|| *Comments on the 2004 Aaron's 99:* View the most recent comment <#7> | Post a comment <#post> 1. Rexrobe posted: 03.04.2015 - 8:02 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) Things had been going bad for ASA off the track in 2004, with the collapse of the television deal, the new look cars coming across poorly, and the cancellation of several races. But this race is where it got ugly. Before the race, ASA officials announced they would not be able to pay the purse for the event. I don't recall all of the details, but there was a series of very heated conversations between drivers and owners who were upset (to say the least) and aloof series officials. To solve the matter, Humpy Wheeler stepped in to pay the prize money and have the race go on. In return, SMI and Lowe's Motor Speedway seized the ASA official equipment - that belonging to the series, not the teams - and impounded it on speedway property until an arrangement with series management. I believe that SMI also stepped in at the final race, Atlanta, to pay the prize money and make the event go forward. Essentially, it was an instance of the track acting as a sanctioning body. Atlanta proved to be the final race as the series collapsed and ownership of the ASA body devolved into lawsuits amongst several parties, none of whom ever restarted the national tour. 2. Darrell posted: 03.08.2015 - 12:19 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Reed Sorenson's only ASA win 3. RaceFanX posted: 07.21.2015 - 4:43 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Sponsor: #42 Ben Collins- Texaco Havoline / US Automotive British stock car champion Ben "Stig" Collins makes his only major American stock car start. Collins tried to make the move to NASCAR but his proposed deal to run in the series fell apart leaving this run as a one off. Texaco Havoline had also sponsored his British racing efforts in 2004. 4. Brandon posted: 10.22.2016 - 2:02 am Rate this comment: (2) (0) Not only Reed Sorenson's only ASA win, but Dodge's too, after trying since the debut season in 1973, Dodge breaks through in the final season to win their first and only race, as the next race was the last of the series, Dodge was only the 6th different make to win in ASA's 559 races. 5. rm posted: 10.04.2018 - 2:41 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) This race was scheduled for 99 laps but was shortened to 66 due to incoming weather supposedly. That was the official reason given, others being that the officials were worried about the pack racing and that the race sponsor Aaron's wanted it that way. ASA officials in 2004 didn't have a great record with being truthful. 11 DNF reason - coil wire (Porter wrecked in practice and hurriedly had the team put the rear end back together. They never quite finished the repair and after some in-race issues, they parked it) Dominic Vara's number was #20. Driver Change: Marc Mitchell was originally in the #34, but crashed in practice. One driver withdrew, Jeff Bedell in the #16. He wrecked in practice. #66 sponsor - Xerox #66 owner - John Mickel/Travis Carter (Mickel shipped his car to the US and Travis Carter worked on the car to get it fit to American ASA specifications and fielded the car) #42 owner - Wood Brothers Ben Collins crashed out hard with Ryan Unzicker, catching some serious air after driving over Unzicker's hood. A still can be found here: http://www.speed51archives.com/files/ASA04__42__66_wrecking_lowes.jpg Matthias Czabok started 36th. The starting lineup goes to 38 but only 37 cars are listed. Bjorklund looks like he was a late addition to the field. Not sure who started 32nd or why the back of the lineup is jumbled up. 6. rm posted: 10.04.2018 - 2:51 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) More info: Mickel's car was a Ford both here and at Atlanta. Same owner duo there as well. Jay Middleton was in a Dodge. Mitchell's withdrawn ride was owned by Tom Logano. Three more cars withdrew after practice woes: Jimmy Henderson in a #21 Chevrolet, sponsor "For Sale" Jimmy Spencer Jr. Jason Setser, #59 JCR3 Racing Chevrolet 7. rm posted: 06.09.2021 - 11:51 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) Missing info blast incoming: Time of race - 1:04:16 Average speed - 92.426 mph Margin of victory - 0.130 seconds Lead changes - 6 among 5 drivers Lap leaders: Reffner 1-6, Williams 7-11, Krisiloff 12-15, Reffner 16-35, Garvey 36-43, Reffner 44-50, Sorenson 51-66 Laps led: Sorenson 16, Reffner 33, Krisiloff 4, Williams 5, Garvey 8 Should have clarified that it was Mickel's #66UK that was owned by the Mickel/Carter duo, not Unzicker's #66, which would have been fielded by Phil Hines as usual for 2004. The results sheet actually lists Mickel as driving the #66UK and Ben Collins driving the #42UK. 17 status - crash 22 status - crash 20 sponsor - The Vara Companies 36 sponsor - Rinnai/Dave Brewer Homes 61 sponsor - Certainteed 74 sponsor - North Florida Pharmacy 80 sponsor- Johns Manville/Menards 82 sponsor - Royal Purple/Tesa Tape More DNQs/WDs: Greg Barnhart (crashed in practice) J.P. Morgan, #08 Cory Witherill Ryan Zeck, #95 Briggs & Stratton Pontiac Select winnings: Sorenson - $14,930 Reffner - $8,380 Krisiloff - $4,580 Leicht - $4,130 Kittleson- $3,555 Kluever - $3,230 B. Miller - $2,590 T. Sauter - $2,290 Yontz - $2,140 Cywinski - $2,090 Mickel - $1,775 Garvey - $2,460 Bjorklund - $1,600 Collins - $1,600 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ *Post a comment:* Your comment may not appear immediately - all comments must be approved by the moderator. Name: Comment: