ASA Educational Series Awards Presented at MIS

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Madison International Speedway
08.07.09

ASA Educational Series Awards Presented at MIS

Series Goes National in 2010

By John Wells

Friday, August 7, 2009 (Oregon, WI)- Although rain may have disrupted everyone's racing plans for the night at Madison International Speedway, a group of over one hundred racing team members and their families gathered for the presentation of the ASA Educational Series scholarships to Ohio Technical College in Cleveland, Ohio.

This year over thirty students from area high schools participated in the program working as crew members or drivers at Madison International Speedway. Educational Series members were required to work one night a week in a race shop and with the race team on Friday night's at MIS. A point system similar to the MIS weekly racing points system was used to determine the winning team members.

By the time the awards program was completed, a total of over $250,000 in scholarships were awarded and a major announcement was made regarding the future of the program.

ASA Educational Series director Larry Pond spoke to the students and their families about the values they will take with them from this experience. “The discipline, hard work, and intelligence that you put into racing is what brings success. That's what brings success in life and you guys have a great start. Having your parents behind you in this program is really special. It's great to get the passion for racing and this is where it starts. If you're passionate about what you want and you're willing to work hard to get there you will be successful. Nothing comes easy in this life. If you work at it - you can do whatever you want. It's passion, hard work, and dedication.”

Pond also spoke of the tremendous opportunities that lie ahead for the students. “I recently visited Ohio Technical College in Cleveland and it is a very impressive operation. You students are going to get a very good education there.”

The biggest announcement of the night involved the future of the ASA Educational Series program and came from Pond. “It's the success from what's happened at this fabulous race track (MIS) the past two years that will allow us to take this program nationwide. We will be adding tracks next year. We have to really thank Ohio Tech who is going to give out a couple hundred thousand dollars in scholarships tonight and has made a commitment to the future.”

MIS General Manager Dave Grueneberg couldn't say enough good things about the importance of the program in promoting racing. “This program was brought to the speedway by Steve Einhaus and Pete Raskovic. It's a great program. There's a lot of things out there for kids to do today - racing is something you can do as a family. This is great because it brings a family closer together and you know what your kids are doing. Where else can you get a scholarship doing something you enjoy. Ohio Tech has a lot to offer in many fields. For us to have this at MIS is a great thing. It's all about getting kids involved in racing which is a great thing to do because it keeps enthusiasm in racing. We supplied the pit passes for all of the kids in the program because we are so committed to this program.”

In regards to the future of the program Grueneberg added, “I think it is great that this program is going nationwide since there are a lot of kids who can benefit from this. You people are the founders of this program - teams that have taken a student on their crew are the ones who deserve the credit.”

Co-founder Peter Raskovic directed his message to the race teams that have participated in the program the past two years. “Thanks for being a part of this. We couldn't have put this together without race teams willing to make this work. We are going to be able to help a lot of children across the United States in the future. It's so great for me to go around the pits to hear comments from teams like 'this kid is working out great.' This is truly a family affair.”

Raskovic also discussed the values of the relationships that have been established through the ASA Educational Series program. “Look around and see who your mentors are on your team. This is a big part of all of this. Mentorships are life-long relationships - always value this bond you have developed. These are people who believe in you.” Raskovic even described how he still consults his mentors regarding some of the racing challenges he comes across from time to time. “It's important for all of you to keep these contacts.”

Raskovic also presented several special awards including an ASA Educational Series recognition award to Dave Grueneberg for his dedication and involvement in promoting the growth of the series.

He also awarded three scholarships in honor of the late Ken Hendricks of ABC Supply. “Ken had a way of believing in people. He believed in himself, in other people, and what people can accomplish. He was a visionary and a great mentor - he led me to this idea to bring people together in racing.” Winners were Zack Driver, Darren Wittman, and Daniel Herried. “These awards are to kids who have gone above and beyond. The ones that drivers or crew members will say 'Hey, take a look at this kid,'” added Raskovic.

