UPLAND, California — With only three races left in what has proven again to be a season of exciting twists and turns of excellent driving, the ASA Speed Truck Challenge (ASA STC) will crown its 2008 season champion on October 25th. One only has to look back at this time last season when there were ten drivers that were mathematically in reach of the coveted Championship ring and trophy. After a season finish that could only have been scripted for television, a young, but seasoned 16-year-old Victor Pfluger beat the odds and drove past two-time ASA STC Champion, Darren Young to take the top spot.
This ASA STC season is no different. With only 129 points separating the top five win-hungry drivers, anything can happen down to the last race; and everyone is sure that it will. Current veteran and two-time ASA STC champion, Darren Young, in the now famous, #18 United Nissan / Sudden Impact / Quaker State Chevy S-10 is just a mere 46 points ahead of second place, Todd McLauchlan. McLauchlan also a long-time driving veteran, in the #38 Institutional Cabinet & Millwork / ULTRA Boats / Airgas Toyota Tacoma; is gunning for this Championship to add to his many others in just about every other form of four-wheel racing. When asked about McLauchlan on his heels for the Championship, Young responded, “Todd is a great driver no doubt, but when it comes down to turning it on when it counts, this United Nissan team has something to prove after our Championship loss to Pfluger last year. We want this third championship more than you know.”
In third and fourth spots are two drivers that also have much to say about wanting this championship. Jason Black, in the #9 Golden Lane Ventures / Empire Power / B-Money Chevy S-10 and Dallas Colodny in the #08 ExtremeWrench.com / Ramac Industries / Atlantis Casino Dodge Dakota; respectively, have their sights set on snatching the championship in these last three head-to-head meetings. Both drivers have had remarkable seasons running up-front all year and don’t intend to let up their intensity on the track. “This is what it’s all about,” said Black. “Our truck has been running great and with this extended break, we are ready to get back out on the track and show everyone what we’ve got.”
In fifth place is a driver that certainly has let it all hang out this season with a headlock on the Rookie of the Year title but states emphatically, “It’s not over yet. I’m not looking at rookie status – I want that Championship,” says Paul Bonaccorsi in the #11 Bonaccorsi Racing / BHRM Motorsports Chevy S-10. Bonaccorsi continues to improve every race and has all of the top four drivers looking over their shoulder. “I’ve never had such fun driving and plan on giving it everything I’ve got,” concluded Bonaccorsi.
The schedule finishes strong with 100 lap races at I-10 Speedway, Blythe, CA; Havasu 95 Speedway, Lake Havasu, AZ and Toyota Speedway at Irwindale, Irwindale, CA. These last three races also have a huge significance to every participant’s wallet as Jay Rutherford, ASA STC owner recently announced his Motorsports Economic Stimulus Program, which begins with $50,000 added to the final three events, sponsored by VERVE! Energy Drink. Said Rutherford, “This is only the beginning for what this means financially to all of our ASA STC teams and beyond. We have partnered with the great folks at VERVE! to not only commit to greater driver purses, but offer an income-producing program that every driver or team member can be involved in for their future racing budgets.” Rutherford also recently announced that he will be stepping down as Race Director at his events to spend more time with drivers and teams one-on-one to help them with this VERVE! stimulus program. In his spot, Rutherford has placed the very knowledgeable and well-liked Jeff Austine, who will also handle the Head Technical Official duties as well as Race Director.
All three of the final ASA STC races are being taped for national television to air in the first quarter of 2009. “Despite the poor U.S. economy, we are being proactive about how we can literally change the face of Motorsports with this stimulus package and correcting a huge problem with the unhealthy energy drinks. We are committed to this industry all over the country and if we can help other racers, we’re going to do it!” exclaimed Rutherford. For more information on the new Motorsports Economic Stimulus Program, contact Jay Rutherford at 909-949-4780 or Bill McCloud at 866-873-7615.
Don’t miss the exciting finish of the STC championship. For times and tickets, contact your local tracks as found below;
Lucas Oil I-10 Speedway – 951-270-0154 – Greg Scheidecker
Havasu 95 Speedway – 928-716-6300 – Bill Rozhon
Toyota Speedway at Irwindale – Kevin O’Brien – 626-358-1100
