PENDLETON, Ind. (March 3, 2004) -- Long recognized as a leader in stock car safety, the American Speed Association has announced that they are creating the first safety team that will be owned by a stock car sanctioning body. This team plans to debut at the May 1 ASA National Tour event at Lanier National Speedway.

The ASA safety team will initially consist of six men, led by Scott Isaacs, and a truck loaded with the latest in rescue and firefighting technology. The plan is to eventually add more staff and vehicles as funding becomes available. For now, this team will take the lead in rescue operations and direct the local track safety personnel.

"This is a milestone announcement for both ASA and stock car racing," said Steve Dale, ASA president/CEO. "It will be a tremendous benefit to our competitors to have the same safety team at every National Tour event. Our drivers can go out on the track knowing that the ASA Safety Team is there and these are people who know both the
vehicles and drivers inside and out and are a constant at each and every race. I hope that the racing community will view this initiative as a positive step forward and other series will follow our lead in this area."

The six team members are Isaacs, Danny Kelly, Shaun Johnson, Danny Strong, Josh Halstead and Mike Manley. Each works professionally as a paramedic, EMT, firefighter or possesses a combination of these skills.

ASA also named Dr. Charles Miramonti as the medical director for the safety team. Miramonti comes from the Level I trauma center at Wishard Memorial Hospital in Indianapolis.

"We are fortunate to have obtained such a highly-trained group of rescue professionals," said Isaacs, ASA safety director. "Each is trained in the latest techniques, and have some of the best equipment that is available on the market today. In the event of any incident that may happen this year, I am confident that the drivers will have the best care possible."

The ASA Safety Team would not have been made possible without the support of Rosenbauer America, which donated the Fire Fighting Vehicle. American Rescue Technologies provided rescue equipment and Fire Service Plus endowed the program with the latest in firefighting aids.

ASA has consistently put safety at the forefront. It is among the first stock car series to mandate the use of head-and-neck restraint systems. Lexan windows, a common center section, the six-point harness and the on-board audible alert system are just a few
examples of ASA's other initiatives.

The ASA Safety Team has already started training as a unit at the ASA headquarters in preparation for the upcoming season.

The American Speed Association is based in Pendleton, Ind., and has offered stock car racing programs since 1968, including the ASA National Tour, ASA Late Model Series and ASA Member Track programs. For additional information, visit asaracing.com.



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