September 6, 2011 – The American Speed Association® Kwik Trip Midwest Tour presented by ECHO Outdoor Power Equipment and GrandStay Hospitality instituted double-file restarts for all three divisions in all events for the the 2011 season.
“I’m a major advocate for the double-file restart program and it has provided us with some of the best races we have seen in 5 years. We also haven’t had many cautions due to the restart program. That again shows how talented our guys are. Some tracks are prone to long drawn out green flag events, but sometimes it doesn’t hurt to have a few restarts to get the fans on their feet,” said Steve Einhaus, ASAMT VP.
So far this season, two ASAMT events have gone green-to-checkered without a caution. Both fans and drivers agree that while it proves the caliber of talent in the series, those races did not provide as much excitement as a caution or two can bring.
Drivers like point leader, Andrew Morrissey, as well as Steve Carlson, Ross Kenseth, Jacob Goede, and others are also advocates of the new rule for 2011. “The double-file restarts have made this series very exciting. The last few races have shown how fun it is as a fan to watch,” said Morrissey.
“We’ve worked hard at getting our set-ups right the last two years. In fact, we’ve only had to buy four sets of practice tires in the last ten races. The current tire combination along with the double-file restarts have been great for the series,” he added.
The ASA Midwest Tour follows the “choose rule” which allows the leader to choose either the inside or outside lane and the rest of the field follows suit behind the leader. This allows for drivers who have not yet made it up through the field the opportunity to move up a few spots depending on how the field lines up ahead. ASA Midwest Tour President, Tim Olson believes that the double-file restarts have saved the series and the product provided to the race fans. “When you have a few cautions and double-file restarts, it changes the whole outlook and finish of the race. That is what is most important to us and our race fans and they are who we listen to most,” said Olson.
Jacob Goede is another driver who continues to prove how double-file restarts can make a not-so-good night turn into a pretty good one. “I think the racing this year has been really good. The double-file restarts have really added to the excitement and Raceway Park was a perfect example. I have definitely put them to use this year many times when we didn’t qualify well. We have passed a lot of cars this season,” (58 to be exact), said current hard-charger point leader, Jacob Goede. The upcoming event at Rockford Speedway is going to be another action-packed one. Starting side-by-side on the 1/4 mile oval will present hard racing and will definitely show the talent of the drivers in the ASA Midwest Tour.
The next event for the ASAMT is October 1st and 2nd at Rockford Speedway in Loves Park, IL.
For more information log on to asamidwesttour.com .
Become a Fan of the ASA Midwest Tour at http://www.facebook.com/asamidwesttour.
To learn more about the American Speed Association® Kwik Trip Midwest Tour presented by ECHO Outdoor Power Equipment and GrandStay Hospitality, log on to asamidwesttour.com . For questions call the ASA Midwest Tour office at (630) 212-6022 or Tim Olson at (612) 327-5831 or e-mail Tim Olson at tim@asamidwesttour.comor Steve Einhaus at steve@asamidwesttour.com.
To learn more about the Daytona Beach, Florida-based Racing Speed Associates or the American Speed Association® Racing Member Track program, call (386) 258-2221 or send an e-mail to info@asa-racing.com. For news and information from racetracks and regional tours involved in the American Speed Association®, visit http://www.asaracing.com.
