HICKORY MOTOR SPEEDWAY NEXT ON TAP FOR TWO ASA TOURING SERIES
ASA Southeast Late Model Tour and ASA Southern Modified Race Tour Invade Historic Hickory Motor Speedway

(King, NC):  On Sunday, May 17th, the historic Hickory Motor Speedway will play host to a racing double-header featuring two American Speed Association (ASA) divisions. The ASA Southeast Asphalt Tour featuring the “super” late models go at it for 100 laps followed by the open-wheel rockets of the ASA Southern Modified Race Tour.  Both series have competed at HMS in the past but this is the first time the two “premier” ASA series have raced together.

Heading the field for the RC Cola / Moon Pie Late Models is current points leader, Jason Hogan. Hogan holds a slim, eight point lead over youngster, Max Gresham in the series National Points Standings. Jeff Chouquette, Jerrod Foley and Tyler Millwood round out the top five in standings. Paul Kelly, Terry Horak, Parker Hammonds, Taylor Satterfield and C. J. Fasion round out the top ten.  All but Kelly and Satterfield are among the 22 confirmed entries for the event.

Last season, Chouquette seemingly added his name to the list of HMS winners only to fail post-race tech handing the win to Hogan so this race can’t come any too soon for the Georgia racer.  He trails Hogan by 67 points in standings and is only 59 markers behind Gresham.

The ASA Southern Modified Race Tour presented by Carolina Carports Racing kicks off race number two of the 2009 season at Hickory with the “Hickory 125”. This is the first time the ASA / SMRT Modifieds have had the opportunity to run with a major series and the entry list for the race is shaping up with a strong car count.  That list includes many of the Modified regulars, some newcomers and the return of some of the faces absent for a couple of seasons from the tour ranks.

Greg Butcher, Jason and Burt Myers, Jay Foley, Josh Nichols, Scott Rigney, Brian King and L. W. Miller are just a few of the “regulars” entered. Add to that list, part-timers Jason Trinchere, Jay Mize, Sam Beam, Darrell Krentz, David Cranmer, Ricky Knapp and Danny Bohn and the list begins to take shape. Toss in some racers who missed part of last season like Kevin Wilson, Brody Jones and David Beck and you have a competitive field of southern Modifieds ready to get-it-on for 125 green flag laps of in-your-face open-wheel Modified action.

Practice for the RC Cola / Moon pie Late Models is set for Saturday at 1:00 PM with a practice session for the ASA Southern Modifieds at 3:30 PM. Qualifying for the Late Models is set for Saturday afternoon at 6:00 PM.

Regular practice for the Modifieds begins at Noon on Sunday with qualifying set for 1:00 PM. An on track autograph session is set for 1:30 with racing set to begin at 2:30 PM. The ASA Late Models go for 100 green-flag laps followed by a special 20 lap event for the East Coast Falthead Ford Vintage Racing Club and the ASA Modifieds roll off immediately following the Flathead Fords.

ASA. ASA Racing, and American Speed Association are trademarks of Racing Speed Associates, LLC.  Racing Speed Associates, LLC is not related to or affiliated with ASA Late Model Series, LLC.

MOTHER NATURE PREVAILS AT HICKORY MOTOR SPEEDWAY
ASA Southern Modifieds and ASA Southeast Late Models Washed Out

(Hickory, NC): Steady morning showers and the threat of more rain prompted ASA Officials to cancel the double-header for the ASA Southeast Asphalt RC Cola / Moon Pie Tour and the ASA Southern Modified Race Tour today at the historic Hickory Motor Speedway.

Twenty-eight Late Models, twenty-one ASA Southern Modifieds and a dozen
“vintage” Flathead Fords were on hand but never got the chance to get on the “storied “ HMS asphalt. Details on rescheduling these events will be announced as quickly as possible.
 

Ace Speedway Next Stop on the ASA Southern Modified Race Tour

The stars and cars of the American Speed Association (ASA) Southern Modified Race Tour (SMRT) roll into Ace Speedway in Altamahaw, NC on Friday May 22 for the “Carolina 125”. The open wheel, 600 horsepower cars return to Ace for the first of two 2009 events on the beautiful 4/10 mile speedway.
  
