Blake Horstman's Wehr's Machine Chevrolet (Doug Hornickel/fastlapphoto.com)
Fifth in a series of 14 announcing the 2009 ASAMT Touring Stars
By: Kevin Ramsell
BURLINGTON, WI (Thursday, December 04, 2008) – Blake Horstman and his Wehr’s Machine team came into the 2008 American Speed Association Kwik Trip Midwest Tour presented by ECHO Outdoor Power Equipment season with a simple goal, make all of the races. Accomplishing that goal has earned him a Touring Star status for the 2009 season.
“We had a pretty fun season this year running the ASA Midwest Tour. I never been to a lot of these tracks that we went and raced on, really had a lot of fun doing that,” Horstman stated. “Making all the shows, that was one of my goals and we did it. I honestly didn’t think it would happen, but we did it. We had a lot of fun.”
Horstman ended the season with one ECHO Fast Time award at Jefferson Speedway, one top-five and six top-ten finishes. He finished tenth in the overall points standing.
Blake Horstman (Doug Hornickel/fastlaphoto.com)
It was also at Jefferson that the Bangor, WI driver earned his top-five finish. In fact, he set a new track record in qualifying at that event.
The one thing that Horstman appreciated running his first full season in the ASAMT was the competition he faced. “It’s really strong competition,” Horstman exclaimed. “I mean there are really a lot of guys that have their stuff together and we did our best.”
Looking at the 2009 season, Horstman hopes for to gain more sponsorship, “I am hoping that we can run next year, we just need to drum up some sponsorship money and we should be able to run.”
And as to why a sponsor should look at him and the Wehr’s Machine team? “I haven’t been to a lot of the tracks and we made all of the races this year,” Horstman explained. “And next year we should only be better when we go back to the same tracks.”
The ASAMT Touring Star program was developed to help the series promote each special event prior to, during, and after each event. Each year a group of Touring Stars will be selected to the travel bonus program.
In 2009, the top-14 from the 2008 points standing will be eligible for the Touring Star program. Those drivers who are eligible will be required to sign an agreement with a promise to attend all ASAMT events and to participate in all promotional programs or opportunities. Failure to do so will result in removal from the bonus program. Touring Stars will be allowed one (1) excused absence due to unforeseen reasons that is approved by the ASAMT office.
Those eligible drivers must have their agreement signed by February 28, 2009 to be in the program. If an eligible driver declines, then the Touring Star offer will go to the next eligible driver in the 2008 points standing prior to the start of the 2009 season. If a star drops out during the season, it will go to the next eligible driver in the current 2009 points standing.
The 15th spot in the ASAMT Touring Star program is reserved for the highest finishing rookie at an ASAMT event. If they are the highest finishing eligible rookie at any 2009 ASAMT events, they will receive a Touring Star bonus at the next event.
“The Touring Star program accomplishes a major goal that Tim (Olson, ASAMT President) and I set when we started this series. That is we want to have our fans local heroes to compete against the best Midwest drivers,” Steve Einhaus, ASAMT Vice-President stated. “When we come to compete at a track with our Touring Stars, we encourage the local competitors to race with us. This is a win-win for everyone. The fans get to see some great racing and the local heroes get to show their talent against some of the toughest competition in the United States.”
The next event for the ASAMT will be the 2008 Championship Banquet on Saturday, January 24, 2009 at the Kalahari Resort in Wisconsin Dells, WI.
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.
