| |
It's time for 20 Questions with the ASA Late Model Series Co-Founder /
President, Ron Varney.
By: Matt Prieur-ASA Late Model Series
ASA Late Model Series Co-Founder/President, Ron Varney. (ASALMS File
Photo)
Lexington, Michigan (01/01/2008): The ASA Late Model Series Presented by
GM Performance Parts prepares for a very exciting 2008 Season within all four
divisions of the Lexington, Michigan based series.
The ASALMS Challenge, Northern, and Southern Divisions and the return of
the USPRO Cup Series will all highlight the action packed Sixth Year of
existence!
As for the 2008 Regular Seasons in the ASALMS and USPRO Cup Series, the
complete schedules for all four divisions are as of Sunday December 31, 2007
at 11:59p.m. (EST) and are all available on all ASALMS websites.
In what has become an ASALMS tradition to begin each season, ASALMS
Director of Media/Public Relations-Public Address Announcer, Matt Prieur,
once again sat down with ASALMS Founder/President, Ron Varney to talk
about the upcoming 2008 season as well as other various items of interest.
As always in the theme of 20 Questions, no punches were pulled and some
light was shed on quite a few topics;
Question 1. Let’s start the 3rd annual 20 Questions with Ron Varney with a
simple question; Heard any good rumors lately?
Answer 1. I really don’t put much stock into rumors; I hear different things
almost daily, and only a small percentage actually come to be. But here are a
few good ones that may have some merit;
I hear Landon Cassill is putting a car together and may run a few shows, also
hear David Stremme and Stephen Leicht are doing the same.
I also heard that former Busch Series Rookie of the year, Glenn Allen Jr., may
return next year as a driver at select shows. I guess that’s why we call them
rumors, because until they happen we just never know.
Q2. Looking around at just about every traveling series in the country, most of
them have a title sponsor, yet the ASA Late Model Series keeps on going
strong without one. I’m sure you’d certainly wouldn’t mind tagging on a
companies’ name to the series, but why is it so hard to obtain one in this day
and age?
A2. That is no easy answer to that question! Several of the companies that
sponsor us are very close dollar wise to what it would cost to be a title
sponsor, but are happy with their current placement.
I also feel that the ASA Late Model Series is a brand unto itself. It seems that
all around the country people refer to crate motor classes as ASA “type” Late
Models. With that said, eventually we will have to get a title sponsor to help us
reach the levels we want too.
Q3. With your well known dislike for any type of Message Boards, why on
Earth did you agree to create an Official ASALMS Message Board?
A3. Just because I don’t like message boards, does it mean they can’t be
useful. Most of the time you have 2 or 3 pot stirrers who like to cause trouble,
but overall if you keep the board monitored, people can have constructive
discussions on topics of interest.
Q4. How proud were you when the last NASCAR Busch Series (Now NASCAR
Nationwide Series) race at the Memphis (TN) Motorsports Park back in
October featured 10 drivers who called the ASA Late Model Series home at
one time or another?
A4. I also look to see how our drivers are doing once they move up, I talk with
Stephen Leicht as often as I can, and I also keep in touch with Landon Cassill.
I really wish I could keep in touch Kelly Bires, but we fell out of contact and I
have never been able to get in touch with him since.
James Buescher, John Wes Townley and Richard Johns have all moved on
through the series and I am proud to watch them have success in other levels
of the sport.
Q5. Explain to everyone how it’s all going to work with Three of the Four
ASALMS divisions (The ASALMS Challenge and Northern Divisions and the
USPRO Cup Series) all in action at the O’Reilly (IN) Raceway Park at
Indianapolis on April 25-26, 2008 during the ASA Late Model Series Spring
Nationals; How on Earth will impound procedures work that weekend and will
teams need Three (3) cars if they want to run all three divisions?
A5. That really is the question isn’t it. In all honesty we don’t know if it will work,
this is one really big experiment. While the exact format hasn’t been totally
worked out, I envision it something like this;
Practice, Qualifying, and Race for the ASALMS North on Friday, along with
Practice for both USPRO and the ASALMS Challenge on Friday. Then
Practice, Qualifying, and Race on Saturday for the ASALMS Challenge and
USPRO.
Q6. The ever popular questions with regards to Television keep popping up all
over. What is the status for Television in 2008 for the ASA Late Model Series?