The Ace lineup is headed by Brian King from nearby Gibsonville, NC in the Adams Towing Chevrolet. King has many wins and championships at the track and is currently 6 for 6 in the tracks regular weekly Modified division and looking for redemption after a hard fought loss to Burt Myers on Labor Day last season.
   Also entered for the “Carolina 125” are Greg Butcher, Jason and Burt Myers, Scott Rigney, Kevin Wilson, Junior Miller, L. W. Miller, Jay Foley and several more of the best the southern modified drivers.
 
 The Southern Modified Race Tour presented by Carolina Carports Racing competes for 125 green-flag laps featuring crowd pleasing double-file restarts. Also on tap are features for the East Coast Flathead Fords and the tracks Mini-Cup and Extreme divisions. The Extreme cars will run twin-15 lap features.

THE KING IS IN HIS CASTLE AT ACE SPEEDWAY
Brian King Notches the Win in the “Carolina 125” for ASA Southern Modifieds

ALTAMAHAW -- In the end, there was Brian King, as invincible as ever, climbing out into the waiting embrace of another victorious celebration. But to arrive at what has become such a familiar destination, he had to withstand a beating to remain unbeaten at Ace Speedway.

King conquered a series of challenges during the stretch run of Friday night's main event and emerged as the winner of the track's 125-lap feature for the Carolina Carports American Speed Association (ASA) Southern Modified Race Tour.

Burt Myers set a new Ace qualifying record for the Modifieds with a lap at 14.717 seconds edging Josh Nichols for the top starting spot. L. W. Miller, Jason Myers, King, and Jay Foley made up the top three rows.  Jason Trinchere, Scott Rigney, Greg Butcher, Gary Young, Jr., David Cranmer, Mike Norman, Ricky Knapp, Jr. and David Beck made up the remainder of the field

It went down as the Gibsonville driver's seventh victory in seven starts at Ace this season. Nobody else has won a race involving Modifieds here this year. "Yeah, there was a little beating and banging. It was a little rough," he said.  "But I drove those guys like I felt like they'd drive me."That's just racing. I felt like I had the best car and I wasn't going to give it up."

King finally found an appropriate angle and a passing maneuver under Burt Myers with about 50 laps remaining. That was a move some 20 laps in the making, and it created contact that sent Myers' No. 1 car sliding high in turn four. And just when it seemed the action had reached its peak, it bubbled over 25 laps later.  That's when L.W. Miller's charging No. 36 car whacked -- and lifted -- the rear of King's No. 17 with several rugged and bold attempts to seize the lead.  King, who ultimately led the final 49 laps, proved up the task and protected his turf at his home track."We used it all up trying to get back up to him," Miller said, referring to his car. "Brian had a good car. I got to him and then I had used it up. I was done.  "That's good, hard racing right there. Boy, I had a good time and can't wait to come back and do that again."

Mooresville's Miller finished second and Walnut Cove's Myers, who won the ASA Southern Modifieds' Labor Day stop at Ace, placed third.  King was slightly irked that Myers edged him by five hundredths of a second to secure the night's top qualifying performance. Once the green flag dropped, though, it quickly became clear which car was in command.  King rocketed from a starting position of fifth and blazed by Myers to lead the 28th lap. He stayed there until lap 49, when the first caution period offered the opportunity for a tire change and adjustment.  That shuffled King back to fifth, setting the scene for his second climb to the front of the 14-car field and the accompanying drama that highlighted the latter stages.

"I knew all day we had a really good car," King said. "My dad built an awesome engine. This is by far the best engine we've ever had. That makes it a lot easier on me. I can ride a little bit when I need to ride and make it up on the straightaways."

Walnut Cove's Jason Myers and Josh Nichols of Cleveland, N.C., rounded out the top five finishers. Trinchere, Butcher, Cranmer, Norman and Knapp completed the top ten with Foley, Beck, Rigney and Young rounding out the field.

Myers and king each led two times with King at the point for a race high 70 laps. King was the most improved position winner gaining five spots. Burt Myers earned the “Carolina Carports Man of Steel” award with his third place finish and Nichols cashed in on the Pro Fabrication Header award for finishing fifth.

