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Choquette Enters ASA Southeast Asphalt Tour Event at Lakeland

Multi-Time 2008 Winner Heads Back to USA International Speedway

As the next event draws closer for the RC Cola / MoonPie ASA Southeast Asphalt Tour, the entry list just got a little bigger. 2008 SPEEDFEST winner Jeff Choquette has thrown his name into the ring for the 125-lap event at USA International Speedway on May 3rd.

"We haven’t raced with them this year,” said Choquette. “But when you have a TV deal like they do with the big channels showing the races, it’s a big selling point to want to run their events.”

Choquette has been a force this year in Florida; he’s won over half a dozen events, including a championship from New Smyrna Speedway’s “World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Auto Racing” during Florida Speedweeks. He also has tasted victory at the track simply referred to as “Lakeland,” during this January’s SPEEDFEST event. The advantage of having many laps at Lakeland could make Choquette an early favorite.

Jeff Choquette has already won several trophies so far in 2008. Look for him to be fast at Lakeland on May 3rd. (51 Sports photo)“We’ve had a lot of success this year. At SPEEDFEST we won two races at Lakeland, but we have still had some bad luck in the past there as well. It’s still one of my favorite tracks, and I am looking forward to running there in that event with ASA Southeast.”

Choquette has ventured outside of his Florida Late Model world this year. He has competed in Super Late Model events at Hickory,NC, Mobile, AL, and also in the Panhandle of Florida in a Blizzard Series event at Five Flags Speedway. In the past, Choquette has also been part of the Roush “Gong Show” to evaluate some of the top talent coming out of the short track ranks of America.

With the success of the first TV event (check asasoutheast.com for more details on airings), many heads have turned for the upcoming TV races. Drivers are looking to get better exposure and attract the eyes of NASCAR teams and big-dollar sponsors.

"It’s not enough to just win races anymore,” added Choquette. “You have to run good every week, look good, talk good and have the sponsors to back you, and that is what a lot of us are hoping for with the TV deal in ASA Southeast.”

Round number three of the RC Cola / MoonPie ASA Southeast Asphalt Tour will be on Saturday, May 3rd, at USA International Speedway in Lakeland, FL. Pit Gates open at 10:00am with practice commencing at 1:00pm. Qualifying is slated for 4:30pm with the 125-lap feature scheduled for 7:30pm. The event will be aired on a tape-delayed basis on many cable networks, including FOX SportSouth. If you would like more information regarding the event and upcoming TV coverage, please visit the official website of ASA SAT at www.asasoutheast.com.

For more media inquiries, sponsorship and promotional information regarding the ASA Southeast Asphalt Tour, contact Stan Narrison at (678) 910-7726 and be sure to visit www.asasoutheast.com for all ASA Southeast Tour news. For technical and rule information, call Micky Cain at (678) 373-9851.

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

RC Cola / MoonPie ASA Southeast Invades Florida for First Time

Lightning Fast Three-Quarter Mile Oval Round 3 of Asphalt Late Model Tour

ATHENS, GA (April 23, 2008) – Drivers for the RC Cola / MoonPie ASA Southeast Asphalt Tour are preparing for a test that will separate the men from the boys. The third stop of the season, on Saturday, May 3rd, has the tour visiting at the fast three-quarter mile oval of USA International Speedway in Lakeland, Florida.

Many of the drivers on the circuit have never tested at the speeds they will reach at the track most simply referred to as “Lakeland.” Jeremy Mullinax won the pole for the first event at Mobile, another fast track, but he knows Lakeland is in a class of its own.

“I have never been there and I know it’s fast, but I have to approach it just like any other race track,” said Jeremy Mullinax. “You have to use Friday practice to get things figured out and tuned in. Mobile was pretty fast and they say Lakeland is even faster so we will have to see how things go, but it should be exciting.”

It’s not uncommon to see the younger guys having little time on the track in Lakeland. But Southeast short track veteran Jason Hogan has also not tested the three quarters of a mile oval.

“I have been there with a bunch of drivers, working on cars and so forth, but I myself have never run there,” said Hogan. “I am looking forward to getting down there and running on it because it should be fun.”

For many, it’s a chance to try a new track that most wouldn’t normally get to race on.

“I think it’s going to be a good deal for us all,” added Hogan. “It will give us a better place to race rather than the typical Saturday night tracks. Lakeland is an upscale racetrack and bigger than we normally run, so it should bring a good car count. We’ll put on a good show.”

Experience could be a factor for some. Travis Cope has competed at USA Int’l Speedway several times and has found victory lane on three occasions in three different types of racecars.

“It like a home-track for me,” said Cope. “I am really looking forward to going there because of the Hoosier tires. It’s going to be really fast on those tires, and it’s just a fun place to race.”

Will we have a third different face in victory lane? You can be rest assured this year’s winners, Preston Peltier and Beau Slocumb, will have other ideas during the 125-lap event. And let’s not forget, point leader Michael Pope is still looking for his first ASA SAT victory as well.

Round number three of the RC Cola / MoonPie ASA Southeast Asphalt Tour will be on Saturday, May 3rd, at USA International Speedway in Lakeland, FL. Pit Gates open at 10:00am with practice commencing at 1:00pm. Qualifying is slated for 4:30pm with the 125-lap feature scheduled for 7:30pm. If you would like more information regarding the event, please visit the official website of ASA SAT at www.asasoutheast.com.

For more media inquiries, sponsorship and promotional information regarding the ASA Southeast Asphalt Tour, contact Stan Narrison at (678) 910-7726 and be sure to visit www.asasoutheast.com for all ASA Southeast Tour news. For technical and rule information, call Micky Cain at (678) 373-9851.

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

RC Cola / Moon Pie 125

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