SANTEE, Calfironai — Taylor Miinch was all smiles after winning his second ASA Truck race in a very different setting than his win two weeks ago. Miinch #5 and his ATK Motorsports team traveled from California deep into the desert to Chandler, Arizona to conquer the Firebird International Raceway’s West Course on Saturday. Whether Miinch was driven by his confidence from his win in Havasu or the promise of a big Easter basket back at home, again Taylor demonstrated his talent and experience by winning at the road course. Taylor’s Dad Chuck and family were all there to cheer him to victory. Chuck is thrilled with their new relationship with Kevin Smith and ATK Motorsports and the opportunity Taylor now has with this team. ATK also leads the new ASA Truck Owner Points standings.
The field was getting ‘schooled’ early with Jeff Catlin’s quick practice laps which he followed up with an impressive fast qualifier lap of 1:02.550 in his classy red Chevy Colorado. Many drivers were new to road course racing and followed Catlin’s line (for as long as they could keep up) and learned from the master. Those drivers that were new to turning right were definitely quick learners as they looked like veterans by the end of the 45-minute event. Second place, Cameron Jocelyn #11, is a teammate to Miinch and third went to Kevin Donahue #18 who lead near the end but had a late race incident with Catlin. Rookie Darren Amidon #33 finished fourth with only five minutes ever on a road course and no practice on Friday and he explained “I had more fun than I ever expected”. Most of the race you couldn’t keep track of third through sixth as Donahue, Amidon, Jocelyn and Herda swapped those positions too many times to count which made the race great to watch. Jeff Catlin #1 rounded out the top five after dominating a great portion of the race, racing nose to tail with Miinch and was disappointed he didn’t get the chance to back up his win from the last road course. The 2010 Rookie-of-the-Year, Mike Herda, returned to the ASA Truck Series and finished sixth after some mechanical issues forced him to fall back in the field after qualifying second to Catlin.
Another special part of this race was Heather Dickinson in her #64 Chevy Colorado racing for her first time ever. Heather’s Dad, Colin Dickinson #67, finished in front of her and gave her helpful hints as he has raced for years in the series. In a post-race interview, Heather clarified that at 22-years old she had only practiced a dirt mini-stock and never raced prior to Friday’s school and practice session. Heather was impressive on and off the track as she explained she is a pre-med student, works at Truck Works, Inc. for her Dad and ran strong finishing the race in one piece. When asked how it was racing her Dad, she said “I have high expectations and thought I could do even better. I was very competitive against him and it pushed me to go faster”. Newcomer Jeff Barrister #76 from Phoenix, Arizona brought his JB Signs Chevy to the checkered flag with some damage to repair before heading to Irwindale in California with a crew that adapted well to the procedures of the ASA Truck Series. Everyone was ready to pack up early in the afternoon for Easter and the goodies waiting at home.
Pro AutoSports was very accommodating to all the ASA Truck teams and look forward to a stop on a road course next season. The team will switch back to oval track set-ups and head for California to the TOYOTA Speedway at Irwindale on Memorial Day weekend. There are a few new teams planning on racing at Irwindale and many of the drivers that didn’t make the road course will also return and make for a great race at the ½ mile high bank track at Irwindale. Information about that race and updates for the series can be found at www.asatruckseries.com. There are now ASA Truck Series T-shirts and hats available for sale at the track and on the website.
If you would like to find out more about the ASA Truck Series and how your company could be part of the growing excitement across the nation about this dynamic series, contact Todd or Lisa McLauchlan at 619-596-6816 / mcracers@prodigy.net or go to www.asatruckseries.com. Our Facebook page is: asa-truck-series and we have a YouTube page as well with exciting videos to view.
