copied from racerap.com

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (October 4, 2007) – Longtime motorsports executive Dennis Huth, through his company Racing Speed Associates, has reached an agreement to fully acquire all rights to the American Speed Association, it was announced today. Huth, the president of Racing Speed Associates, brokered the deal to purchase the 39-year old sanctioning body from Stephen M. Dale.



“This is certainly a big day for the American Speed Association,” Huth announced on signing the contract. “We have ambitious plans and are ready to begin to implement them and continue to solidify the ASA brand as the leader in the short track community.”



Dale took over the American Speed Association (ASA) in November, 2002 from Rex Robbins who founded the organization and built its reputation for exciting racing on the short tracks of the Midwest. Under Dale, with guidance from valued staff members such as Huth, the American Speed Association quickly expanded into other areas, including the ASA Member Track Program, the ASA Late Model Series and the highly-regarded ASA National Tour.



Following a tumultuous 2004 season, Dale made the personal decision to close the doors to the ASA, but had made a deal with Huth to sell him the rights to the ASA Member Track Program. Since then, Huth has been energetic in keeping the ASA brand alive in the short track industry as the ASA Member Track program, ASA Regional Series and ASA Racing have grown and prospered.



Under Huth’s guidance, the ASA Member Track program has grown from a handful of racetracks to 27, each hosting weekly short track racing and including some of the finest in the business such as Madison International Speedway (Oregon, Wis.), Orange Show Speedway (San Bernardino, Calif.), Williams Grove Speedway (Mechanicsburg, Pa.), Rocky Mountain Raceways (Salt Lake City, Utah) and Meridian Speedway (Boise, Idaho). Additionally, Huth has added several regional and national touring series such as the ASA Speed Truck Challenge, ASA Midwest Tour and the Bumper-to-Bumper IRA Sprint Car Series under his ASA banner. There are nearly 600 events annually sanctioned by ASA Racing. For the complete list of tracks and series, visit www.ASA-racing.com.



“Having previously sold him (Dennis Huth) the licensing rights to the ASA Member Track program, this deal is really just a natural progression in what needed to be done to continue the future success of the American Speed Association,” Dale said, explaining that this sale to Huth had been in the works since 2004.



“I am confident that he will do a great job and continue to build on and expand upon the legacy and place that the American Speed Association holds in the motorsports community,” Dale added.



Over the years, the American Speed Association has provided many of the finest drivers in stock car racing the avenue needed to learn and hone their skills. Among the ASA graduates are such noted names as Rusty Wallace (1983 ASA champion), Mark Martin (four-time champion in 1978, ’79, ‘80, ’86), Jimmie Johnson (1998 Rookie of the Year), Matt Kenseth, Reed Sorenson, Kyle Busch, and Dick Trickle. Each of these drivers, and hundreds of others, took to the bullrings to learn what it takes to be a professional race car driver and how to handle the rigors of a national touring series including car handling skills, media relations, and of course fan interaction.



“It is truly an honor to take possession of the American Speed Association and be in a position to continue adding to the tremendous history that this organization has contributed to the motorsports community. So many legends of this sport have used this organization to further their skills and I am proud to say that we will continue to build champions well into the future. Our immediate plans include the continued expansion of the ASA Member Track and the ASA Regional Racing programs, as well as evaluate the potential resurrection of the ASA National Tour,” Huth said.



“The transfer of the American Speed Association today could not have been done without the help of so many of the people who have worked so hard and put in so many hours ‘behind the scenes’ to keep the brand alive and going strong. Of course, this includes all the track owners and operators who have joined the ASA Member Track program, as well as everyone involved in the different ASA Regional Racing series that are under our sanction. There are so many people that deserve thanks, and I owe a debt of gratitude to them all,” added Huth.



No stranger to the motorsports industry, Huth’s background includes 17 years with NASCAR where he founded and managed the Craftsman Truck Series, was director of the NASCAR Winston Weekly Racing & Touring Series, and had formation oversight on the former NASCAR Southwest and Northwest Tours. In addition, Huth was president of IMSA and the Trans-Am Series, as well as many years spent as owner and promoter of several racetracks in Oregon and Northern California.



