Team ASE Racing Program Puts Certification In The Public Eye

Team ASE will be the primary sponsor of the No. 9 Germain Racing Toyota Tundra, driven by defending NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series (NCTS) Champion, Ted Musgrave, and also for the No. 30 Germain Racing Toyota Tundra, driven by Todd Bodine. Snap-on Tools will be the associate sponsor for both trucks.

"As one of the original sponsors of the NCTS series, Team ASE is excited to partner with Germain Racing, who clearly demonstrated their intent to win during the 2005 Season, along with the opportunity to stay with (driver) Ted Musgrave," said Ron Weiner, ASE President. 

Bob Germain, team owner, echoed the enthusiasm. "Our dealerships have had a long standing relationship with ASE, so it's very exciting to have them become a sponsor of the Germain Racing Team," he said. "We look forward to building a long term relationship." 

"It's not only going to be an exciting season for us here at Germain Racing but also for TEAM ASE and its 400,000-plus automotive professionals that hold ASE certification," said Germain Racing General Manager, Mike Hillman Sr. "I feel it's going to be a great relationship between Germain Racing and Team ASE. Being competitive on the race track is as important to Team ASE as it is for us at Germain Racing."

ASE's Tony Molla explained how the Team ASE program impacts certified technicians and Blue Seal shops. He stressed that the Team ASE racing program is much more than the NCTS involvement, although that obviously gets the most attention. He shared that the NCTS events allow ASE to achieve several important goals simultaneously. 

"The first is the consumer outreach," said Molla. "Our certified professionals are continuously asking us to do more to promote the ASE program to consumers and the involvement with NCTS gives ASE a national platform for brand exposure that we could never afford to do otherwise." 

He added, "We also use the events as opportunities to invite local Blue Seal Shops and ASE-certified professionals to participate directly by simply enjoying the racing experience or by helping us man kiosks where we pass out information to consumers explaining the value that ASE certified professionals provide for their service dollar. These kiosks are also used in recruitment events where we often partner with local NATEF schools and link them with local business owners for the benefit of both. 

"The Team ASE program also spotlights the grassroots racers, consisting of ASE-certified professionals who are involved at all levels in racing programs across the nation. On any given night during race season, there are hundreds of race vehicles from open-wheel sprint cars to ARCA racers and many others - all proudly displaying the ASE logo," Molla emphasized. 

Molla pointed out that the Team ASE program also allows family members of certified professionals to participate more directly in the industry through this racing involvement at all levels. "The NCTS drivers are particularly good about meeting the fans. We obviously can't accommodate everyone, but on a first-come, first-served basis, we'll do our best to arrange for a pit tour for any ASE-certified professionals who ask at any of the races. The best way to do this is to send a message through our Web site at www.ase.com. Just click on the "Contact Us" button to send a message."

The full 2006 NCTS schedules can be viewed at www.truckseries.com.

(Source: ASE)