Posted by Brian "King Roundboy" Nolte on 1/25/2005, 10:51 am
Board Administrator

It looks like the ASA Late Model series could be the ASA of the 70's and 80's. With no ASA National series this year a lot of drivers are looking to the LM series as a place to compete for the 2005 racing season. 2004 ASA Rookie of the Year Brett Sontag announced he will be competing in some LM events for 2005 along with some local events. Joining Sontag will be Ryan Hanson, Chad Wood, Stephen Leight, Robbie Pyle, Peter Cozzolino, and Ed Brown who all competed in the National series in 2004. Coming back to defend his title is Bobby Stremme who had a very strong year in 2004 but will have some very strong competiton in 2005. The ASA LM series will open it's 16 race schedule May 7 at Baer Field in MN. and close at LaCrosse on Oct 7. The series will also be headlining the National Short Track Championship at Rockford on September 24th and 25th. Mark your calenders for Sunday March 13th for the Chicagoland Auto Racing Memorabilia & Collectibles Show. The show will be held at the Ramada Inn 17400 S Halstead St in Homewood. This is the place to get ANYTHING racing. Lots of talk on the forum board about the new rule of headers on Grundy Street Stocks. The cost of racing just went up a little more. My opinion is the average guy from the stands can't go out and build a street stock without spending 5-6 thousand dollars. I know, I tried it and failed. I thought this was interesting, 1983 was the first year of Street Stock then called Budget Bumpers. The program had a little write up about the new class. Here is what it says. BUDGET BUMPERS.........AFFORDABLE FUN! The Budget Bumpers only ran a few shows in 82' , but all indications are that you should see larger fields of cars and some wild action this year. The Budget Bumpers were created to give potential drivers a chance to get into real racing without spending huge sums of money. The experience of running a Budget Bumper should prepare a driver to move up into the Sportsman ranks, and then into the Late Models. These car are basically stock, and rules are strictly enforced. Remember, the Budget Bumpers are just for fun so you can go racing on a minimum investment of time and money. I had to laugh a little when I read this, especially the last part about minimum investment. I understand that everything has gone up in price but why keep adding to it. First it was racing tires now its headers next it will be Ford 9 inch rear ends and manual trans. Its time to go back to enduro rules. Also in 1982 Dave Weltmeyer beat Frank Gawlinski in Late Models and Danny Dean beat out Paul Polarek in Sportsman action. Bill Sontag Jr won the Street Stock title in his Camaro over Joe Morris. Al Schill won the 1st 50 lap ARTGO feature with Dick Trickle picking up the second in 1982. With Daytona just around the corner I'm gonna go ahead and make my picks. I'm gonna take Ryan Newman to win the 500 and Dale JR wil be the leader for the points title with 10 races to go to, only to lose it in the final ten to Jeff Gordon. Don't run out and bet the house on these picks I'm usually not right. Here's some random thoughts you can think about till I write the next report: Will there be 4 cyls at Grundy this year? Will the rules be the same as Illiana's? Will anyone be able to beat Jerry Einhaus in Mid-am at Grundy? If he wins will the forum say its because of the tech guys? Who will promote the Appleton race this year? Why isn't there an ASA L.M. race at Grundy or Illiana? What ever happened to Randy Ross? How many B-days will we hear a night? (HAPPY B-DAY MIKE) When will Steve Bechtel's Raceway Park book be out? Who will win R.O.Y IN L.M at Grundy? (should be interesting) Wouldn't you like to see Stan Kalwiasinski's basement!!!!!!!!!!!!!!? When will I have time to write the next Roundboy Report? Thats all for now see everyone at Stan and Turtles show!!!!! P.S TELL THEM YOU HEARD IT FROM THE KING FIRST