Friday, March 7, 2008

GEORGIA STOCK CAR RACING.com Mar. 6-13

GEORGIA STOCK CAR RACING.com Mar. 6-13 ========================================= To receive this newsletter via email each week, send “subscribe” to ddrrtt@earthlink.net To keep this out of your email box, send “unsubscribe” ========================================= O'Reilly Southern All Stars at North Georgia Postponed Due to predicted subfreezing temperatures and possible snow flurries the O'Reilly Southern All Star sanctioned Ernest Young Memorial at North Georgia Speedway has been rescheduled for next Friday night, March 14th before the Shamrock at Cleveland Speedway on Saturday, March 15th. Next weekend will now present a potential $12,500 to win with Friday's Ernest Young Memorial which pays $5000 to win and Saturday's Shamrock which pays $7500 to win. For complete details visit www.northgeorgiaspeedway.com or www.clevelandspeedway.com For a complete Series schedule visit www.southern-allstars.com Running Of The Bulls At Volunteer Speedway Next weekend will also include a newly announced "Running of the Bulls," featuring $10,000-to-win, $700-to-start, Super Late Model shows on both Friday and Saturday at Volunteer Speedway in Bulls Gap, TN. This show will replace the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series program, cancelled this week due to track conditions. Volunteer Speedway will fill up with NASCAR fans from the nearby Bristol races. The National Late Model Series show at Waycross has been moved to Mar. 28-29, due to the weather. www.nlmss.com The Talladega Short Track has switched their opener to Sunday afternoon with hot laps at 2:00 and racing at 3:00. $10 adm. (256) 831-1413 WWW.TALLADEGASHORTTRACK.COM If the weather is too bad for practice Sat. at Toccoa, they’ll have a Sun. practice, according to a 4m post from Papermen. Oglethorpe is hoping for a weather break for the Monster Truck show this weekend, and will run rain or shine probably. The trucks have leased the track, and it’s their call. 912-964-8200 www.ospracing.net ---- Schedule ---- Mar. 7-8-9 Oglethorpe Extreme Monster Truck Nationals www.ospracing.net March 8 Peach State Speedway National Vintage Racing Association plus local classes (Starts at 2:00 p.m.) (POSTPONED - WEATHER) March 8 North Georgia Southern All Stars Ernest Young Memorial $5000 to win Super Late Models (racing at 6 p.m.) (POSTPONED TO FRI., MAR. 14) Mar. 8 Waycross Motor Speedway National Late Model Series www.nlmss.com (POSTPONED TO MAR. 28-29) Mar. 9 (Sun.) Talladega Short Track Opening Full Race Program $10 adm. www.talladegashorttrack.com Mar. 14 (Fri.) North Georgia Southern All Stars Ernest Young Memorial $5000 to win Super Late Models (racing at 6 p.m.) Mar.15 Talladega Short Track Full race program www.talladegashorttrack.com Mar. 15 Golden Isles. Full racing program, local classes. www.goldenislesspeedway.com Mar. 15 Toccoa Grand Opening www.toccoaspeedway.info Mar. 15 Hartwell Opening night www.hartwellspeedway.com Mar. 15 Watermelon Capital USCS winged sprint cars + local divs. watermeloncapitalspeedway.com Mar. 14-15 Volunteer Speedway (Bulls Gap, TN) $10,000 to win LM features both Fri. and Sat. Mar. 16 (Sun.) Lanier 2008 Opening (day race) www.lanierspeedway.com Mar. 21-22 Lavonia Latemodel Extravaganza Latemodel only show: O'Reilly Southern All Stars $5,000.00 to win; Fastrak Crate Latemodels $2,000.00 to win; Southeastern Latemodel Sportsman $1,200.00 to win Mar. 22 Douglas Motorsports Park Opening day (tent.) www.dmpspeedway.com Mar. 22 Toccoa Regular show www.toccoaspeedway.info Mar. 22 Lanier First night race, Easter Egg Hunt. www.lanierspeedway.com Mar. 22 Mobile ASA Southeast Asphalt Tour www.mobilespeedway.net www.asasoutheastasphalttour.com Mar. 22 North Georgia Late Models plus full racing program www.northgeorgiaspeedway.com