KARNAC Media Staff Report
Over the last several years a major dispute has played out in the short track stock car racing world over ownership and use of the ASA (American Speed Association) name and logo. The issue has caused conternation and not been a good thing for anyone involved in the sport.
The following press release from the offices of Dennis Huth hopefully puts this issue to rest once and for all, and he and Ron Varney, President of the ASA Late Model Series can get focused in a laser like manner on the real business at hand, motorsports promotion.
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (January 14, 2009) – When Stephen M. Dale, the former owner of the American Speed Association, licensed portions of the sanctioning body’s rights to Dennis Huth and sold all shares of the ASA Late Model Series to Ron Varney in 2004, he retained the ownership of the American Speed Association name and ASA family of trademarks with intention to keep the 36-year history in the short track industry alive.
Shortly thereafter, Dale sold his all of rights and ownership in the American Speed Association and ASA family of trademarks to Huth and Racing Speed Associates, LLC. Huth and Varney worked towards a compatible resolution for more than two years. Unfortunately, and as a last resort due to apparent confusion in the marketplace, in December 2007, Huth filed suit against Varney over ownership of the ASA LATE MODEL SERIES trademark.
Now, after lengthy deliberations, Huth and Varney are pleased to announce that they have amicably resolved the dispute in a manner that will allow them to co-exist. Huth, through Racing Speed Associates, retains rights to and ownership of the American Speed Association name and the original, historic ASA logo. Varney retains rights and ownership to the “ASA LATE MODEL SERIES” name but has agreed to create a totally different look for the series logo. The parties agree that they will inform the racing public that the ASA LATE MODEL SERIES is not related to, affiliated with, nor sponsored or endorsed by AMERICAN SPEED ASSOCIATION or ASA RACING.
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The stock car racing commnuity is well served by this decision and hopefully this will help both sanctions to continue to expand their operations successfully.
