LEESBURG, Va. — The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE), which is marking its 50th anniversary in 2022, is venturing into motorsports sponsorship to draw attention to its mission.
The ASE will sponsor International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) driver Michael Lewis, who competes in the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge series with Brian Herta Autosport, which is campaigning a team of Hyundai Elantra N hatchbacks in 2022.
"We are excited to be teaming up again with Michael as we celebrate 50 years of ASE," ASE President and CEO Tom Zilke said.
"Michael has been a great ambassador for ASE. This year, his race gear will feature ASE's commemorative 50th anniversary logo and because he and his teammate Taylor Hagler are the defending IMSA champions, we are anticipating a tremendous season of racing for Michael, his race team and ASE."
In addition, Lewis will represent ASE at select functions, events and media interviews in conjunction with the race schedule.
"It is an honor to have ASE support us this season competing in IMSA with Bryan Herta Autosport and Hyundai," Lewis said.
"ASE has been with my racing career since the beginning when I started in quarter midgets, and to have the famous 'Blue Seal' on my race gear once again during the 50th anniversary of the company is really special. It gives us the chance to recognize all the ASE-certified service professionals who work so hard. We will be working hard to get more wins for ASE this year in our No. 1 Bryan Herta Autosport Hyundai Elantra N race car in IMSA."
In 2021, Lewis and Hagler captured the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge title, winning once and securing six other podium finishes.
The 2022 season kicks off Jan. 28 with the BMW Endurance Challenge, a four-hour race held during the Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona race weekend at the Daytona International Raceway.
The season has 10 races scheduled, ranging in length from two to four hours. The season ends Sept. 28 at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta.
