By: Kevin Ramsell
The last name is a familiar name in racing with his grandfather, father and uncles creating a legacy for him to continue. In 2008, Travis Sauter made the most of his second year in the American Speed Association Kwik Trip Midwest Tour presented by ECHO Outdoor Power Equipment in which he will continue as a Touring Star in 2009.

Sauter finished seventh in points with one ECHO fast time award, five top-five and nine top-ten finishes. The highlight of his season was winning the Lefthander Chassis Hard Charger Award in which he received a new Lefthander Chassis.

“The way the season started we were in the hunt for the championship and then we hit a rough patch starting with WIR that pretty much lasted until Marshfield.  I thought our car was really strong early in the year, and then guys sort of caught up to our speed a little bit,” Sauter stated.  “Then we had motor problems a few times and a flat tire at Milwaukee.  We weren’t terrible at any of the races; we just didn’t have the speed we had earlier.  Then we tested a couple times later in the season and finished strong at La Crosse.”

With the way the season was going, Sauter kept looking at the Hard Charger standings and made it a personal goal to win it. “It seems all season we would either qualify in the top 5 or outside the top 15.  That almost never has you start up front and I guess that would contribute to winning the hard charger award,” Sauter explained.  “It’s pretty cool to pass that many cars, but winning a race now and then would be nice also.  A couple times we probably had the best car, but ran out of time going forward. The car we were running was on its 4th season, so I can really use that new chassis, and I thank Lefthander for donating it.”

Looking towards next season, Sauter has many opportunities for sponsors to partner with his team. “I have been fortunate to have great sponsors this season with Arctic Ice, Cranberry Creek Cranberries and Coleman Racing Products along with B&B Racing Engines.  As far as next year goes, we are in need of primary sponsorship.  I think the ASA Midwest Tour is a great series for a sponsor to be recognized and I think I would be a good fit for any potential sponsor.”

Sauter feels that his team will be a great representative for a sponsor in the ASAMT, “We have nice, clean equipment and we run up front and present a good image.  I have a show car and am willing to do whatever it takes for the sponsorship to be successful for both parties.  Funding is probably the most important factor when you talk about running good, and every racer is grateful for the help they receive from their sponsors.”

You can learn more about Travis at his website, www.travissauter.net.