DAYTONA BEACH, Florida — As many ASA Member Tracks and Sanctioned Series reach the mid-point of the 2011 season, many are already seeing positive results and are optimistic on the second half. Some may have been off to a rough start with the weather, but that isn't bringing them down.
"The key thing that all are looking at is making sure that they continue to be affordable and family friendly. Those two keys alone will help short track racing survive and thrive down the road."— Dennis Huth, ASA President
Perry White, Promoter of I-25 Speedway, an ASA Member Track in Pueblo, CO, is already seeing an increase in his fan attendance and also seeing a stable car count. In fact, White recently said that his son Ryan suggested some new avenues of advertising and saw immediate positive results. "Ryan told me, dad you are advertising in the wrong places, so I told him to do what he thinks is right," White explained. "He hit a home run. We have a military base nearby and in the past we would get maybe 12 or so military admissions, now we are easily getting 80 to 100 every race night just in that area."
The ASA Midwest Tour is having one of their best years as their last three events have recorded strong attendance and consistent car counts in all three of their divisions. So far in five events, 65 different drivers have participated in they're popular Super Late Model series, with 39 of them competing in more than one event. 18 drivers have participated in all five events so far with the top-five separated by 76 points.
Norway Speedway, an ASA Member Track in Norway, MI, has an overall average of 30 Super Late Model cars per Friday night event. Their support divisions have also been solid as well.
Lebanon I-44 Speedway, an ASA Member Track in Lebanon, MO, continues to make improvements with their new tower featuring suites. The fans are also being treated to some great racing action. "We are having a lot of fun at Lebanon I-44 Speedway so far this season," Craig Armstrong, Lebanon I-44 Speedway General Manager said. "Our car counts have been solid and steady with some great side-by-side classic short track racing. We are seeing a steady rise in our attendance as the word is getting out there about the great entertainment we are providing on Saturday nights."
State Park Speedway, an ASA Member Track in Wausau, WI, is continuing to see the success they had last season. Bringing optimism to fans and competitors that the track many were worried would go away has some new life. "We were really happy with our first season. We had great car counts, great fan turnout and a lot of positives for our first year," Scott Wimmer, Co-Owner of State Park Speedway said. "Going into our second year we are pretty much doing the same thing and making things better for the fans. We try to keep things affordable."
If there has been one negative side to the season, it has been the uncooperative weather plaguing some of the areas of the country. Some of the ASA Member Tracks and Series have been affected by that and hope that the second half brings nothing like the first half of the season.
Randy Claypoole, President of the ISCARS DASH Touring Series sanctioned by ASA is also optimistic, but because of the unity he finds within the ASA family. "It's really good to see fuel prices trend downward heading into the summer months. We kicked off our season at the ASA Sanctioned ACE Speedway in Altamahaw, NC. It was really great to gather a few of the ASA Member Track Promoters. In attendance were Brad Allen (ACE), Rob Barfield (Dillon) and Harold Crook (Lonesome Pine) along with Carl Frizzel (ASA Northwest Regional Director) and Dennis Huth (President of ASA)," Claypoole explained. "We enjoyed a casual discussion that included a strong emphasis about cooperation. It is refreshing to share concerns and ideas that include a cooperative effort to promote sustained growth for each of our endeavors. No matter what region we are from, it is great to know we have an ASA family to encourage us and stand in as a wingman. Together we are much stronger than alone. Sure, I want to see ISCARS continue to grow. I work everyday on making that happen and we are seeing solid progress. I also want to do a little extra to participate in seeing the family of ASA pull together. For this I am optimistic."
"Like any business, you will see and up and down trend," Dennis Huth, ASA President said. "In our conversations with our ASA Member Tracks and Series Promoters, a majority is starting to see that upswing again. Many are trying different ways in advertising, making more use of the social media, and the great entertainment on the track is providing some valuable word of mouth advertising. The key thing that all are looking at is making sure that they continue to be affordable and family friendly. Those two keys alone will help short track racing survive and thrive down the road."
Race fans can follow what is happening at our ASA Member Tracks and Series, by visiting ASA-Racing.com. Fans can also follow ASA on Facebook (www.facebook.com/americanspeedassoc) and Twitter (@AmerSpeedAssoc), which has updates, news, and race, reports from ASA itself, ASA Member Tracks and ASA Sanctioned Series.
To learn more about the ASA Member Tracks and Sanctioned Series in your area, please visit www.asa-racing.com.
The American Speed Association started as a single racing series in 1968 and is a fast growing racing sanctioning body today. The ASA Member Track program sanctions dirt and asphalt short tracks along with road courses around the United States, as well as a variety of regional and national touring series. For more information call (386) 258-2221, or send an email to info@asa-racing.com. The latest news and information from all the racetracks and tours involved in the ASA can be found by visiting www.ASA-Racing.com.
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