LMS: Pre-season news 2007-02-14

ASA Late Model Series Press Releases for Wednesday February 14,

1. Motor Mile (VA) Speedway is all set for the ASALMS Challenge Division and the Virginia/Radfest 200 on Friday and Saturday July 20-21, 2007.

Lexington, Michigan (02/14/2007): The crown jewel of the ASA Late Model Series Presented by GM Performance Parts, the ASALMS Challenge Division is shaping up to be the biggest and most competitive traveling series in the entire United States. The series "Where Champions Race" will embark on a vast array of speed plants throughout the country testing their skills at some of the most challenging race tracks in the entire country.

From as far West as Texas, to as far South as Florida, up North into Canada and all parts in between, the ASALMS Challenge Division is practically nationwide for the Fifth Anniversary 2007 season as another immaculate facility has stepped up to the plate and has booked an ASALMS Challenge Division event during the summer of 2007.

The ASALMS Challenge Division will head down to the beautiful Motor Mile (VA) Speedway, located South of the Virginia/West Virginia border and Southwest of Roanoke in Radford, Virginia on Friday and Saturday July 20-21, 2007 for the Virginia 200. The eighth race of the 2007 season for the ASALMS Challenge Division.

"This was one race track I've always wanted to go too since we started expanding from the Midwest back in the days of the USPRO Cup Series. Then our ASALMS South show last year was just great, so it was only natural to bring the ASALMS Challenge Division to Motor Mile." ASALMS Co-Founder/President, Ron Varney said. "This show will also give a sneak preview to the area fans of what's in store for them when we go to Bristol Motor Speedway two weeks later." Varney stated!

"We're looking forward to the ASA Late Model Series return to the Motor Mile Speedway and especially the Challenge Division." Stated Randy Merriman, the Director of Competition for the Radford, Virginia speed plant. "If the race in 2007 is as exciting as the ASALMS South show was in 2006, our fans will definitely get their money's worth that's for sure!" Merriman added.

2. 1st annual Bob Milner Memorial 125 for the ASALMS Northern Division highlights the Memorial Day Holiday Weekend at Grundy County (IL) Speedway.

Lexington, Michigan (02/14/2007): The ASA Late Model Series Presented by GM Performance Parts mourned the loss of a devoted official and a dear friend of the entire short track racing community back on August 31, 2006 when Bob Milner, the Official Photographer of the ASALMS, passed away due to a massive heart attack.

Milner, who resided in Angola, Indiana, was a dedicated ASALMS Official as well as a dear and devoted friend, to not only the ASALMS family, but to the entire racing community. He was 63 years old when he passed is survived by his wife, Claudette, as well four children and 11 grandchildren!

The last three seasons of his 40 plus years of award winning photography, was spent with the ASALMS and during the 2006 season, primarily with the ASALMS Challenge and Northern Divisions. Milner also filled in with the ASALMS Southern Division when his schedule allowed. Milner was widely regarded as one of the best in the entire country in the Motorsports Photography field.

New ASALMS Official Photographer, Chuck Gonzalez has graciously stepped up and has admirably filled a void left behind with Milner's passing. The ASALMS has not, nor will it ever forget Milner and all he did for the entire ASALMS as well as short track stock car racing in general. With that in mind, the ASALMS will honor the former Photographer with a Memorial race dedicated to his memory beginning with the 2007 season.

Over the Memorial Day Holiday Weekend on Saturday May 26, 2007, the ASALMS Northern Division will head to the Grundy County (IL) Speedway, located West of Chicago in Morris, Illinois for the running of the 1st annual Bob Milner Memorial 125. The second race of the 2007 season for the ASALMS Northern Division.

3. Turn One High Performance Steering Systems steps up to the plate as a Contingency Sponsor within all three divisions of the ASALMS for 2007.

Lexington, Michigan (02/14/2007): The ASA Late Model Series Presented by GM Performance Parts is closing in fast on the Fifth Anniversary 2007 Season. The crown jewel of the ASALMS, the Challenge Division, kicks off the 2007 campaign in just over two weeks in San Antonio, Texas and the ASALMS Southern Division isn't far behind and the ASALMS Northern Division season is on the horizon.

As the ASALMS family of sponsors continues to grow, the series "Where Champions Race" couldn't be more pleased with the support that's coming from the series home base in the great state of Michigan as another fellow Great Lakes State company has signed on for upcoming Fifth Anniversary Season.

For the 2007 season, Turn One High Performance Steering Systems, based in Saginaw, Michigan, has signed on with the ASALMS for the Fifth Anniversary 2007 season as a proud Contingency Sponsor within all three divisions and for all events throughout the upcoming year.

In addition, Turn One will also be a Presented Sponsor during the 3rd annual Mid-Michigan Doubles Weekend! The ASALMS Northern Division's doubleheader weekend is set for Friday August 17, 2007 at the Dixie (MI) Motor Speedway, near-by Turn One's home base of Saginaw in Birch Run, Michigan and Saturday August 18, 2007 at the Owosso (MI) Speedway, also near-by Saginaw, an hour Southwest of Turn One in Ovid, Michigan.

"We're very happy that yet another fine Michigan based company has joined the ASALMS family for the Fifth Anniversary 2007 season." Remarked ASALMS Co-Founder/President, Ron Varney. "Our Participating Manufacturers Program (PMP) Partners and Continency Sponsors for our Fifth Anniversary Season are second to none. I very pleased with all the support that continues to come in for the ASALMS." Varney ended.

4. Roberts Racing Engines back on board as a Certified Engine Rebuild Center for the ASA Late Model Series Southern Division.

Lexington, Michigan (02/14/2006): In the ASA Late Model Series Presented by GM Performance Parts, a Certified Engine Rebuild Center is definitely a plus when it comes to the teams of the ASALMS and their engine needs. Having a reputable business who specializes in the engine department is certainly beneficial when it comes to the crate engines concept utilized by the ASALMS.

Having an engine business within a reasonable proximity to the teams is another important step; For the 2007 season, Roberts Racing Engines, based in Mooresville, North Carolina, has been tabbed as a Certified Engine Rebuild Center for the ASALMS Southern Division for the second consecutive season.

"We're very happy to have Roberts Racing Engines on board as an engine rebuild Center for the ASALMS Southern Division once again." Offered ASALMS Co-Founder/President, Ron Varney. "It's a very good deal for the drivers down South to be able to go somewhere close to get all of their engine needs taken care of." He added.

"We at Roberts Racing Engines are very excited about our involvement with the ASALMS once again for 2007. We think it's the future of short track racing and we can relate to its professional approach plus the way its competitor friendly." Added Keith Roberts, of Roberts Racing Engines. "I can clearly see that the ASALMS organization has well thought out and effective set of rules as far as engines are concerned and we are happy to be a part of that." Roberts added.

Roberts Racing Engines is an independent engine shop that has a background of over 20 years in the business. Their history includes doing NASCAR Busch Series Engines since 1995. Some of their more known customers include Ward Burton, Tony Stewart, Jeremy Mayfield and Elton Sawyer.

-credit: asa