Mar.22 Talladega Short Track Full race program www.talladegashorttrack.com Mar. 28 Gordon Park Speedway Crate LM $2000 to win. www.gordonparkspeedway.net www.carolinaclash.com Mar. 28-29 Waycross National Late Model Series Mar. 29 (Fri.) Toccoa Advance Auto Parts Thunder Series $5,000 to win Super Late Models www.toccoaspeedway.info Mar. 29 Peach State GA Asphalt Series Mar. 29 Music City Motorplex in Nashville 2008 Spring Clash All American 150 for the CRA Super Series late models Mar.29 Talladega Short Track Full race program www.talladegashorttrack.com Mar. 29-30 Bristol (TN) Legends cars on the high banks April 4 (Fri.) Boyd’s Opening night (tent.) April 4 (Fri.) Lavonia Opening night Weekly Show www.lavoniaspeedway.com ---- ---- ---- NASCAR TIDBITS A number of Georgia – and Atlanta-area – natives are at work in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series garages at Atlanta Motor Speedway this weekend: • Chip Wile, Bill Davis Racing PR – Atlanta, went to UGA • Paul Caven, jack man on the No. 45 – Summerville • Jacob Norman, front tire changer on the No. 45 – Marietta • Jason Jones, rear tire carrier on the No. 5 – Rhine • Chris Golder, shock specialist on the No. 88 – Alpharetta • Kyle Lewis, rear tire changer on the No. 26 – Marietta • Dwayne Moore, rear tire carrier on the No. 01 – Hampton • Adam North, jack man on the No. 31 – Sonaraville • Andy Lally, No. 7 NCTS driver – Longtime Dacula resident (Originally from Northport, N.Y.). Spent considerable time in Dacula while competing in Grand Am series. • Shane Sieg, No. 07 NCTS driver – Tucker • Billy Ballew, owner No. 51 NCTS team – Blairsville • Kevin Gravitte, jack man for the No. 13 NCTS team – Conyers. Gravitte graduated from Mount Vernon Christian School and helped win state basketball titles his junior and senior years. He was Henry County’s basketball athlete of the year his senior season. • David Ragan (Unadilla) won the 2007 Raybestos Rookie of the Year award in the NASCAR Nationwide Series and is one of four drivers competing full time in the NNS and in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. • Reed Sorenson (Peachtree City) spent two full seasons in the NASCAR Nationwide Series before moving to the NASCAR Sprint Cup. He’s always pointed to a win at this track as a career highlight. • Bill Eliott. probably his last race on the Atlanta track. Ronnie Johnson, of Chattanooga, had another double last weekend, winning the $10,000 to win 23rd Annual Jimmy Thomas Memorial for crate LMs at East Alabama, and the $5000 to win Late Model Sportsman race. Jimmy Thomas was also no doubt proud to have his young grandson William finish second in this field of highly accomplished Late Model competitors. Royce Bray finished third, Frankie Beard fourth, Terrance Nowell fifth, Jason Hiett sixth, Jeff Fields seventh, Jeff Fortner eighth, Hunter Peacock ninth, and Jake Knowles tenth. The track has practice this week, and starts the regular season Mar. 15. www.eamsdirt.com Rattler 250 at South Alabma Speedway Race Results: 1. Grant Enfinger 2. Wayne Anderson 3. Korey Ruble 4. Jason Hogan 5. Shane Seig 6. Augie Grill 7. Danny Bagwell 8. Josh Hamner 9. Jeff Choquette 10. Heath Hindman Ryan Crane won the Rattler Pro LM 125, after leader Steven Davis crossed the scales too heavy on the left side. He came in with 58.3 percent left side weight which was three tenths over the allowed weight. Michael Pope, of Dublin, GA, was fast qualifier, but was damaged in a wreck. Pro Rattler 125 Results: 1. Ryan Crane 2. David Hodges 3. Joey Senter 4. Gary Sanford Jr. 5. Ronnie Sanders 6. Johanna Long 7. Donald Crocker 8. Shane Sawyer 9. Jody Knowles 10. Duwayne Middlebrooks 11. Brandon Odom 12. David Hole 13. Josh Hollis 14. Jeff Morgan 15. Keith Thorpe 16. Chris Comalander 17. Royce Johnston 18. Joey Watkins 19. Greg