Milwaukee Mile Adds ASA Late Model Challenge Series in 2006
MILWAUKEE MILE 100 YEARS AND ACCELERATING 18-year old Stephen Leicht Takes Test Laps On Eve of NASCAR Busch Series Debut MILWAUKEE (October 20, 2005) - Today, The Milwaukee Mile revealed the latest national touring series to visit The Milwaukee Mile. The newly-formed ASA Late Model Challenge Series will be highlighting the Saturday, August 26 portion of the speedway's traditional Governor's Cup Weekend. "We welcome the ASA Late Model Challenge Series to The Milwaukee Mile," commented Gary Girard, General Manager of The Milwaukee Mile. "This 150-mile event will be a highlight on our August 25-27 Governor's Cup Weekend, with a Saturday afternoon shootout we know our fans will enjoy. With what will be the largest track the ASA Late Model Challenge Series will compete on in 2006, we look forward to working with Ron Varney and his staff in putting on a great race, building on the tradition of stock car racing dating back to 1948 here at America's Legendary Oval." ASA Late Model Series President Ron Varney, ASA Late Model Series Northern Division Director Steve Einhaus and other series officials were present to announce the date and a national television package for the ASA Late Model Challenge Series. "This is a great day for the ASA Late Model Series," Varney stated. "We get to race at one of the most prestigious tracks in the country in the Milwaukee Mile, which is definitely a huge feather in the Series' cap." "With the exposure the series will get on a great network like The Outdoor Channel," Varney continued, "the possibilities and the potential for the ASA Late Model Series itself, our fans, and especially are teams are endless." Joining in on the announcement was 18-year old Stephen Leicht, a North Carolina native currently living and racing out of Pewaukee, Wis. Leicht is scheduled to make his NASCAR Busch Series debut this Saturday, October 22, in Memphis, Tenn. for NASCAR powerhouse team owner Robert Yates, who currently owns a two-car NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series team with drivers Dale Jarrett and Elliott Sadler. Leicht, who has to just take the green flag to clinch the 2005 ASA Late Model Championship on October 29 at Rockford (Ill.) Speedway, is the latest aspiring driver to come to Wisconsin to further his racing career. His current crew chief is Watertown, Wis. native Howie Lettow, who had directed the efforts of current NASCAR drivers Jimmie Johnson, David Stremme and Tony Raines, who all moved to Wisconsin to work with Lettow during their formative years in stock car racing. "I look forward to starting the race at Rockford Speedway and earn the championship," Leicht said. "Today's announcement shows the rapid growth of ASA Late Model Series racing. This is an exciting opportunity for short track late model racers to get a chance to race at famous tracks like The Milwaukee Mile in front of a national television audience." After the announcement, Leicht joined other teams in testing their ASA Late Model stock cars on America's Legendary Oval, to get a base line chassis set-up for the series to share with it's competitors in anticipation of the ASA Late Model Challenge Series event to be held on Saturday, August 26, 2006. The formal signing of licensing agreements with the new Milwaukee Mile promoter group will take place within the next few weeks, along with the announcement of the speedway's 2006 schedule, according to Girard. For details on all the exciting events at The Milwaukee Mile, visit www.milwaukeemile.com <http://www.milwaukeemile.com/> . Three ASA Late Model Series cars tested Oct. 20 at The Milwaukee Mile, the day the ASA Late Model Challenge Series date of August 26, 2006 was announced, in addition to national TV coverage for the series. ASA Late Model Series President Ron Varney announced a race date for the newly-formed ASA Late Model Challenge Series at The Milwaukee Mile on August 26, 2006, in addition to national TV coverage for the series. Soon-to-be ASA Late Model Series Champion Stephen Leicht took practice laps around The Milwaukee Mile Oct. 20, the day the ASA Late Model Challenge Series date of August 26, 2006 was announced, in addition to national TV coverage for the newly-formed series. An August 26, 2006 race date at The Milwaukee Mile was announced for the newly-formed ASA Late Model Challenge Series. Making the announcement were (L to R) Ron Varney, ASA Late Model Series President, Stephen Leicht, current ASA Late Model Series point leader and Gary Girard, Milwaukee Mile General Manager.