to celebrate his victory with a burn out, and the other driver sat on the backstretch in smoking heap of twisted debris, but it is a simulated race so nobody got hurt. Had this occurred in a real race, the driver that retaliated probbaly would have been charged with some sort of criminal negligence. The driver was suspended indefinetely from the league for his actions and will not be eligible to return until the Series President (that’s me!) and Series Vice President determine he is no longer a threat to the orderly conduct of the ASRS.

So, two somewhat similar incidents (a driver crashes another), but different circumstances in both (one occurred during an event, the other after the event). Both drivers lost all points earned in the event the incident occurred, received probation to follow their suspension and were placed at the rear of the field, but the suspensions vary in length.

Someone is going to ask why I went through these two scenarios in detail, and the reason is this; more often than not, I hear about unfair penalties, a lack of consistency in making decisions, and bias toward particular individuals. I continue to remind our valued members that every incident involves different circumstances and therefore different levels of action that must be taken. There are some drivers who a one week suspension doesn’t matter, so a two week suspension may be issued, others are not racing for points, so a points penalty would do nothing to deter further incidents, but probation and a suspension just might. There are yet other drivers who have been suspended in the past, so a second, third or even fouth incidend should have an increased penalty.

Moreover, as much as we have tried to standardize penalties, we have realized that no two incidents are the same. What if a driver who is 27^th in points decides to crash the points leader, because his teammate is 2^nd in points and needs it to happen? Don’t think it could happen? It has.

Just two years ago, as I battled for my first Truck Series Championship the driver in 2^nd place had his teammate crash me into the wall to allow him to gain points on me. Ultimately, it led to one driver being asked not to partipate in the truck series because sadly, I was not his only victim. And even more fitting, I went on to win that championship, without using my teammates to crash the driver who pursued me. (He did not end up 2^nd in the final points, he fell out of the top battled before the season’s end).

Finally, I would like to say that while we do look at the driver’s history, the nature of the incident, who was involved, any motives we can think of, the driver’s experience with ASRS, and even the quality of the race the incident occurred in (higher series will have stiffer penalties), no two incidents are alike. Each has it’s own elements that led up to the incident and each offers its own unique circumstances.

And unlike many other leagues, we offer protests of official decisions. We set up the Championship Committee for that reason and also allow the ASRS Officials to review decisions usually the day after they are announced (before a penalty is issued, the ASRS Officials, usually two or three of them, determine the appropriate action to take and the penalty to issue).

Sometimes we let little things go, sometimes we feel as if we are being too nice and feel we must make an example out of someone, and we do. But in the end, everyone gets a fair shot. That’s what this league is about, a fair chance for us all to have fun racing online. When we lose sight of that, we lose our entire mission and purpose.

-Jim Foose, ASRS President & General Manager

It's Official 2008 has arrived!

Its official! The offseason is over. With the running of the Shootout tonight for the ASRS Truck Series we have embarked on another season.

Not much has changed during the offseason, the same officials will watch over each event and many of the same tracks and events return. Even the schedules are similar to 2007. However, the biggest change is the influx of new drivers. Moreover, while total membership may be down from 2007, the quality of competition is higher than ever. The addition of the USA Series to the American Sim Racing Series fold is just a part of the new identity for America’s #1 Online Short Track League and further strengthens that motto.

The future is bright for the ASRS and the numbers show that, not only did the series grow in 2007, but also the competition became closer. The last event of 2007 featured the first ever prize paying ASRS event, when the top 3 were awarded trophies. “We most certainly would like to continue that program in 2008, but it really depends on how our finances are in the fall” stated ASRS President, Jim Foose. “We had several race sponsorships lined up at this time last season, and right now we have zero. You can say it is a lack of performance by the league, but the facts are obvious the United States economy is in recession and businesses like individuals are cutting back on spending, especially on non-essential items, and that causes the advertising dollar to contract as people cut purchases out of their budget, but at the same time it adds value to advertising as product awareness is at a key point. We actually discounted our contingency award price to attract new sponsors, and so far it has had limited success.”

“Let’s just all focus on the good points and we will have a great year, it definitely is going to be an exciting season for all of us" continued Foose.

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

Up Next: 2nd Annual Snowball Derby

The 2nd Annual Snowball Derby is right around the corner and it is shaping up to be an interesting race. All American 400 winner Josh Berry is entered, ASRS Truck Series and East Series Champion Jim Foose is entered, as well as gaggle of fierce competitors. Surpsingly, 2007 RPM Late Model Champion Skip Honaker has yet to enter as does Jeff Dillon, the champion in the Outlaw Paintshop All American Series in the Winter and Spring seasons, as well as being the current points leader for the Fall Series.

It will definetely be a show, be sure to get signed up soon!!! You don't want to miss out.

All American 400

Well the 10th Annual American 400 has come and gone, and it was not the best yet. We aren't even sure it is worth bringing back for 2008, but we plan to run it again in 2008, the 11th running of the event! It was sad to see the limited support the event was given by the ASRS members, and even worse the support it received from outside of the American Sim Racing Series membership. To call it a let down is an understatement, let's just say I am glad its over. On a positive note, the race was a far cry from the wreckfest that people expected. With GREEN FLAG pit stops in the RPM race, it was a pleasant surprise for all involved. Of the 400 laps, less than 50 were run under caution!!!

As for the week leading up to the All American 400, I experianced a rollercoaster ride, with a death in the family, removing an imposter from our server, dealing with the aftermath of that including several vulgar emails, threats and just plain rediculous claims and remarks, and then the All American 400, it was truely a wild ride. I guess the only positives of the whole week was I clinched my 2nd Craftsman Truck Series Championship at Phoenix, after a solid run, and then a win in the Super Truck 50 at Nashville to officially kick off the All American 400 weekend! It was truely a great time and I feel the company of all the members during that difficult time helped me get through it all. Thank You all!

So, now we move forward and to the 2nd Annual Snowball Derby. This an event I am really looking forward to. Put the negative publicity from the 1st one, and the event was definetely a great battle. I hope to see 50 or so of the best short track sim racers battling to make the show. It would really make it all worth it for myself and the other ASRS admins. Would be great to see some of our old friends back on the track!

-JF