ASC vs ProTruck round one summary

American Stockcar Challenge vs ProTruck- Round 1 at Phoenix Int'l
Round 1: Feb 21 -22, 2004

The race weekend at Phoenix was beautiful until Sunday when the rain took our fun away. However Saturday was the perfect day for racing and NASA put on an awesome event. The morning started out with a symphony of spinning trucks ahhh the sound of squealing tires. The combination of a green track and experimental lockers caused morning practice to be quite the spectator event. Both the trucks and stock cars had a great session. The outcome of practice was some flat spotted tires and a good time.

Qualifying was perfect! The track was warming up the air was cool all ingredients for a fast qualifying time. Everyone looked fast especially Ed Ochylski with the #55 ASC car sat on the pole (Congrats to Ed the only one to break into the 1:04 time bracket). Following Ed was Jim Swartzbaugh in a Protruck. The ASC V.S. Protruck challenge is shaping up to be very exciting.

In the main race on Saturday the pack was caught off guard by the quick start however the dreaded turn one only broke in Ken Stinnett's new paint job despite everyone's cold tires and brakes. Jim Swartzbaugh Truck #17 jumped out to an early lead followed by the pole sitter Ed Ochylski Car #55. At about the third lap Jim Swartzbaugh #17 dropped out of the race due to electrical problems which left Ed Ochylski in the lead followed by Ken Stinnett #31 and Nathan Swartzbaugh #57. The race got exciting towards the end when Nathan Swartzbaugh made his move on Stinnett moving him into 2 nd behind Ed Ochylski #55. The race ended with Ed Ochylski(ASC) in first, Nathan Swartzbaugh (PRTRK)in second followed by Ken Stinnet(PRTRK), then Steve Carvajal(ASC) and Manuel Gil del Real(ASC) to finish off the top five. The weekend was a success everyone went home in one piece not to mention having one hell of a time. If the rest of the season is as exciting as this race we are in for a good fun time. Good luck to everyone at California Speedway.

-rrr-