Tar Heel 250 at Hickory A Pivotal Event for National Tour…
The ASA STARS National Tour is in the midst of an 8-1/2 week break in their 2024 schedule, after beginning the season with a pair of events in Florida.
The 2nd season of competition for the national asphalt super late model series opened at New Smyrna Speedway on February 13, as part of the World Series of Asphalt Racing. Short Track Super Star Bubba Pollard continued his hot start to the new season by winning the Clyde Hart Memorial 200, leaving Florida’s east coast tied for the points lead with rival Casey Roderick.
Six weeks later, on March 24, the traveling series returned to Five Flags speedway in Pensacola, FL, the scene of the very first ASA STARS National Tour event one year ago. Hard charging Canadian racer Cole Butcher put on a dominating performance, winning the Sunshine State 200 and taking over the points lead.
The Thursday, May 23 “Tar Heel 250” is only the 3rd of ten races on the 2024 ASA STARS National Tour schedule, but will be a key point in the season for those racing the series full time.
The first two 2024 events have utilized 2023 final owner point standings to determine provisional starting spots, if needed. Tour regulars Albert Francis and Billy Van Meter each utilized a provisional starting spot at New Smyrna, as neither qualified inside the top 22. Van Meter and Francis finished 7th and 8th, respectively in final 2023 car owner point standings. No provisional were needed at Five Flags Speedway for the Sunshine State 200, as Series and Track Officials decided to start all 29 cars.
Hickory will see that procedure change to utilizing current 2024 owner points to determine provisional starting positions, if needed.
In addition to the provisional change, Hickory will also mark the turning point for the 2024 Team Construction Winners Circle Program. Teams earning spots on the Winners Circle program in 2023 will carry that status, and the bonus money associated with it, through the first three races of 2024. Following the Tar Heel 250, the Team Construction Winners Circle Program will reset, and those car owners who meet eligibility requirements will establish the new, 2024 Winners Circle Program teams.
Eligibility includes participating in 100% of the race events; and remaining in the top 20 in car owner point standings. The top ten in car owner points who have met the requirements will be eligible for a $700 per race bonus, and teams placing in points positions 11-20 will be eligible for a $200 per race bonus. For complete rules regarding the Team Construction Winners Circle Program, please visit the ASA STARS National Tour website at www.starsnationaltour.com.
The 60 day break between Pensacola and Hickory will provide the teams with a chance to either re-load, or regroup, depending upon their individual situations. Most of the teams will keep busy by racing in other ASA Branded Tour events, including ASA Southern Super Series tour events at Montgomery Motor Speedway April 13, followed by a Florida / Alabama double-header weekend at Five Flags Speedway and Mobile International Speedway April 26-27.
Others will race “up north” with the ASA Midwest Tour, whose 2024 season opening event is scheduled for Slinger Super Speedway on April 21, followed by the Annual Joe Shear Classic at Madison International Speedway May 5.
The Tar Heel 250 is scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday, May 22-23, at Hickory Motor Speedway. Teams will unload and practice on Wednesday, and then practice, qualify and race on Thursday. The INEX National Legends are scheduled to run in support.
ASA STARS National Tour
Founded by Track Enterprises President Bob Sargent, The ASA STARS National Tour for pavement super-late model stock cars debuted in March 2023 for Super Late Model racing in America.
The ASA STARS National Tour is a ten-race championship series, offering a $100,000 point fund. The tour will visit ten different race tracks in 7 states in 2024, with the season beginning in February during Florida Speedweeks, and concluding in early November at Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway.
Track Enterprises (TE) is a racing Promotions Company based in Illinois, which owns and operates the ASA STARS National Tour. In addition to the STARS National Tour, Track Enterprises owns and operates Championship Racing Association (CRA) and the ASA Midwest Tour. TE also has a strategic alliance and controlling interest in the ASA Southern Super Series.
ASA Branded Tours
ASA Branded Tours encompasses four (4) pavement super late model racing series operating under the Track Enterprises banner, and under the ASA Brand via a licensing agreement for logo and IP Rights. ASA Branded Tours include the ASA STARS National Tour; the ASA CRA Super Series; The ASA Midwest Tour and the ASA Southern Super Series.
