Licata Jr Captures ASA Speed Truck Challenge Championship Title

SACRAMENTO, CALIF. (November 3, 2009) – For Joey Licata Jr., 2009 proved to be championship-winning season, as the talented American captured the ASA Speed Truck Challenge Championship title in one of the closest fights in series history. Showcasing the speed and skill of a driver poised to work his way up the motorsports ranks, the Ron Sutton’s Winner’s Circle development driver captured his inaugural oval racing crown in only his first full season of oval track competition.

When the 2009 ASA Speed Truck Challenge season commenced in early March at Lucas Oil I-10 Speedway in Blythe, Calif., Licata Jr. was just one of several drivers determined to make his mark and challenge for the series title. It however quickly became apparent that the 17 year-old Californian was more than capable of meeting those expectations.

The six-time International Karting Federation Grand National champion, benefiting from three top-five finishes as a rookie in 2008, regularly became one of the drivers to beat in the oval track truck racing series. Race after race, Licata Jr. showcased the skills of potential champion, making the most of every opportunity.

As a result, by the time the 10-race championship reached the traditional summer vacation break, the No. 71 United Nissan/Impact Racing/Chevy S10 was leading the way in the championship standings.

The second half of the season proved to be anything but straight forward for the talented driver from Van Nuys, Calf. While Licata Jr. enjoyed continued success behind the wheel at a number of races, the former karting standout and rising oval track talent was also forced to overcome some adversity. Primarily due to a mechanical failure at Toyota Speedway at Irwindale in Round Eight, Licata Jr. entered the season-finale at Havasu 94 Speedway in late October trailing the championship leader by seven points.

Licata Jr., remaining focused on the task at hand, promptly overcame the challenge, capturing the series title by a single point via a Trophy Dash win and a second place finish in the Feature race. In what was the closest series finish in years, with a mere two points separating first from third, Licata Jr. ended the year with two Trophy Dash wins, seven podium finishes, eight top-fives and one pole position.

“I’m very happy to have won the ASA Speed Truck title,” stated Licata Jr. “No. 71 United Nissan/Impact Racing/Chevy S10 was virtually perfect all season-long, which allowed me to focus on running at the front and challenging for wins. Hopefully I can find some funding during the off-season to continue working my way up the motorsports ladder.”

“Joey Licata Junior is one of those rare amazing talents. We just had four of our most developed drivers test impressively with NASCAR Cup Teams back in Charlotte. One is going to D4D and the other three have a real shot at signing with teams,” stated Ron Sutton, “We feel … no … we know Joey has the talent and potential to do the same … go all the way to a NASCAR Cup Career. We just need to find some funding to run him at the next level of NASCAR Racing.”

With the 2009 race season now complete, Licata Jr. is currently busy working on finding funding to run a full season in NASCAR Grand American Modifieds with the Ron Sutton’s Winner’s Circle program.