UPLAND, California -- Despite the talented veterans in the field for this season of the ASA Speed Truck Challenge (ASA STC), it looks as if the battle for the 2008 Championship is just heating up. With three races under their belts, and with three different race winners, the race for first place is as close as you could imagine. “We knew that this would be another close points’ season,” said ASA STC president Jay Rutherford. “I feel like we could easily have another new winner at this week’s 100-lap showdown at the very fast Lucas Oil I-10 Speedway.”
I-10 Speedway always produces some wild and action-packed racing for the ASA STC drivers. With it being one of the shorter tracks that the series races on in 2008, the drivers know that it is all about qualifying. Said two-time ASA STC Champion (currently in 4th spot) Darren Young, “For some reason I always qualify really well at I-10, but once the race gets off, it is potentially a problem unless you get a good lead with very little passing room. I’ve got to do well this week.”
With all ASA STC drivers racing on Hoosier tires, it’s all about rubber management. This track seems to always comes down to which driver can manage their tires so that they have what it takes in the last 20 laps. Usually, this is where the extra years of driving experience pays off, however so far this season it is obvious that second year drivers, Brian Colodny in the #08 Kohn-Colodny CPA’s/LaHorgue Metal Fabrication Dodge Dakota; #9 Golden Lane Ventures/Empire Power Systems Chevy S-10 driven by Jason Black and Paul Bonaccorsi in the #11 Bonaccorsi Racing/BHRM Motorsports Chevy S-10 are the ones to watch as they are currently second, third and fifth place respectively in the points.
The leader so far this season is certainly no newcomer to racing as 20-year veteran driver; Todd McLauchlan cruised to his first ASA Speed Truck Challenge victory at the Toyota Racing Development Irwindale 50 on April 5th with two previous top-five finishes. “Although I have won numerous times in just about everything with wheels in the past, this was a special thrill for me and my spotter, (Todd’s wife Lisa), to bring home our first victory in the Speed Truck Challenge.” McLauchlan certainly can’t rest for a moment however with only eight points separating him and Colodny. “I am extremely proud of our great crew putting this truck in winning positions in these first three races and we plan on continuing the streak,” concluded McLauchlan.
The ASA Speed Truck Challenge is the premier series in the American Speed Association (ASA) with over 70 race teams registered. It boasts a safety record second to none in the industry and has created an on-track parity that astounds most driving experts. With 375 horsepower Van Gordon Racing V-8’s, these professionally equipped trucks reach top speeds of 100 mph on ½-mile tracks and 150 mph on road courses. ASA Speed Truck Challenge, in its 12th racing season, will be shown nationally in the 3rd and 4th quarters of 2008. The series boasts excellent advertising partners as: Bushwacker Body Gear, Torco Race Fuel, Mr. Gasket’s Mallory/ACCEL Ignitions, EZ UP, Mechanix Wear, TOYOTA / TRD, Hoosier Racing Tires, DJ Safety, TVT 24-7, Delson Products, E-3 Spark Plugs, Allied Racing Wheels, King Taco, Stagger Pro, and Frank’s Radio.
For more information on the ASA Speed Truck Challenge go to www.speedtruck.com or call 866-873-7615.
