Kevin Cywinski signs multi-year arrangement

Cywinski agrees to multi-year arrangement with Country Joe

Pendleton, Ind. (September 23, 2003) -- Kevin Cywinski, the current point's leader in the 2003 ASA Racing Series, has agreed to a multi-year extension with his working arrangement at Country Joe Racing of Lakeville, Minn.

Team Manager Dick Melius made the announcement and said there is no timeline for the extension. "Kevin has great organizational skills and will help mold our team's future," said Melius. "The agreement is more than just having Kevin return as a driver. He's an important part of our future planning and development of Joey Miller (ASA Rookie candidate in 2004). He will continue to coordinate research and development for the entire Country Joe Racing operation." Country Joe Racing has what is considered one of the premier racing shops in the ASA Racing Series. They are adding a third building to the establishment and it is targeted for completion sometime in October.

The 38 year-old Cywinski has made 126 starts in his ASA career with 14 wins included among rookie of the year and championship honors accorded him in 1996 and '97. His four wins in 2003 have helped propel him to a 149 point lead over Butch Miller at the top of the ASA Racing Series driver standings heading into the Pep Boys 300 presented by Greased Lightning Orange Blast at Salem Speedway on Saturday, October 4.

Team owner Joe Miller says Cywinski is in the long term plans for his racing company. "I've never met a guy like Kevin with his strong work ethic," said Miller. "He leads by example and that is exactly the kind of presence we need for over the long term."

Cywinski competed in the Craftsman Truck and Busch Series in 1998 and 1999 following his ASA Championship season. "I stayed in touch with Dick Melius during those years I went down south to compete," said Cywinski. "We've always hit it off in that if one guy is thinking about one thing the other has been able to continue that thought process."

Both Wisconsin natives, Cywinski and Melius first worked together in racing around mid- season 1996 when Melius served as Racing Director for the Tecumseh Products Company. The prominent small engine manufacturer sponsored the Cywinski piloted entry of LaFavre Racing from mid '96 through the '97 championship season.

"Working with both Dick and Joe Miller has brought us to some genuinely exciting plans taking shape and I'm glad I'll be part of that in the long term," said Cywinski. "The stability that our team has shown over the years, although this being the first year that Joe has primarily been the owner of the company, I think we've come a long way already and hopefully there will be many successful years to come."

Regarding the long term, Cywinski seems to have a strong vision of where he might fit in the motorsports realm. "Years ago the only thing on my plate that I cared about was driving," he said. "There are some opportunities in the future that when I decide to drive less or not at all I'll have important things to concern myself with. Right now I don't expect any change in that area for quite a while."

Cywinski and his wife Traci have two daughters, Cara (2 in November) and Marina (1 in January).

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