Boone 20. Michael Pope (Thanks to Elgin Traylor and Speed51.com) Lakewood Speedway located on Atlanta's south side, was a one mile dirt horse track that hosted auto racing as early as the 1930's. On June 14, 1959, 21 year old Richard Petty won the NASCAR Grand National race over his dad, Lee Petty. His first career victory was short lived when Lee protested. Following a lap scoring re-count, NASCAR officials reversed the 1-2 finishing order, making Lee Petty the winner. Lakewood hosted 11 NASCAR Sprint Cup events, plus two Convertible Division races, from 1951-59. Once again, the list of race winners reads like a Hall of Fame roll: Tim Flock in 1951 … Herb Thomas and ’53 and ’54 … Buck Baker in ’53 and ’56 … Lee Petty in ’59. The new owners at Boyd’s Speedway, near Chattanooga, have a lot of construction underway, including walls, catch fences, and concessions. Some pictures: http://www.flickr.com/photos/doughboyracing/ The Carolina Clash Super Late Model Series has two Georgians competing for the PBM Performance Parts Rookie of the Year title. Terry Lumley, from Swainsboro, and his Cabinets by Design team will be a welcomed addition to the series. The former Swainsboro Speedway track champion has numerous starts with the Florida based National Late Model Sportsman Series where he found a lot of success. He will be the pilot for George Trull’s Cabinets by Design team which is based in North Augusta, SC. To learn more about the team visit www.cbdracing.com Another Georgia bandit and former Oglethorpe Speedway Champion will hit the road with the ‘Clash’ this year. Shane Riner from Savannah, GA competed on a part time basis with the series last year and scored a top ten finish at Travelers Rest Speedway. The 32 year old is a former $10,000 winner of the ‘Showdown on the Coast’ at Oglethorpe Speedway. To learn more about Shane and his team visit www.shaneriner6.com. Shane drives a Rocket Chassis with sponsorship from Riner Custom Homes, Kirby Concrete Constructions/Clements Racing Engines and J&J Race Cars. The Series opener Saturday at Carolina Speedway has been postponed due to the expected weather.. www.carolinaclash.com The Top Tracks Challenge, a crate motor series, has announced a 13-race schedule, starting April 19 at Cleveland and May 25 at Rome. All the shows pay $1500 or $2000 to win, leading to the final at Dixie in Oct. paying $5000. The Tennessee State Fair Board has voted to extend the lease agreement of LJ&J Enterprises to December 31, 2009, securing the immediate future of NASCAR sanctioned stock car racing at the Music City Motorplex in Nashville.. 2008 marks the 50th anniversary season of NASCAR sanctioned racing at this historic 5/8 mile paved oval. The first racing event at the site dates back to 1904 on a one mile dirt track, making it one of the oldest active racing venues in the nation. The Motorplex will kick off its 50th anniversary season on Saturday, March 29th with a 150 lap event for the CRA Super Series Late Models, as well as events from the CRA Street Stocks and O'Reilly USA Modifieds. Ron Jennett has been named as the new General Manager of the Motorplex. There’s money in that dirt. According to a post on 4m.net, there have already been 55 dirt races in 2008 paying $2000 or more to win: Total Races paying: $12000 1 $10150 2 $10000 13 $7500 1 $7000 2 $6000 1 $5000 8 $4000 2 $3000 15 $2500 3 $2000 7 Winning two or more times in 2008: Billy Moyer 6 Shane Williams 5 Jimmy Owens 4 Ronnie Johnson 3 Scott Bloomquist 2 John Anderson 2 Jimmy Mars 3 Dale McDowell 2 Bray 2 The Hooters Pro Cup kicks off Mar. 15 at USA Intl. Speedway in Lakeland, FL, and the race will be on the Versus cable channel Mar. 31 at 4:00 p.m. The only Georgia stop this year is Mar. 29 at South Georgia, with qualifying at 4:30, and racing at 7:00. Fans will get a better view, as