Though the financial terms were not released, the deal includes all rights to the American Speed Association name, logo and trademark, including ASA, ASA Racing, ASA National Tour, and related marks as well as all specified contractual arrangements and archived films and photographs.



The ASA Member Track program is comprised of 27 short tracks around the United States, as well as a variety of regional and national touring series. For more information, call (386) 258-2221 or send an e-mail to info@asa-racing.com. For news and information from all the racetracks and tours involved in the ASA, visit www.ASA-Racing.com

Once again a reminder.....

The ASA Late Model Series and ASA Racing are SEPARATE Entities and are in no way, shape, or form affiliated whatsoever with one another!!!!

"Though the financial terms were not released, the deal includes all rights to the American Speed Association name, logo and trademark, including ASA, ASA Racing, ASA National Tour, and related marks as well as all specified contractual arrangements and archived films and photographs."

I just read into it different sorry about that. All rights to ASA logo and trademark are owned by Racing Speed Associates & Dennis Huth .

Motodad

That Does NOT Include the ASA Late Model Series.

This is one more skeleton Steve Dale left behind in the wake of ruining an awesome series that Rex & Brian Robbins built.

I do not care what anyone says, this name association just isn't right. I think it shows just how backwards Dale was. If he sold the ASALMS name to Ron, he should have given him the entire ASA name. Now mass confusion reins with fans and teams alike with this ASA brand name split.

What should have been done is the entire name " ASA " sold to Ron. His series seems to be much closer to what Rex had anyways. I still cannot understand just what the hell the other ASA series is doing or what they are about.

Sorry folks but I worked next to Rex and Brian back in the hey days of ASA and I am still PO"ED over Dale destroying in one year what it took Rex to build in 20 year. What a horrible way to lose your legacy that you spent your lifetime building.

Oh well. I forget the other "ASA" even exists until something like this comes up.

Chris

Ok so someone clue me in on what the differences are between ASALMS and the Challenge sreries? I said it back when all was bought by Steve Dale that he would ruin it! He started that crazy crap with running Charlotte and Atlanta with the "dogleg" in the track. I argued then that he would kill ASA and I was told to shut up......well it happened and a few years later what do we have.......ASA is sold to Huth...now what? I still don't even like ASALMS even after Ron got it back. I still feel with all the changes ASA did to it that it deviates from the original plan. Now you have ASALMS and CRA that basically are the same thing!!!!!!! I wish it went back to the USPRO brand name and that identity!

From what we hear ASA will have some great news very soon . ASALMS is just that ASALMS anything else regarding ASA in anyway has to have the OK from Racing Speed Associates and Dennis Huth. Having two great family's Huth's and Varneys look for the best from ASA & ASALMS for the teams.

Wood is the person to answer the difference .


Motodad

The Challenge series is the premier division of the ASALMS. At least, I think so...

You are right Chris F. The ASALMS consist of 3 divisions - Challenge, North and South.

The only thing alike in the CRA and ASALMS is the templete bodies maybe tires. CRA is unlimited motors where as ASALMS are crate motors.

CRA does not have an unlimited engine rule. They have a cubic inch rule and compression rule, each differ weather a team is using aluminum heads or steel. As a matter of fact a crate engine can be run in CRA. There are different weight rules for each engine configuration as well.

I guess I meant what I call outlaw motors instead of crate.
And yes i knew that our cars can run with CRA didn't say they couldn't.

Chris

It there is "mass confusion" about the ASALM & the ASA Daytona group in Michigan, can you imangine how much the confusion is on the west coast, the confusion is terrible.

Duh, I'm familiar with the engine rules....etc. My ex employee fields cars in CRA and they run in the ASALMS when they are around....not to many changes. If I'm correct CRA has a 9:1 compression rule and 390 cfm carb and Asalms still has the crate engine. Why has the ASALMS changed so much from what was the original platform....Mr Varney? Care to clue me in?

Rob
One word "Growth"

The ASA Late Model Series is not a regional touring series anymore.

The three ASALMS divisions, Challenge, Northern, and Southern, have all grown very quickly.

That's the reason for the return of the USPRO Cup Series in 2008 for those guys that were kind of "left behind" when the ASALMS expanded and started traveling all over the country instead of staying in Michigan, Ohio, and Indiana.

