WEHRS MACHINE TO PLAY A MAJOR ROLE IN THE ASAMT 2008 SEASON
By: Kevin Ramsell (www.kevinramsell.com)
BURLINGTON, WI (Thursday, March 13, 2008) – Chad Wehrs is someone that is always looking to create something innovative and unique for the world of auto racing. This season, Wehrs will come on board as a contingency sponsor in the ASA Kwik Trip Midwest Tour presented by Echo Outdoor Power Equipment as well as field two cars with one experienced veteran and one newcomer.
Wehrs has been keeping his eye on the ASAMT while operating his machine shop that is entering its 11th year of operation at its Bangor, WI location. Their product catalog (available at www.wehrsmachine.com) features over 35 unique pieces that Wehrs has created for racing along with items like: Adjustable J-Bars, A-Frame Spaces, Splash Guards, Fuel Pump Plates, bellhousing dowels, and much more.
Wehrs even created the unique trophy that Donny Reuvers received for his Larry Detjen’s Sportsmanship Award honors at the 2007 ASAMT Championship Banquet.
“We are always trying to be more innovative here,” Wehrs stated. “We have created over 35 unique pieces for racing and it’s always great to come out with something cool.”
Along with the machine shop he also has a racing shop and will have one possibly two cars competing at each ASAMT event this upcoming season.
“I think it’s a first class deal,” Wehrs stated when asked about the ASAMT. “Tim (Olson, ASAMT President) and Steve (Einhaus, ASAMT VP) have done a decent job of getting this series to go. They have what it takes to make it work. This sport does cost a lot of money and they have brought on first class sponsors to help with the purse they present at each event. I think it’s the best deal going.”
This season, the ASAMT will have a feature minimum starting pay of $600 with the winner taking home at least $3,000.
Wehrs will have veteran driver, Blake Horstman behind the wheel of one of his Super Late Models while 2006 WISSOTA Dirt Late Model champion, Adam Hensel, will move from the dirt to the asphalt in a second car.
“Blake has been running at Golden Sands (Plover, WI) over the last couple of years, so it will be cool to get him to race at the different tracks that the ASAMT will be running at in 2008,” Wehrs stated. “It will be cool to see him try out these tracks.”
Horstman, who finished sixth in the 2007 point standings at Golden Sands is also looking forward to the new challenge, “I am real excited about it,” Horstman stated. “We have raced at Dells, La Crosse, Madison, Milwaukee, and Kaukauna, but I am looking forward to the other tracks that the ASAMT races at. We are planning on going up to Elko Speedway’s opener to get some track time before the ASAMT event on April 19th.”
He is also looking forward to the competition that the ASAMT provides, “It’s a real competitive series with a lot of good drivers and equipment,” Horstman stated. “Last year, they had about over 40 cars at each event and from a fan’s standpoint that has to be exciting to watch itself.”
Horstman has already been talking to his new teammate, Adam Hensel. “He’s a pretty good guy and real knowledgeable about racing. He has picked my brain every time we have met and is real enthusiastic about trying out some asphalt racing.”
Hensel, 20-year-old pilot from Barron, WI, is making the big move from dirt to asphalt. “I have never drove an asphalt car in my life, so this will be a whole new experience for me,” Hensel recently stated. “My ultimate goal is to get into NASCAR. My goal is to get paid to race for a living.”
Last year, Hensel competed at 29 different tracks in 10 different states and took home two feature wins. Along with being the 2006 WISSOTA Champion he was also the 2005 WISSOTA Rookie of the Year.
Hensel and Wehrs connected at last year’s Performance Racing Industry Show in Orlando, FL where Hensel approached Wehrs about running asphalt Super Late Models. “Chad talked very highly about the ASAMT and how the series is getting noticed,” Hensel explained. “I want to be with the #1 series to get involved with, so we are going to give it a try.”
“Adam has a lot of dirt experience and he would like to further his career down south, so he needs to get some asphalt experience,” Wehrs explained. “He will start out by running the same car that Travis Kvapil drove at the Dells ASAMT event last season. If he likes it, we will build him a new car and go for Rookie of the Year.”
“We are excited to have Wehrs Machine as a contingency sponsor for this season along with their participation on the track with Blake and Adam,” Einhaus stated. “It will be great to see Blake compete at some new tracks and for us to see Adam’s talents transition from the dirt tracks to the asphalt.”
Both Horstman and Hensel will be in attendance at the ASAMT season opener, Kwik Trip 125, on Saturday, April 19th at Elko Speedway in Elko, MN (www.elkospeedway.com).
For more information about Adam Hensel, please visit his website at www.adamhensel.com. For more information on Wehrs Machine and to order their catalog, please visit www.wehrsmachine.com.
To learn more about the American Speed Association Kwik Trip Midwest Tour presented by Echo Outdoor Power Equipment log on to www.asamidwesttour.com or call the ASA Midwest Tour office at (262) 514-3880 or e-mail Tim Olson at tim@asamidwesttour.com or Steve Einhaus at steve@asamidwesttour.com.
To learn more of the Daytona Beach, Florida-based Racing Speed Associates or the American Speed Association Racing Member Track program, call (386) 258-2221 or send an e-mail to info@asa-racing.com. For news and information from racetracks and regional tours involved in the American Speed Association, visit www.asaracing.com.
