UPLAND, California -- “I was extremely proud of our drivers this weekend as they proved that whether on a tough ¼ mile “bullring” or a fast ½ mile multi-grooved oval track or a grueling 1.3 mile road course; their true talents come through as professional drivers. It was exciting to see Matt Jaskol, a previous ASA Speed Truck Challenge Champion and Rookie of the Year, being away for a couple years; come back and take this race in exciting fashion,” said ASA STC president, Jay Rutherford. “This race was filmed for national television with seven track cameras and eleven on board cameras and the footage is incredible. Our drivers put on a show!” concluded Rutherford.

With only five races completed of their 2008 traveling series’ schedule, the ASA Speed Truck Challenge traveled to the well-known Firebird International Raceway in Chandler, Arizona this past weekend. It was all about seeing who had what it took on a 100 degree day to go 40-minutes and stay on the 1.3 mile asphalt. Fastest qualifier honors went to Jeff Catlin in the #1 Arrowlane / Sikwidit Colorado, making him the 5th different fast time qualifier in as many races in 2008. “With this being my home course,” said Catlin, “we knew that our setup would be good for this road course.” Catlin, a crafty veteran in karting for many years, is in his second year behind the wheel of a Speed Truck and knows this course like the back of his hand. Unfortunately, this day, it was not to be for Catlin as the two-dice roll put him back in seventh position to start the race.

On the green flag start, the pack up front, led by Jason Black in the #9 Golden Lane Ventures / B Money / VERVE S-10, got a bit too bunched up for comfort and championship points’ leader, Dallas Colodny #08 Atlantis Hotels / Ramac Industries / Kohn Colodny CPA’s / LaHorgue Metal Fab Dakota, found himself trying to dodge up and over the left front of the #88 Dakota, Central Components of Mike Kai (qualifying an all time best at third) and then up and over the right front of #1 Catlin, putting Catlin out of the race on the very first lap after taking the green. Although making a quick hot pit to tear away flapping bodywork, Colodny was able to continue in the race and ended up in a very respectable sixth spot.

Everyone knew early in the day on Friday during practices that the two United Nissan / Sudden Impact S-10’s driven by two-time ASA STC champion Darren Young #18 and his teammate, substitute driver and former ASA STC Champion Matt Jaskol #3; were the ones to beat. Not to disappoint, both Jaskol and Young chased down veteran driver Todd McLauchlan #38 Institutional Cabinets & Millwork / ULTRA Boats Colorado, sprinting out to an early lead, when Young suddenly dropped off the course momentarily resulting in a flat tire. In championship fashion, Young made a fast hot pit and was able to catch the field on a late caution and finish in the fifth position. McLauchlan finished second and commented “I love this road course racing!”

“It was a real pleasure to come back and race for Lee Keach and Don Forman at United Racing,” said a smiling Jaskol. “I always felt at home in a Speed Truck and things haven’t changed. I’d like to come back and race again, I love racing these Speed Trucks.” Jaskol was the first driver in ASA Speed Truck Challenge history to take both the 2005 Rookie of the Year and the 2005 ASA Speed Truck Challenge Championship in the same year.

Also, for the first time this season, Jimmy Neal #61 in the Sunray Recovery Alcohol & Drug Rehab Center Dakota, a 3-time NASCAR Champion had one of his best races an excellent fourth place finish. Paul Bonaccorsi, #11 Bonaccorsi Racing / BHRM Motorsports S-10 also showed his road racing skills by finishing third and commented, “Give me another road course! I love these things!” Bonaccorsi suffered with brake, carburetor and shock issues before qualifying and was forced in staring last but earned the Hard Charger award by finishing third.

Other notable; Donny St. Ours in the #16 Greg Biffle Motorsports / King Taco / K&N Filters / Fix Auto / Expect A Lot Colorado qualifying in the ninth position but raced hard into the fourth position before engine backfire woes forced a slowing Speed Truck and finished in the eighth position after 33 laps in this 40-minute road course race.

The Speed Truck Challenge travels the Southwest competing at I-10 Speedway, Tucson Raceway Park, Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Orange Show Speedway, Havasu 95 Speedway, Irwindale Speedway, Firebird International Raceway, California Speedway, Kern County’s New Home to NASCAR (formerly Mesa Marin Raceway) and has raced numerous events at Phoenix International Raceway, San Diego Grand Prix, LA Grand Prix and others. The Speed Trucks weight 2450 pounds, are full tube chassis, 108 inch wheelbase, 375 horsepower Van Gordon Racing V-8’s, a 2-speed direct drive Luke’s Transmission, aluminum quick-change Speedway Engineering rear end, 8-inch Hoosier Racing tires on Allied Racing Wheels, powered by Torco Race Fuel and fired by Mr. Gasket’s - Mallory / ACCEL ignition systems. The Speed Trucks sport exact replica Norris Racing fiberglass bodies in Chevy S-10, Chevy Colorado, Ford Ranger, Dodge Dakota and Toyota Tacoma.

The ASA Speed Truck Challenge moves to Orange Show Speedway in San Bernardino on May 24th and will surely shake up the championship run with double points. Who knows, the ASA STC could end up with its 6th new winner! 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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