Adams County Speedway Ready to Rumble for 2006

Corning, Iowa (April 8, 2006) - Saturday was test and tune day at the Adams County Speedway and a large contingent of competitors took a chance to shake done their cars in preparation for next week’s season opener. This is the beginning of the 23rd season of NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series action.

For the second season, the Chase for the Championship format similar to Nextel Cup will be used. The Chase in 2005 provided one of the most dramatic final night features ever with 5 Napa hobby stock drivers with a shot at the title. Four of those five held the point lead at some point of the final feature. The newly titled Northland pro streets saw only 5 points separate the top 3 after the dust had settled on the 2005 season.

Jim Tull will be back to defend his title in the NAPA hobby stocks with most of the regular title contenders back to try to take the title away. They would include Matt Hudson, Les Helvie, Jason and Jerry Parker, and Kevin Yearington. Joining them will be a host of new talent just joining the class. Gone are Steve Churchill, who is driving Chuck Hulett’s Northland pro street, and Les Elliott, who sold out and is eyeing a jump to the Dodge late models.

The top of the Northland pro streets has some vacancies from 2005. Champion Todd Ramsey has retired while on top, and Chuck Hulett gave up his seat. That would leave Mike Garner as the top returning driver from last season. But with veterans like Tony Hardisty, Ron Ballinger, seven time champ Greg Miller and his ever improving son A.J., the championship will be hard to earn.

Dan Mueller’s key rival from 2005, Trent Jackson, has moved up to full-time Dodge late model status, but getting a fifth straight Budweiser modified title should be another fight. Veterans like Jeremy Tibben, Brian Foote, Randy Foote, Todd Van Eaton, and Denny Rosenberg will join Mueller in fending off the challenges of the new wave of young guns lead by Jesse Dennis and a plentiful supply of young rookies. The return of J.C. and Jonnie Wyman will finish loading this class with talent to spare.

Chris Spieker reached a goal attained by few in 2005 as he not only captured his fourth Dodge late model ACS title, but also was the Division II NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series Champion. His brother David, who won the national 2005 NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series Craftsman Mechanic of the Year Award, guides him. With those credentials, this pair will be tough to beat, but Dodge late model veterans like Karl Ritterbusch, Scott Koskovich, and Al Zeitner will lead the pack to derail any future title hopes for Spieker. Joining them is a list of drivers who know success at ACS in the other three divisions and have proven they can run with anyone and they include Jeremy Houck, Jason O’Brien, Ryan Vicker, and Trent Jackson. Throw in the class’s true young gun, 17 year old Bryant Goldsmith, and the season is looking good.

See you next Saturday when the grandstand gate opens at 5:00. Admission is $8 for adults, $6 for students 13 to 17, and 12 and under are free. The pit gate will open at 4:00 for opening night. Hot laps will run at 6:30 and the first race of 2006 will take the track at 7:00. For more information call 712-785-3271 or go to www.acspeedway.com