Sunday, August 10, 2003

By Chris Dolack, Special to the Post-Gazette

The American Speed Association has a history of producing drivers reaching NASCAR's highest ranks.

In fact, the ASA series has its footprints all over the Winston Cup circuit. Current front-runner Matt Kenseth is a veteran of ASA, Mark Martin was a four-time champion, Rusty Wallace won the title in 1983, Johnny Benson won the 1993 crown and Tony Raines claimed the 1996 championship. In addition, Jimmie Johnson, who drives a car co-owned by Jeff Gordon, was the 1998 ASA rookie of the year.

So when the ASA series rolls into Jennerstown Speedway Saturday for the Pennsylvania 250, it will offer fans a chance to determine who will be the next stars of the stock-car world.

Veteran driver Butch Miller is the defending race winner after slipping through a skirmish between Joey Clanton, now in the Busch Series, and Kevin Cywinski, the current ASA points leader. For Miller, who has raced in ASA since 1976, last season's win is his only victory at Jennerstown, where the series has been 17 times since 1990.

While Miller and Cywinski, as well as veteran Mike Garvey, will most likely be the main contenders Saturday, the series' rising stars -- the drivers NASCAR's top teams watch -- include Travis Kittleson, 23, and Reed Sorenson, 17. Also, Cranberry native Travis Geisler, 22, hopes to qualify for his first ASA event. Geisler, who has competed on NASCAR touring circuits this season, will be a teammate of Cywinski's for the race.

"We are pleased to be able to put a young driver of Travis' caliber in the car," said Dick Melius, team manger and manager of marketing and promotion for Country Joe Racing. "He's incredibly well-rounded, a proven winner on the short tracks and has been strong on the speedways this year. He and I first met at Jennerstown a year ago, and it's great to see the relationship coming full circle."

Call the track office at 814-629-6677 for more information or go to www.jennerstown.com.

Hemphill to Truck series

Ryan Hemphill, who began the season in the ASA series, will drive the No. 15 VOKAL Clothing Dodge for the remainder of the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series season.

Hemphill, 21, of Apollo, takes over the reigns from NASCAR veteran Mike Skinner who has rejoined the NASCAR Winston Cup Series. Hemphill has made six previous NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series starts with a best finish of 10th at South Boston, Va., in 2002 while with Bobby Hamilton Racing.

Take a spin

Tired of sitting in the grandstand? More and more tracks are offering the opportunity to drive or ride in race cars. No longer is it limited to superspeedways, either. This season, programs at Motodrome, Jennerstown and Sharon speedways allow fans the chance to experience a few laps around the track.

Jennerstown Speedway and Lasky Motor Sports offer the Jennerstown Driving Experience, where a race-ready Busch Series car is available for people to drive. Go to www.jennerstown.com for more information.

At Motordrome Speedway, Team Ciferno offers a similar program using a late-model stock car, just like those raced every Friday night in the track's top division. For more information, check out www.teamciferno.com/ride.

In a slightly different twist, Dave Blaney has outfitted a sprint car with a rear seat for his Outlaw Driving Experience. Although based at Sharon Speedway, this program often tours Pennsylvania dirt tracks. For more information, go to www.daveblaneyoutlawexp.com.

Looking ahead

Friday night, Lernerville has a regular show, while it will be fan appreciation night at Motordrome, where the late models will race in a 100-lap event in addition to a fireworks display and an appearance by the Goodyear blimp. Saturday, Pittsburgh's Pennsylvania Motor Speedway has a regular show, Mercer Raceway Park features the 5th annual "Sprint Slug-Out" and Pittsburgh Raceway Park has a regular program in addition to a Jet Funny Car show.

Chris Dolack is the senior writer for Auto Racing Digest. He can be reached at cdolack@chrisdolack.com.

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