A6. While we are still exploring our options for 2008, my gut tells me there will
be no TV next year. We are still under contract with Rick Benjamin for TV in 08
but he has since signed a deal to televise another competing series of ours
and I’m not sure that I want to contend with what I feel is a huge conflict of
interest. We are exploring some webcast options and also streaming video for
the track.
Q7. How did the idea to be a part of SpeedFest 2008 come about and what will
be different about this event compared to a regular ASALMS race?
A7. Well I owe all the credit for that to R.J. Scott from CRA. He called me one
day and asked if I’d be interested in being a part of Speedfest, and since we
have been trying to get our foot in the door at Lakeland we agreed.
The race will run under the direction CRA and FASCAR; however the ASALMS
will have tech officials there to tech the crate motor portion with ASALMS tech
rules in place.
Q8. Did you ever think that the ASALMS Southern Division would grow so fast
as it did from 2006 to 2007 and why do you think it did?
A8. Yes I really did! I’m a little biased here, but I feel we have one of the best
rules packages in the country and once we proved what we could do down
south, more and more teams kept signing up. We expect more of the same in
2008.
We also have a gentleman’s agreement in place with the Georgia Asphalt
Series (GAS) to work together and try and support each other whenever and
wherever we can.
Q9. Why have a GM Performance Parts Shootout Champion crowned at the
end of each season and why do they get an extra Provisional during the year?
A9. Frankly because we need the cars and drivers in our series! While no one
wants to run in a GM Performance Parts Shootout race, when you have large
car counts you are going to have several cars that don’t make the main event.
We have had a lot of great drivers end up in GM Performance Parts Shootouts
at one time or another! Look at what Brian Campbell did at ORP in April! He
won the Shootout and then came back and won the Feature too!
Plus guys like Jack Smith, Eddie Hoffman, Peter Cozzolino, Charlie Menard,
and Kris Stump to name a few has all ran a Shootout at one time or another.
We wanted to show that there is no shame in running in it and to give a reward
to those that stuck with it.
Q10. Why take on a Fourth division with the return of the USPRO Cup Series
and what will be different about the USPRO Cup Series compared to the three
ASA Late Model Series divisions with regards to procedures, rules, etc.?
A10. This goes back to the end of 2003 when we became the ASA Late Model
Series and a lot of teams felt like we abandoned them! They just couldn’t
afford to travel on the scale of what we do. The new USPRO Series will be a
throw back to those days, there will be a 2-tire rule and most of the races will
be 50 or 75 laps.
Q11. Dennis Michelsen from RaceTalkRadio.com brought in LIVE Internet
Broadcasts of most of the ASALMS Challenge and Northern Division events in
2007 featuring Mr. Michelsen and myself calling the action; How do you feel
that went and are the Broadcasts coming back in 2008?
A11. I felt there was a lot of growth from the first broadcast to the last. Dennis
(Michelsen) has always been a huge supporter of the ASALMS even if he hasn’
t always agreed with me on certain things. I know he is working on several new
projects that may limit his participation with us, but I think he’ll still be able to do
a few races in 2008.
Q12. The ASA Late Model Series went International in 2007 with the race at
the Cayuga (ON) International Speedway and in 2008, the ARCA RE/MAX
Series is heading over there for an event. With the passport laws going into
affect TODAY (January 1, 2008) will the ASALMS return to Canada anytime
soon and where there any significant problems the first time we went over?
A12. We are still talking with Cayuga about returning in 2008, I just don’t know
if we are going to get a deal done or not. As far as crossing the boarder, other
that one minor incident it really was a non issue.
Q13. I certainly hate to bring up something that will make you cringe, but here
goes; What can you tell us about the on going saga between the ASA Late
Model Series and Racing Speed Associates and will this deal come to an end
soon with a reasonable resolution?
A13. Well in all sincerity the only thing it does is hurt the racers, instead of
adding money to purses and point funds, those funds are be allocated to pay
lawyer fees. In the end, I feel we will prevail and finally put this matter behind
us once and for all.
Q14. There’s still plenty of, shall we say, “Haters” of the Crate Engine concept.
The ASA Late Model Series has just completed the Fifth season of operation,
what can you tell the remaining skeptics out there who still dislike and/or put
down Crate Late Model Racing and say that the unlimited dollar engines are
the way to go?
