Press Release about Casey Smith

[NickHolt]

November 9, 2003 - Austin, TX

 

Contact: Paige Miller (512) 282-6845

 

18-year-old Casey Smith to enter the Asphalt World Championship, Concord Motorsports Park

 

Casey Smith has been behind the wheel of a racecar since the day of his 5th Birthday. He began his racing career in Quarter Midgets where he won his first National Championship at age twelve. His next two Championships came in Legends Car competition; the 1999 Semi-Pro National Points Champion and the 2000 Pro Asphalt National Champion at Lowe’s Motor Speedway.

 

After dominating these two series, Smith continued his career by entering the Super Late Model arena at the age of 14. In nine Super Late Model starts Casey claimed a pole position at South Alabama Speedway, a win at Five Flags Speedway in Pensacola, a top-five finish at the famed Hickory Motor Speedway and six top ten finishes, all in his rookie year.

 

Smith continued racing Super Late Models in 2001 where he claimed a feature win in the ROMCO Super Late Model series in his first start of the season. The team then made their NASCAR debut in the Gatorade “All Pro” Series at Nashville Speedway where Casey opened the eyes of many, qualifying fourth quick against a field of thirty-eight. The teen was running third late in the race when engine failure forced him to retire. Smith competed in his first Snowball Derby in 2001 where he qualified 14th and was running 2nd when he was involved in a race accident.

 

After NASCAR mandated the 18-year-old age requirement, the Smith team quickly had to regroup and chose the American Speed Association (ASA) as the best series to continue Casey’s career. A season pegged for learning and experience, Smith made the field in all five of the events that he entered and gained valuable seat time preparing for the 2003 ASA season.

 

Robert Hamke joined the Smith team at the start of the 2003 ASA season acting as Casey’s Crew Chief and mentor. In six starts, Smith posted a career best podium finish at Lanier Motor Speedway, 2 top-ten finishes, and 4 top-fifteen finishes.

 

Casey is looking forward to running a few select Super Late Model events in the ASA off-season before returning to the ASA series running for Rookie of the Year. He will enter the Asphalt World Championship at Concord and The Snowball Derby at Five Flags Speedway to wrap up his 2003 season.