Casey Neal's Impressive Debut in ASA

September 17, 2007:  With very limited pre-race testing and seat time in an ASA race car or any stockcar for that matter, 18-year old Red Bull Driver's  Search World Finalist, Casey Neal took to the ASA series in impressive style  in his ELF Lubricants sponsored Allen-Hock Motorsports Chevrolet at the South Georgia 125 Presented by McDonald's Restaurants at South Georgia Motorsports Park in Cecil, GA on Friday, September 14. A flat right front tire brought an end to the young driver's impressive ASA debut. 

Taking the green flag from the 17th starting position, Neal raced to a high of 7th during the first half of the race.  Settling in to a comfortable pace, Neal closed the gap to the top-6 group of cars with NASCAR CT and USAC driver, Bobby East directly in front when Neal's tire went flat sending Neal into the wall on lap 84 of 125.  Despite the set back, Neal was pleased with his first ASA experience.

"I really enjoyed my first laps in an ASA event," said Neal.  "The
competition is strong but I feel confident that we can be competitive in the coming races.  With the experience Allen-Hock Motorsports to help guide me, I am hopeful we'll be in the thick of the action before the end of the season.  I can't wait.  I had a lot of fun out there tonight."

Earlier Friday, Neal was among the first cars to qualify after thunderstorms blanketed the area and erased the grip from the track.  Neal's early qualifying pace kept him in competitive starting position until the final qualifiers were able to set faster times with the grip returning to the track.  Neal ended up qualifying 17th of the 27 cars entered in the race.  At the drop of the green flag, Neal impressed fans and observers alike with his exciting driving style that propelled the young driver to knock on the door of the top-6 when his race ended prematurely.

"No one was at fault," added Neal.  "It's just one of those unfortunate things. I think we were able to show that we can run with the more experienced drivers.  With a little good luck instead of a bit of bad luck, I think we could have had a very strong finish here.  But I'm looking forward to the next race already."

With the damage significant to the Elf Lubricants Allen-Hock Motorsports car #25, Neal was unable to return to action on Saturday night September 15, in the Senoia 125 Presented by FLF Racecars at the New Senoia Raceway.  Neal hopes to return to action when the damage is repaired.  Neal will look to schedule his next event in either the Northern or Southern ASA divisions, as well as his anticipated debut in the ASA Challenge Series.

Neal's schedule is increasing in the ASA and he hopes to bring visibility and attention to his long-standing relationship with ELF Lubricants.  "I've used ELF products exclusively for the past four years," explained Neal.  "I feel that we already demonstrated the advantage of ELF products.  With their years of experience in racing from Formula One on down, they know their stuff when it comes to engine and powertrain lubricants!  I wouldn't go racing without it."

About ELF Lubricants:  ELF is a brand of Total Lubricants USA.  Total Lubricants USA, Inc. is headquartered in Linden, NJ.  Throughout the years since the founding of the company in 1868, the company's primary business has remained essentially the same, the development, manufacturing and marketing of lubrication products.  A subsidiary of Total, S.A., an international oil company, Total Lubricants USA, Inc. has manufacturing and office facilities in New Jersey, North Carolina and Tennessee as well as a sales office in Germany.  For more information on ELF Lubricants visit www.total-us.com

About Casey Neal:  Casey Neal is best known for his dominating performance at the final U.S. selection process at Sebring International Raceway in the 2005 Red Bull Driver's Search.  Competing against what might be considered the best new driving talent in the country, Neal overwhelmed his competition by winning every event in which he competed.  Neal won all eleven of eleven races.  For more information on Casey Neal visit www.caseynealracing.com.

Click here for a Post race interview with John Sechrest of Sirius Radio