Displaying a helmet depicting...
Displaying a helmet depicting one of his greatest wins, Buddy Baker is all smiles after hot-lapping a race-ready ASA Chevy Monte Carlo.
Baker will debut as the on-air...
Baker will debut as the on-air expert analyst for TNN's ASA telecast on Saturday, February 17. In order for him to better interpret how an ASA car performs, as well as what stresses the ASA driver is faced with, Baker drove a full-bore ASA car for the first time at USA International Speedway in Lakeland, FL. Baker hopes the lessons he gleamed from this lapping session will add insight to his on-air commentary thereby giving the television viewer a better understanding of ASA action.
ASA driver Mike Cope was gracious...
ASA driver Mike Cope was gracious enough to bring his own car, trailer, and crew to Lakeland for Baker's lapping sessions.
Baker gives the thumbs-up...
Baker gives the thumbs-up signal prior to heading for his final few laps.
Buddy Baker at speed.
After his laps were complete,...
After his laps were complete, Baker sits on the inside retaining wall at USA International Speedway taping a brief question and answer interview for an upcoming broadcast on TNN.
Baker confers with one of...
Baker confers with one of Mike Cope's crew members after the final lapping session.
The American Speed Association ACDelco Series opens its 2001 season live on TNN: The National Network Saturday, Feb. 17 (9:00 @ 11:30 p.m., live ET/tape delay PT; repeats 12:30 @ 3:30 a.m. ET/PT) from the Florida Speed Park in St. Augustine, FL.
The ASA Racing 300 marks the first time the ASA ACDelco Series will compete at the paved half-mile oval, located in the nations oldest city, St. Augustine. This inaugural event also marks the debut of driving legend Buddy Baker as the expert analyst on TNNs ASA telecasts.
ASA is the type of grassroots auto racing that is so popular around the country, said TNN announcer and Daytona 500 champion Buddy Baker. It has plenty of side-by-side, fender-bending action. By opening the 2001 season at a tough short track, the competition is sure to be intense.
ASA, founded in 1968, features current model U.S.-built sedans, such as Chevy Monte Carlos, Ford Tauruses and Pontiac Grand Prixs, all capable of reaching speeds in excess of 150 mph. The stock cars weigh 3,000 lbs. and have a 105-inch wheelbase. ASA mandates that teams use the fuel-injected, Vortec 5700 V8 race engines. All competitors also utilize BFGoodrich radial racing tires.
ASA telecasts have been a popular part of TNN motorsports programming since 1991. The entire 20-race schedule for Americas premier short-track, stock car racing series will be telecast exclusively on TNN in 2001.
TNN LIVE TELECAST SCHEDULE FOR 2001 ASA SERIES
Date/Track/Location/Time
Feb. 17/ Florida Speed Park, St. Augustine, FL/ 9 p.m., ET/PT
March 10/ Irwindale Speedway, Los Angeles, CA / 9 p.m., ET/PT
March 24/ USA International Speedway, Lakeland, FL/ 9 p.m., ET/PT
April 7 / South Boston Speedway, South Boston, VA / 9 p.m., ET/PT
April 28/ Hawkeye Downs Speedway, Cedar Rapids, IA/ 3 p.m., ET/PT
May 6/ Montgomery Motor Speedway, Montgomery, AL/ 2 p.m., ET/PT
May 20/ Concord Motorsports Park, Concord, NC/ 1 p.m., ET/PT
June 2/ Nashville Speedway, Nashville, TN/ 9 p.m., ET/PT
June 16/ I-70 Speedway, Kansas City, MO/ 9 p.m., ET/PT
July 1/ Toledo Speedway, Toledo, OH / 1 p.m., ET/PT
July 8/ Chicago Motor Speedway, Chicago, IL/ 2 p.m., ET/PT
July 14/ Berlin Raceway, Grand Rapids, MI/ 9 p.m., ET/PT
July 21/ Salem Speedway, Salem, IN/ 9 p.m., ET/PT
Aug. 4/ Hawkeye Downs Speedway, Cedar Rapids, IA/ 9 p.m., ET/PT
Aug. 17/ Madison International Speedway, Madison, WI/ 9 p.m., ET/PT
Aug. 26 /Jennerstown Speedway, Jennerstown, PA/ 1 p.m., ET/PT
Sept. 3 / Minnesota State Fair Speedway, St. Paul, MI/ 3 p.m., ET/PT
Sept. 9 / Memphis Motorsports Park, Memphis, TN/ 2 p.m., ET/PT
Sept. 16/ Winchester Speedway, Winchester, IN/ 2 p.m., ET/PT
Sept. 29/ Indianapolis Raceway Park, Indianapolis, IN/ 9 p.m., ET/PT
Schedule subject to change