Upland, CA…May 1, 2008…“This is not only a new record for the ASA Speed Truck Challenge, but just might be a record for any traveling series in the country.” said ASA STC president Jay Rutherford from his offices today.
With the way the exciting 2008 series was starting out this season, everyone knew that the possibility was certainly there for a new fourth race winner on the fourth different race track, but no one realized that they would get other surprises before the evening was complete. The day started with rookie, Paul Bonaccorsi in the #11 Bonaccorsi Racing / BRHM Motorsports Chevy S-10 setting the fastest qualifying time for the day at 15.088 at Lucas Oil I-10 Speedway, making him the fourth different Fast Time Qualifier for the season. A fired-up Bonaccorsi then proceeded to win the Trophy Dash in impressive style; also making him the fourth new Trophy Dash winner this season.
The evening was only just getting started as two-time ASA STC champion, Darren Young, #18 United Nissan / Sudden Impact, started in the sixth position and quickly overtook the leaders to run away with the victory and become the fourth different driver in the ASA STC winner’s circle in 2008. “I knew this was our night when I climbed into my truck,” commented veteran ASA STC driver Young. “We always do well here at I-10 Speedway. It is about time that we got back into our normal winning ways for United Nissan,” he said smiling.
After the race, it was also revealed that coming from that sixth position to his 1st place victory, Young captured the fourth different Hard Charger Award for the ASA STC ’08 season.
Said Rutherford, “It only gets more apparent every race that, although our rules are tough for our competitors, it has proven that it’s the only way to guarantee a level playing field instead of normal “checkbook” racing. The Speed Trucks qualified at less than 1/2 of a second between first and last at Lucas Oil I-10 Speedway. But more importantly, all of the Speed Truck qualifying times from all four different race tracks so far this year remain split by 7/10 of a second. Now that’s parity,” he concluded.
The ASA Speed Trucks take on a new venue next race when they roll into Chandler, Arizona on May 10th at one of the most well-respected road courses in the country - Firebird International Raceway. Typically the veteran Young would be favored, having won here previously, however with the oncoming slew of powerful Speed Truck drivers making excellent showings at every race; all bets are off since many of the new drivers have lots of road course experience.
The season’s tight championship points’ race was jumbled a bit after this race when Todd McLauchlan in the #38 Institutional Cabinets & Millwork and ULTRA Boats sponsored Speed Truck, who has been running extremely fast all season with a win at the Toyota Speedway at Irwindale on April 5th; finished last after getting a flat tire late in the race.
The mishap put Dallas Colodny #08 Kohn Colodny CPA’s, LaHorgue Metal Fabricators, RAMAC Industries, Pespi of Reno Speed Truck into the coveted first place spot and a tie for second between Jason Black’s #9 Empire Cat, B-Money Speed Truck and Darren Young #18. Paul Bonaccorsi #11 and McLauchlan #38 round out the top five with only 12 points separating 1st and 5th.
Just as exciting is that the 8th through 12th positions in the championship points are held by ASA STC Rookies and with double points coming up at Orange Show Speedway on May 24th, we will see the points battle rock and roll again,” commented Rutherford.
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 2,450 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.
Check them out at www.SpeedTruck.com.
Contact: Bill McCloud, National Marketing Director – 866-873-7615., |
