PENDLETON, Ind. -- ASA Racing Member Track Hawkeye Downs Speedway in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, has graduated Jim Ross to the ASA Racing Series National circuit. Ross attempts to make his 2003 debut at Jennerstown Speedway on August 16, driving for Iowa car owner Dave Granneman. Ross replaced $50,000 Rookie Candidate Jeremy Miller, who has been released from his driving duties on the No. 14 Subway Restaurants Chevrolet.

“It’s tough to leave Hawkeye Downs with the chance at the championship, but Dave (Granneman) has given me an awesome opportunity to compete in ASA,” said Jim Ross. “Dave has top notch equipment and it’s an opportunity I can’t pass up. You never know when another chance will come.”

In preparation for his debut, on Wednesday, August 7, Ross began working on the cars for the ASA Racing Pennsylvania 250 at Jennerstown Speedway.

“I have had some great conversions with Jim Randerson of RanderCar and I’m very pleased with his support. He has given us a baseline setup for Jennerstown. We are planning to test the car at Hawkeye Downs next week and get a feel for the unique BFGoodrich Tires and fuel-injected engine package.”

Ross, 46, will bring a majority of his team that has worked with him at Hawkeye Downs for the last eight years. The crew chief will be Jerry Sabitski, who has a PhD from Cornell College in Mt. Vernon, Iowa.

“We are a solid team and I’m looking forward to a continued relationship in ASA that will hopefully generate more success. Our first goal is to make the field. Then if we can accomplish that, we want to finish races and gain as much experience as possible and earn the respect from the veteran drivers.”

In September of 2002, Ross made his ASA debut at Hawkeye Downs Speedway, driving for SouthWest Motorsports. He finished in the 31st position after experiencing handling problems.

Ross has competed the last 11 years at Hawkeye Downs, starting in the modifieds division. He captured 14 wins in modifieds. The last eight seasons he has been a regular fixture in the ASA Late Models. In 2003, Ross scored one victory, produced seven top fives and 10 top-ten finishes. Ross ranks second in the point standings, just four markers behind leader Johnny Spaw.

The 12th event of the 2003 ASA Racing Series is set for Saturday, August 16 at Jennerstown Speedway in Jennerstown, Pa. The Pennsylvania 250 takes the green flag at 7:30 p.m. (Local) and will be telecast live on SPEED Channel.