ACS 2002 season reviews

Dave Brown Crowned ASC Champion Again.

With four races remaining on the 2002 American Stockcar Challenge (ASC) calendar Dave Brown of Castro Valley California clinched his second Championship title and continued his dominance in this popular traveling West Coast series. Ironically, Brown sat out those last few races after his motor of over three seasons finally expired. But having the Championship in the bag, he spent the remainder of the season focusing his energy on prospects in the Southwest Tour.

Despite a string of victories towards the latter half of the season, Ken Stinnett of Tucson Arizona was unable to overcome Brown's points tally accumulated earlier in the season. Rounding out the podium was Dave Arnheiter of Los Alamitos California who ran consistently in the top five throughout the season.

This semi- professional road racing series is hosted by the National Auto Sport Association (NASA) and the 2002 schedule called for 20 races held over 10 weekends throughout West Coast tracks such as Infineon/Sears Point, Thund erhill, Buttonwillow, Willow Springs, and Las Vegas Speedway. Many of the races were held jointly with similar race groups such as GTA, ProFormance, ProTrucks, and NASA's own American Iron. Early season plans had called for several races to be televised and held jointly with Mechanix Wear Speed Trucks, until last minute schedule changes prevented this from happening.

With close racing for the budget conscious racer as it's primary goal, this spec series features late model stockcars powered by identically sealed GM ZZ4 crate motors, spec Goodyear tires and minimum weight requirements. By theoretically equalizing the cars, the emphasis is on driving ability rather than large budgets. This format has proven to be quite successful judging from the roster of drivers who come from states as far as Arizona, Nevada and New Mexico. And with their backgrounds in ASA, Southwest Tour, Winston West, Irwindale late models, FIA, SCCA's World Challenge, Porsche Club Racing, Pro7, and even karting, the racing is always exciting.

Sources indicate that the 2003 schedule will prove to be one of the most exciting yet, with races tentatively scheduled at Reno Nevada's Fernley Raceway, Arizona Motorsports Park, two "Roval" circuits (California Speedway and Las Vegas Speedway), in addition to the road courses in California. Over the winter, ASC officials are also looking into a "relaxing" of certain technical rules in the interest of further lowering the cost to run in the series. To find out more about ASC, visit the official website at: www.ascracing.com <pre> 2002 American Stockcar Challenge Championship Top 10: 1) #11 Dave Brown (Castro Valley CA)- Bugformance MotorSports Chevy Monte Carlo 2) #43 Ken Stinnett (Tucson, AZ)- Sundance Racing Chevy Monte Carlo 3) #33 David Arnheiter (Los Alamitos, CA) Ideco Ford Thunderbird 4) #45 Steve Hoke (Redding, CA)- Northstate Truck Equipment Chevy Monte Carlo 5) #22 Jerry Brown (Santa Clara, CA)- Chevy Monte Carlo 6) #02 Robert Davis (Atascadero, CA)- Mobile Lube & Service Chevy Monte Carlo 7) #55 Ed Olchyski (Mayer, AZ)- Scottsdale Supercars Chevy Monte Carlo 8) #28 Chris Strom (San Carlos, CA)- Ross Auto Chevy Monte Carlo 9) #96 Mike Tolman (Richmond, CA)- Yorks Motorwerke Pontiac Grand Prix 10) #60 Steve Carvajal (Anthony, NM)- Sundance Racing Chevy Monte Carlo

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