Odessa race report

ODESSA, Mo. (June 18, 2001) - In what may have been the biggest story of Saturday night's ASARacing.com 300 held at I-70 Speedway in Odessa, Mo., Ryan Zeck, a newcomer to the American Speed Association (ASA), wowed the competition with his head-turning driving performance.

Zeck's qualifying run would be an indication of what was to come in the 300-lap feature. Twenty-five year-old Zeck, a native of Eureka, Calif., started the race in the sixth position after an impressive qualifying lap. With two lengthy cautions within the first 14 laps of the race, Ryan Zeck would have to wait patiently to make his move to the front of the field.

When green flag racing finally got under way, Zeck began his move to the front. As he was working to gain a position, Zeck drove the No. 22 Herzog Motorsports Chevrolet Monte Carlo down onto the apron where he got loose and spun around. Officials called the third caution of the day, which allowed Zeck to come down pit road for two fresh right side tires.

With the spin and unscheduled pit stop, the No. 22 Herzog Motorsports-entry fell in position, forcing Zeck to begin his charge from the back of the pack. Zeck was back up to the 20th position when Howie Lettow, crew chief of the No. 22, brought Zeck in on lap 70 for fresh left side BF Goodrich tires and fuel during the fourth caution of the night.

Zeck left the pits after his second stop, ready to make his charge. By lap 116, Herzog Motorsports had moved to the 12th position when the fifth caution flag flew at lap 117. When the leaders pitted, Lettow made the call for the No. 22 to stay on the track. At lap 121, Ryan Zeck took the lead in his very first ASA race.

Despite a field of drivers with fresher rubber, the No. 22 Herzog Motorsports Chevrolet Monte Carlo would lead the race until lap 194. At the sixth caution of the day, on lap 212, the No. 22 would enter pit road for the final time for some much needed fuel and right side tires. Zeck would continue to run in the top-10, trying to move back to the front of the field. At lap 253, Zeck's charge would be delayed by rain. The No. 22 would run in the seventh position under caution until lap 280. With only 20 laps to make his move, Zeck would have to settle for seventh when the checkered flag flew.

The ASA beginner was thankful for his opportunity to run for Herzog Motorsports. "Without the team owners, Randy and Stan Herzog, as well as this crew and Howie, I wouldn't have had the chance to know the extent of my driving talent, I had a great racecar which I can thank the No. 22 crew for that. This team is always capable of running up front and I am glad we were able to do that," stated Zeck.

Herzog Motorsports is a successful, championship-winning race team. Based in Charlotte, N.C., Milwaukee, Wis. and St. Joseph, Mo., Herzog Motorsports fields teams in the American Speed Association and the NASCAR Busch Series.

The American Speed Association will travel to Ohio for the next event on the 2001 schedule. The Toledo Speedway will host the ASA Series on Sunday, July 1. The National Network (TNN) will broadcast the race live beginning at 1:00 p.m. EST.

-I-70