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ASA announces 'Speedweeks' Florida Opener; Trip to Los Angeles in 2001

8 October 2000

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel
PENDLETON, Ind. - The American Speed Association has released the opening two dates of the 2001 ASA Racing schedule of events, announcing visits to Florida Speed Park during "SpeedWeeks," and the touring series first-ever visit to the state of California and Irwindale Speedway.

ASA will open its 34th season on Saturday night, February 17, with the series' first visit to Florida's east coast and the one-half mile Florida Speed Park oval in St. Augustine. The 2001 season will move from a big opening weekend in Florida to what may be the biggest event on the schedule, as the Indiana-based series will make its first venture to the state of California. On Saturday night, March 10, ASA will visit Irwindale Speedway, the half-mile, progressively-banked facility located just outside of Los Angeles. The second stop on the 2001 ASA schedule will also serve as the season-opener for the three-year-old racing facility.

Located in the heart of the San Gabriel Valley, less than 25 minutes from downtown Los Angeles, Irwindale Speedway is a state-of-the-art motorsports facility that features two separate banked ovals. The larger half-mile track surrounds a one-third mile oval. The speedway opened in March of 1999 and has hosted several major events, including various stock car, sprint car and modified events.

"We are thrilled to be expanding our Florida markets, as well as branching out to the Los Angeles-area," said ASA Executive Vice President Brian Robbins. "With the timing of the St. Augustine event falling during SpeedWeeks, we feel that this will be a great opportunity to expose our series to a large number of stock car fans.

"Expansion to the West Coast will allow us to bring the competitive excitement of our series to an entirely new fan base," added Robbins. "Racing fans in California have long indicated their desire for an ASA event. Sponsor interest along with the continuing growth of the series makes Irwindale Speedway a logical step for 2001. Los Angeles is a formidable market and a great opportunity for ASA and its teams."

ASA will release the remainder of the 2001 schedule on Tuesday, October 10. The schedule will again include 20 events with all races set to be telecast live on TNN, The National Network.

Text Provided By Doug Stokes

Editors Note: To view hundreds of hot racing photos and art, visit The Racing Photo Museum and the Visions of Speed Art Gallery.