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| DESOTO SUPER SPEEDWAY JOINS ASA MEMBER TRACK PROGRAM IN BID TO PREPARE FOR FUTURE | DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (March 17, 2008) – Desoto Super Speedway, one of the best known short tracks in the United States, has joined as a Level I participant in the ASA Member Track program in an effort to prepare for the future.
“Every racetrack around the country is dealing with issues, what with the economy, gas prices and all,” said John Sarppriacone, owner/promoter of the Bradenton, Fla., based facility. “What we are looking at is the American Speed Association partnership getting us ready for a bright future when things do turn around. I know that there are a couple of people in the sport using the ASA name, but I am confident that aligning with the authentic American Speed Association is the right thing for our track and becoming part of their nearly 40-year history of creating champions and developing the stars of the future.”
“I am very excited about the ASA Member Track program and working with Dennis (Huth). He has a good attitude about short track racing, had something like 17 years of experience with NASCAR and has seen a lot more of the sport that I have. I am looking forward to working with him, learning from him, and being part of the American Speed Association,” Sarppriacone added.
Desoto Super Speedway has been in continual operation since it was constructed in the early 1970s and is a 3/8-mile paved oval with 12 degree banking through the turns. With seating for 5,000, the fans are able to see a wide range of cars during the normal Saturday night program. The variety of classes competing at Desoto includes Winged Springs, Open Wheel Modifieds, Super Late Models, Turner Tree Landscape Limited Late Models, and the new Sun State Outlaw Street Stocks which combines the Bombers, Street Stocks and Pure Stocks into one division.
“The Sun State Outlaw Street Stocks will run a nine race series this year,” explained Sarppriacone. “What we wanted to do was create some more excitement around these classes and give them some longer races. I think that this will be a popular new division for the fans and the competitors.”
Desoto Super Speedway has a comprehensive web site located at www.DesotoSuperSpeedway.com which contains links to the upcoming schedule, past race results, news, weather and more. And in an effort to keep the customers returning to see something fresh, Sarppriacone has added a number of different events to the track schedule including drifting, tractor pulls, and Figure 8 School Bus races.
“We host the Florida state championships for the Figure 8 School Bus races and every time they are on the schedule we get the biggest turnout in the area. It is not uncommon to see anywhere from 14 to 19 busses on that tight little track which creates so much action the fans go crazy,” Sarppriacone said.
Sarppriacone has owned the racetrack since 2000 and said that he is looking to the American Speed Association to help in a number of areas.
“We have to search every opportunity available to bring fans into the stands. There are a lot of choices out there for people to spend their entertainment dollars. I believe that the ASA Member Track Program can help us obtain some additional recognition for Desoto. I am looking forward to working with the other racetracks in the ASA for savings on the items that we need and sharing the ideas for successful promotions. It is really refreshing to see how all the different racetracks in the ASA are able to work together and how everyone helps everyone else. And one of the biggest reasons is the insurance package that the ASA Member Track program offers. The insurance is really good – much better than what he have had on our own, and it is important to look out for the drivers and give them the best we can,” Sarppriacone explained.
ASA members in good standing are eligible for a $500,000 Excess Medical Benefit as well as a $20,000 Accidental Death and Dismemberment Benefit. Coverage for the member begins while traveling to a location promoting an ASA-sanctioned event and continues until arrival home again. The American Speed Association is the only sanctioning body to offer insurance coverage which extends beyond the boundary of the racetrack itself (complete details are available online at www.ASA-Racing.com).
“It is an honor to add Desoto Super Speedway to the family of American Speed Association Member Tracks given their history and prominence in the short track world,” said Dennis Huth, president of Racing Speed Associates which owns the American Speed Association. “John understands that he is partnering with the real American Speed Association and feels that we are going to help him continue to be a leader in the motorsports community. I am going to do everything possible to make sure he gets more out of the ASA than he is anticipating.”
To learn more of the Daytona Beach, Fla.-based ASA Racing Member Track program, call (386) 258-2221 or send an e-mail to info@asa-racing.com. For news and information from all the racetracks and regional tours involved in the ASA, visit www.ASA-Racing.com.
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