By Jane Smith
On Saturday, February 17, the first race of the 2001 season for the American Speed Association will be held at Florida Speed Park in St. Augustine. This year every ASA race will be live on TNN and this will definitely help build the series and introduce to racing fans the racers of the ASA.
Gary St. Amant, the 2000 champion, was also the 2000 Snowball Derby Super Late Model winner so some Florida fans already know this driver. Mike Garvey is also a ASA racer but a few years back, raced along side of Mario Gosselin, Dick Anderson, and Bobby Gill in the Hooter Cup series. ASA has had many known drivers who have gone further into the ranks of the Winston Cup boys. Scott Wimmer, formerly Hooter's Pro Cup and now Winston Cup and Busch, will be replaced this year in ASA by his younger brother Chris. Chris has raced in the World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing for a few years now and he and Scott are both fondly part of the Florida Speedweeks racers.
 This year, besides all the already known ASA drivers, there will be a few Florida boys in the opening race. One favorite will be Ricky Carlton, from Florida Pro, Florida Sunbelt and winner of the first Speedfest 2001 races in the Super Late Model division at Lakeland recently. According to all the women race fans, Ricky is one of the hottest drivers in Florida and not only for his driving ability but looks also. Maybe it is that genuine smile of his and that sparkling gold earring that makes him so popular.
During Speedfest last weekend, Mike Cope had his ASA car out on the track for some practice time before the big opening race. Mike is well known in Florida along with his brother Jimmy. And one of Florida Speed Park's own drivers will be in that line-up for Feburary 17 - Scott Lagassee, Jr. For Scott, Mike and Ricky this will be a very big day but for the 2000 Super Late Model Champion of Orlando SpeedWorld, this really will be a dream come true.
 Travis Kittleson, 21, only started racing in June l999. He had dreamed of racing, talked his schoolmates' ears off about racing but never got into a racecar until he received a very special graduation present from his parents. For his high school gradution gift, Travis was sent to Buck Baker Driving School to learn how to be a racecar driver.
When Travis returned from the school, he again talked his classmates' ears off. For years, racing was his dream and very shortly it was to become a reality. A Super Late Model was built and Travis raced his first race at New Smyrna Speedway in June of l999.
Travis went on to race in a Florida Sunbelt race, the World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing in 2000, and to become the 2000 Super Late Model Track Champion at Orlando SpeedWorld. But even better than that was beating David Rogers, king of New Smyrna Speedway, on his own turf and doing it with grace and style. Pete Orr became Travis's crew chief and together, they have accomplished alot.
Now the true test is about to come for Travis, his first ASA race. Hopefully Travis will be able to race the whole season but if not, he plans to definitely run the seven races needed for Rookie of the Year. But Travis is not alone and will be joined by a number of good drivers also running for Rookie of the Year.
ASA will kick-off its season here in Florida, then venture out to California and come back for it's second and last race of the 2001 season in Florida at Lakeland's USA International. Then it is off to see the world by racetracks and TNN will be there to show the fans just how the racers do live each week.
The ASA series is a must see so mark your calendars and watch our boys.
Jane Smith
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