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3/28/99
ASA Tears Up DeSoto This weekend, Florida had a chance to experience the American Speed
Association at Desoto Speedway in Bradenton, FL. A top notch professional
tour, the ASA showed that they are cut from a different mold than NASCAR and
other sanctions.
The cars of the ASA look a lot like a late model at a local short track. At
2800 pounds, they weight as much as one too. But inside, things are
different. The late model world is dominated by small block V8 engines with
a carburetor. ASA has led the way in developing V6 engines in late models.
This past winter, they also announced that they will be turning away from
carburetors. Instead, cars will use fuel injectors, something the average
street car has used for years.
ASA has also enlisted the help of computers to score races. NASCAR still
uses the pen and paper method of scorers.
At the track, ASA has remained true to its short track roots. The longest
track on the tour is the Milwaukee Mile. All the other races are held on
bull rings like the 3/8 th's mile Desoto Speedway and the tight quarter mile
at Anderson, IN.
The drivers and crews are readily available to fans. For one hour before
the race Sunday, drivers were available for autographs right on the front
straightaway, right next to their cars. After the race, fans were able to
walk through the infield pit area and again meet drivers and crews. No
expensive "pit access" passes are required. Neither is stardom or CEO
status.
Unlike most NASCAR tours which have Southern roots, the ASA has a Midwestern flavor. The majority of ASA's races are run in Michigan and Indiana
although they run enough races in the south to garner national appeal. A
look down the driver roster indicates more of the same.
Finally, the ASA offers great quality racing. Have you ever witnessed a
great Winston Cup race finish under caution. Like Sunday's race at Texas.
Not so in ASA. Their rules state that the last five laps must be run under
green. It was tested twice on Sunday. So, instead of Rick Beebe strolling
under the checkers behind the pace car, fans witnessed lady luck strike down
Beebe and Tim Sauter hold off Mike Garvey for the win. ASA also has rules
in place for competition cautions to tighten up a field when one driver runs
away and makes the race boring.
It is this close, fan friendly action that has made ASA what it is, a great
racing series. For many it is a stepping stone to Busch and Winston Cup.
Former ASA stars include Rusty Wallace, Mark Martin, and Dick Trickle.
The next time the ASA is in Florida or your area, check them out. You won't
be disappointed!
RACE NOTES
Two Fords, 8 Pontiacs, and 18 Chevrolets made up the 28 car field.
There were twelve cautions in the race. Eight happened in the last 100
laps. The first 78 laps were caution free.
There were 11 lead changes among 7 drivers.
22 cars were still running at the finish. Eight cars were running on the
lead lap.
Gary St. Amant had a rough day. The defending points champion worked his
way as high as second before eventually losing three laps during a green
flag pit stop for a flat left rear tire. He then proceeded to make up one
lap. Later in the race he developed an overheating problem forcing several
pit stops under cautions.
#2 Chad Wood also had a rough day. The rookie started fourth in the field.
A pair of crashes damaged first the front end, then the back end.
#44 Jimmy Johnson led over 40 laps early then had brake problems and ran the
last 150 laps without brakes. He finished 10th.
Slim Jim All Pro veteran Derrick Gilchrist ran well, spending much of the
day in the top five including leading once for 38 laps before pulling to the
pits on lap 274..
A post race walk through the infield showed that most cars had some body
damage, owing to the close quarters of the 3/8 th's mile oval.
The third and fourth turn pavement at Desoto was a problem all afternoon. A
patch that was laid down in the off season started to break up under the
combination of midday heat and 2800 pound race cars. During several
cautions a blower was used to remove the asphalt that was chewed up. The
pavement lead to a few spins off of turn 4 as well.
Desoto was well equipped with safety personnel. They had two fire rescue
vehicles that are utilized by Auburndale and USA International.
The front straight grandstands were decently filled. The back side stands
however had about 50 people in them. This was partly caused by the $75
asking price for a pit ticket. Front stand seats were $20 on raceday.
TNN almost lost a camera in the pits during the race. After completing work
in the pits, Mike Miller stormed out of his pit stall. The cameraman,
standing on the right side of the car had his cord stretched in front of
Miller's car. Miller drove through the cord giving the camera for a fling.
The cameraman was ok. No word on the status of his camera.
The next race for the ASA is on April 10 at Peach State Speedway in
Jefferson, GA. The race will be televised on Speedvision.
DeSoto is my sixth race track of the year and also the farthest at 180
miles. I plan on visiting Thunder Cross Motorsports Park in Okeechobee next
Saturday.
- - John Matthews |
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