The ASALMS Challenge Division is the Premiere Traveling Series within the organization, the Challenge teams travel all over the entire country pitting the North and South drivers head to head along-with the regular Challenge competitors. 200-lap Features is the norm with a 10 Minute Pit Stop at Lap 100.

The ASALMS Northern and Southern Divisions are exactly what they stand for; The Northern and Southern regions of the United States with 100-125 lap features with no pit stops. A good move for a driver who wants to get used to ASALMS racing before stepping up into the Challenge Division.

The USPRO Cup Series return in 2008 will serve as a feeder system to the Northern and Southern Divisions with 50-lap Features, 2-tire rules, etc.

The CRA Super Series and the ASA Late Model Series are somewhat similar and do use the same A-B-C body rules that are nationwide. The main difference in the two series' is that CRA runs unlimited or "Outlaw" engines while the ASALMS maintains the usage of GM, Ford, or Mopar Sealed or "Crate" engines. ASALMS cars can run in CRA with a weight break.

Plus CRA is more centralized in the Midwestern United States with events in Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and the end of the year special in Nashville, Tennessee.



ASA Racing and the ASA Late Model Series are NOT in any way, shape, or form affiliated with one another. Mr. Huth has controlling interest in the member track program ONLY and I guess he feels he needs to put out the ASA Moniker on nearly everything from Sprint Cars to Go-Kart Racing to Soap Box Derby cars.

Steve Dale did all he could to ruin what was a very profitable and successful series in the NOW DEFUNCT ASA National Tour. Mr. Dale remains in communication with Mr. Huth, so take that for what it's worth!!!!

There's so much more to this story, but legally can't be discussed until all the proper litigation has been resolved....



Was there anything else that I may have missed????

Come on Wood tell us what you think of Mr. Dale. I KNOW what I think of him!

Hope you guys get a good field of USPRO cars at Winchester. I'll be heading down on Friday morning.

Well, thank you "Wood" for the info. It sheds some light on it for me. As far as Steve Dale...........phffffft!

from my view, this is why the tar cars feilds are a little short compared to the dirt.

Why have so many different rules and series and such?

Dirt as UMP and you can run any UMP track. Last weekend at eldora 79 late models and 117mods running under the UMP banner.

To me and many others tar racing is to confussing, and I love going to Berlin, winchester toledo and such, but not any more not knowing how many cars will show.

Just to further the confusion

http://www.51sportsracing.com/2007_stories...nouncement.html

Well hells bells..................Now I am confused.

" American Speed Association Southeast Asphalt Tour "

How many damn different promoters, ASA names and southern tours do we have running around down here ?

Chris

Exactly right Chris. All Dennis Huth is doing is diluting the the stigma behind the ASA logo.
Will anyone know exactly who they will be watching? Which group is running and "ASA" race?
All it will take is one badly run race with the name and it will be associated with the next group - as the idiots that don't know how to run a race.

I think this will be come a nightmare before long.
Ron and Sandy do a good job promoting the series and hopefully people will remember which is which.

Sorry I started this POST . I read about a New Owner for ASA but " ASA Racing and the ASA Late Model Series are NOT in any way, shape, or form affiliated with one another." The post was answered Please start another Post if you would like , about ASA different series.


Motodad

MotoDad45,

No need to start another thread, or apologize for your confusion. Your not alone. This IS healthy. Most of us do get confused when it comes to the 3 letters A S A in the racing world these days. Through the years, the ASA National circuit has been one of the VERY best. Just think about all the great drivers that competed in this series, and have gone on to bigger things, or just made a name for themselves there. The list goes on, and on. For 30 some years, this series was THE series that all local short track drivers that had succeeded at their tracks, aspired to race with. But when Steve Dale bought and took it over, that was the beginning of the end. He ruined it, and that is putting it lightly. After the cancellation of races, non payment to drivers, the ASA brand had gained a very bad reputation. What Ron & Sandy Varney have done with it since then is nothing short of miraculous. The pride and professionalism that that series exhibits is second to none. And now, through more scandalis ventures, the naming rights are being abused more often then a red headed step child. Dale and his band of _______ (fill in the blank) are using the success and hard work that the Varney Family has done, and trying to gain from it. I was at LaCrosse, Wisconsin this last weekend, where both the ASALM North Series, and the ASA Midwest Series were BOTH running. Matt (Hollywood) made SURE everyone in the stands knew the difference on Saturday when the REAL ASA cars raced. On Sunday, when the Midwest Tour raced, they did everything they could to try and look like the real ASALM Series. For the very few people that knew the difference, it was almost sickening to watch. You would of thought that Mike Eddy and Bob Senneker were going to speak. It was an awful display of copycatting. The interviews held over the track PA with Midwest Tour officials almost made me puke!!!!

