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Traditional Sprint Car FanSite |
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up with the California Asphalt Sprintcar Association by Glenn Hopper |
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May 5, 2004 - San Jose, CA... The California Asphalt Sprintcar Association has raced three of its 18 scheduled events for 2004 and is beginning to realize the fruits of their labor. A great deal of hard work by management and member racers has brought the car count up to, while still modest, record numbers. From its inception in November, 2002, CASA knew that producing a successful asphalt sprint car series, in both uncertain economic times and within the generally difficult California racing environment, would be a huge undertaking. Fortunately, Altamont Motorsports Park management saw the potential in the new club and provided the opportunity for CASA to begin operations. While this is officially CASA’s second season, there have been only 12 CASA races to date. In that time, (approximately one-half of a season for a weekly race schedule), 34 different racecar drivers have competed with CASA, and five different drivers have won feature events. In CASA’s short 12-race history, it has doubled its core group of drivers, and there are still several CASA cars awaiting completion. CASA has produced the largest field of cars competing at Altamont on several occasions, and is expecting to average over 20 cars per race as the season progresses. CASA now holds the all-time Altamont sprintcar qualifying track record, has 13 members in its 100 MPH Average Speed Club, and has run five of their 12 feature events without a caution flag. While not without growing pains, CASA has improved in nearly every capacity as professional racing organization; enough so that they have been invited to Carson City’s Champion Speedway and Shasta Raceway Park for both stand-alone programs and special open wheel shows. As more and more people recognize CASA as a viable, professional race organization, CASA expects to continue to build strength and market share. Recently, sports writers and race columnists have taken notice of CASA’s activities and are projecting possible scenarios where CASA could continue to develop its successful race program, offering new venues where they would like to see CASA compete. Negotiations for 2005 are already underway and many of those tracks, as well as others, have been in contact with CASA President/CEO Scott Clough, about booking dates for the future. Yet CASA has, in no way, completed its mission. There is always a great deal of work to be done to both maintain and grow an organization, however, CASA looks to be right on track. |
