 Stump
led the race's first 60 laps before fourth starting Leicht made a move
to the inside for the lead (photo). Leicht led the final 40 circuits
en route to the $2,500 win.
Finishing in second place was Rookie-of-the-Year contender Brian
Campbell. Campbell started 11th before his charge to the front was
ended by drop of the checkered flag.
Rookie Kris Stump held on to claim the third spot after leading the
race's first 60 laps from the pole.
Next to Leicht, veteran racer Scott Baker may have been the
man-of-the-night finishing fourth after starting clear back in 20th
place.
Defending ASA Late Model Series champion Bobby Stremme had moved
into third and was challenging for second when he made contact with
the second place car ending his hopes for a win. Stremme wound up
fifth.
Quote from race winner Stephen Leicht. "The
(Hoosier) tires were great. This track is hard on tires. So, we kinda
hung back a little bit taking it easy the first 50 laps and then
started our move."
Quote from Scott Baker after passing 16 cars: "These
tires have a lot more grip. What I had to do was get my left front
down on the asphalt that hadn't been used. Once I found that, I was
locked down."
Quote from Manager of Contract Sales Irish Saunders: "I
am very glad I was here today. The ASA Late Model Series definitely
has the right idea. These are great cars with a talented mix of
drivers. From cagey veterans like Scott Baker, Bobby Stremme and Ryan
Tedesco to rookie drivers like 14-year-old Jesse Smith and today's
winner Stephen Leicht. ASA President Ron Varney commented to me after
the race that there were less cautions (9) than last year and more
side-by-side racing as well."
Quote from Late Model Asphalt Product Manager Terry Newton: "The
new Hoosier radials allowed for some great racing (today). There was a
lot of side-by-side racing and even some passing on the outside lane.
We (Hoosier) are very proud to have been selected by Ron (Varney) as
the series' tire supplier. The ASA late Model Series is going to
continue to grow and we want to be a part of that growth."
The ASA Late Model Series will be back in action May 14th at
Calhoun County Speedway in Springport, MI. For more information about the ASA Late Model
Series visit their website at www.asalatemodels.com.
|
FORT
WAYNE, IN (May 7, 2005) -- Race fans may have got a glimpse of the future
Saturday when Ron Varney's ASA Late Model Series opened their 2005 campaign
with the "UB Machine 100" at beautiful Baer Field Speedway.
Thirty-eight drivers traveled to Tom Isch's 1/2-mile marvel for the chance to
claim victory in the season opening race and become the series first-ever race
winner on the new Hoosier short track radial tire. When the race was over,
18-year-old Stephen Leicht (photo) was the winner after starting fourth in the
26-car field. The new Hoosier radial provided for some exciting racing which
included a lot of side-by-side racing. Leicht will be one of many drivers
running the entire 16-race schedule in hopes of claiming the ASA Late Model
Series championship. The Asheville, NC driver will definitely be one to watch
this year for the title. While he made just two series starts last year, he won
his first-ever start coming at Calhoun County and finished in the top five in
both events. For those keeping track. That's two wins in just three starts for
this young up-and-comer.
