LM: Jesse Saunders to run partial schedule

Jesse Saunders to run over half of the 2005 ASA Late Model Series Presented by GM Performance Parts schedule.

For any driver, there is no such thing as too much seat time. That's why Jesse Saunders is looking forward to the 2005 season. Saunders and his JWS Racing team have decided to run a select number of ASA Late Model Series Presented by GM Performance Parts events during the 2005 racing season. "I think our program is suited for this, originally, we wanted to run almost all of the ASA Late Model series races, but our budget is too limited for that." Said Saunders when asked about his 2005 plans.

In addition to his ASA Late Model series schedule, Jesse will run the entire 2005 Madison (WI) International Speedway season in their ASA Late Model Division, modeled after the series. "Most of the sponsors showed interest in running weekly at Madison and a few others liked the idea of running the ASA touring series. Our plan should be the best for both worlds." Continued the 19-year-old. "This year we have hopefully stepped up our program by building a new car and putting all new parts on it. I think that is going to help, especially for a five-month, non-stop season."

Saunders and JWS Racing are keeping an optimistic idea for the future. "I think 2005 will be a very educational season. Hopefully some good momentum will propel us to running a full season in 2006 with the ASA Late Model Series." Saunders adds, "For now, we are going to take it one race at a time."

During the 2004 season, the New Glarus, Wisconsin driver, finished ninth in the season long points chase in the ASA Late Models Division at Madison WI while qualifying in the top 10 for the prestigious Miller Nationals also held at Madison. In June 2004, Jesse graduated from New Glarus High School.

Over a career that began at just the tender age of nine years old in 1995, his spent most of his early career in Go-Karts and was a two-time US820 Mini Series champion and a competitor in the Midwest Sprint Series. He set the record for most wins in a single season by winning six of the nine events held that year. He finished ninth in the national points. In 2001, Saunders traded a helmet for wrenches as he became a pit crew member for a local team at Madison International Speedway. The year was used to learn about stock car racing in hopes for a debut in 2002.

In April 2002, Jesse took the next step and raced his first year in a full-bodied stock car. During his rookie season in the Late Model division at the Jefferson (WI) Speedway, Saunders collected four wins including the UAW Local 95 feature event. At only 16 years old, he became the youngest driver to ever score a feature win at the track. Saunders moved up again for the 2003 season and into the Super Late Model division at Madison WI. Jesse made 15 starts in his rookie season with 13 top 15 finishes and despite missing five weeks of racing still captured the rookie of the year title.

For the upcoming 2005 season, Saunders will pilot a Chevrolet Monte Carlo carrying sponsorship from Werner Electric Supply, Miller and Sons Supermarket, Glarnerladen Antiques and Collectibles, AJ Lienhardt Realtor, Sprecher Custom Homes, The Pump Connection Inc., Roger Nodorft Construction, Soil Essentials, Gordie Boucher Collision Repair and Paint Center, New Glarus Welding, John Swenson CPA, Paoli Pub, and Pathfinder Chassis.

For more information on the JWS Racing Team, visit his website at: www.jwsracing.com.

The 2005 ASA Late Model Series Presented by GM Performance Parts championship title chase begins on May 6-7, at the Baer Field (IN) Speedway in Fort Wayne, Indiana for the running of the UB Machine 100. 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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