That would be veteran racing executive Dennis Huth, President of Racing Speed Associates, who recently announced that he has acquired the rights to the ASA, American Speed Association, after brokering a deal to purchase the famed racing series from Stephen Dale.

The ASA was formed by Rex Robinson approximately 39 years ago and spent the better part of three decades enjoying success at its mid west location including a lengthy stint on national television each week. The series was also a major springboard for launching national careers. Drivers such as Rusty Wallace and Mark Martin, just to name two of many, went on to highly lucrative NASCAR careers following stints with the ASA.

Stephen Dale took over the reins of the ASA in 2002. However the 2004 season turned out to be tumultuous for the racing series and Dale decided he wanted out. He all but locked up the ASA office door. But before he settled on that difficult decision he made one very smart business move: he sold the rights to the ASA Member Track Program to Dennis Huth. The Member Track Program was also in dire straits back then and barely had a hand full of tracks that were still signed up with it. Through an innovative revamping of its program Huth devised a plan that made the concept attractive to track owners and promoters again. That plan included marketing assistance, contributions to points funds, discounts on speciality items such as timing and scoring equipment and, one the biggest factors, affordable insurance programs for drivers.

Over the span of a little over two years Huth turned the ASA Member Track Program's extremely low membership into 27 tracks that sanctions approximately 600 events per year.It now appears that there are no limits to the program's growth potential.There are also many veteran ASA observers who will tell you that the success of the Member Track Program has fortified the sanctioning body's regional touring series such as the ASA Speed Truck Challenge Series and the ASA Midwest Series just to name two. It's highly likely that the future increase in ASA members tracks will open new markets to these travelling racing series and in turn make their future even brighter.

Anyone who has ever had to opportunity to talk racing with Dennis Huth is probably well aware of his professional background in the sport and what he's capable of bringing to the ASA's new management structure. That background includes the operation of race tracks as well as full fledged series such as IMSA, International Motor Sports Association, and the famed Trans AM Series.

His background also includes 17 years as an executive with "The Beach Boys": that would be NASCAR's corporate team in Daytona Beach-Florida and not the famous rock band. During his lengthy NASCAR tenure Huth played a hands on role in the development of the Craftsman Truck Series, the regional touring series now known as the Grand National Division and played a strong role in NASCAR's Weekly Racing Series.

It was Huth's efforts on behalf of the NASCAR Grand National Division West Series that first brought him to my personal attention. Approximately 12 years ago Huth made an appearance at the West Series race at the Altamont Raceway Park in Tracy-California. The night before the race Huth called a meeting of West Series team owners to address problems the series was faced with. He secured the use of a small recreational club house located at a nearby trailer park for that meeting. He also asked a favor from the racing media that weekend. He wanted us to stay away from the meeting simply because the building was very small and could not accommodate a large crowd. In exchange for the favor he promised the media Q&A time the following day. He was a man of his word and freely discussed the details of the meeting the following morning. It was apparent that two important things occurred at that meeting: the first was Huth's willingness to genuinely listen to the team owners and their concerns. The second important thing was Huth's presentation of a plan that put the series back on the right track. It was probably the first time that West Series team owners smiled in quite a long time. It terms of historical longevity the West Series is second in line only to the Nextel Cup. It was Huth that literally pulled the series from the grave and saved it from certain extinction. I've often wondered over the years why the Beach Boys ever let this man leave their building.

A word of attention to track owners, promoters, team owners, drivers and even the racing media: if there ever was a time to completely align yourselves with the ASA the time is now. Simply put: the series is resting in the right set of hands now.

ALSO TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS

That's exactly what's going on in Bakersfield. Construction of the new race track, under the working title of Kern County's New Home To NASCAR, is still ahead of schedule and everyone involved is thrilled with the progress according to track Vice President Brian Olsen. From a prepared statement Olsen noted that the construction progress continues to meet the planned 2008 opening adding "the turn one vehicle and pedestrian tunnel is now complete as well as the back filling and compaction over the tunnel. All crash wall construction is finished and pavement on the track surface is planned for November 5th. American Engineering and Asphalt has been awarded the contract for the track surface paving, with Bob Harrington overseeing the process. Harrington has 40 years experience in paving auto raceways, including work for Roger Penske and the International Speedway Corporation."

The rule books for the raceway's three main stay divisions are now complete and can be located at www.kerncountynascar.com. Those series include the AC Electric Late Model Series,the Melo's Gas And Gear Street Stock Series and the Urner's All American Sport Compact Series. "We worked with a lot of people in formulating the rules and greatly appreciate their input in writing the rule books," said track president Larry Collins. Collins is especially happy with the Late Model rule book and added "we had a clean slate so we wrote the rules to carry racing into the next decade. We are especially pleased with our Late Model rule book as it opens the opportunity for the Western Late Models from northern California and the cars from southern California to compete together within our Late Model series."

Now racing fans are waiting for the new 2008 schedule which is reported to be taking shape. That schedule has required careful coordination with regional touring series such as the NASCAR Grand National Division West Series, the ASA Speed Truck Challenge Series and the West Coast Pro Truck Series. The new raceway will also play host to many SRL Late Model Touring Series events as well. "As far as our schedule for 2008, we have a good handle on the dates for out Late Model Series with support divisions and the SRL Late Model Touring Series events. Our focus lately has been on special events such as the October Classic which we are very excited about. We are also planning the largest open wheel event we have put together," Collins added.