Herzog Motorsports Pre-Season Testing

Sussex, WI - Although the first race of the American Speed Association ACDelco Series season isn't for another two months, the Herzog Motorsports team is working diligently to make sure everything will be ready when they head to Lakeland, Florida for the season opener at the USA International Speedway on March 26th.

Herzog Motorsports drivers Rick Johnson, 1999 Pat Schauer Memorial Rookie of the Year, and Mark E. Dismore, 2000 Rookie of the Year candidate, are preparing for the 2000 season by testing their Chevrolet Monte Carlos starting February 1st and 2nd at Lanier National Speedway in Gainesville, Georgia. Following those two days of practice will be testing on February 4th and 5th at Hickory (NC) Motor Speedway. The team will attend the open ASA practice session to take place March 10-13 at USA International Speedway in Lakeland, Florida. In addition, Herzog Motorsports will also test at Montgomery (AL) Motor Speedway in the days following the test in Florida.

The test session will come as a great learning experience for Dismore who hasn't competed in a full-bodied stock car. Dismore joins Herzog Motorsports and the ASA ACDelco Series from the open wheel ranks of the United States Formula Ford 2000 Series, where he finished 3rd in points in his rookie season last year. Dismore, whose father is Indy Racing League driver Mark A. Dismore, is eager to get underway.

"I've set myself up for a big learning curve this year, but I feel confident I'll be able to handle it," Dismore said. "I have one of the best crew chiefs in ASA with Howie Lettow. His record speaks for itself. The tests will give me the chance to learn these cars, the new for 2000 BFGoodrich radial tires, and the new for 2000 GM Powertrain Vortec Red engines. I'm grateful for the opportunity Herzog Motorsports and my sponsor, Monster.com, have given me. I also have a great teammate in Rick Johnson, who is going to be able to help me throughout the year and at these test sessions to familiarize myself with these cars."

After capturing ASA Rookie of the Year honors in 1999, Johnson plans on raising the ante for 2000. Johnson's goal is the 2000 ASA ACDelco Series Championship. With backing from Nationwide Auction Systems, the team with newly appointed crew chief, Paul Christman, feels this is a reasonable objective to achieve.

"1999 was a good year, but 2000 will be a great year! We definitely expect some poles, wins, and the 2000 ASA ACDelco Series Championship. This team is capable of performing that well," Johnson said. "We had some fine runs last year so we've definitely got the essential package ready to contend for those types of runs this year with Herzog Motorsports and Nationwide Auction Systems. I'm also excited to have Mark Dismore joining us this year. Hopefully, I'll be able to help Mark keep the Herzog Rookie of the Year streak alive. " Herzog Motorsports captured the rookie driver award in 1998 with driver Jimmie Johnson and followed that up in 1999 with driver Rick Johnson.

The ASA ACDelco Series features a 20-race schedule in 2000 with ten new stops including Chicago Motor Speedway and Gateway International Raceway. The season opener is March 26, 2000 at USA International Speedway in Lakeland, Florida. The race gets underway at 12PM EST and is televised live on TNN.