November 15th ASA Late Model Series PR - November 4th 2008 - Lexington, MI A King’s Ransom will surely draw some of the top Champions to vie for the King of Short Track title. The ASA Late Model Series/Memphis Motorsports Park event on November 14th and 15th will have a cast of Champions that will rock the town of Memphis. They will travel from over 15 different states and come from many different backgrounds.

This will be round three of the O’Reilly’s Triple Challenge event and will close out the season for the ASA Late Model Series and many teams across the country. A Snapshot look at who’s who……..

Speed of Leicht “Stephen Leicht” will field the 29 car at the King’s Ransom 300 on November 15th. It is a pleasure to announce that Stephen Leicht our 2005 Champion will return to compete for this title. Stephen has made his name in the world of racing through sheer determination and flawless skill. Stephen Leicht will join Jeff Burton as the co-driver of Richard Childress Racing’s No. 29 Holiday Inn Chevrolet team for the 2009 NASCAR Nationwide Series season In 2005 Stephen ran in the ASA Late Model Series, and at 18 years of age Leicht won the year end Championship. During his championship season, Leicht compiled 5 victories and 5 runner up finishes; a great accomplishment at only 18 years of age.

Steve Carlson of Sparta, Wisconsin will also throw his hat in the ring and he is a strong favorite for the title of Short Track King. He’s won nine NASCAR Midwest Series late-model championships, several of which came when the series was known as the ARTGO Challenge Series. He has won hundreds of races, including victories with ASA and various other stock-car racing sanctioning bodies.

Fast Eddie Hoffman the current 2008 ASA Late Model Series North Champion may already be a king of short track by rights. Eddie has multiple championships throughout the Midwest and hundreds of wins. The King’s Ransom ‘King of Short Track’ Trophy will fit well on his mantle of fame.

The Kimmel name has been synonymous with racing for many years with nine-time ARCA RE/MAX Series Champion Frank Kimmel and his crew chief and brother Bill Kimmel. But another Kimmel is making a name for himself on the short tracks of Indiana--- 20-year old Will Kimmel. The son of Bill and nephew of Frank, Kimmel has earned an impressive 13 track championships and over 90 career wins. Will offers his fans pretty good odds at the win and the King of Short Track Title.

Don’t Rule out Robbie Pyle with several wins in the ASA Late Model Series. Pyle is a four-time champion of the ARCA Pro-4's. He has also gained experience in the Craftsman Truck, Southeast and Main Event Racing Series. He scored one ARCA victory at Kil-Kare Speedway in Ohio. Robbie also competed on a regular basis at Columbus Motor Speedway before advancing through the ranks. Robbie accomplished 47 career victories between 1991 and 1999.

Jimmy Lang hit the short track radar this season with the 2008 ASA Late Model Series South Championship and five wins in the division to boot. Jimmy has two crucial things needed for the win; determination and speed. He will compete against some seasoned veterans but it has been the year of Jimmy Lang in the south.

Top honors to Peter Cozzolino for his 2008 ASA Late Model Series Challenge Division Championship. Peter is nothing if he not consistent and 300 laps of racing may call on just that skill to out maneuver and out drive many of his short track peers to the finish line.

A well rounded contender Jeff Choquette will field a car from the Fountain Motorsports team. Jeff is the 2007 ASA Late Model South Series Champion and Rookie of the year. Jeff has multiple wins in his career and the win at Memphis would add to his healthy resume.

Another ASA Late Model Series Champion Jesse Smith will compete for the title. Jesse won the 2006 ASA Late Model Series North Division Championship and has continued to build his career in racing with the ARCA RE/MAX Series, in the no. 30 Lloyd's Barbeque-Spam-Hormel-Jones Group Dodge.

A surprise entry of Erik Darnell of Beach Park, IL could prove to be an upset for the ASA Late Model Series regulars. Erik will be driving the 76 Lorz Motorsports car for his 1st start in an ASA Late Model Series event. Darnell is a former Craftsman Truck Rookie of the year and will surely test the metal of the other teams in attendance.

What’s the buzz in short track? Logan Ruffin of Brentwood, TN. Logan took all of us by surprise when he competed in the 2008 Speedweeks at New Smyrna Speedway and became the youngest Speedweeks Champion in the World Series’ 42-year history.

The 2007 ASA Late Model Series Northern Division Champion Trent Snyder hopes to see the King’s Ransom 300 rocket his way back to the top. Trent has an amazing ability to drive the wheels off a car and tenacity to take it to the lead.

One driver that is sure to be a favorite of many is Sean Murphy of SS Greenlight Racing. Sean has won the first two events; O’Reilly’s Raceway Park in April and Salem Speedway in July. The final event of the Triple Crown will be at Memphis Motorsports Park. The O’Reilly’s Triple Crown Challenge is a three event Challenge that offered any team that could win all three events a chance at $100,000 payout. It looks like Sean will have plenty of competition standing between him and this final win.

Dave Gentile whose hero is Alan Kulwicki and whose motto is ‘Racing is my Life’ took the USPRO Division Championship this season as well as competed full time in the ASA Late Model Series North Division. Memphis could prove to be a good day for this driver.

Another rising star would be the 2008 ASA Late Model Series South Rookie of the Year, Justin Larson. In 1997, Justin began racing on the national level in the World Karting Association. Before his departure from WKA, he would claim seven National Championships, 11 State Championships, 10 Grand National Championships and 29 Fast Time awards. This is just the beginning for Justin Larson, remember that name; you are sure to see it around.

Chris Eggleston an ASA Late Model Series North regular stands among the Champions of the day. Chris is no stranger to racing having won Championships, Rookie Titles, and numerous events in everything from Quarter Midgets, to Legends, to Late Models in his career.

The Dark horse pick for ‘Short Track King’ could be Ross Kenseth. The 15 year old son of 2003 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion, Matt Kenseth has already trod on the road to success with a 2008 Fall Classic Championship at Madison and Rookie of the Year title with the Big 8 Series. Some drivers were just born to race.

The King’s Ransom 300 will showcase the Champion of Champions and at the end of the day will produce the 2008 “King of Short Track”. The caliber of drivers entered will mirror some of the top events in short track history.

For a complete entry list and event details, visit our site at www.asalatemodels.com and click on “Up Next”.

Tickets for the event can be purchased at the gate, pre ordered through Memphis Motorsports Park or the ASA Late Model Series Office at all the 107 Memphis are participating O’Reilly’s Auto Parts Stores.

To find out more about our upcoming season check back to our site at www.asalatemodels.com, www.asalatemodelsnorth.com, www.asalatemodelsnorth.com or call 800-385-2503. We are working towards once again having the best teams, partners and tracks as part of our 2009 program and will continue to grow as ‘America’s Premier Short Track Series


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