Troy Hintzsche joins forces with Lorz Motorsports for a run at the 2008 ASA Late Model Series Northern Division Championship.
By Matt Prieur-ASA Late Model Series
Every driver who runs in any of the four divisions within the ASA Late Model Series Presented by GM Performance Parts strives to become a champion! For that to happen, all the right pieces to the puzzle have to fall into place and even a little luck is always welcomed.
In the case of 24-year-old Troy Hintzsche, after Two years of stringing together limited appearances in the ASALMS in 2005 and 2006, the Malta, Illinois driver put together a run for the ASALMS Northern Division Rookie of the Year title for the 2007 season
In what was widely regarded as one of the toughest divisions within the ASALMS and even despite missing one event, Hintzsche finished a strong Fifth in the Rookie of the Year title chase behind four very strong drivers in 2007 Rookie of the Year, Jesse Saunders as well as fellow freshmen, Mike Heiss, Dave Gentile Jr., and Alex Kennedy.
With the trials of tribulations of a freshman season now out of the way, Hintzsche now has his sights set firmly on a championship and has joined forces with one of the most established teams in the entire ASALMS to boot, forming a powerful combination and a strong contender for a title!
For the 2008 racing season, Troy Hintzsche has joined forced with the Midlothian, Illinois based Lorz Motorsports Team and will make a run for the 2008 ASALMS Northern Division Championship beginning on Friday and Saturday April 11-12, 2008 at the Toledo (OH) Speedway in Toledo, Ohio in the running of the Glass Breaker 125.
Hintzsche will not only switch teams for 2008, he’ll also go with a new body style as well! Going from a Dodge Charger to a Ford Fusion, he’ll even switch out numbers. Gone is the familiar #34 and now adorning the doors of Hintzsche’s machine for the 2008 season will be an unfamiliar #76! His teammate at Lorz will be 2008 Rookie title contender, Josh Lane.
“It’s going to be exciting this year, we’re going back to #76! That’s the number my brother (Mike Lorz) ran his whole career. We need an identity so we don’t have to keep changing numbers!” Explained Crew Chief, Dan Lorz about the switch to the #76. “Mike is pretty excited about seeing the number again!”
As for his new driver, Lorz has nothing but praise for the fellow Illinois resident. “I thought Troy did a helluva job last year! He definitely opened my eyes and I think he will fit in perfect with the entire Lorz Motorsports crew. He is pretty focused and determined to reach his goals.” Lorz stated.
“I’m really looking forward to driving the #76 Ford Fusion for Lorz Motorsports in 2008. They are a great bunch of guys and I like their positive attitudes.” An excited Hintzsche stated. “I expect to learn a lot from them and have great success!”
“My goals for the 2008 season are to win multiple races and be a contender for the 2008 ASALMS Northern Division Championship and I believe Lorz Motorsports has the equipment and resources to reach these goals.” Hintzsche continued.
“I’m looking forward to going into the 2008 ASALMS Northern Division Season with Troy Hintzsche!” Added Lorz Motorsports Car Owner, Mike Lorz. “He brings experience and a good attitude to our team and he also wants to win in the worst way! So do the guys at Lorz Motorsports” The veteran car owner added.
The only driver in the ASALMS Northern Division to run a Dodge Charger in 2007, Hintzsche competed in all but one ASALMS Northern Division event in 2007 and picked up One (1) Top 10 finish, which was a season high Ninth place showing in the Wolverine 100 at the Dixie (MI) Motor Speedway on August 17, 2007.
Hintzsche also recorded his first career Fast Qualifier Award which also came at Dixie. Overall in 2007, Hintzsche just missed the Top 10 in the final points standings by finishing 11th but the 24-year-old managed a solid Fifth place showing in the Final 2007 ASALMS Northern Division Rookie of the Year Points Standings.
He also made one ASALMS Challenge Division appearance in the Benson International / Crate American Race 200 at the famed Bristol (TN) Motor Speedway on August 4, 2007 and finished in 19th place.
The Prairie State driver will benefit from a very experienced Lorz Motorsports crew that includes the likes of; Phil Hollendonner, Dan Burke, Herm Workman, John McInerney, Bob Lorz, and Mike Venegas.
“I’m also looking forward to continuing my relationships with my sponsors DeKalb Seed, Agriliance Interlock, BASF Chemical Corporation, Syngenta, Rooster Reality and Bell Racing.” Added Hintzsche.
“Plus International Truck & Engine Corporation will also be coming aboard the #76 Lorz Motorsports Ford Fusion as an associate sponsor. I would also like to run a partial ASALMS Challenge Division schedule if the financials are available.” Hintzsche said.
Hintzsche began his racing career in 1998 and from 1998-2003, he raced Go-Karts primarily at the Trane (IL) Motor Speedway outside of Chicago in Norway, Illinois as well as various karting facilities in his home state of Illinois as well as near-by Wisconsin. Hintzsche was the 1999 track champion at Trane and won over 30 features there.
In addition, Hintzsche seen racing action in his Kart and the Midwest Sprints Series career at: Daytona (FL) International Speedway, Lowe’s (NC) Motor Speedway, Elkhart Lake (WI) Speedway, Beaver Run (WI) Motorsports Complex, Mid-States (IL) Speedway, Badger (WI) Raceway, and Batavia (NY) International Motorsports Park.
His rookie season in a Late Model in 2004 at the Madison (WI) International Speedway saw the Malta, Illinois pilot (Outside of DeKalb and 60 miles West of Chicago) muster up one Top Five and three Top 10 showings while finishing 17th in the points.
The highlight of the 2004 season saw Hintzsche finish 10th in the Blain’s Farm and Fleet / Carhartt 100 ASALMS event at Madison back on May 8, 2004 on a night where NASCAR Nextel Cup stars, Matt Kenseth, who won, and Travis Kvapil were both in the field.
Overall In 2004, Hintzsche made three appearances with the ASALMS including both events at Madison as well as the show at the Grundy County (IL) Speedway. His highest finish was the previously mentioned 10th place showing at Madison.
During the 2005 season back at Madison, Hintzsche recorded one feature win as well as Five (5) Top Five’s and Nine (9) Top 10 finishes and a strong fourth place showing in the final points standings in the very competitive ASA Late Model Division at Madison. The Prairie State driver was also on hand for the Coca-Cola / Oktoberfest 100 on October 7, 2005 at the LaCrosse (WI) Fairgrounds Speedway, but mechanical difficulties forced him to park his ride for the evening.
Hintzsche made select appearances in the ASALMS Challenge and Northern Divisions in 2006 to keep his rookie eligibility intact for the 2007 Racing Season. Hintzsche again competed, but only part-time, back at Madison.
For the 2008 racing season, Hintzsche will steer a Lorz Motorsports Ford Fusion with sponsorship from: DeKalb Seed, as well as International Truck and Engine Corporation, Agriliance Interlock, BASF Chemical Corporation, Syngenta, Rooster Reality, Bell Racing, M.P.H. Promotions, and Lorz Motorsports.
For more information on sponsoring Troy Hintzsche and the #76 Lorz Motorsports, please feel free to contact the team at: 1 (815) 761-0039 or by email at; thintzsche4@yahoo.com
