UPLAND, California – With the extreme amount of talent in the ranks of the ASA Speed Truck Challenge (ASA STC) field starting the season in 2007, no one could have predicted that with just two races left, it is truly up in the air as to who will win this year’s championship. With two races left at the tough Lucas Oil I-10 Speedway and at the popular Havasu 95 Speedway, the series winner will no doubt be dramatically decided.
Unfortunately, it’s not as easy as looking at the current points standings on www.speedtruck.com, where Darren Young, two-time ASA STC Champion barely leads the second place phenom driver in “Victory” Victor Pfluger with a tie in points for third position between the “Rookie of the Year”, Bear Rezsnowiecky and the newest championship challenger , Andy Allen. Because of this year’s “Drop-a-Race” rule, all drivers must drop their worst race of the season in the final calculation of Championship Points, which will allow just about anything to happen.
As you can imagine, between final finishes for these top four drivers and the points that may be dropped after the last race, there could be a huge swing in points leaving many possible scenarios for the final tally. “It’s truly amazing for us,” said ASA STC president Jay Rutherford. “Obviously, all my officials and our fans have loved the excitement and drama surrounding the closeness of this season’s point’s race. It’s been great for the series.” Continued Rutherford, “The odds-on favorite would probably be Darren Young, however with the dropped race points, if the last two races are rained out, Pfluger wins by one point. It could be just that crazy and it is shaping up for a real shoot-out in Havasu.”
If 2006 Champion Young has anything to say about it, he will be adding a “three-time” distinction to his tremendously talented driving record with the ASA Speed Truck Challenge. “It’s been a great season for me and my #18 United Nissan / Sudden Impact / Quaker State Chevy S-10 team. I couldn’t have asked any more from them and I know we will all pull together in a big way for these last two races,” said an enthusiastic Young. Just nine points back is Victor Pfluger in the #80 Parker Farms / Copperstate Tire / LaHorgue Racing Dodge Dakota. “Having led most of the season,” says an excited Pfluger, “I plan on leaving it all on the track for my first championship. I’m going to do for my family and my team and my sponsors. There’s no doubt about it.”
Just a couple scenarios to see what we mean about this championship:
-Young blows a tire early at the I-10 Speedway race and finishes 10th; Pfluger qualifies 1st and does well but finishes a distant second to Andy Allen; Bear in 4th / Allen wins in Havasu; Pfluger is 2nd; Young qualifies 1st and is 3rd and Bear 4th. What about Jim Putman who won the season opener at I-10 Speedway? Result after dropped races: Pfluger wins by 16 points; Young in 2nd; Allen in 3rd and Bear in 4th.
-Young and Pfluger spin out and wreck unable to return to the race at I-10 Speedway; Allen wins and Bear, who took fastest qualifying finishes 2nd. / Allen has engine trouble at Havasu and finishes in 5th; Bear has a great night setting his first pole and runs hard to finish 1st with King 2nd; Murphy 3rd; Black 4th; Young 6th; Pfluger 7th. What about Jim Putman that led most of the laps at Havasu last April? Result after dropped races: Rezsnowiecky and Young tie for 1st; Pfluger in 3rd; and Allen in 4th.
Create your own scenario, but whatever, be ready for a super finish to the 2007 ASA Speed truck Challenge season!
For more information on ASA Speed Truck Challenge and how drivers and sponsors can get involved in the fastest growing series in the west, call Bill McCloud, National Marketing Director at 866-873-7615 or at bill@speedtruck.com.
