Upland, California -- In the middle of the 2007 ASA Speed Truck Challenge season, it may have appeared that a youngster named Victor Pfluger, only 17, would walk away with the 2007 Championship, but as races go, the previous two-time champion, Darren Young made up the ground necessary to pass Pfluger’s #80 Parker Farms, Copperstate Tire Dodge Dakota in the standings by only an incredibly slim 2-points. How, after thirteen races on eight different race tracks, averaging 20 trucks per race, how did two trucks end up this close going into the last race you ask?

ASA Speed Truck Challenge knows that despite the wide array of talent in the pits and the various team budgets represented in this dynamic West Coast series, it still comes down to a parity among the trucks, leaving the difference being only the talent behind the wheel. “This is exactly what we work for prior to every season,” said ASA STC president Jay Rutherford. “We scrutinize the rule book with the Rules Committee to eliminate all obvious mechanical advantages by any one team. This year, with the acceptance and use of the new Mr. Gasket Mallory / ACCEL Racing ignitions, it pulled the competition incredibly tighter. This type of finish to a great season couldn’t be any better.”

Overall, there have been several changes in the top five championship point’s race coming down the stretch with only 107 points separating 1st and 5th spots. In addition, with six different race winners in a 13-race season, it has proven to be the top five consistencies that have made the difference for Pfluger and Young. Compared to the rest of the field, Pfluger so far has 10 top five finishes and captured 25 extra bonus points for Fastest Qualifier times. (A new 5 point fast time rule instituted this season) Young also has had 10 top five finishes. While only being the Fastest Qualifier two times this season, Young has won four races compared to Pfluger’s two.

When reached for comment, Pfluger said, “We all realize that this has come down to the very last race and being the competitor that I am, we are here in this moment to win. Make no mistake about it.” The Pfluger camp has maintained an excellent record of solid performances this season despite an early mental setback when their engine was claimed by another team after Victor had set fast time five times in a row. “My entire crew has made the difference,” said Pfluger. “I wouldn’t be here without them.” Darren Young in the #18 United Nissan, Sudden Impact Chevy S-10 has proven once again why he is the 2000 / 2006 ASA Speed Truck Challenge champion. Like Pfluger, Young has been a study of consistency this season and has rarely made a mistake on or off the track. The United Nissan crew has continued to be steady under pressure, particularly with the pressure of running two trucks this season to include the #3 United Nissan, Quaker State Chevy S-10 driven by “Bear” Rezsnowiecky, who blitzed the competition in 2007 and won the coveted “Rookie of the Year” award. “I’ve been here before,” said the veteran Young. “All we have to do is go out and keep performing the way we’ve done it all season for this last race. I intend to pick up my 3rd championship,” he said with a grin.

Pfluger (17) and Young (43) have truly exemplified the qualities that Rutherford expects from his drivers in the ASA Speed Truck Challenge. Despite many moments when they could have lost their cool, both drivers have had the maturity to see the bigger picture and now they both find themselves at the top staring at a potential championship. “I am particularly proud of both of these drivers,” commented Rutherford. “I really couldn’t pick a winner at this point. I always hate to see the season come to an end, but this final 2007 race at Havasu 95 Speedway will be one for the record books. I wish them both the best in this “Duel in the Desert.”

Rutherford and his 60+ race teams wish to thank all of their loyal and supportive partner advertisers for the 2007 season. The ASA Speed Truck Challenge is fortunate to be one of the only major traveling series that is getting national exposure on television in 2007/2008 and is looking forward to working with even more firms as they continue to grow.

For more information about the ASA Speed Truck Challenge and how you can be racing with the best in the fastest growing series in the country, call us today at 866-873-7615 or go to speedtruck.com.

See Also .:

News Index | E-mail to a Friend