The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) will not return as a primary sponsor in the 2009 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.
“As one of the original NCTS sponsors, our Team ASE racing program has served the organization well since 1994, but our board has decided that it’s time to redirect those resources,” says Tim Zilke, ASE President. “I’d like to take this opportunity to thank Jim Harris and the entire HT Motorsports team for their efforts in our final season,” Zilke adds. “It’s been a great relationship and a wonderful way for us to finish up our sponsorship involvement with the NCTS. Under the Team ASE banner, the NCTS racing program provided the organization with numerous outreach opportunities for both our certified professionals and the consumers they serve, and we look forward to finishing the 2008 season with HT Motorsports.” “I’d also be remiss if I didn’t thank our driver, Ted Musgrave, for his outstanding effort on our behalf over the past three seasons. Ted has been a consummate professional and a great spokesperson for Team ASE and we wish him well,” Zilke concludes. Since its inception, Team ASE has participated in truck racing with three different race teams, beginning with an 11-year relationship with Jim Smith and Ultra Motorsports, campaigning the No.2 truck with a variety of young drivers, who have gone on to become notable NASCAR competitors in their own right. Following Ultra Motorsports closing in 2005, Team ASE was the primary sponsor for Musgrave, who drove the No. 9 truck with Germain Racing for the 2006-2007 seasons and moved to HT Motorsports for the 2008 NCTS season. For more information, visit www.ase.com. | 
