ASA LATE MODEL SERIES AND HOOSIER
CONDUCT TIRE TESTING WITH MIKE COPE

     BRADENTON, FL (February 17, 2005) -- The ASA Late Model Series and Hoosier Tire officials spent Thursday in Bradenton, Florida at Desoto Speedway conducting tire testing. It was a picture perfect day for the event with sunny skies and temperatures in the seventies.

     Mike Cope, former ASA National Tour driver and current owner of Bronson Motor Speedway, participated as the driver for the tire testing. Mike was a great fit with experience on almost every type of race tire around. Some of his racing history includes the Championship with the NASCAR Southeast Series in 1994 and 1996.  Mike also was Rookie of the Year runner-up to Johnny Sauter in 2001 with the ASA National Tour.

     "We were very fortunate to have someone with Mike's experience conduct these very critical tests," stated Series President Ron Varney. "Mike was very open with us and that was a great benefit to the Hoosier Tire engineers that were on hand."

     The purpose for the day was to test several different Hoosier radial compounds to determine which one would be the best fit for the ASA Late Model Series. Hoosier engineers Ken Kolter and Mark March were very pleased with what they saw. They put a lot of effort into finding the right combination that will work for every driver at every track.
   

     After a few hours working with set up and compounds, we heard what we were waiting for; "You could drive all day long on that tire," commented Mike Cope. "It drove good! These guys have done their homework. I think they have a good piece here. The guys are really going to like it."

     Mike was encouraged by what he saw with the testing and the series. "This is the direction to go tire wise. It has to be! Everyone needs to wake up. If they want to breed the next Jeff Gordon or Tony Stewart they need to be on radials so you can start them right off the get-go. In many ways these (ASA Late Model) cars can teach a young driver more about driving a race car than a super late model can."

     Hoosier's Irish Saunders felt that this was one of the better tests they have ever had. "The car was right on the money. Driver comments were good which is so important because if drivers like it, that means the racing is going to be good. I think we are coming away with a real positive. This could be some of the best racing in the country and we are glad to take part in it."

     The day was a success and officials were able to determine which compound and tire construction would best fit their needs. The tire is a 10" radial developed by Hoosier specifically for the ASA Late Model Series. More information and a base line set up will be published at the drivers meeting on February 26th in Marshall, Michigan.

     For more information about the ASA Late Model Series, you can visit their website at www.asalatemodels.com.

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