ASA Meijer 250
Marne, MI - 8/2/03

DON: ASA gets "it" - They understand they're in the entertainment business, not the racing business. They've come a long way since I last saw an ASA event. They now have big time TV coverage and put on a great show for the fans. For example they have a 45 minute autograph session with the drivers right on the front stretch - the kids loved it.

Beverly was out of town for the weekend so I called upon my old buddy Brian to help cover the event. After lengthy negotiations with his wife Karen, he was allowed to go. Brian ended up taking almost 400 photos. Between the two of us we used up every memory stick and battery we had.

BRIAN (Guest Photographer): The ASA race at the Berlin Raceway near Grand Rapids, Michigan was my first trip as a guest photographer with RacingRoadTrip.com and it was without a doubt, a fun time. First of all, ASA and the Berlin Raceway ran a very professional and well-organized race event. I had a great time with my long time friend, Don, taking pictures of the racing, capturing some behind the scenes action and of course, taking a few photos of some “track babes”! The race itself was filled with a lot of excitement including several lead changes and multiple cautions. The local favorite and 3 time ASA champ, Butch Miller, finished 4th. Congratulations to the winner, Peter Cozzolino, on his 2nd ASA win of the year. I look forward to being a guest photographer with RacingRoadTrip.com again in the near future.

Weekend highlights:

• Meeting a nice track photographer - Normally the track photographer looks down upon the naive photographer who only brings one camera. You're just not cool if you don't have three cameras hanging off your neck I guess. This friendly lady should be a model for others.

More at: www.ASAracing.com

Guest photographer Brian Berk	Crate Motor engine rule, no hanky panky	Final adjustments before qualifying	It's good to see women get their hands dirty...	It's good to see them not
Off to tech inspection	Line up for qualifying	Double check the tire pressure	Every racing event has the tough guy	Finally, qualifying begins
'01 & '02 winner Butch Miller	Butch would go on to qualify 5th	Indy winner Peter Cozzolino qualifies 9th	Bryan Reffner qualifies 19th	Canadian Air Force
Butch gets the money...	Brian gets the Money Shot	Every kid should have one	Cars in pre-grid location	Eager young minds get driver autograph
She ran us off like stray dogs	Did someone check his age?	Dude, sign my shirt	The crowd chanting ASA, ASA, ASA...	Now you get a free t-shirt
Butch gets special award	Playing a race track? This had to be very Embarrassing	About time they segregate the MADD crowd	Cars are pushed to the grid	Rich Bickle gets buckled in
...and if you spit it's a $50 fine	Gentlemen, start your engines	ASA's sharp pace car	Zach Niessner	Pole winner Robbie Pyle
Chad Wood	Kevin Cywinski	Track neighbors watch from their "Free Fort"	Bryan Reffner	Rookie points leader Reed Sorenson
Boris Jurkovic	Butch would gone on to finish 4th	Crew member practices for upcoming pit stops	Here they come	In for tires
Doug Stevens' crew goes to work	Boris Jurkovic's crew make quick work of the stop	Then it started to snow? Dust I guess	The Pit Cop fires his mighty radar gun	Michigan's finest deciding on where to go for dinner
The nicest track photographer we've ever met	Joey Miller	I didn't come here to do paperwork	Teams watch the live TV coverage	A late race crash tightens the field
I CAN'T TAKE THE PRESSURE	Can we make it on fuel?	One lap to go	YES!!!!	Peter Cozzolino "I am ruler of all the land, bow to my greatness"
		Beer Time

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