ASA magazine makes change

PENDLETON, Ind. (June 2, 2004) - Inside ASA, the in-house magazine of the American Speed Association will take a different look in 2004. Instead of being published as a stand-alone publication as it has been done since inception in 1994, it will now become an insert in both Circle Track and Stock Car Racing magazines. The deal between ASA and Primedia, the publishing company of the two magazines, was recently finalized.

By making the change, information about the American Speed Association, their five touring series, drivers and Member Tracks will be available to more than 400,000 readers each month, increasing the exposure of the organization by more than 40 times the current level. The new-look Inside ASA should debut in the October Stock Car Racing and November Circle Track issues.

"We took a look at what we were accomplishing by publishing our own magazine, and for the most part it was being used for disseminating information to our ASA members," explained John Clark, ASA executive director/communications. "We felt that our web site, asaracing.com, could accomplish this same task much faster, and this wasn't even an option when Inside ASA was first published ten years ago so you can see how quickly communications have changed over the past few years. So the logical step was to evolve this into a tool to help increase exposure of the American Speed Association.

"We are proud of the fact that ASA has some of the most exciting and competitive racing anywhere, and the deal with Primedia will help make more people aware of all our different racing series, tracks, and drivers, and increase our brand awareness among the race fans," Clark concluded.

"We have always been impressed with ASA's brand of racing, and we're equally impressed with the foresight and commitment put forth by the current management team," explained Patrick Utt, publisher of Circle Track and Stock Car Racing. "Primedia's partnership with the American Speed Association will increase the scope and exposure for all brands involved."

The arrangement will put Inside ASA into each issue of both Circle Track and Stock Car Racing. It will be a special section bound into the center of each publication, and through the full print run that goes to both subscribers as well as the newsstand. Primedia would be responsible for selling advertising in the Inside ASA section.

"We're excited about the association with the ASA," said Larry Jewett, editor of Circle Track. "They have provided opportunities to many racers with their forward thinking. These racers have moved to their highest levels because of the involvement with ASA. By having the ASA on the pages of our magazines on a regular basis, we can inspire our readers who are active racers to reach their own objectives."

The American Speed Association is based in Pendleton, Ind., and has offered stock car racing programs since 1968, including the ASA National Tour, ASA Late Model Series, several regional touring series, and the ASA Member Track programs. For additional information, visit asaracing.com.

-www.asaracing.com-

[emt.cfm?BC569EX%3B2LDHQ1%20%3B0025]