IT'S TIME TO RACE!!

March 1, 2009 Wayne Anderson wins the ASA Icebreaker 100 at Desoto Super Speedway By: Tom Blakeley Bradenton, FL February 28, 2009 Any Mark Martin or Rusty Wallace fan worth their weight in souvenir T-shirts knows that ASA stands for the American Speed Association. The Indiana-based sanctioning body was founded in 1968 by Rex Robbins and his wife, Becky. Featuring full-bodied American stock cars, the ASA began crisscrossing the country in 1973 with its national touring series. It was this touring series in which Martin, Wallace, and a guy named Alan Kulwicki cut their teeth and made their name. In fact, the alumni list of ASA drivers is a virtual who's who of NASCAR Nextel Cup, then and now. In addition to Martin, Wallace, and Kulwicki, Jimmie Johnson, Matt Kenseth, Kenny Wallace, Johnny Benson, Ted Musgrave, Reed Sorenson, and David Stremme all made it to the top level of NASCAR racing by winning their way through the American Speed Association. For years, the ASA was the place to race if you wanted to hit the big time. The ASA has known many, many good times and some very tough times. In October 2004 at Lowes Motor Speedway the ASA announced that it did not have the funds to pay the purse for the for the Aaron's 99, a race that was to take place just after Nextel Cup qualifying. Speedway Motorsports, owners of the track, impounded the sanctioning body's vehicles. Ultimately, ASA, the drivers, and Speedway Motorsports reached an agreement and competitors were paid after the final race of the season at Atlanta. By the end of 2004, the 35-year-old American Speed Association ceased to exist. Enter Dennis Huth. The man behind the birth, growth, and success of NASCAR's Craftsman Truck Series and the Winston Racing Series had actually been working with ASA prior to its demise. But when the writing on the wall became clear, Huth had a choice: stay and try to salvage the legendary series or get out while the getting was good. The California native chose to stick around. And so began the American Speed Association's rise from the ashes. The series' holdings were carved up with Huth buying the ASA Member Track program and the rights to the ASA National Tour through his company, Racing Speed Associates. With the purchase, Huth also got control over programs with seven series that race across the country. And thank goodness he did. Huth was presided over the ASA Race tonight at Desoto Super Speedway; his love of short track racing is evident from his staff of traveling professionals to the incredible co ordination he does to keep the race moving along at a rapid pace. The action packed race was a stock car fans delight with more speed and trills than one could hardly stand. After a chance to meet and greet the drivers up close and get autographs the fans were treated to some of the best driving you will see in the Southeast. Wayne Anderson in the # 92 car sat on the pole for the race and did not waste any time taking control. He was in the lead from flag to flag and went to Victory Circle after taking the checkered flag. Jeff Choquette in the #33 car started in the 3rd position and took second place. Local Sarasota driver Anthony Campi in the #81 car started 6th and took third place. Fourteen cars finished what twenty cars started. There were numerous yellow flags but the fast work of the Desoto staff got the action going again very quickly. It was great to see one of the countries?s best traveling series at the local track. Other drivers the fans got to watch were Taylor Satterfield from Jefferson Georgia, Justin Larson from Clearwater Florida, Travis Cope from Hernando Beach Florida, Scott Walters from Sarasota Florida, Billy Bigley from Naples Florida, Stephen Nasse the 14 year old from Florida, James Glover, Jesse Dutilly and C.J. Faison from Segford Delaware. The evening started with Heat races for all the divisions. The feature races started after a short 15 minute intermission. Magic 4?s. The winner of the 6-lap heat race for the Magic 4 class was Austin Cavey in the #20 car. The feature race was like an endurance test. The drivers were warned on lap 16 that the next yellow flag would be the end of the race, but they made it to the 20th lap and taking the checkered flag was Brittany Barr in the #81 car. Brittany took an early lead but was moved back two positions on the first yellow flag. She then went to work and powered her way back to the front and never looked back. Taking second place was Zach Campilonga in the #30 car. Zach was a rookie last year and has really made lots of improvement. Third place was won by Austin Cavey in the #20 car. After tonight?s race we may rename the magic fours as the Rockem-Sockem Magic4?s. Street Stocks. The heat race for the Street Stock division was won by James Nanney in the #6 car. The feature race was won by veteran driver Dale Rock Reigle in the orange #86 car. Taking second place was Derek Lucas in the #88 car and third was Travis Roland in the #52 car. This was one clean hard fought race with one very proud winner. Modified Mini?s. The modified Mini heat race was won by Chris Thornton in the #24 car. Chris also won the 25 lap feature race. Second place in the feature event was Marty Neikens in the #70 car and third place belonged to Richard Nelson in the #80 car. At victory Circle Richard Nelson had to extinguish a fire that had ignited under his hood and it made for some excitement for the announcer Todd Morey who was standing next to it. Fast Mini Cup Cars. The 20-lap feature race was won by Bobby Rogers in the #12 car. Bobby lead the race most of the way. Jacob Calloway in the #7 car was second and third was Reese Chase in the #99 car. These Mini Cup cars are very fast and the third place winner, Reese Chase is only 8 years old. It was a great race. Pure Stocks. Word must have gotten out about how great and close the racing for this division has been. There were 15 Pure Stocks in the house tonight. The first heat race was won by Robert Crisp in the #2 car. The second heat race was won by Keith Thorbin in the #30 car. The feature race started 15 cars and it was a thriller. The clean but hard driven race was won by Shane Leonard in the blue #18X car. Robert Crisp in the #2 car was second with the hard charging Troy Thiem in the black #18 car taking third place. It was a great night of racing for the fans and kudos?s to the ASA and Desoto Super Speedway Staff for a safe and thrill packed event. Join us next Saturday March 7th for another night of racing action starting at 7 PM. Taking the asphalt oval will be trucks 50 lap feature, Sportsman, Street Stocks, Magic 4?s, Rockem-Sockem Bombers, and Flyin 4?s. Desoto Super Speedway is located just 9 miles east of I-75 on State Route #64. Check us out at www.desotosuperspeedway.com or call us at 941-748-3171. The entire staff at Desoto Super Speedway thanks the fans and will do everything possible to make your visit a pleasant one. Have an opinion on this story? Post a message on our Message Board! or Email KARNACto send a letter to the editor!