One of the drivers from the Rockweiler Insulation Late Model division at MIS, Zack Riddle of Brooklyn, Wisconsin, shared his feelings about having series members working on his team. “This is our second year in the program. The students we have had working with us have been outstanding. We couldn't do it without them. They learn from us and we learn from them. On behalf of all of the drivers I would like to thank MIS and ASA for giving us this opportunity.”

Randy Dziadowicz of Ohio Technical College handed out the scholarship awards that ranged from $2500 to as high as $25,000. “You kids are going to have a very positive experience at Ohio Tech. We are an award winning school. You are all quality kids who come from quality parents. We're excited to be part of the new national program and have made a commitment to see this program grow.” He also indicated that he has enjoyed being able to visit the ASA Educational Series students and their parents in their homes. “This has been a great experience for me too,” he added.

A quick survey of the students in attendance revealed that thirteen will be starting at Ohio Technical College this fall.

One of the winners of a $25,000 scholarship was Aaron Moyer of Eden, Wisconsin, a driver in the weekly Pellitteri Waste Systems Legends division.

“Without this program some of us may never get the opportunity go on to college. It let's us stay connected to a sport we love. The dedication from ASA, MIS and Ohio Tech to keep growing this sport from the grass roots up is awesome,” said Aaron Moyer._

Aaron's father, Tony, is also thankful for the opportunities the program provides young people. “I can't think of a more positive way to give kids an opportunity to further their education than having it connected to something they love and have a passion for. This is just that- an opportunity- not a hand out. They will still have to work hard to meet their goals as young adults.”

Madison International Speedway is looking forward to being part of the ASA Educational Series program in 2010.

Larry Pond- It's the success from what's happened at this fabulous race track the past two years that will allow us to take this program nation wide. We will be adding tracks next year. We have to really thank Ohio Tech who is going to give out a couple hundred thousand dollars in scholarships tonight and has committed much more to the future.

I recently visited Ohio Technical College in Cleveland and it is a very impressive operation. You students are going to get a very good education there.

The discipline, hard work, and intelligence that you put into racing is what brings success. That's what brings success in life and you guys have a great start. Having your parents behind you in this program is really special. It's great to get the passion for racing and this is where it starts.

If you're passionate about you want and you're willing to work hard to get there you will be successful. Nothing comes easy in this life. If you work at it - you can do whatever you want. It's passion, hard work, and dedication.

Dave Grueneberg- This program was brought to the speedway by Steve Einhaus and Pete Raskovic. It's a great program. There's a lot of things out there for kids to do - racing is something you can do as a family. This is great because it brings a family closer together and you know what they're doing. Where else can you get a scholarship doing something you enjoy. Ohio Tech has a lot to offer in many fields. For us to have this at MIS is a great thing. It's getting kids involved in racing which is a great thing to do because it keeps enthusiasm in racing. We supplied the pit passes for all of the kids in the program. I think it is great that this program is going nationwide since there are a lot of kids who can benefit from this. You people are the founders of this program - teams that have taken a student on their crew are the ones who deserve the credit.

Pete Raskovic- Thanks for being a part of this. We couldn't have put this together without race teams willing to make this work. We are going to be able to help a lot of children across the United States in the future. It's so great to hear comments from teams like this kid is working out great. This is a family affair.

Mentors - look around and see who your mentors are on your team. This is a big part of our program Mentorships are life-long relationships - always value this relationship. There are people who believe in you.

Randy D- Note: Thirteen kids will be starting at Ohio Tech in August or October of this year. You are going to have a great experience. These are quality kids that come from quality parents. We are going to go national and have committed for five years to help kids out. What have you done in high school that you're proud of? We're very happy to be giving out the scholarships tonight - Ohio Tech is the School of the Year.

We did not have one complaint about a student this year - you guys were outstanding.

Pete Raskovic- Dave has done a lot of leg work and put in countless hours to help make this program successful. Your efforts have made a big difference for the cause - ASA Educational Series Award.

Zack Riddle- This is our second year in the program. The kids have been a great help to our team. On behalf of all the drivers I want to thank MIS and ASA for making this possible - a big reason we are so thankful is that we are a young team and can use extra help. If teams can't find students