It was the second race of the season for the ASA Southern Modifieds, and the first since early March. The next event on the Carolina Carports ASA Southern Modified Race Tour schedule is set for Sunday afternoon, June 7th at Franklin County Speedway in Rocky Mount, Virginia. The mods go for 125 green-flag laps along with the Old Dominion Shootout for Late Model Stocks and the East Coast Flathead Ford Association.

Photos           Points           Complete Results
 

MODIFIEDS AND LATE MODELS RETURN TO FRANKLIN COUNTY SPEEDWAY

“Kenny Minter Memorial” Features “Old Dominion 125” for ASA Modifieds and the
“Old Dominion 100” for Late Model Stock Cars

(King, NC):  The Virginia hills will be alive with the sound of the sweetest music possible to fans of racing at Franklin County Speedway in Callaway, VA. The 3/8 mile
bull ring just outside Rocky Mount, VA will host the 3rd annual “Kenny Minter Memorial” this Sunday afternoon at 4:00 PM. 

Kenny Minter was a local driver who lost his life in a racing accident at Caraway Speedway. Minter was a track Champion and many-time winner at Franklin County Speedway and was a strong supporter of the Modifieds. The Southern Modified Race Tour is proud to remember Minter’s contribution to the Modified racing community with the 3rd Annual “Kenny Minter Memorial”.

The entry list for the American Speed Association (ASA) sanctioned Southern Modified Race Tour (SMRT) is headed by local favorite, Jay Foley from nearby Stuart, VA. Foley, a past SMART Modified Champion will drive his familiar #57 as he attempts to regain some of his FCS mastery. His road to the front will not be an easy one. Late entry confirmation from the “Hillbilly Racing” stable has added the “regular” Hillbilly Racing driver, Ronnie Silk, to the entry list along with the defending Whelen Modified Champion, Teddy Christopher, a 2007 winner at FCS for the “Hillbilly” team.  Add 2008 FCS winner, Brian King, Jason and Burt Myers, Scott Rigney, Josh Nichols, David Cranmer, Rob Schultz, in a second Foley Racing machine, L. W. Miller, Kevin Wilson, Jay Mize, Greg Butcher and more of the best Modified driver in the area and you have a great Sunday afternoon of racing on tap.

Added to the “Kenny Minter Memorial” this year is the 1st annual “Old Dominion 100” for Late Model Stock cars.  Kenny Lang and Joey Mills from “Left Turn Promotions” have put together a great field of cars for the Late Model part of the event.  Included in the LMSC entry list are past FCS Champion, Jimmy Mullins, along with Rodney Cook, Kelly Kingrey, Buster Carroll and Joe Gibbs development driver Darrell Wallace.  “Not-yet-a-teen” sensation, Michael McGuire is also entered in the event along with several more LMSC teams from the area.

A bit of history with the East Coast Flathead Ford Association “vintage” racing club featuring Kenneth Tuttle, John Barrow, Johnny Johnson, Jerry Tuttle, Thomas Needham, James Rogers and more in “old style” flathead Ford coupes and coaches adds a little spice to the afternoon.

Grandstands open at Noon with practice set for 12:15 PM. Qualifying is set for 2:30 PM with a big on-track autograph session set for 3:15. Racing action starts at 4:00 PM. Admission is only $15.00 for adults and kids under 12 are admitted free. Discount coupons are available at Rocky Mount and Roanoke area Bojangles and Dairy Queen locations.

SOUTHERN MODIFIED RACE TOUR ANNOUNCES SCHEDULE ADJUSTMENTS
NEW EVENT ADDED AT LOWE’S MOTOR SPEEDWAY

(King, NC):  Officials with the American Speed Association (ASA) sanctioned Southern Modified Race Tour have announced some adjustments to the 2009 schedule.

A new event at Lowe’s Motor Speedway in Concord, NC has been added to the ASA / SMRT schedule.  The event will be run on Thursday, October 15th on “Bojangle’s Pole Night” along with qualifying for the NEXTEL Cup cars. Details for the event will be released next week in a joint press conference with Officials from Lowe’s.