In my opinion, I think a lot of the confusion started when the real ASALM Series came out with 3 different ASA Series. I understand their thinking, but I also understand your average race fan can get confused easily with 3 series that are different, yet alike, yet all share the same name, kind of. I think it did pave the way for someone like Steve Dale to try and take advantage of, as he has done. Now there is MASS confusion.

I certainly don't know all the details, but I do know the Varney Family is not very happy with what has happened in the last few weeks, hell, the last few years with the naming rights. I can only hope that the courts and lawyers can see what Dale and Company has done and fix this for the ASALM Series before it gets even further out of hand.

I mean c'mon, how fair is it for someone to completely ruin one of the best racing series that the Midwest has had for over 30 years. Then sell it. Then after the people that bought the rights have success, STEAL the name back and try and piggy back success off the hard work and determination that the people that bought the rights have had??? I would think drivers, AND fans would boycott anything that these people are involved in. Go ask Kevin Cywinski how HE feels!!!!

Off my soapbox, it's been a while,

Big Ed

Ed, Let's hope the courts can clear this up. BUT " He said - She said " is not going to help anything . Last we hear ASA owns the contract for ASA Late Models Series and what is the difference. NASCAR has done the same thing for years . < Nascar > it's name is on everything they can , even going into Canada now. Why not Boycott them also ?

Motodad

motodad45
I don't know how much more I can spell this out to you! NO THEY DON'T!!!!!!

The ASA Late Model Series is (For the 1,000,000th time) NOT in any way, shape, or form affiliated with the "people" (I use that term VERY loosely) who run the ASA Member Track Program and are naming everything from semi trucks to cockroaches with the ASA moniker!

As my wife stated, All Dennis Huth (and his buddy Steve Dale) are doing is diluting the the stigma behind the ASA logo. The naming of everything is being horribly abused by these "people"!

Once again, there's so much more to this story, but legally can't be discussed until all the proper litigation has been resolved....(And it will!)

Motodad,

You are failing to see the point here.

NASCAR's situation is NOTHING like what is happening with the ASA signature. Not even close. NASCAR is not stealing a name that they sold. Huth and Dale are using the success that the ASALM Series has had, to try and put their series (that they named the ASA Midwest Tour) in the same light, when the two series are not affiliated in any way, shape, or form. And in reality, the ASALM Series wants NOTHING to do with the other, because of all the wrong doings these two men have had a hand in. As I mentioned before, the cancelation of races, non payment to drivers, tracks being held responsible for THEIR actions. That is what I meant by go ask Kevin Cywinski what he thinks about these guys. He was the last Champ of the OLD ASA tour, that never received a trophy, or money for all of his efforts that season. NOTHING. NADDA. That is why I would think any true fan and/or driver of the original ASA Series would boycott the Midwest tour.

But I guess if you like getting screwed like that...........................

With the split of the ASA name and the liability the new people are placing on Ron, I would be very inclined to sell them the entire ASA name and start over. Create a huge marketing program to get the word out and continue the series under a new name ( or even the old one - USPRO ).

The problem you have is that you work your ass off to build a brand and then you have jackasses that come into the game and dilute the brand your working hard to promote. If they are given the rights to the ASA name I would change my game plan and create a whole new Brand for the LMS. If they do keep the name, nothing good will become of it and Ron and the gang are going to be fighting an uphill battle using precious resources to keep their brand positive in the race world while these dummies trash it.

I have seen these clowns at work before and I know what they are capable of. My concern is that the ASALMS name will get dragged down the tubes due to these idiots actions. I would at least get some cash for the ASALMS name and then hand it over to them and distance myself from their series.

That's just my personal and professional opinion.

