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ASA: BFGoodrich Tires to Sponsor ASA Season Opener Event in Florida to be known as BFGoodrich Tires 200

9 February 2000

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel
PENDLETON, Ind.--American Speed Association (ASA) officials announced today that the ACDelco Series season opener March 26 at USA International Speedway in Lakeland (Fla.) will be known as the BFGoodrich Tires 200. The announcement follows the news of a partnership formed between ASA and BFGoodrich Tires that brought radial tires to the nationally touring stock car series.

"With the excitement and interest that the season opening race presents, in the way of new cars, new engines and new tires, it becomes the perfect opportunity for BFGoodrich Tires to step in and let their presence be known in our series," said ASA Vice President of Sales & Marketing Mark Gundrum.

In an announcement made during the 1999 SEMA show in Las Vegas, ASA and BFGoodrich Tires unveiled the new, multi-year partnership, which was brands first entry into oval track racing. The agreement made BFGoodrich tires the "Official Tires of ASA" and a major series sponsor. The BFGoodrich racing radial traction T/A will be the first radial tire used by the series.

"This is the first time weve introduced the radial tire to oval track racing," said Director of Motorsports for BFGoodrich Tires Herb Johnson. "ASA provides a welcome environment to continue to enhance our BFGoodrich Tires brand racing portfolio."

The BFGoodrich Tires 200 will mark ASAs second visit to the .750-mile oval. The only other visit, the season opener in 1996, saw seven-time ASA Champion Mike Eddy narrowly miss several accidents on his way to the win. Thirty-six cars started the 300-lap event, which saw 14 caution flags and 101 caution laps. Brad Loney, Gary St. Amant, 1996 National Champion Tony Raines and Joe Nott rounded out the top-five.

ASA officials recently announced a pre-season "Spring Training" for teams competing in the 2000 ACDelco Series, scheduled for March 10-13 at USA International Speedway. The testing will be the first chance for the media and public to view ASA race cars with the new engine/tire/body package for the 2000 ACDelco Series season. It will also mark the first chance that the drivers and teams get to come out from the cold and run an official test with their new equipment.

The new season begins with the BFGoodrich Tires 200 on March 24, 25 and 26 at Lakeland. With ASA adapting a new, two-day format at its races in 2000, practice, qualifying and a 50-lap qualifying race will take place on Saturday, March 25. The seasons first race will go green at 12 p.m. (Eastern) March 26. The event will be telecast live by TNN Sports.

Text Provided by ASA

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