New venues and big pay outs add up to a banner year
The American Speed Association® Kwik Trip Midwest Tour presented by ECHO Outdoor Power Equipment and grandstay.net is excited to announce the 2011 ASAMT progressive racing schedule. “Each year we keep saying that this is the best schedule yet, and each year it keeps getting better. We are growing, our fan base is growing, and we have a great product to offer to short track racing fans. Steve and I both feel that 2011 is going to be a banner year,” said ASAMT President, Tim Olson.
As it has for the past two years, the ASAMT will kick off its season with the 3rd Annual “Joe Shear Classic 136” at Madison International Speedway on Saturday, April 30th. “Opening the season at Madison for the Joe Shear Classic has become a milestone date for us. We have had great weather and fantastic fan turnouts, so we are certain that date will always be solid for the ASAMT,” Olson confirmed.
An open practice is slated for Saturday, April 30th with the rain date for the Joe Shear Classic on Sunday, May 8th.
The first major change to the 2011 schedule is the “Dixieland” event at Wisconsin International Raceway. This event, traditionally held the first Tuesday in August, will now be the second event of the season. “This historic event has consistently been a thorn in our side, trying to make it successful. We don’t think there is any better way to start out the 2011 season in Fox Valley, than joining WIR in their season opener,” added Olson and ASAMT Vice President, Steve Einhaus.
There will again be an open practice on Saturday, May 14th and the scheduled rain date for the Dixieland is Sunday, May 22nd.
On Saturday, June 18th, teams will head back to Illiana Motor Speedway for the traditional “Elmer Musgrave Memorial” 100 lap event.
One of the most exciting additions to the schedule is the inclusion of State Park Speedway for the “Flip Merwin Memorial 150” on Thursday, June 23rd. “The Wimmers’ have done such a good job rebuilding SPS. When they first purchased the track we thought it was going to be a few years before they were ready for an ASAMT event. Well, they proved us wrong, because that place is ready for the big show now, and the improvements are remarkable. It also has some fantastic side by side racing for the fans,” explained Einhaus.
The season would not be the same without a trip to Dells Raceway Park. DRP will host the ASAMT on July 2nd for a spectacular 4th of July event.
Drivers have been looking for a big payday, and on Saturday, July 9th, Elko Speedway will provide just that. Fans will witness a 250 lap event on one of the most competitive two-groove tracks in the Midwest. More details will be coming soon about this unprecedented event you will not want to miss.
Iowa Speedway is by far the biggest event on the 2011 schedule. “We are honored to be featured before the Nationwide event that weekend. With the visibility of all the Nationwide car owners and teams, along with a huge crowd, this event will give us great exposure,” announced Olson. The ASAMT event will be held on Friday, August 5th, the night before the Nationwide event.
Labor Day weekend just would not be Labor Day weekend without a trip to the U.P. The ASAMT again returns to Norway Speedway on Sept 4th for the “Labor Day Norway 125.” Jamie Iverson will be going for an unfathomable five Norway 125 victories in a row in 2011.
On September 16th, the ASA Midwest Tour returns to Grundy County Speedway for the “Return to Chicagoland 125.” With the first NASCAR Chase race being moved back to a day race at Chicagoland Speedway, there is a strong possibility that some Cup drivers will race in the ASAMT event. Einhaus added, “We had such a great event there the last time on Friday night, that we jumped at the opportunity to do it again.”
The season will top off with another trip to Elko Speedway on Sept 24th for the “Elko 100,” and then back to La Crosse Fairgrounds Speedway on October 8th and 9th for the annual Oktoberfest 100 lap event.
The 2011 schedule has some new and exciting changes and additions with even more events in the works. Thirteen to fifteen events are expected fill the complete schedule. “We are adding a few new tracks to the schedule this year and we have a few other new ones negotiating with us to be added. It says a lot about the ASA Midwest Tour and our competitors, as well as the sponsors. Getting into new markets is important and we will continue to grow each year,” shared Vice President, Steve Einhaus.
2011 ASAMT SCHEDULE*
May 1st Madison International Speedway (Rain date: May 8th) Open practice: April 30th
May 15th Wisconsin International Raceway (Rain date: May 22nd) Open practice: May 14th
June 18th Illiana Motor Speedway
June 23rd State Park Speedway
July 2nd Dells Raceway Park
July 9th Elko Speedway
August 5th Iowa Speedway
Sept 4th Norway Speedway
Sept 16th Grundy County Speedway
Sept 24th Elko Speedway
October 8th-9th La Crosse Fairgrounds Speedway
*Schedule is subject to change
To learn more about the American Speed Association® Kwik Trip Midwest Tour presented by ECHO Outdoor Power Equipment and GrandStay Residential Suites Hotels and Crossings by GrandStay Inn & Suites, log on to http://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.
If you would like to learn more about the ASAMT series sponsors, please visit their websites: Kwik Trip, Inc. (http://www.kwiktrip.com), ECHO Outdoor Power Equipment (http://www.echo-usa.com), and GrandStay Residential Suites Hotels and Crossings by GrandStay Inn & Suites (http://www.grandstay.net).
To learn more about the Midwest Sportsman Tour log on to http://www.asamidwestsportsman.com. To learn more about the ASA Midwest Truck Tour log on to http://www.asamidwesttrucks.com.
To learn more about 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 http://www.asaracing.com.
