UPLAND, California -- It was “almost” a perfect evening for Jay Rutherford, president of the ASA Speed Truck Challenge and his exciting Speed Truck Challenge series’ second race of the season at Tucson Raceway Park last Saturday night in their first national television taping to be broadcast later in 2008.

First, the Tucson spring weather delighted the fans as it was a gorgeous evening for watching tremendous Speed Truck racing action. Second, the field of 18 Speed Trucks, made up of many strong and experienced driving veterans as well as a record eight rookies drove an incredibly fast and clean race without a caution until the 98th lap of the 100-lap main event. Ray Hoffman’s #33 RJ Allen Demolition / Excavation Chevy Colorado spun bringing out the only yellow flag of the evening and the race leaders made contact trying to avoid the spinning truck after the yellow was thrown. And finally third, a 15-year-old, Chris Buescher, #3, driving for United Nissan and Sudden Impact set the fastest qualifying time for the evening - won a very close Trophy Dash - and finished his tri-fecta, winning the Main Event by ½ a truck length at the finish line over veteran Todd McLauchlan in the #38 Institutional Cabinets & Millwork / Ultra Boats Chevy Colorado.

“It was just one of those perfect race days,” said an enthusiastic Rutherford. “It all started when Dan Ruth stated during the Drivers Meeting that we are going to salute the fans with a four wide configuration pass of all the Speed Trucks.” Of course we were a little concerned about this as the drivers had never performed this four wide salute before, but we had confidence in our drivers and they made us proud and performed perfectly for the fans and national television show.” We have had several 75 and 100 - lap races without a caution and this would have been our 1st here at TRP. By having slower traffic hold their line as the leaders passed, it prevented potential problems. I couldn’t be more pleased with all of our drivers and the way they drove a very competitive and clean nearly 100 lap race.

Buescher out of Prosper, Texas, a very small town just north of Dallas, got the call from United Racing just a week ago to come climb into the #3 Chevy S-10 of Forman Automotive. “I would really like to thank Lee Keach and Don Forman for their faith in me to come over and run this great Speed Truck,” said a beaming Buescher. “I have won a lot of races in my career already, but this has to rank up there as one of my proudest moments.” Buescher is no stranger to the winner’s circle as he has been racing practically all of his life and has over 75 Legend Car wins to his credit. With excellent driving talent and poise behind the wheel, Buescher has gotten the notice of NASCAR newcomer, David Ragan, and is now driving in a development position for Roush-Fenway Racing. Said Rutherford, “I knew as soon as I saw Chris practice that he was going to be able to handle a Speed Truck very well. He proved it here tonight against some of our finest drivers.”

The Top Five for the evening saw 20-year driving veteran Todd McLauchlan; #38 Institutional Cabinet & Millwork / ULTRA Boats give Buescher a tough run practically the whole race ending the evening in a slim second. The #08 Dallas Colodny sponsored by Kohn Colodny CPA’s / LaHorgue Metal Fabrication and Pepsi of Reno showed extremely strong again this week finishing a close third. #11 Bonaccorsi Racing / BHRM Motorsports Rookie, Paul Bonaccorsi proved he is here to stay in the top five with an impressive fourth place finish and Havasu 95 Speedway winner, Jason Black in the #9 Golden Lane Ventures / Empire Power, almost closed the gap to finish very close to the pack in a dramatic fifth spot.

ASA STC welcomed some special partners for the Tucson Raceway Park evening to include: Caterpillar and Empire Power Systems, who generously sponsored the entire evening. Also aboard in 2008 with support to the ASA STC are The Joie of Seating, Torco Race Fuels, Allied Racing Wheels, EZ-UP, King Taco, TVT 24-7, Mechanix Wear, Delson Products, Bushwacker, E-3 Spark Plugs, Purcell Productions, Champion Awards & Specialties, Garrett Custom Trailers, Stagger Pro 1000, Hoosier Racing Tires, Mr. Gasket, ACCEL, Mallory Ignition, Frank’s Radio Service, F650 Super Trucks and DJ Safety.

For more information on the ASA Speed Truck Challenge go to www.speedtruck.com or call Bill McCloud, National Marketing Director at 866-873-7615.

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