The American Speed Association (ASA) has been the foundation of some of the greatest names in racing, such as Alan Kulwicki, Rusty Wallace, and Mark Martin. The tradition of the ASA is returning to Gateway International Raceway as it was announced that the ASA Late Model Series will race an 80-lap, 100-mile contest at the 1.25-mile oval on Sept. 6, immediately following the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series event.

"We have worked very hard to secure this partnership with GIR and we look forward to an outstanding race event at one of racing's premier facilities" ASALMS Owner Ron Varney said at a press conference at Tri-County Speedway prior to the running of the Rumble in the Hills/North Carolina 200 there.

The ASA ran at GIR in 2000 with three-time series champion Butch Miller taking the win and Scott Wimmer finishing second. Gateway International Raceway Vice President and General Manager Lenny Batycki said the addition of the ASALMS Challenge Series enhances a great weekend of racing at the Madison, Ill., facility.

"When you think of the ASA, you think great short-track racing," he said. "The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series has brought that rough, beatin'-and-bangin' style of racing to tracks all over the country since 1995 and having the ASA Late Model Series race here after the Truck Series show on Sept. 6 will only add to the great racing experience at Gateway."

St. Louis native and NASCAR Cup Series champion Rusty Wallace rose to national prominance after winning the 1983 ASA championship. One of his crew members on that team was Mike Mittler, the owner of the Foristell, Mo.-based MB Motorsports NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series team that launched the careers of current NASCAR Sprint Cup Series stars Carl Edwards, Jamie McMurray, and Regan Smith.

Rookies of the year in the series include Kenny Wallace (1986), two-time NCTS winner at GIR Ted Musgrave (1987), defending Gateway winner Johnny Benson (1990), and defending two-time Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson (1998).

The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race at Gateway International Raceway is scheduled to start at 1:30 p.m. local time, with the ASA Late Model Series expected to take the track upon completion of the NCTS races.