ASA: Hawkeye Downs Speedway Becomes First ASA Member Track
16 December 2000
Posted By Terry CallahanMotorsports Editor, The Auto Channel
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa.-- The American Speed Association launched a new program Friday night that will once again expand the series and its reach in the world of short track stock car racing.
ASA General Manager of Operations Lex Dudas introduced Hawkeye Downs Speedway as the flagship short track in the ASA Member Track Program. The announcement came at the annual Hawkeye Downs Speedway Awards Banquet.
The ASA Member Track Program is being introduced to selected weekly short track venues in an effort to integrate several of the policies, principals, procedures and components that have made ASA the premier short track series in America. The ASA Member Track Program will feature a comprehensive but graduating agenda beginning with a licensing agreement. For Hawkeye Downs Speedway, it will provide enhanced sales and marketing support, an increased points fund and access to the technical resources of ASAs corporate partners. Future considerations will include the possible integration of ASA components to the cars, including but not limited to a similar engine package.
"Tonight, history will be made not only for ASA, but for Hawkeye Downs Speedway and all those involved with the track," said Dudas. "Over the years, ASA and the Board of Directors of Hawkeye Downs have grown from a pure business relationship into a true family. The ownership and management of ASA truly care about the future of short track racing. And all short track promoters share one main problem: the high cost of racing and what they must do to turn the problem around."
The introduction of the ASA Member Track Program is part of Project 2000, a cooperative effort between ASA and General Motors that addresses issues surrounding safety, current technology, education and environmental and economic concerns. A hint of this announcement was provided during the State of the Sport Address at ASAs National Awards Banquet, held in Nashville, Tenn., this past weekend.
"We hope that by reaching out to the short track level, we will be able to help them make the same transition that has worked so well in ASA," said ASA Executive Vice President Brian Robbins. "Short tracks are the roots of our industry and they need to be strong and viable if motorsports is to continue to be healthy."
This announcement comes following a highly successful 2000 ASA Racing season that saw the introduction of the fuel-injected Vortec ASA 5700 engine and BFGoodrich Radial Tires.
"Membership benefits include the perks you might expect," said Dudas. "But the main incentive is in the form of year-end cash payouts to Hawkeye Downs racers." As part of the member track program, Hawkeye Downs will see a significant increase in its season points fund, which could jump by 40 percent.
"ASA Racing will work with our family of sponsors to bring Hawkeye Downs and its competitors signage packages, sponsored race nights and product certificates for winners," continued Dudas. "ASA Racing will offer a fender decal program for participating sponsors."
Hawkeye Downs will serve as the pilot track in a program that anticipates other facilities being added in the future. Officials indicate stringent selection criteria for potential membership in the program.
Text provided by Jeremy Troiano
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