USAC

Indianapolis (IRP) II: Jason Leffler preview

CLERMONT, IN (September 25, 2002) - Three-time United States Auto Club National Midget Champion Jason Leffler will return to his midget car racing roots this Friday night at Indianapolis Raceway Park for the inaugural Indianapolis Twin 25's. The ...

Published: Sep 26, 2002, 12:29 PM

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CLERMONT, IN (September 25, 2002) - Three-time United States Auto Club National Midget Champion Jason Leffler will return to his midget car racing roots this Friday night at Indianapolis Raceway Park for the inaugural Indianapolis Twin 25's. The events will pay a $50,000 bonus to the driver who can win both 25-lap feature races.

The unique "Monza-style" format featuring two main events with only a 15-minute intermission between races will test Leffler as he battles for bragging rights with some of the hottest drivers in USAC competition. While winning the first feature will be Leffler's initial order of business, it's the second headliner, where Leffler will face his biggest challenge. Should Leffler grab the checkers in the first event, he would push off dead last in the second race and have to maneuver his way all the way to the front to pocket the cool $50,000.

"I'm pretty sure we should be in contention to win, but, to win both races and get that bonus will be pretty tricky," said Leffler, driver of the No. 2 Team ASE/CARQUEST Dodge in NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series competition this season. "Both races are really short. With the second one being inverted, it's going to be tough to go from the back to the front in only 25 laps. Most guys can make their cars good for 20 or 25 laps. It's 25 laps and beyond when everyone starts to fall off, so it's going to be pretty tough to win both."

Leffler will pilot the Keith Kunz-owned No. 67 Team ASE/CARQUEST special at the .686-mile Clermont oval Friday. As a former regular on the USAC Midget tour, Leffler recorded three consecutive National Midget championships from 1997-1999.

In his most recent Midget appearance at IRP, Leffler chalked up USAC midget win No. 29 in the prestigious "Night Before the 500." Leffler also has four previous midget wins at IRP and makes no bones about his desire to make it five.

"IRP is probably my favorite racetrack, so anytime there's a USAC race out there, I try to get involved," commented Leffler. "I ran fourth in the Silver Crown race in August at IRP and finished second in the Truck Series race the next night. I always seem to run pretty well at IRP. There's going to be a lot of really good competition. It's going to be tough, but it will be a lot of fun. That's really the main reason we're doing this is just to have some fun."

Along with his duties at the racetrack, Leffler along and fellow Team ASE driver J.J. Yeley will address approximately 100 students at Ben Davis High School in Indianapolis in an effort to promote careers in the automotive service industry.

"This is just a good opportunity to go out into the community and spend some time with some kids who might not be sure what career path they want to follow," said Leffler. "I lived in the Indianapolis area for quite awhile, so I'm pretty happy to be able to try to and give something back to a community that has given me so much.

"The automotive service industry is booming, so this is a great time for students who might be on the fence to consider becoming a professional automotive technician." continued Leffler. "It's one of those careers where there will always be a big demand."

The inaugural Indy Twin 25s at Indianapolis Raceway Park will get under way Friday night September 27, with qualifying going green at 5 p.m. Central Standard Time. The event will be telecast on a tape-delayed basis Sunday, October 6 at 7 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time on espn2

ABOUT ASE

ASE (National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence) also has a long involvement in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. As the primary sponsor on the No. 2 Team ASE/CARQUEST entry, the non-profit organization has been able to highlight its efforts to provide the highest quality professional technician certification and assessment services at all levels of vehicle maintenance and repair. In addition to ASE's racing involvement, the organization is active in numerous civic, charitable, educational and humanitarian activities.

-tase-

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