ASA LATE MODEL NEWS AND NOTES

in underage drinking and driving. This conversation led to the creation of RUDE, Racing for Underage Drinking Education. More information on RUDE will be available in the coming months.

RENSI DEVELOPMENT DRIVER FINLEY STEPS UP

14-year-old DeWitt, Michigan teenager, Chad Finley and his Team Rensi Motorsports/Team Finley Racing Crew will focus their efforts on the complete 2007 ASALMS Northern Division Schedule with hopes of capturing the 2007 Rookie of the Year Championship. In addition, Finley will also make select appearances in the ASALMS, the Challenge Division as well as the ASALMS Southern Division.

“Our limited 2006 schedule and season went fairly well. We ran a few ASALMS North races just to get our feet wet and learn about the ASALMS and what we had to do to become capable of being a contender and running up front.”said Finley. “I think I did fairly well, but I always want to win no matter what I’m racing, so we will get focused and do some testing before the 2007 season to get as much seat time as we can.” He added.

Team Rensi Motorsports is a NASCAR Busch Series Two-Car Team with current NASCAR Nextel Cup Driver, David Gilliland running the #25 FreeCreditReport.com Ford Fusion in 24 NASCAR Busch Series events for the 2007 season. Part-time ASALMS Southern Division pilot, Richard Johns will complete the 2007 Busch Series Schedule in the same car when Gilliland’s NASCAR Nextel Cup Schedule conflicts. In addition, Bobby Hamilton Jr., returns to the Team Rensi Motorsports stable and will steer the #35 McDonalds USA Ford Fusion for the full 2007 NASCAR Busch Series Schedule.

KENNEDY SIGNS WITH 5K TEAM

14-year-old Late Model driver Alex Kennedy from Aztec, New Mexico has signed with 5K Motorsports to run the full ASA Late Model Series North Division. This energetic young man made his ASALMS debut last season at the historic Music City Motorplex during the All American 400 weekend. 5K Motorsports expects a big season for this youngster as he teams up with ASA Late Model Series Challenge Division driver Derek Thorn. The Northern division kicks off their exciting season on April 27th at O’Reilly Raceway Park for the ASI Limited 100 presented by Lucas Oil Products.

cheeseburger but I can drive a racecar,” said Alex. Copies of the “Outside the Lines” show are available on request and can be viewed on Alex Kennedy’s website at http://www.alexkennedyracing.com.

The challenging ASA Late Model Series Northern division will be Alex Kennedy’s racing home for 2007. Alex will compete for the rookie of the year title in ASALMS North this year. Helping Alex adjust to racing at this level will be his teammate Derek Thorn. “Part of the program we have put together includes having Derek work together with Alex,” said 5K Motorsports owner Ken Wills. “We plan to get Alex off to a great start in points the first five races to go after the rookie of the year title.”

Owner Ken Wills is a racer and knows what it takes to compete! Wills stepped out of the car and into the owner’s role full time late last year. “We are dedicated to competing as a championship level team,” said Wills. “We will focus our efforts with thorough attention to detail in our preparation and organization in every thing we do.” 5K Motorsports is excited about the 2007 season with drivers Derek Thorn and Alex Kennedy competing this season in the ASA Late Model Series Challenge and Northern divisions respectively.

Kennedy had an adventurous 2006 season. Starting the year in Legends cars at the Las Vegas Road Course in January, he would have never guessed that he would end the season making his debut in the ASA Late Model Series in Nashville. ESPN’s “Outside the Lines” show would even feature Alex during a special about young drivers! Nicknamed the “New Mexico Rising Star” at his home track of Sandia Motorsports Park, Alex lived up to that moniker with more firsts last season.

This summer ESPN’s Mike Massaro interviewed Alex and his parents for a special “Outside the Lines” special about young drivers. “I can’t drive to Sonic to get a

When he is not busy testing or racing his Late Model stock car you can find Alex giving back to his community. The 2006 License to Read Summer Reading Program was a huge success! Alex enjoyed being on the receiving end for this event, getting the kid’s autographs and pictures of the kids in the driver’s seat of his racecar. Alex also encouraged the kids to use the library as a tool in life just as his crew uses tools to make his car go faster! This story would even make the pages of Dick Berggren’s Speedway Illustrated last year.

