LANE AUTOMOTIVE/ROLTEK TRANSMISSION 2009 ASAMT ROOKIE OF THE YEAR CLASS OFF TO A GOOD START
By: Kevin Ramsell
BURLINGTON, WI (Wednesday, May 20, 2009) – With only two events into the 2009 season, it is already appearing that the 2009 Lane Automotive Rookie of the Year title will be a great battle in the American Speed Association Kwik Trip Midwest Tour presented by ECHO Outdoor Power Equipment. In fact, seven of the ten registered rookies are currently in the top-20 in the point standings.
Jacob Goede so far leads the rookie crop as he is currently tied for fourth in the standings, only 34 points behind current leader Nathan Haseleu. He has a seventh place finish in the Joe Shear Classic at Madison International Speedway and recently finished fifth at Iowa Speedway after starting 26th in that event. The Shakopee, MN driver finished third at last year’s ASAMT event at Elko Speedway.
Nick Neville currently sits 11th in points after two events. The young Mackinaw, IL pilot has started in both events this season. He qualified 12th and finished 13th at Madison. He followed that up with a 14th qualifying run at Iowa Speedway and finished 21st. Last year, he made the move from a crate motor to a 500hp built engine super late model and won his first night out at Madison International Speedway. He along with his brother Derek are two young Midwestern drivers to keep an eye on this season.
Dalton Zehr currently sits in 13th place after two events and is the third of three rookies to start in both ASAMT events so far this season. He finished 18th this past Saturday night at Iowa Speedway but had a strong run going until an oil line broke on the final lap of the race. The Florida driver is one to watch this season.
Blake Brown had a strong 12th place finish this past Saturday night. The young driver from Franksville, WI is a quick learner behind the wheel as he has shown while driving legends and late models so far in his career. In fact, last season he won two super late model features in two starts at Illiana Speedway, an ASA Member Track that the ASAMT will be competing at on June 20th. He currently sits 16th in the point standings.
Nick Panitzke is a young 18-year-old driver from Sauk Centre, MN who started his racing career at I-94 Raceway. Last year he was the Minnesota Super Late Model Governors Cup winner and this year is taking on the challenge of the ASAMT. Last Saturday, he probably had a personal highlight as he led the field to the start of the Pride of Iowa 100 at Iowa Speedway and was an early leader in the event. He would go on to a 16th place finish. Going into the Elko 125 event, he is 18th in points.
Joel Theisen is tied with Panitzke in the point standings, but may have the upper edge going into this weekend. The Maple Grove, MN driver won his first super late model feature at Elko last year. He is also the 2007 Elko Speedway Rookie of the Year. This might be a weekend where this rookie truly has a home track advantage.
Gary Lamonte may be a veteran behind the wheel but when it comes to competing in a touring series, he is a rookie. The West Allis, WI driver has many accomplishments in his career, but is missing a touring series championship and getting one in the ASAMT would look good on his resume. He recently finished 17th at Iowa Speedway and is 20th in the points.
One young driver to keep an eye on is Thor Anderson from Bondurant, IA. This young driver has competed in both ASAMT events at Iowa Speedway and has finished sixth in both of those races. The 16-year-old driver has a lot of talent and could be a household name someday.
Greg Haese is expanding his racing career beyond the Eastern Wisconsin area as he competes in the ASAMT this season. The Two Rivers, WI driver is the 2008 Driveline 100 winner at Norway Speedway and the 2007 Red, White, and Blue Series champion at Wisconsin International Raceway.
Cameron Dodson is looking at expanding his racing resume by competing in the ASAMT. The 2007 USAC Silver Crown Series Rookie of the Year made an impressive debut at last year’s Oktoberfest event with a sixth place finish.
Joey Johnson is the 2008 Modified champion at I-94 Raceway and he also competed in the super late model division. The Alexandria, MN driver hopes to gain more experience by competing with the ASAMT this season.
The Lane Automotive Rookie of the Year presented by Roltek Transmission, Hypercoils, and Red Line Oil champion will receive an award package valued near $10,000 and this includes a new transmission courtesy of Roltek.
These rookies along with the Touring Stars of the ASAMT will be competing this Saturday night in the Elko 125 at Elko Speedway in Elko, MN.
The first ASAMT practice is scheduled to begin at noon with the second at 1:30 p.m. ASAMT ECHO/Oregon Cutting Systems “Quick Cut” Qualifying begins at 4:00 p.m. with the popular autograph session starting at 5:30 p.m. Local divisions begin racing at 6:00 p.m. with ASAMT racing starting at 7:00 p.m.
Admission prices are $15 for adult general admission, $20 Reserved; $5.00 for ages 5-12 and ages 4 and under is FREE.
To learn more about the American Speed Association Kwik Trip Midwest Tour presented by Echo Outdoor Power Equipment log on to www.asamidwesttour.com or call the ASA Midwest Tour office at (262) 514-3880 or e-mail Tim Olson at tim@asamidwesttour.com or Steve Einhaus at steve@asamidwesttour.com.
To learn more of the Daytona Beach, Florida-based Racing Speed Associates or the American Speed Association Racing Member Track program, call (386) 258-2221 or send an e-mail to info@asa-racing.com. For news and information from racetracks and regional tours involved in the American Speed Association, visit www.asaracing.com.
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.
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LANE AUTOMOTIVE/ROLTEK TRANSMISSION 2009 ASAMT ROOKIE OF THE YEAR CLASS OFF TO A GOOD START
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