the haulers be removed from the infield. Greased Lightning Multipurpose Cleaner and Degreaser has stepped up to sponsor the Pro Cup Southern Div., will sponsor three races, and will offer samples at every race. Longhorn, the fastest growing moist snuff brand, will sponsor the race at Hickory, and pay a $500 "Win from the Pole" Award. Lou and Cheryl Lauer are continually updating the fan site: www.USARFans.com Six Georgians are on the Series’ Driver Roster: Matt Hawkins, Canton, GA John Wes Townley, Athens, GA Bill Plemons, Locust Grove, GA Dusty Williams, Guyton, GA Beau Slocumb, Athens, GA Brett Butler, Snellville, GA Missing is long-time competitor Mike Garvey, who will be Matt Hawkins crew chief in 2008. Hawkins has sold all of his other late model cars, and will concentrate on the Hooters Series, altho he will run five ARCA races using two cars purchased from Ganassi racing. His first ARCA race will be at Iowa April 19, and he’ll race at Kentucky, Nashville, and Chicago. He has tested at USA Intl. and South Georgia, and he says having Garvey as crew chief “will help a lot.” Another big help will be the sponsorship from Jani-King, the #1 Commercial Cleaning Franchise. www.matthawkins.net www.racesgmp.com Jordy Nipper, of Gray, GA, and his Against the Wind Racing Team have a new TNT chassis and a new official website: www.jordynipper.com Team owner Scotty Nipper has lined up primary sponsor Scotty's Muffler Brake & CV Joints for 2008. Jordy is 20 years old, with 13 years racing experience. In 2003, he won 22 Hobby Div. races at Cochran and 28 races at Swainsboro. Last year he was third in Fastrak’s natl. points, and he was third at the 2008 Ice Bowl’s crate div. Last week at East Alabama, he qualified fourth, and won a heat, but broke in the feature. Nipper’s schedule: March 14th & 15th : Deep South Speedway (AL) $10,000 to win crate race March 28th : Gordon Park Speedway (GA) $3,000 to win crate race April 3rd : Swainsboro Raceway (GA) $7,000 to win Lucas Oil Super Late Models April 4th : Screven Motor Speedway (GA) $10,000 to win Lucas Oil Super Late Models Roush Fenway Racing announced its driver line up for the No. 09 Zaxby’s Ford F-150 for the remainder of the 2008 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series season. Travis Kvapil will pilot the truck for 10 more races, including this weekend at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Bobby East will drive in seven races, his first coming at Kansas Speedway on April 26, and John Wes Townley will compete in six races. His truck series debut will be at Mansfield Motorsports Park on May 24. In addition to his six truck races this season, 18-year-old Townley will run the full schedule in the ARCA RE/MAX Series for RAB Racing in 2008 with hopes of capturing the Rookie of the Year title. He finished 11th in the season opener at Daytona. Townley began his racing career in go-karts at the age of nine. From there he has successfully competed in the INEX Bandolero Division, NASCAR Camping World Series, USAR Pro Cup Series, and in the ASA Late Model ranks, where he took home a victory at New Senoia (GA) Raceway on September 15, 2007. Coming this season to Hartwell Speedway: Slingin' Dirt, a weekly Publication with all your racing news and stats! For more information, contact Heather Rhodes at 706-207-5844 or JADOP08@yahoo.com Hartwell has practice this Sat. 4:00-7:00, and their first race Mar. 15. www.hartwellspeedway.com At Screven Motor Speedway, the Super Late Model Champion will sail away with the 15th Annual Cruise with the Champions, which will feature points champions from the Lucas Oil Dirtcar Series and the O'Reilly Southern All Star series, and the Rookie of the Year from each of these series'. Brandon Yawn was the 2007 SLM Champion. The track hosts a shrimp bowl and BBQ honoring ‘07 champions