Alex Kennedy feels blessed to chase his dream of becoming a NASCAR racer someday. Along with that chance to race comes a responsibility to give back to his community. This fall Alex asked his Father Terry if they could use the racecar to catch the attention of kids his age that are making the mistake of getting involved

going in were to just make the races and learn from our mistakes to grow as a team. We did make all of our races and we learned a lot for 2007.”

In addition to his three appearances in the ASALMS Northern Division, Finley also ran closer to home in an Outlaw Bodied Super Late Model at the Owosso Speedway when his schedule allowed. The 14-year-old, despite missing half the season, still managed to finish third in the tracks premiere divisions’ Rookie of the Year title chase.

As for the 2007 season, Finley and his Team Rensi Motorsports/Tem Finley Racing crew are anxious to get the season started and have high expectations.

“Our goal is to make the races and get some seat time and work towards solid top ten fishes and hoping to make a top 12 points finish, a win would be awesome!” Finley added. “With the help we got now on the crew, I strongly believe we are capable of completing these goals!”

Finley is salivating at the prospect of running at Owosso (MI) Speedway on the track where he has the most experience of his young career.

“I am looking forward to coming back to my home state to race at those tracks. I know we will run good at Owosso because I’ve been around there since I was a child and that’s where I started testing my grandpa’s super late model and began racing it there.” Finley continued. “The Doubles are in my home state, so we definitely want to perform well and help put our name out there and grow a fan base.” He stated.

Finley’s Father is former ARCA Re/Max Series star, Jeff Finley. In addition, his Uncle is Doug Finley, both are stout Outlaw Bodied Super Late Model drivers in the state of Michigan, and both have track championships at Owosso as well as multiple track titles at the near-by Spartan (MI) Speedway. Ironically, “Uncle Doug” steered Chad’s Outlaw Bodied Super Late Model to the 2006 Track Championship at Spartan, the fifth championship of his career at the Mason, Michigan speed plant.

“We've taken Chad across the Midwest and Eastern United States Racing, he learned fast. With the help of Chas (Howe) and everyone at Howe Racing Enterprises, we've learned a lot with pre race set up and that really helps before we ever leave the shop.” Added Jeff Finley, Chad’s Father. “We will just need time and good things will come. Everything is going well in the shop, we just remodeled our 3,500 Square Foot Race Shop in DeWitt (Michigan) to house our efforts for the 2007 ASALMS season, we are building a second car and we are currently talking to some folks about marketing opportunities so we are full steam ahead.” Finley ended.

The Team Rensi Motorsports/Team Finley Racing Crew are hard at work in the DeWitt, Michigan Race Shop as

the team will be led by new Co-Crew Chief, Jon Reasoner.

“I’ve known Jon for a long time! He helped my Dad during his ARCA days, so we have some chemistry there and that should help.” The younger Finley remarked. “Our Car Chief will be Robert Kirkbride, who is my uncle and he has been helping me from day one in go-karts and has stuck with us through the years and has put up with me and has a major roll on the team.“

“Of course there’s my Dad who is my biggest supporter. He is the car owner and Co-Crew Chief also and he helps me learn and is my mentor. The experience he has from racing Super Late Models, and everything else he’s done is major to me because I know when he talks to me I listen” Stated the 14-year-old. “Then we got four crew guys; Randy Briggs, Zack Lange, Mark Mantyla, Mike Roush. Without these guys this deal wouldn’t be able to happen. I’m so thankful to be working with such a great group of guys.” The younger Finley ended.

Finley began his racing career just five years ago at 10 years old racing go-karts. The Great Lakes State teenager has accomplished a lot in his young racing career. In 2003 he finished 3rd in the East Lansing Kart Track Championship points, 2004 he was the East Lansing Kart Track Champion and in 2005 he was the Great Lakes Sprint Series Champion and 6th in the World Karting Association along with several poles and National Event Wins.

HANKS PLANS FULL SEASON WITH ALLEN-HOCK MOTORSPORTS

Keeton Hanks, who started his racing career at the ripe age of five years old, has signed with Allen-Hock Motorsports for a full slate of ASA Late Model Series Challenge Division races in 2007 at the young age of 17 years old.

