Asa – hoss to invade jennerstown

JENNERSTOWN, PA (Aug. 2, 2005) …  Although Jennerstown Speedway will be dark this Saturday (Aug. 6) because of the Rolling Rock Town Fair concert, the eyes of the racing world will again be focused on the Somerset County half-mile paved oval next week when it hosts the unique Johnstown Tribune-Democrat ‘Doubleheader’ featuring two of the hottest touring series’ in the nation.

“The ASA Late Model Series and the open wheel, winged Hoosier Outlaw Sprint Series (HOSS) will make their first Jennerstown appearance on Aug. 13,” said speedway general manager Larry Mattingly. “The date also marks one of the few times we have ever featured stock cars and open cockpit touring cars on the same program.”

The ASA Late Model Series has replaced the now defunct American Speed Association national series, which fell victim to financial woes at the close of the 2004 season. “In three short years the new ASA Late Model Series has taken the Midwestern region of the nation by storm,” Mattingly said. “In many ways the new ASA is a throwback to the early days of the American Speed Association when it centered its efforts on short-track racing, rather than trying to emulate NASCAR on the super speedways.”

ASA will present a 100-lap feature event using cars which are very similar to the Jennerstown weekly super late model class.

Steven Leicht is the current ASA points leader...

 The biggest difference will be under the hood. ASA cars must run sealed General Motors, Ford or Dodge ‘crate’ engines costing between $5,000 and $6,500.

“The ASA car is being hailed as the short-track car of the future,” added Mattingly. “We believe that virtually every asphalt track in the nation will be racing a car similar to ASA’s within the next three years. The reduced engine costs and strict rule enforcement has equalized ASA competition and produced impressive car counts during early races this season.”

On the other side of the coin the HOSS sprint cars are as wide open, rule wise, as a race class can be. Using custom built 410 cubic inch engines, which cost over $40,000, and large air foils mounted atop the roll cage; the HOSS car is the equivalent to the World of Outlaw machines which rule the country’s dirt tracks. “The HOSS cars are not quite as exotic as the ISMA supermodifieds that appeared here earlier this year,” Mattingly commented, “but they’re just about as fast.” Perhaps even faster. With the supermodified cars forced to run a harder tire compound because of Jennerstown’s new high grip polymer surface, the ISMA drivers have been unable to break Chris Perley’s all-time track record of 15.239 (123.320 miles per hour) in their past two outings.

Greg Wheeler is the defending HOSS sprint car champion

“I think our cars will dip into the 14-second bracket during time trials,” said Park City, ILL driver Tim Cox, the current HOSS points leader, and winner of the most recent feature event at Madison, Wis. “Our cars are lighter than the supermods, and we use a softer compound tire. We are normally quicker in the speed runs.”

Appearing with the ASA and HOSS tours will be Jennerstown’s five-division NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series program, competing in a features-only format.

Advance adult tickets are on sale for $15.00 if purchased before Aug. 12. There is special pricing  for seniors, students and children. Children under the age of six are free. Race day admission is $25.00.

Spectator gates open at 2:00 PM, with racing to begin at 5:00. Time trials will begin at 3:30. A special on-track ASA autograph session will precede their feature.

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