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

Toledo Speedway Release

Now that Toledo Speedway has been released for the NR2003 community, let me take everyone on a tour of how this project went together, and the details that were put into the project.

First off a huge thank you to J.R. Franklin, without him the track would not look nearly as nice as it does and wouldn't function right. He has taken every bit information I have given to him and put it into the track, no matter how small of a detail it was. He has also faciliated much of what you see, the cameras are a product of one of his contact's, the trees are his, and much of the beautiful surroundings were placed by him, including the industrial park off the backstretch.

In late 2005, I stumbled upon a very early beta of the Toledo track, and traced it back to Jeff Shrewsberry. At the time, Jeff was getitng out of track making and I guess I asked at the right moment because he gave me the project (and a much updated version). Also in on the project was Todd Garren from the Late Model Project. Todd and I worked on it, and both got busy, and the track sat on the back burner.

It wasn't until Spring of 2006 that I resumed work on the track. I ran into some troubles with the fence (never put a texture on the top of a fence, never ever!) and it kept crashing Sandbox. Each time I had to start all over again because I lost all progress when the track file wouldn't open. So, I began looking into the issue during the summer of 2006, and later that year I discovered the problem. I resumed progress and started painting walls with logos.

After discovering the photos I had dug up from the internet didnt cover the entire track and at times had differing sponsors in the same spot, I again put the track on hold, and began working on a plan to obtain more photos. So in April, I attended the ASA Late Model race at Toledo and took hundreds of photos (I was also covering the race). My dad was sent on a mission to take a photo of each billboard and the wall paint that corresponds with that section of the track, which he did.

When we got home, I found logos hard to come by for some billboards and tossed the idea around of how to fill those spots, which were filled with fictional sponsors. You will notice several sponsors which are not at the real track, but appear in the game.

J.R. came into the picture early this year and proved invaluable, I owe him a huge thanks for all his help, from the ini file, to the scenery, pit stalls, even down to his expertise in track making that helped me make up my mind on several details. When he sent me a graphic update in late June, I literally was speechless. He claims he has never been to Toledo, yet he created graphics that in my opinion looks EXACTLY like Toledo. (I think he snuck a trip to the track in without telling me).

By the way, there are a few things that are not at the real track that appear in the game and I will tell you why.

-Theres jersey barriers on the frontstretch in the game, but none in real life. These were placed to protect the extended pit road, since Toledo does not have 43 pit stalls, and actually has shared pit stalls for the ARCA event (which cannot be done in the game), we extended pit road down the frontstretch and to avoid black flags for an unsafe pit entry (when you spin and cross the line between the track and pit road) we put up a wall. Also if NASCAR were to go to Toledo, they would have to extend the pit road and avoid the shared pit stalls.

-There is an asphalt apron in turns 3 & 4, but its just grass in real life. This apron was added for slower cars online to get out of the way, and for the AI cars to have a place to get up to speed before being dumped onto the racing surface, and also a place to slow down when entering the pits.

Anyways, almost 2 years later the track is out and the American Sim Racing Series is ready to battle on the high banks of this ultra fast 1/2 mile. Reach up and pull those belts tight one more time! Let's go racin' boys!

-Jim