Paul Dallenbach Announces Plans with ASA
4 March 2000
Paul Dallenbach Announces Plans with ASA Professional Stunt Driver to Join Stellar Rookie Class PENDLETON, Ind. (March 2, 2000) - Paul Dallenbach, youngest son of legendary Indy Car driver and former CART Director of Competition Wally Dallenbach, has announced his plans to run for the 2000 Pat Schauer Memorial Rookie of the Year in the ASA ACDelco Series. Dallenbach will drive a 2000 Pontiac Grand Prix for Enerjetix Motorsports based in Dallas, Texas. The team is currently looking for sponsorship. Dallenbach, 32, comes to ASA with limited stock car experience, despite racing professionally since 1985. He currently is a precision/stunt driver for Performance Two Inc., a high performance driving team, where he has filmed numerous commercials for car companies. "Our expectations are just to make the races because of it being a new team," said Dallenbach, whose older brother Wally currently runs in Winston Cup. "If we can make the races and keep our nose clean, that is all we can hope for. Thankfully, ASA will have qualifying races this year so even if we don't make the show in qualifying, we can get some seat time in racing conditions." "Since I don't have a lot of oval track experience, except in open wheel cars, I think ASA is a great place to get started and learn stock car racing," added Dallenbach, who will join a rookie class in excess of 20 drivers. The rookie class includes Larry Foyt, Mark E. Dismore, Philip Kranefuss, David Bonnett, Wayne Willard and Johnny Sauter. Dallenbach began his racing career winning Rookie of the Year honors in the SCCA VW Cup in 1985. In 1986, he moved Toyota Atlantic, where he finished fourth in points and was also crowned top rookie. Dallenbach has raced the 24 Hours of Daytona on several occasions, with his best finish coming in 1988, when he finished second. Paul is also an accomplished hill-climbing driver, having won the 1993 Pike Peak Hill Climb, setting a overall record. "I see this as a affordable opportunity to bring Paul into stock car racing," said team owner Richard Balestrieri. "I also see ASA as the best kept secret to corporate America in motorsports. The total package the series offers with television, its history and competitiveness makes us enthused about getting involved." The ASA ACDelco season begins with the BFGoodrich Tires 200 on March 24, 25 and 26 at USA International Speedway in Lakeland, Fla. With ASA^s new two-day format, practice, qualifying and a 50-lap qualifying race will take place on Saturday, March 25 with the season^s first race set to go green at 12 p.m. (Eastern) on Sunday, March 26. The event will be telecast live by TNN Sports.