Mar. 29, and opens the oval track season Fri., April 4, with the Lucas Oil touring LM series, with $10,000 to win. The local moonrunners race for $1,000 to win and the Renegades pay $500 to win. For more information about the Cruise with the Champions visit http://www.cruisewiththechampions.com. Promoters Corner: Texas Motor Speedway President Eddie Gossage says he was glad to learn that NASCAR has decided to loosen the reins on drivers this season, and as a result he has put up a “reward” for any helmet tossed during competition. “I’m offering $15,000 for any helmet thrown by a Cup series driver during a race between now and the April 6th Samsung 500,” Gossage said. “I have a huge helmet collection from drivers through the years and it would be great to add to the collection.” Speedway Motorsports Inc. CEO Bruton Smith, told of the reward, noted that “a lot of good things come out of Texas that are extremely clever. We need drama. We don’t have enough drama anymore. We need somebody to get out of the car and slap somebody." Bellamy-Strickland Automotive has become the sponsor of Herb Emory’s WSB radio racing show on Saturdays. Herb Emory and his crew will broadcast from the dealership this Saturday 2:00-4:00 and from Atlanta Motor Speedway Sunday starting at 10:00 a.m. Bellamy Strickland Automotive sells Chevrolet, Pontiac, and GMC in McDonough, just minutes south from downtown Atlanta at exit 216 off I-75. Emory’s normal Saturday time will be 2 to 4, but wil change with UGA ball games some Saturdays. www.captainherb.net www.wsbradio.com Due to the reconfiguration construction of the Cochran Speedway track, open practice is now Saturday March 15 from 3-6. The season opener has been moved to Sat., March 22. www.cochrangaspeedway.com Randy Lewis, KwaZulu-Natal’s #1 Trackchaser, reports “We found a chain hotel in Richard’s Bay. It was brand new. Their huge billboard read, ‘If our room rates were any cheaper they would be in Mozambique’. I didn’t know what that meant but it didn’t sound like it was a compliment to Mozambique!” www.ranlayracing.com Former driver Buckshot Jones was profiled by Rick Minter in the AJC Mar.2: http://www.ajc.com/sports/content/sports/stories/2008/03/01/buckshot_0302.html (some of the links at AJC expire after a week) Larry Sams tell us “The July 26 date for our ASCS Dixie Speedway race has been moved to July 12. It is not our desire to have the drivers or fans to have a conflict when it comes to Sprint Cars.“Samantha Taylor says she will be vying for the points title with the ASCS Rebel Region. She raced with us in our first race at Deep South Speedway in Loxley, AL on February 8th and finished in the 12th spot. “Our next event will be at Green Valley Speedway in Glencoe, AL on April 5th.” Albany’s new dirt Fun Track is having a $600 to win race this week for dirt late models. The Watermelon Capital season opens Sat., Mar. 15, with the "Spring Speed Spectacular" featuring the 140 M.P.H. O'Reilly USCS Winged Outlaw Sprint Cars, Plus Pure Stock, Mini Stock, Claimers, Legends, and Bandoleros. Results for Mar. 1 Legends show: Congratulations to Kyle Plott and Mason Massey as they split the Bandolero wins on the Double Feature day. The second feaure was a great race with Mason and Kyle swapping the lead several times in the race. Congratulations to Chase Elliott who won both of the Young Gun races in the best two races of the day. Congratulations to Andrew Smith for the Pro/Master win and to Dylan Ames for the Semi-pro win. Final race of the Winter series is Saturday after the Nationwide race at Atlanta Motor Speedway on the Thunder Ring. ---- ---- ---- To receive this newsletter via email each week, send “subscribe” to ddrrtt@earthlink.net To keep this out of your email box, send “unsubscribe”

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