We have also been invited to attend the Auto Fair at the speedway next week. We are looking for drivers who may want to display their Modifieds at the Pavilion inside the track for that event.  Scott Rigney is the first volunteer to offer his car and services for that event but we would like to showcase additional cars if possible.

The “Bojangle’s Pole Night” event has created the need to move the second Dillon Motor Speedway event originally set for October 17th to Sunday, October 18th.  This will give teams an additional day to prepare for the Dillon event as well as move it away from a Saturday night conflict with the NEXTEL Cup event that will be televised.

One other change in the schedule has the Orange County Speedway event originally set for June 6th to be moved to July 11th.  That change was necessary to allow OCS Officials the chance to add a regular season event to their schedule for their Late Model Stock division.
The next race for the series is the 3rd Annual “Kenny Minter Memorial” set for Saturday, May 9th at Franklin County Speedway in Rocky Mount, VA.
 

BRIAN KING CLAIMS “KENNY MINTER MEMORIAL 125” AT FRANKLIN COUNTY

(Callaway, VA):  Brian King survived a wild 125 lap American Speed Association (ASA) Southern Modified Race Tour (SMRT) event at Franklin County Speedway in Callaway, VA.

King survived several restarts and strong challenges from Ted Christopher, Ronnie Silk, and Burt Myers to claim the win. Myers finished second ahead of “rookie” Danny Bohn, Scott Rigney, and Jason Myers.

Darrell Wallace, Jr. won the Old Dominion 100” for Late Model Stock Cars and John Barrow and Johnny Johnson claimed the wins in the East Coast Flathead Ford Racing Association feature.

www.flickr.com/photos/allracing/                   Points                         Results
 

ASA SOUTHERN MODIFIED RACE TOUR RESCHEDULES MOTOR MILE

(King, NC):  Officials of the American Speed Association (ASA) sanctioned Southern Modified Race Tour (SMRT) and Motor Mile Speedway have announced the ASA/SMRT tour event scheduled for June 20th has been rescheduled for Friday August 21st.

“It is our wish to put on a good event every time we take to the track”, said SMRT spokesperson Randy Myers.  “We felt that due to the promise of a “short” field of Modifieds, it was in everyone’s best interest to reschedule the event. The folks at Motor Mile have been great to work with in this tough situation and to come up with a date that didn’t conflict with their regular schedule as well as other series or tracks was says a lot about the way they run their facility.  We want their fans to see a great event and this date will give us the chance to do that. The date is the Friday after the Modifieds invade Bristol Motor Speedway for the first time and the heightened interest there could carry over to the Motor Mile Mod show. We just want to put on a good show and this gives us that chance.  I do apologize to the fans and drivers for this inconvenience and look forward to returning to Motor Mile in August” Myers said.

A great field of cars that will include Motor Mile Regular, Mike Looney along with Scott Rigney, Stuart, VA’s Jay Foley and a host of other Modified regulars should be on hand.  Motor Miles U-Cars and Street Stocks along with the East Coast Flathead Racing Association will make up the event card.  Start time will be 8:00 PM on August 21st.

The next event on the ASA / SMRT schedule is at Orange County Speedway on July 11th when the Modifieds will be on the same program as the RC Cola / Moon Pie ASA Southeast Asphalt Late Models.    
 

ASA SOUTHERN MODIFIED RACE TOUR AT ORANGE COUNTY CANCELED

(King, NC):  The American Speed Association (ASA) Southern Modified Race Tour (SMRT) event scheduled for July 11th at Orange County Speedway in Rougemont, NC has been canceled.  The series was originally scheduled to run in conjunction with the ASA Southeast Asphalt Late Model series.

Information concerning a make-up date for the ASA / SMRT Modifieds at Orange County Speedway will be announced at a later date.

The next event for the ASA / SMRT Modifieds is July 18th at Dillon Motor Speedway in Dillon, SC.  The Modifieds will compete with Dillon’s Late Model Super Trucks, Street Stocks and the East Coast Flathead Ford Racing Association.

For Pit pass refunds from Hickory Motor Speedway rain-out, please send your wrist bands and your name if you have lost your wrist bands to: 
John Kee
277 Covington Place
Athens, GA 30360