Hanks has collected over 60 Legends Car feature wins and was the 2004 National Pro Asphalt Champion. Keeton was recently crowned Rookie of the Year in the NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series at the historic Music City (TN) Motorplex and finished fourth in the points standings. With two seasons of racing Late Models under his belt, Hanks has gained valuable knowlege and experience that will help him to continue making Allen-Hock Motorsports the successful team it has been.

As for Finley, who will turn 15 on March 17th, he made select appearances in the ASALMS Northern Division in 2006 with his official ASALMS Debut coming at Berlin (MI) Raceway. His best finish came during his third and last race in 2006 at the Hawkeye Downs (IA) Speedway on September 1, 2006. Finley came home with a 16th place showing.

“We didn’t qualify well but we had I think a top 12 car, we just made a few errors with our setup.” Explained Finley. “Towards the end, we were in the top 15 but overheated, I believe we could have ran in the top 12 if that wouldn’t of happened. But we managed to complete all the races that we attempted and that’s all we really were there for and wanted to do.” Finley continued. “Our expectations

Keeton has proved he can be a threat in competitive fields as he finished out his 2006 season in his first ever All American 400 with a top five! Hanks' 2007 season will consist of 12 races and is going to be a year he will gain experience on larger race tracks as he will be racing on tracks such as Bristol (TN) Motor Speedway, The Milwuakee (WI) Mile, Iowa (IA) Speedway, and even crossing the border into Canada to race!

The Allen-Hock Motorsports prepared Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS will begin being driven by Hanks at San Antonio, Texas in the first ASALMS Challenge Division race of the year.

"These guys at Allen-Hock Motorsports are great guys and I'm looking forward to working with them week in and week out. We all have one thing on our minds for sure, and that is to give the team and myself our first ASA Late Model Series win together. I will focus on keeping these cars up front every week and the guys are going to work hard in the pits, so we also have a championship in the back of our minds," happily claimed Hanks about his new team.

Allen-Hock Motorsports is owned by Glenn Allen Jr., the 1996 NASCAR Busch Series Rookie of the Year, and Ed Hock, a successful business man in Michigan, is based out of Cincinnati, Ohio. Team owners Allen Jr., and Hock make a great combination as they have finished in the top five in points with their race teams two years in a row. The team was a multi car team in 2006 as they had both cars finish in the top ten in points.

"Keeton is a great person and driver. We at Allen-Hock Motorsports hope that he will lead us to our first ASA Late Model Series Championship in 2007," stated team owner, Hock, on his new driver.

"We're excited about having Keeton Hanks as Allen-Hock Motorsports' 2007 driver. We feel he is one of the better short track racers across the country. We have finished in the top five with our race teams already and feel like Keeton can get us our first championship. Keeton comes from a great family and brings the total package to the table," stated Allen Jr., who will be serving as the team's crew chief.

GULLETT EYES IOWA RACE

Tracy Gullett has signed an agreement with 5K Motorsports of West Bend, Wisconsin to drive in the ASA Late Model Series Challenge Divisions' Fifth Event of the 2007 season scheduled for May 18-19, 2007 at the Iowa (IA) Speedway in Newton, Iowa. Gullett, a 1990 graduate of Newton Senior High School, will be piloting the #15 Chevrolet Monte Carlo in his touring series debut.

"I'm happy to be able to make my ASALMS debut with

a championship caliber team like 5K Motorsports."

Said Gullett. "I set goals for myself several years ago,

one of which was to compete in a touring series event. I

am happy that I'll be meeting that goal ahead of schedule." He added.

Although he was unable to put together a deal to race

in the tracks inaugural season, watching the action

from the Manatt Grandstand in 2006 inspired Gullett to

strengthen his search for a compatible team. "Obviously,

I was excited about having a high-profile race track like this

being built in my hometown." Gullett explained.

After learning of an opening with the Ken Wills owned 5K Motorsports team, Tracy and his 7-year-old daughter Grace made the trip to West Bend, Wisconsin to meet with the team, and a deal was struck.

While the Iowa Speedway event is the only 2007 appearance scheduled for Gullett at this time, more events may be scheduled if marketing partners join the effort.