We are officially halfway through the 2024 ASA STARS National Tour season. With five races in and five races to go it is still anyone’s race to win the Championship. Let’s take a look back at the first five races.
The season kicked off on Tuesday February 13th at New Smyrna Speedway for the 25th Annual Clyde Hart Memorial. The event turned out to be one for the record books as a near capacity crowd was on hand and 48 cars checked in to try and make the 32 car starting field. Conner Jones would come away with the Go Fas Pole Award. Casey Roderick would come away with the 1st Stage win and then Ty Majeski would win Stage 2. Majeski ran strong for most of the race but during the closing laps Southern Hero Bubba Pollard ran down Majeski and would go on to win the $15,000 to win Clyde Hart Memorial 200.
Race two on the schedule was on Sunday March 24th at the Five Flags Speedway in Pensacola, FL for the Sunshine State 200. 29 cars were on hand for the Sunday afternoon event and Matt Craig came home with the Go Fas Pole Award. It ended up being a very interesting race as there were comers and goers. Cole Butcher would win Stage 1 while Gio Ruggiero won Stage 2. Bubba Pollard was running up front before mechanical gremlins would end his day early. Ultimately it would be Canada’s Cole Butcher who would come home with the $15,000 Payday.
After a two month break the series was back in action on Thursday May 23rd for race three of the season at the Hickory Motor Speedway for the Tar Heel 250. With 25 cars on hand Brent Crews would pick up the Go Fas Pole Award. Following Qualifying mother nature would throw a wrench in everyone’s plans. When the rains stopped the Air Titan came out and officials were able to dry the track very quickly. Driver’s got in their cars and rains held off as fans were treated to a very entertaining race. Brent Crews would hold off Chase Elliott for the Stage 1 win. Chase Elliott would work his way to the front before overheating issues ended his race early. Matt Craig and Crews would battle for multiple laps but Matt Craig would come home with the Stage 2 win. Casey Roderick was up front and a contender for the win throughout the race as well, but in the end Cole Butcher would hold them all off and take home the Tar Heel 250 trophy.
Three weeks later the STARS would be back in action again this time at Madison International Speedway for the Capital 200 on Friday June 14 for night one of the Father’s Day Weekend Doubleheader. Ty Majeski would take home the Go Fas Pole Award. Cole Butcher had a very strong car as well and was leading until unfortunately another car blew up in front of him and Butcher had nowhere to go and ended up with heavy right front damage. Majeski would go on to run away and hide and take home the Capital 200 victory.
Father’s Day Sunday the series was back in action for the fifth race thus far. Due to rain moving into the area Go Fas Pole Award Qualifying was scratched and the starting lineup was set based off of Owner’s Points per the procedures in the rulebook. Ty Majeski would take the lead early and dominate until eight to go when Rookie of the Year Leader Dawson Sutton would run down Majeski and take the lead in turn 1 and run away with the Father’s Day 100 Victory.
It has been quite the year so far for the ASA STARS National Tour. 70 drivers have run with the series so far. There have been 4 different winners through the first five races. Casey Roderick is the series Point Leader and he has yet to win a race this season. Butcher and Roderick are separated by 24 points going into Anderson. It is safe to say the action is just picking up. Fasten your seat belts race fans because the second half of the season is going to be a wild ride.