Chris

Sorry Wood , Not what we was told Give them a call (386) 258-2221 or send an e-mail to info@asa-racing.com They said they OWN the contract , BUT yes they have nothing to do with ASA Late Model Series . We was looking into Sponsors for 2008 to race a few events & needed to know who we need to talk with about using the ASA logo . They said anything BUT "ASA Late Model Series" must have the OK from them . We must call the ASA Late Model Series if running that series. When talking with Sponsors it is very hard to get answers IF you don't know who to ask . I will wait to see what happens in court . The bad thing is our Sponsors won't and could go spend money in other series . This was only for a few events, one can only think what is going on for FullTime teams.

Motodad

Enough Said....

Sounds like this confusion is coming from the whoring out of the ASA name by Mr. Dale.

UGH!!!!!!!!!!

I share Chris' opinion. Although the USPRO series is back in '08 I think the ASALMS should give up the ASA name altogether and do something like "USPRO National Division" and "USPRO Regional Division" I don't know but I'd hate to be in Matt's shoes trying to explain this situation everytime it gets brought up!

You are correct about Huth putting the ASA name on many series. Do you know that there is an ASA Northwest Tour late model series?

Why would they give up a name that they own? They paid for and here is the key people, ASALMS is a REGISTERED TRADEMARK

To further explain what Claude means, this may help:

For everyone who wants to see who owns the name and trademark for the ASA Late Model Series please go to http://www.uspto.gov - which is a government site that shows all registered trademarks.

Click on the trademark link on the left hand side – click on search TM data base and type in "ASA Late Model Series".

There you will see who owns the name, the mark and that is was registered back in 2005 when we took back the series from ASA.

Using the same trademark website searching for ASA Racing (Huth, Dale and his group), you'll see an application dated July 19, 2007.


For 2008 in the ASA Late Model Series, plans include full schedules within the ASALMS Challenge, Northern, and Southern Divisions with a handful, about 6-8 USPRO Cup Series races as well that will serve as support shows to the ASALMS Challenge and Northern races in Michigan, Indiana and Ohio.

Claude:

I understand completely what your saying. My point is if court action cannot stop these people from using the ASA name then that name will become a liability to Ron over time. By changing the name in the event they are allowed to use the ASA brand it would be an end to the confusion.

Since Ron owns the name then a cease and desist order needs to be slapped against them and legal action taken if they do not stick to the order.

Either way, the use of this name by the other series is a liability for Ron. While he builds his series and carves out an excellent reputation, you have these idiots out polluting the name and causing mass confusion among racers and fans.

I think the whole incident sucks and I feel bad that Ron even has to go through this BS.

Want some irony here ? It was Steve Dale who contacted me a couple years ago when he still owned ASA and threatened me with a lawsuit for using pictures of race cars with the USPRO name on the visor. That guy is a total slice and I am convinced he is related to Lucifer.

Chris

I believe you can see where this whole deal is going to start getting messy if you do a search on that trademark site for "American Speed Association" and see what the last listed owner is on it. The only ones coming out ahead for a while are going to be the lawyers I think.

Wood & ASALMS Again Sorry for the post

We was looking into racing a few ASA events in NC . Our sponsor would like to use the ASA logo in their marketing . ASA has a big history with drivers , car owners , fans and sponsors. As I first posted - New ASA owners - We have called them to ask about using the Logo and was told. Anything but ASA Late Model Series must have our OK before using. If racing ASA Late Model Series we must contact that series . The reason we needed to know right away was Snowmobile Racing is coming up and this is a great time to start marketing for the sponsor having 8-10 thousand fans during the week at the 500. We have talked with our sponsor and they would like to stay away from using ASA Logo for now . It did not end our deal but didn't help . and yes they do read MSTRC along with other racing sites .

Motodad

Well there are/were only 2 ASA Late Model Series races in North Carolina in 2007.

One was at Orange County Speedway in Rougemont (Outside of Raleigh/Durham) back on August 11th.
The next one is actually next weekend, October 20th at Hickory Motor Speedway.

Wood , If we was planning on racing your series we would of been in contact with ASALMS. There is alot of ASA racing in NC and all over the country . Our sponsor does not need your OK to use the ASA LOGO . Only if we was racing your series and wanting to use ASALMS Logo . ASALMS is not the only series in NC . Please PM if you have any ?

Like you wrote " Enough Said...."
Motodad

LOL Alrighty then. Good luck....