ASA Bought buy 2002 championship Owner!!

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PettyBenson

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ASA under new ownership in 2003
BY JEFF NUN, RACEFAN.COM
Special to FOXSports.com
Oct. 29, 2002 6:02 p.m.

FAYETTEVILLE, Ga. (Oct. 29, 2002) — After 35 successful seasons as the premier short track racing series in America, the American Speed Association (ASA) will operate under new ownership in 2003, RaceFan.com has learned.
Successful businessman and ASA team owner Steve Dale, who captured this year's ASA Racing Series title with driver Joey Clanton at the wheel, will assume control of the ASA beginning next year.

Dale said he expects the deal to be finalized this week, and although the name on the pink slip may change, the goal will remain the same as it has for 35 years.

"We'll continue forward to offer the absolute best source of short track racing in the country," Dale said.

The official announcement by the ASA is expected to be revealed at this weekend's national awards banquet at the Caesars Hotel & Casino near Louisville, Ky.

Since its inception in 1968, the ASA has flourished under the guidance of Rex Robbins and his family. It has never been sold or operated by any other entity.

While the series has become known as a best-of-the-best battleground in asphalt late model racing, it has also served as a stepping stone for some of today's most high-profile stock car drivers. Current NASCAR Winston Cup drivers Johnny Benson (1993 ASA champion), Jimmie Johnson ('98 ASA rookie of the year), Rusty Wallace ('83 ASA champion) and four-time champion ASA champion Mark Martin launched successful careers in NASCAR through success in ASA competition.

Dale, a native of Michigan, brought the Steve Dale Motorsports No. 83 entry into ASA just three years ago. With Clanton as his driver, the team earned the Pat Schauer Memorial Rookie of the Year title in 2000. With three wins during the 2001 season, Steve Dale Motorsports finished third in the final driver points standings. Then, during their Junior season in 2002, the team captured the coveted ASA Racing Series National Championship, edging series veteran Gary St. Amant by one point in the final standings.

In just three short years, Dale and his team went from "new guy in town" to mayor. If he can apply the same success in his leadership of the ASA, the future holds great promise for the drivers, teams, sponsors and fans involved.
 
That is very interesting. If the series operates like most other, Dale or any business that he is affiliated with will not be allowed to maintain ownership in any participating team. Does that leave Clanton looking for a ride??

Kel
 
I like the ASA racing, I am gonna watch all of em next year:)
 
I think Joey is looking for a BGN ride last i heard. i thought I read something on jayski about it a while ago i will go check!!
 
ASA Champ and ROTY are looking at BGN: American Speed Association series champion Joey Clanton and the series' rookie of the year, David Stremme, are exploring options to move to Grand National next season. Clanton is pursuing a full-time ride, while Stremme expects to compete in ASA as well in 2003.(ThatsRacin.com)(10-23-2002)
 
Now that interesting.

Nascar better watch out, before too long it could be owned by Hendrick Motorports or DEI!
 
Does the ASA even have a TV package for next year?? I know TNN has dropped all motorsports programing when the contracts are up. So does that mean SPEED will try to get ASA. If they do i hope SPEED shows the races live, or Tape Delayed for that night(if its not already a night race) Just don't do what they did to WoO. I hope Speed puts WoO races on at better times and show them the same month would be nice as well.
 
So does this mean the owner can just give him driver the championship no matter what, and give him little point bonuses?
 
I kinda doubt that he wil still run the Steve Dale/CVampfires.com car next year. SO that should not be a problem. If he does run the car he sadi that he is not changing anything about the series.
 
ASA is an outstanding series. They have proven that you don't have to stick to the norm to have good close racing. ie: Electronic fuel injection, sealed crate engines, quick change rear-ends and B.F. Goodrich Racing Radials. If TNN isn't going to show them next year, let's hope someone picks them up. This is some of the finest short track racing that there is.

Here's a pic of the B.F.Goodrich tire rep for all the ASA races. Its nice to be dealing with a racer and not just an Engineer. This man has been racing for over 30 years and still runs a Vintage car, when he can find a race on an off week-end of the ASA schedule. One of the many fine cars this man owns. Frank Hager and his 37 Chevy Coupe.
 
Stories are circulating that "Speed" is and has been trying to negotiate contract details to carry ASA racing next season. Along with USAC and IHRA. I am not sure if this would affect either the ARCA or USAR races they have this year. They have already announced deals to bring CASCAR and F3000 in for next season. Add the CTS as well.

No details on how the coverage would be structured. With as many series as "Speed" is beginning to promote, it will be a juggling act to give them all proper airtime.

ASA racing is excellent, Clanton kinda dominated the points deal this year but the individual races were very good.

Short Tracks , Short Tempers, All Attitude (that is the series slogan)
 
yes Joey did win his share of races this year 8 or 9 i think but he still only won the championship by 1 point. And that was luck bc of Kyle Busch spining in the closing laps, and Joey gained that postion.
 
1 point or 100 points he's still the champion. Doesn't matter how it happened either, years down the road when you look at the record books he'll be listed as Champion.
 
I see a golden opportunity for ESPN to pick up racing coverage that will sell commercials.Nascar,and there greed may take a hit from this.A lot of our favorite vets are going to be wanting retirment jobs as promoters of this series. ;)
 
ASA is great stuff. Always has been.

And being one of those folks who is doing my best to NOT pay for premium channels, I'm hoping ESPN steps up to the plate.

I'm a big fan of the Big 3 Networks because at least you can still get them over the air, but ASA ain't hot enuf for them. Standard cable channel or none at all.

Keep paying for access to racing and the price is going to continue to go up.
 
ASA isn't hot enough for them! I guess they haven't watched them race. That motto: "Short Tracks , Short Tempers, All Attitude " wasn't just invented. It's a darn good description of ASA.
 
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