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LM: Cozzolino Motorsports ready for 2005

Cozzolino Motorsports plans call for an all out assault on the ASA Late Model Series Presented by GM Performance Parts 2005 season. With the demise of the ASA National Tour, drivers from that series have been searching for a series or even a ...

Cozzolino Motorsports plans call for an all out assault on the ASA Late Model Series Presented by GM Performance Parts 2005 season.

With the demise of the ASA National Tour, drivers from that series have been searching for a series or even a local track to call home in 2005. Hoosier State veteran, Peter Cozzolino and ASA Late Model Series Pat Bourdow Memorial Rookie of the Year candidate, Brent Downey have formed a two-car team that will compete in all 16 points shows that make up the ASA Late Model Series Presented by GM Performance Parts events in 2005.

The team and its cars will be maintained at the Cozzolino Motorsports shop in the Indianapolis. The car that Cozzolino will be driving, as well as a second team car, other than Downey's ride, that will debut later in the season, are owned by Joshua Cave. "I am just so excited about running in the ASA Late Model Series in 2005."Said Cozzolino when asked about the upcoming season." With everything that happened in 2004 with the ASA National Tour, it wasn't very fun. Everyone I talk to about the ASA Late Model Series says what fun it is and what a relaxed family atmosphere it is, I can't wait. Monetarily this made sense for me and my family, as my wife and I recently had our first child." stated Cozzolino.

During the 2004 season with the now defunct ASA National Tour, Peter struggled a bit in the early going, and other than an eighth place showing in the second race of the season, the struggles showed in his early season results. But after some personnel changes were made, he overcame those obstacles and the second half of the season was much better. Overall, he finished 13th in the final ASA NT points standings with three top 10 finishes. Cozzolino recorded a season high sixth place showing at what turned out to be the final ASA NT event at Atlanta (GA) Motor Speedway.

Peter's racing career began in the Formula Ford Series and later the SCCA series, before settling in with open wheeled machines. After working for John Bickford, who is Four-time NASCAR Winston (Now Nextel) Cup champion, Jeff Gordon's step-father, Peter bought a sprint car and ran with the USAC Sprint Series as well as the SOD (Now Auto Value Super Sprints) Series off and on for three and a half years. Cozzolino then went to work for former ASA National Tour star, Joe Nott and his Nott Motorsports team with the late, Chris Bradley at the helm. The career moved required Peter to move up to Michigan. It was in 1998 that Cozzolino began his full fendered stock car racing program. He later became a part of the Crookston Motorsports program out of Kalamazoo, Michigan.

Cozzolino's accomplishments included an ASA NT Rookie of the Year runner-up finish to current NASCAR Nextel Cup star Jimmie Johnson during that 1998 season. In 1999, Peter moved to the Sunoco Super Series (Now CRA Super Series), capturing Rookie of the Year honors. During this time frame, Peter had moved back to the Hoosier State and helped build and develop what is now the CARS Series based out of Anderson, Indiana. He finished third in CRA points in 2001, posting three victories. In 2002, Peter returned to the ASA National Tour and in 2003 scored his first career ASA victory at Indianapolis (IN) Raceway Park. He later added a second victory in three events at Berlin (MI) Raceway in August 2003. He placed 10th in the final point standings, posting two top-five finishes and five top 10s.

As for having a teammate, Cozzolino feels it'll be beneficial to the team in the long run. "We can try a lot of different things a lot quicker and the best information we can find out, we can apply to both cars. That to me is invaluable!" Stated Cozzolino. "This series is going to be so tough, the competition will be top notch, it definitely will not be an easy series to win in." Continued the Avon, Indiana driver. "There is some great competition coming in this year as well as all the returning drivers. We just hope to win a few races and be in the hunt for the series championship." Ended Cozzolino.

2005 ASA Late Model series Pat Bourdow Memorial Rookie of the Year contender, Brent Downey is also pumped about the upcoming season. "To team up with a veteran like Peter is only going to make us stronger, also being able to share set up's and race strategy will be a key to our team winning races right out of the box" commented Downey.

Also a former competitor with the ASA NT between 2002-2004, Downey boasts a career high seventh at Lake Erie (PA) Speedway in 2004 on the National tour in limited appearances during that time span. Brent started racing at the age of five in Quarter Midgets and notched numerous victories. Downey was the 1999 Legend Cars Young Lions National Points Champion and was also the Kendall Oil Indiana Late Models Sportsman of the Year in 2000 in his rookie season in a full-bodied stock car. Brent finished eighth in points in 2001 in what is now the CRA Super Series.

For the 2005 season, Cozzolino's Lefthander Chassis Chevrolet Monte Carlo will be one of the top teams to watch in the upcoming season in the ASA Late Model Series. Cozzolino will carry sponsorship during the year from McDonald's as well as A&A Manufacturing and Greystone Concrete. '

Downey's Lefthander Chevrolet Monte Carlo out of the Cozzolino Motorsports stable will have sponsorship decals from Lucas Oil Products, Commonwealth Engineers Inc., and Generac Generators. For more information on the upcoming 2005 season with the ASA Late Model Series Presented by GM Performance Parts, log onto: www.asalatemodels.com

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