ASA Team Owners, Drivers Support the Operating Plan
If the following text-only file is not easily readable, particularly any tables of numbers, try enlarging this window since every line has a forced end and there is no word-wrap. Otherwise, this report will look and print better from the following PDF file: http://www.sportssystems.com/applib/PDFload.cfm?file=/email/filehost/FH569.pdf&id=BC569FH1AACxq -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- For Immediate Release ASA NATIONAL TOUR TEAM OWNERS, DRIVERS SUPPORTIVE OF OPERATING PLAN PENDLETON, Ind. (July 1, 2004) - In a meeting of ASA National Team owners yesterday afternoon, officials of the American Speed Association outlined an operating plan for the remainder of the season. This plan included several concessions from an owner's perspective, including a reduction in the points fund, winner's circle money, and one less event on the schedule. "I think it is an excellent plan," said Terry Kunes, owner of the No. 71 Terry's Motorsports Ford driven by rookie Brett Sontag. "I think you have to cut expenses, and the way (ASA) did it still gives all of us what we need to race. We all need to be able to support our race teams, and we all need as much as we can get from ASA for running our program. I think we all need to sacrifice a little bit now to get this thing over the hump. "When I see the fact that the dedication is here (at ASA), that will make it happen. It's not about money, it's about dedication. People can keep throwing money at things. It's about having a business plan and having dedication. I think Steve (Dale) is committed, and I certainly know that everyone I have heard from ASA at the meeting are all committed to making this a success," Kunes explained. "For the betterment of the series everybody has to pull together," declared Jim Lagina, co-owner of the No. 24 Kega-Que/Louis Schmitt Plumbing Chevrolet. "The best thing we can do is go out and race July 17 (the next scheduled ASA National Tour event at Madison International Raceway). "You can either be left out, or you can be part of it," Lagina answered about his thoughts on the plan outlined to the owners. "And it is part of a solution that's going to get us to '05 better and stronger than ever." Some of the ASA National Tour drivers also had thoughts on the plan, including Mike Garvey, pilot of the No. 17 Jani-King Chevrolet. "We have to make some concessions, but ASA had to make concessions also," Garvey said. "If this (plan) gets us through the end of the year, and hopefully some sponsors come in, then we can get (ASA) back to where it was and go on in the future. If this is what we have to do to survive it then I'm all behind it. We'll do everything we can, and I think most of the racers will. We've got to survive to go forward." While most of the sentiments from the meeting attendees were positive, Kunes probably summed up the feelings of all the most succinctly. "Everybody has some problems from time to time, but I really want to do everything I can to help ASA come over the top," he said. The American Speed Association is based in Pendleton, Ind., and has offered stock car racing programs since 1968, including the ASA National Tour, ASA Late Model Series, several regional touring series, and the ASA Member Track programs. For additional information, visit asaracing.com. - www.asaracing.com - For More Information, Contact: John Clark Executive Director/Communications American Speed Association (765) 778-8088, ext. 217 jclark@asaracing.com