LM: Michael Gaier to run partial schedule

Michael Gaier to run a partial ASA Late Model Series Presented by GM Performance Parts schedule in 2005.

After spending the first two years of his young career behind the wheel of a Michigan Modified, Michael Gaier will take an important step thus far of his career as the 17-year-old Coldwater MI pilot will get behind the wheel of a full fendered, template body/crate engine package for the 2005 season.

During the 2005 season, Gaier will run a limited schedule in the ASA Late Model Series Presented by GM Performance Parts in hopes of gaining enough experience for a full run at the Pat Bourdow Memorial Rookie of the Year title during the 2006 season.

"Due to limited sponsorship, we're going to stay close to home this season and gain experience in a full bodied template Late Model." Said Gaier when asked about his plans for the 2005 season. "We'll run five ASA Late Model shows so we can keep our rookie eligibility for a full run in 2006."

Gaier looks to make his ASA Late Model appearances at Calhoun County (MI) Speedway, which is his home track. Michael also plans on running the ASA Late Model events at the Kalamazoo (MI) Speedway, the last two events at Baer Field (IN) Speedway, and one final appearance far from home at the Rockford (IL) Speedway during the National Short Track Championships.

Gaier started racing in 1997 racing Go-Karts. Right away he was a standout on the karting scene, over a five year career in Karts, he racked up over 40 wins, 96 top fives, and 147 top tens.

In 2001 Michael won the MPC Kart Championship, he also scored the 2001 Pepsi series Championship. Gaier's education in Karts really started paying off, when he began his open wheel career in the Michigan Modifieds division in 2003. Michael won the Rookie of the Year award at the Spartan (MI) Speedway in Mason MI while collecting two feature wins during his freshman year, he also made on appearance at Owosso (MI) Speedway as well as the Kalamazoo (MI) Speedway where he won a B Main event during a USA Modifieds show there.

In 2004 Gaier branched out to the Calhoun County (MI) Speedway as well as staying at Spartan for another season. The Coldwater MI driver did not suffer a sophomore jinx as he picked up two more feature wins, this time coming at Calhoun County, as well as winning the Sportsman of the Year award at Spartan while finishing 11th in points. Overall Gaier racked up 11 top fives as well as an impressive 17 top 10s during the 2004 season.

Plans call for Gaier to compete in five ASA Late Model Series events during the 2005 season to keep his rookie eligibility intact in anticipation of a full season in 2006 where he will run for the Pat Bourdow Memorial Rookie of the Year title. In the meantime, Gaier will run a full season with the M.I.S.S. Superpro series based at the Calhoun County (MI) Speedway, where the second event of the ASA Late Model Series season will be held, the Snap-On Tools 100. Michael will also run select CRA Super Series events as well.

Gaier's Howe Racing Enterprises Chevrolet Monte Carlo will come into the 2005 season sponsored by Elkhart Products Corporation as well as holdover sponsors from his Michigan Modified days, American Copper and Brass as well as the Oatey Corporation and Durapex by CPI.

For more information on Michael Gaier, click onto his website at: gaiermotorsports.tripod.com.

For information on the upcoming 2005 season for the ASA Late Model Series Presented by GM Performance Parts, click onto: www.asalatemodels.com

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