A14. I have always said we not the answer for everybody. We (crate motors)
have an extremely small percentage of the racing market. Engine builders
were so used to having 100% of the market that now that they have 80%
percent of the market they are doing whatever they can to recapture that lost
20%.
There will always we a place for built motors and I strongly encourage that, I
just wish some of the engine builders felt the same way about crate motors.
Q15. There is a new Doubles Weekend with back to back shows at the
Madison International Speedway followed by a trip to the Rockford Speedway
the next day. Why the change in the Doubles format?
A15. The Michigan Doubles was born out of a rain out a few years back and it
honestly hasn’t worked all that well! We always seem to still rain out one of the
two days. We decided to move it to Madison and Rockford because these are
two of tracks that really support the series through car count and fan count.
Q16. Looking at the 2008 schedules, there’s only Two (2) weekends all
season long (As of Monday December 31, 2007) where the ASA Late Model
Series / USPRO Cup Series are scheduled in Michigan. Why so few dates in
the series home state?
A16. I guess they just don’t like us there! I’m just kidding....
With the economy in Michigan most of the tracks have cut back the number of
outside shows they are bringing in and that has affected us.
Q17. One last question regarding our home state of Michigan, were you as
heartbroken as I was when Mother Nature just wouldn’t cooperate with us at
our return to the Owosso (MI) Speedway, both of our home tracks, and is there
a chance for a return visit in some form to the Ovid, Michigan speed plant in
2008?
A17. Being back at Owosso Speedway brought back a lot of memories for me,
it’s where I drove me first race car and competed for many years. I think our
drivers would have put on a great show and would have really enjoyed a true
multi-groove racetrack. As for going back, who knows? Several ideas have
been thrown around and I guess only time will tell.
Q18. Is it hard to travel almost every single weekend pretty much non stop all
year long? Whether it’s the races themselves or all the off season seminars
such as the P.R.I. Show, the Awards Banquet, Florida Speedweeks, and so
many others?
A18. Out of the 52 weeks in a year we are traveling over 40 of those weeks.
Sandy and I spend more time in hotels than our home, during race season we
are usually home only 2 or 3 days a week the rest of the time we are in hotels.
Probably the biggest things I miss is being able to go to a short track as just a
fan and watch the show, or be a car owner and complete in local event.
Q19. When you started the USPRO Cup Series in 2003 and watched it grow
into what it is today, with Feature Winners ranging from Maine to California
and from Minnesota to Florida, did you envision all the success the series has
experienced up to this point and did you see it all happening so fast?
A19. Sometimes being right at the center of this, it’s hard to see the big
picture! Hopefully someday I will look back and see that we made a difference
in people’s lives, and that the friends that we have made are life long friends.
Q20. Finally as we end another version of 20 Questions; Are there any other
misconceptions, rumors, anything at all that you’d like to clear up right here
and now.
A20. I’ve got nothing…. We’ll just have to watch and see how 2008 unfolds.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Beginning on Wednesday January 2, 2008; The ASALMS Media Blitz for the
upcoming 2008 Racing Season will commence. The ASALMS will highlight the
2008 Drivers, Host Facilities, New and Returning Sponsors, and Teams who
will call the ASALMS home in 2008.
The 2007 ASA Late Model Series Awards Banquet and Weekend of
Champions, which is set for Friday and Saturday January 18-19, 2008 at the
Clarion Hotel and Conference Center in Louisville, Kentucky is the next official
event for the Lexington, Michigan based series.
Banquet Tickets are still available! Banquet tickets must be ordered by
Monday January 7, 2008 for seating arrangement purposes. Attendance is
mandatory for teams receiving Points Finds Winnings. Tickets for the banquet
must be purchased in advance through the ASALMS Office.
To download the 2007 ASA Late Model Series Awards Banquet and Weekend
of Champions Ticket Order Form, click on the link provided: 2007 ASA Late
Model Series Awards Banquet and Weekend of Champions Ticket Order Form
For more information about the 2007 ASALMS Awards Banquet and Weekend
of Champions and how to get involved with the 1st annual ASALMS “How to
Clinics and Seminars”, please call the ASALMS Home Offices in Lexington,
Michigan during normal business hours, which are Monday-Friday from 9:00a.
m.-5:00p.m. (EST), you can call toll free at: 1 (800) 385-2503.
