Justin Larson shows the way in Bronson, Florida.
19-year-old Justin Larson, who calls Clearwater, Florida home and is a contender for the 2008 ASA Late Model Series Southern Division Rookie of the Year title, turned in the fastest lap of the day in Practice for the Flagship RV’s 100, which serves as the 2008 season opener for the ASALMS Southern Division at the Bronson (FL) Motor Speedway. (Chuck Gonzalez Photo)
By Matt Prieur-ASA Late Model Series
Bronson, Florida (03/29/2008): The 2008 Season Opener for the ASA Late Model Series Southern Division Presented by GM Performance Parts is now in progress as the cars and stars of the ASALMS Southern Division have officially invaded the Bronson (FL) Motor Speedway, located West of Gainesville in Bronson, Florida.
For the third straight season, the ASALMS Southern Division starts off the year at the fast 0.333 Mile High-Banked Paved Oval with the running of the Flagship RV’s 100. Joining the ASALMS Southern Division will be the Bronson Weekly divisions of Sportsmen, Super Stocks, Thunder Stocks, and Hornets.
Practice is now complete as the ASALMS Southern Division teams will prepare for ARP Bodies / Aluminum Racing Products Qualifying. As for Overall Practice Sessions results, 2008 ASALMS Southern Division Rookie of the Year title contender, Justin Larson showed the quick way around the Bronson, Florida speed plant.
The 19-year-old Clearwater, Florida freshman in his Skinner Nurseries / Chevrolet Monte Carlo unofficially broke the ASALMS Track Record at the Mike Cope owned and operated facility with a 13.168 which measures out to 91.013 MPH.
Another 19-year-old, Jimmy Lang, who’s running the full schedules in both the ASALMS Challenge and Southern Divisions in 2008, was second quick as the Bluffton, South Carolina driver went out and turned a 13.214 while a third straight 19-year-old, Travis Cope was third fastest at a 13.233.
Colt James, the pre-season favorite for the 2008 ASALMS Southern Division Championship, was fourth fastest with a 13.256 and 17-year-old Rookie title contender, Blake Lehr completed the Top Five with a 13.326.
Overall, Four (4) drivers unofficially broke the current ASALMS Track Record, which was set by Ryan Carlson back on March 4, 2006 as the Loves Park, Illinois invader turned a 13.285.
As for the rest of the Overall Practice Session results, another 17-year-old, Dustin Dunn (13.358) was sixth and was followed by Travis Wilson (13.403), Defending Race Winner, Rob Partelo (13.430), Jeremy Gerstner (13.435), and one more rookie contender, David Odell (13.438) rounded out the Top 10.
Currently, the ASALMS Southern Division teams are making there way through Tire Impound and Qualifying Tech in preparation for ARP Bodies / Aluminum Racing Products Qualifying, which begins at 4:30p.m. All times are in accordance with Eastern Standard Time (EST).
Article originally posted on www.asalatemodelssouth.com
Reprinted with permission from ASA Late Model Series.