Special NASCAR Stars To Be Announced Soon

by Kari Shear-Carlson
The American Speed Association® Midwest Tour is heading to the Milwaukee Mile on Tuesday, June 12th, 2012 for the Swiss Colony Howie Lettow Memorial 150 presented by RaceTeamGear.com.

Howie Lettow was more than just a crew chief, he was a mentor to many drivers over the course of his life, many who went on to become some of racing’s biggest stars. Lettow was a quiet guy whose actions spoke through success on the track. Among his many achievements as crew chief, Howie Lettow led eight drivers to the title of Rookie of the Year in the ASA National Tour and mentored NASCAR stars, Mark Martin and five-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Champion, Jimmie Johnson.

The ASAMT is teaming up with Midwest Athletes Against Childhood Cancer, Inc. (the MACC Fund) to honor Lettow in the first annual event. The MACC Fund raises funds for the fight against childhood cancer and related blood disorder research. Since 1976, the MACC Fund has contributed $42 million research and their mission is to find a cure for these diseases by providing critical funding for research. On Tuesday, June 12th, race fans can join in that fight.

"We have been working on this event for two years and we always had a vision of leaning towards something special to honor Howie. Howie loved to help young people and he was an amazing mentor, so joining forces with the MACC fund is something he will be very proud of as he watches down over all of us. This event will provide an opportunity for all of our race fans, race teams, friends and families to share in our efforts to raise an extensive amount of money to help young children suffering from cancer and blood disorders. We hope that the entire racing community will come together to help us provide opportunities to families with children in need,” said Steve Einhaus, ASAMT VP.

by Kari Shear-Carlson
The American Speed Association® Midwest Tour honored three division Champions and Rookies of the Year, along with several special awards recipients this past Saturday night, February 4th at Ho Chunk Resort in Baraboo, WI. Two hundred sixty guests were in attendance to take part in the celebration.

by Kari Shear-Carlson
The American Speed Association® Midwest Tour announces it’s biggest year of incentives yet with the announcement of the 2012 Champions Awards.

by Kari Shear-Carlson
The American Speed Association® Midwest Tour joins Elko Speedway for the 4th annual Thunderstruck 93 event on Saturday, September 22nd in honor of Dan Ryan Sr. who lost his life to ALS. This race will be 125 laps with a break at lap 93 in memory of Dan.

The credibility of the ASA Midwest Tour combined with one of the most prestigious short tracks in the Midwest will bring power to an event that draws people out for a great night of racing and more importantly for a great cause.

"Tom Ryan reached out to us a few years back about sanctioning this event but our schedules just couldn't line up. With some recent changes to our 2012 schedule, it opened up an opportunity for us to find a date and make it happen. Everyone on the tour loves to race at Elko, its continually one of our best races of the year and a race that adds power to the current season schedule. To be able to be a part of such a great charity foundation (ALS) and to honor Dan Ryan is going to be special to everyone involved and we are proud to be able to bring the stars of the ASAMT to Elko twice this year,” said Steve Einhaus, ASAMT Vice President.

The race is hosted by the Ryan Family in conjunction with ARWW-ALS. Thunderstruck 93 was named after one of Dan’s favorite songs and includes his nickname “Thunder” and his racing number, 93. Fans can get involved and be a part of the event by becoming a lap sponsor. Half of the sponsorship dollars will directly benefit those with ALS, while the other half goes to the driver leading that lap.

Local drivers and ASA Midwest Tour competitors, Jacob Goede and Dan Fredrickson are previous winners of the event and are both looking forward to the ASAMT being a part of it. “It’s great that Thunderstruck will be part of the ASAMT schedule. This is a race the fans won’t want to miss,” said Goede. “Bringing the tough competition of the ASAMT to Thunderstruck is something that I imagine would make Dan proud,” added Fredrickson.

by Kari Shear-Carlson
January 18, 2012 - The American Speed Association® Midwest Tour is excited to add Berlin Raceway in Berlin, MI to the 2012 schedule. This event will be on Saturday, June 2nd and will be sponsored by the Muskegon, MI based Port City Racecars.

“Our schedule has been forming up very nicely and we assumed we were all locked up until we received a phone call from the guys at Berlin Raceway. If there was one track that we would like to add to our schedule it would have been Berlin and it was really comforting to hear how excited they were to have the Touring Stars of the ASA Midwest Tour make an inaugural visit to the historic ARTGO track. We will always continue to keep this series Midwest based and when you can go into a new market, it benefits the notoriety of our drivers and greatly improves the footing for our corporate sponsors. A lot of history will be relived by adding I-44 and Berlin Raceway and we couldn't be any more proud of what we have to offer our fans in 2012,” said ASAMT VP, Steve Einhaus.

Berlin Raceway was built as a humble dirt track in 1950 when Chester Mysliwiec and family started a racing tradition. Today Berlin Raceway is a 7/16 paved oval with 13-degree banking in the turns and 9-degree banking on the straightaways.

The track has changed hands a few times over the years but in 2011 was purchased by DBD Ventures and will be promoted by Mike Bursley and Kurt Dietrich in 2012.

by Kari Shear-Carlson
The American Speed Association® Midwest SCAG Truck Tour announces the tentative 2012 schedule.

“There has been a lot of effort put forth in building this series stronger each and every year. From our competitors, sponsors, race tracks and ownership, we have given it our all to get this division where it needs to be each and every year. 2012 will be a banner year for the division as we work to increase truck counts at all of our events while providing the fans with some awesome racing. It’s very obvious that the Trucks are a fan favorite, so we are excited to provide them with some action packed events,” said ASAMT VP, Steve Einhaus.

The Trucks will start out the season with a 50 lap feature on Saturday, May 19th at State Park Speedway in Wausau, WI for the track’s season opener. “The Trucks were quite the attraction at SPS in 2011 and their fan following was very appealing. I believe the winner Ty Majewski had over 40 people alone in winners circle that followed him from his hometown, that is amazing support. They are unique, and different, and that is what the fan wants to see. The Nascar Camping World truck series puts on some of the best racing there is and I feel that the racing fan can relate to that division,” said SPS Owner, Ron Wimmer.

On Saturday, June 2nd, the trucks head back up north to Marshfield Motor Speedway for a 40 lap feature.

One of the biggest additions to the ASA Midwest SCAG Truck Tour schedule is a 30 lap feature event at the famed, historic Milwaukee Mile on Tuesday, June 12th.

June 29th brings the Trucks back to where it all started at for 40 laps at Madison International Speedway. The Friday event will be in conjunction with the track’s regular night of racing with a second Fall event currently in the works.

“I don't think there is a more economical division out there that has the feel of a super late model. This division has some excellent cost saving measures with a fully adjustable chassis that allows teams to adjust and learn how to be prepared for a super late model. We need to focus on attracting more young drivers to run the Trucks and get used to racing on a 10 inch tire. We love the division and the fans really connect with us when they come to the pits and can't wait to get started in 2012,” said 2011 Champion, Jerry Wood.