The wait is over, the results have been tabulated and a phone call was made. That call was from American Speed Association President Dennis Huth to Cary Stapp of San Marcos, TX that he is the 2008 Joe Gibbs Driven Racing Oil ASA Member Track National Champion.
"You are kidding me," Stapp stated when Huth informed the 32-year-old competitor from Thunderhill Raceway located in Kyle, TX. "I have been waiting for this call since Saturday night. I knew what Linny White did and I got a little nervous that he may have passed me. I still don't believe this. I was sitting here working just waiting for the phone call and now I am pacing just wondering what I am going to do."
Stapp had a good reason to be concerned as he had a final point average of 5.1794 to White's 5.0947.
Stapp ended his 2008 championship run on a high note this past Saturday night as he won the 50-lap feature making it his eighth feature win and 15th top-five finish for the season in the ASA A-Line Super Stock division at Thunderhill.
Linny White, the Highland, CA driver who competes at Orange Show Speedway in San Bernardino, CA, did everything he could to overtake Stapp in the championship race as he took home a win and a second place finish in their twin 50-lap feature events this past Saturday night. He also set a new track record in qualifying as well.
White started shotgun on the field in both feature events to attempt to overtake Stapp in the overall standings, but came up short.
The last few days haven't been easy for Stapp as he was hoping to get the phone call. The 32-year-old electrician considers racing as a hobby and never thought he would get an opportunity like the ASA Member Track Championship will give him. That chance being a tryout with Joe Gibbs Racing.
"This is a once in a lifetime chance," Stapp stated as he was pacing back and forth at a job site. "I never thought that I would get to do something like this. Just being a local Texas guy, I never thought I would get a chance to show my talents to Joe Gibbs and his team."
"On behalf of Joe Gibbs Racing, we would like to congratulate Cary Stapp on being the first Joe Gibbs Driven Racing Oil ASA Member Track champion," JD Gibbs, Team President of Joe Gibbs Racing stated. "We are very proud to sponsor this season long event and look forward to giving Cary a chance to get behind the wheel of a Joe Gibbs Toyota and make the most of the opportunity."
Circle Track Magazine will follow the new champion around during his tryout with Joe Gibbs Racing and do a "Day in the Life of" feature story in an upcoming issue.
Stapp will be spending the rest of the day calling his family and friends. The first call will be to his wife Kelli, 13-year-old stepson Trey and 10-year-old daughter Mikala.
"I would like to thank my family; Chase, my brother and crew chief; and my dad Ed, who is also my car owner," Stapp stated. "Without your support, we would not be here today."
The Joe Gibbs Driven Racing Oil American Speed Association Member Track National Championship used a unique formula system to create the point averages for each driver. In order to be eligible for the championship, a driver must be a 2008 track champion and have the highest point average.
When you look at the overall top-ten, you will find representation from just about every part of the United States.
"I would like to congratulate Cary, his family and his team for being the first ASA Member Track National Champion. I also would like to congratulate Thunderhill Raceway for being the home track of our first champion," Huth stated. "He will make a great champion and will be a great representative of what local racing is all about."
"This championship could not be accomplished without the help of Joe Gibbs Driven Racing Oil for their sponsorship. A big thanks goes to Joe Gibbs Racing for the opportunity that Cary will receive and all the ASA Member Tracks that participated in this new and exciting championship program," Huth continued to say. "Also, this championship points system is a positive feat following the hard work of Kevin Spiddle and his staff at speednetdirect.com. They created this formula and we can honestly say that it worked well and completely up to our expectations. We look forward to many new and innovative plans and ideas for years to come."
To view the entire Joe Gibbs Driven Racing Oil ASA Member Track National Championship, please visit: http://www.speednetdirect.com/points.php?track_id=7002&nav_step=results
Joe Gibbs Driven Racing Oil, sponsor of the American Speed Association National Short Track National Championship, is the same oil developed and used by Joe Gibbs Racing. The team sells the oil so racers across the country can have access to the latest technology in racing lubricants.
The American Speed Association Short Track National Championship is another step by the industry leader in creating new and innovative programs. This follows the recent announcement about extending the insurance coverage for ASA members traveling to, from, and during an ASA-sanctioned event. For updated ASA National Points, just click on the "Points" link at www.asa-racing.com.
The American Speed Association Member Track program is comprised of a network of 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.