AVONDALE, Arizona -- The season opener of the 2004 American Stockcar Challenge and ProTrucks Championship kicked off with an astounding success at Phoenix International Raceway on February 21st. Since these sister series consist of late model stockcars and trucks running exclusively on road racing circuits, the professional sportscar circuit which utilizes both the speedway as well as part of the infield was used. Most of the teams arrived early Friday evening to set up their paddocks.
Qualifying showed that this would be an exciting race as both cars and trucks ran laps within 1.5 seconds of each other. Ed Ochylski, ASC # 55, set the fastest time with a 1:05:10, followed by Jim Swartzbaugh (#17 PT), Ken Stinnett (PT), Steve Carvajal (ASC), Donn Cross (PT), Mark Cross (PT), Nathan Swartzbaugh (PT), Manuel Gil Del Real (ASC), Scott Ivey (ASC), Ed Fernandez (PT), Alan Huston (ASC), and the rest. Mike Arnheiter (ASC) retired with motor trouble after the first practice.
The green flag fell and the pack went two wide into turn one. Ochylski
immediately pulled away from everyone and lead start to finish, winning the
overall and setting the fastest lap of the weekend by breaking into the
1:04's. Mechanical problems claimed several casualties as Jim Swartzbaugh
had problems and was forced to withdraw. Huston broke a drive shaft yoke and
retired as well. The final top five finishing order was:
1) Ed Ochylsk (ASC)- Team Arizona
2) Nathan Swartzbaugh (PT)- North South Machinery
3) Ken Stinnett (PT)- Sundance Racing
4) Steve Carvajal (ASC)- Team Arizona
5) Manuel Gil Del Real (ASC)- Team Arizona
New the the 2004 season is the Saturday night barbeque with ASC and PT alternately hosting at each race weekend. For this first event, ASC played host as all the drivers and crew members enjoyed an evening of fun and camaraderie. A traveling trophy will also be passed between the two series with the winning series holding the trophy until the following race.
For more information on the American Stockcar Challenge, visit the official website at: http://ascracing.com
The official website for the ProTruck series is at:
http://nasaprotruck.com