To kick off the Weekend of Champions and in addition to the 2007 ASALMS
Awards Banquet, the ASALMS will also host the 1st annual ASALMS “How To
Clinics”on Friday January 18, 2008 as well as the 2008 ASALMS Meet and
Greet, which will be held in later the evening hours.
Beginning at 8:00a.m. (EST) and lasting throughout the day until 6:00p.m.
(EST) on that Friday, the clinics will entail technical issues, marketing,
budgeting, product awareness and safety mandates as well as what is new
and what is coming. These clinics will run consecutively throughout the
morning and into the afternoon with a lunch break in the middle.
Following the clinics, the ASALMS will host the annual Meet and Greet party in
the Clarion Hotels’ Cocktail Lounge; "Christy’s Grille and Bar". The Meet and
Greet will begin at 7:30p.m. and last until approximately 11:00p.m. (EST).
On Saturday January 19, 2008 the day begins bright and early at 9:00a.m.
with the 2008 ASALMS Owners/Drivers Meeting for all divisions lasting until
“High Noon”, 12:00p.m. (EST). This very important meeting is for all teams new
and returning and will highlight the upcoming 2008 season.
ASALMS teams will gather information about the upcoming campaign with
regards to; Rules, Procedures, Points Fund Structures, Winners Circle
Programs, Travel Programs, Scheduling, and so much more. There will also be
an open forum for all ASALMS teams to have their questions and concerns
addressed.
Following the 2008 ASALMS Owners/Drivers Meeting, the official curtain will
fall on the 2007 season with the 2007 ASALMS Awards Banquet beginning at
4:00p.m. with Cocktail Hour featuring Hors D’oeuvres that will run for an hour
until 5:00p.m.
The 2007 ASALMS Awards Ceremony, with ASALMS Director of Media/Public
Relations-P.A. Announcer, Matt Prieur serving as Master of Ceremonies, is
scheduled from 5:00p.m.-7:00p.m. as the 2007 ASALMS Champions will be
honored as well as the top drivers in the final points standings from each
division. In addition, special awards will be handed out throughout the
ceremony.
The banquet format will be kept to about a Two-Hour ceremony and be
followed by dinner at approximately 7:30p.m. Immediately following dinner
there will be dancing, bench racing, and some ASALMS style year end
partying.
The Clarion Hotel and Conference Center is offering rooms for the ASALMS at
a special discount from Thursday January 17, 2008 through Saturday January
19, 2008 for $69.95. These rooms must be booked by calling the Clarion at; 1
(502) 491-4830 and letting them know you are part of the ASALMS Awards
Banquet and Weekend of Champions. Upgrades to Suites are available for
$89.95.
The ASA Late Model Series will begin the 2008 season as part of SpeedFest
2008 at the USA (FL) International Speedway in Lakeland, Florida on
Thursday, Friday, and Saturday January 24-25-26, 2008. The "Non-Points"
Crate Late Model Challenge 100 will crown the first winner of the 2008
campaign in “America’s Premiere Short Track Series”.
The "Non-Points" 100-lap Feature, to be run on Saturday January 26, 2008
will be conducted just one weekend after the 2007 ASALMS Awards Banquet
and Weekend of Champions at the Clarion Hotel and Conference Center in
Louisville, Kentucky.
The Crate Late Model Challenge 100 / SpeedFest 2008 Entry Form is
Available and will be $100.00 to enter and will be due at the USA International
Speedway Offices in Lakeland, Florida by Friday January 11, 2008. Otherwise
it's $150.00 to enter.
To download the Crate Late Model Challenge 100 / SpeedFest 2008 Entry
form, click on the link provided: Crate Late Model Challenge 100 / SpeedFest
2008 Entry Form
For more information about the 2007 ASA Late Model Series Awards Banquet
and Weekend of Champions as well as the 2008 seasons within all four
divisions of the ASALMS, you can call the ASALMS home offices during normal
business hours Monday through Friday 9:00am-5:00pm (EST) at: 1 (800) 385-
2503.
You can also log onto any of the three websites for more information. For the
Challenge Division, go to: ASALMS Challenge Division For the Northern
Division and USPRO Cup Series, log in at: ASALMS Northern Division and
finally for the Southern Division click on: ASALMS Southern Division
|
|
|
|
|
