Jeremy Troiano
Approximately 150 race car drivers and owners assembled for the organizational meeting of the newly formed American Stockcar League (ASL) in Janesville, WI. The car owners and drivers formerly competed in the American Speed Association which hasn't outlined any events for 2005. Gary Vercauteren, president of the Mid-American Stock Car Series, Inc., started out the meeting saying that his organization will be the sanctioning body of the new ASL series.
Vercauteren has contacted 24 paved race tracks and indicated that there were already 10 confirmed dates for the 2005 season. The projected series opener will be Saturday night April 30th at I-70 Speedway in Odessa, MO. Representatives of 12 race tracks attended the meeting and had favorable comments.
The discussion centered around having shorter races of approximately 150 laps compared to past events of 200 or more laps. Tom Lampe, team involvement coordinator, also discussed a motor program, possible fuel suppliers and hiring technical officials. Howie Lettow, who has been named chairman of the car owner's competition committee, fielded technical questions.
It was also announced that the Pat Schauer memorial rookie recognition program would continue and long time competitor Rick Beebe would head the committee that would establish the rookie of the year parameters.
Mike Lemke was introduced as the overall safety and competition director of all four Mid-American Racing divisions.
Jim Amstutz, manager of Hawkeye Downs in Cedar Rapids, IA, told the group that he had worked the Mid-American Series previously and that they had booked a Friday night July 22nd event at the their half mile paved oval.
George Bruggentheis, general manager of Road America in Elkhart Lake, WI, said he had worked with the Mid-American Racing Series for the past 4 years and was enthusiastic about working with the newly formed ASL series.
One of the principle topics of conversation with the car owners concerned whether the series would use radial or bias ply tires. Lampe indicated the series had discussions with BF Goodrich, Hoosier and Good Year. Lampe said series officials anticipate receiving written proposals shortly.
There was a big round of applause when owners was told that car numbers would be removed from the rear quarter panels and return to the door area of the cars.
Vercauteren indicated that the ASL series would attempt to avoid direct scheduling conflicts would the Midwest All-Star Late Model Series and and the ASA late model series.
There were a number of race equipment representatives who were introduced as guests at the meeting.
Nearly 30 drivers registered for car numbers at the meeting.
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Jeremy Troiano is a columnist for RacingOne.com and editor of 51speed.com