Three-way Battle For Championship To Be Decided This Saturday At I-94 Raceway By Dean Reller
SAUK CENTRE, MN Sep 06, 2008 - In a teaser much like a movie trailer, the race for the American Speed Association Super Late Model Championship will come down to the last night of the season to crown a new Champion on Saturday September 6th at the I-94 Raceway in Sauk Centre. Joey Johnson holds an 18 point lead over Jon Olson and
a 20 point lead over Nick Panitzke headed into the final night of racing.
Last weekend, Johnson finished mid-pack in both 25 lap feature races and picked up points as both his top competitors suffered setbacks. Panitzke set fast time for the night, but had his qualifying run nullified when it was discovered he had illegal tires on his car. This also cost him the 20 points that he trails current leader Johnson by. Starting in the back of the pack for the first feature, Panitzke rallied to finish six and then fifth in the second feature. Olson looked to be the big gainer last weekend, when he moved up to the top qualifying spot and then finished third in the first feature to momentarily take over the points lead. It would be a short stay at the top. In the second feature, Olson broke a pinion in his rear-end, dropping him out early in the race, where he finished last.
Besides the Track Championship, Johnson, Olson and Panitzke are also in hunt for an even bigger prize, The Joe Gibbs Driven ASA National Member Track Champion Award. This is given to the driver who accumulates the most points in a system that takes into account many variables, such as field size, inversion, wins and number of races in a season, creating a level playing field to determine who is the 'best-of-the-best' of the ASA Member Track Champions nationwide.
The final night of racing will see all three ASA Super Late Model drivers and a
field of potential spoilers battle it out in qualifying and then compete in twin 25 lap features to decide the Championship. Besides the ASA Super Late Models, the Modifieds, Legend Cars, Thunder Cars and UCARs will also be in action. Spectator gates open at 5 PM, with Qualifying set for 5:30 followed by Racing starting at 6 PM. It is also Fan Appreciation Night, all fans will be admitted for half-price. For more information visit www.i94raceway.com
As an American Speed Association sanctioned track, the I-94 Raceway is part of the "first ever" ASA Member Track National Championship.
The Joe Gibbs Driven ASA National Member Track Champion Award was designed to give the National Champion exposure with one of the top teams in racing - Joe Gibbs Racing. Joe Gibbs Driven, a division of Joe Gibbs Racing, sells the actual oil products developed and used by Joe Gibbs Racing to racers at all levels. More information can be found at www.joegibbsdriven.com.
The ASA Member Track program is comprised of a network of short tracks around the United States, as well as a variety of regional and national touring series. For news and information from all the racetracks and tours involved in the American Speed Association, visit www.ASA-Racing.com.
