GA's Clint Smith Hopes To End Long World of Outlaws Late Model Series Win Drought At Swainsboro Raceway On Saturday Night (May 1) Maybe a World of Outlaws Late Model Series event in Clint Smith's home state will be the tonic he needs to bust out of a frustrating victory drought. Smith, 45, of Senoia, Ga., couldn't pick a better place to snap a nearly two-year-long winless streak on the national tour than Swainsboro Raceway, which hosts the WoO LMS for the first time ever this Saturday night (May 1). "I'd love to get it done at Swainsboro," said Smith, who is winless in his last 78 starts on a series that he has followed as a regular since 2004. "We don't get a chance to run Outlaw shows close to the house very often, so we're looking forward to it." Of course, no one should mistake the three-eighths-mile Swainsboro oval as a hometrack for Smith. The speedway is located just over 160 miles southeast of his shop, and he hasn't entered more than a handful of races per season there since he frequented the track for a couple years in the late '80s while driving for a car owner from southern Georgia. What's more, Smith has won features at Swainsboro, but not in more than 15 years. He also hasn't visited the track since promoter Paul Purvis completely resurfaced it two years ago with over 450 truckloads of deep red clay, so he'll effectively be experiencing new territory on Saturday night. "I've heard it's a lot different now from when I ran there last," said Smith. "(The surface) used to be hard, but now it's more of a soft-tire (compound) type place with the new clay. It's supposed to be like Screven (Motor Speedway in Sylvania, Ga., where the WoO LMS visited last month) and Brunswick (Georgia's Golden Isles Speedway). "Everything I've heard about the new surface tells me (Saturday) should be a good race. I think it'll be a place we'll feel comfortable at." Smith's confidence entering Swainsboro's 50-lap, $10,000-to-win program obviously comes not from his knowledge of the track but rather his resurgence on the WoO LMS this season. Sitting behind the wheel of Rocket Chassis cars for the first time since '04, he's much more competitive than he was during a disappointing 2009 season – he had a top finish of third and won just a single heat race en route to placing a dismal ninth in the points standings – and appears ready to score his first tour win since June 17, 2008, at Port Royal (Pa.) Speedway. In fact, in the last 50-lap A-Main contested by the WoO LMS, on March 27 at Lone Star Speedway in Kilgore, Texas, Smith recorded a solid second-place finish. It was his best outing since his triumph in '08 and provided proof that he was indeed progressing. "I was getting to where I didn't like racing, so (a runner-up finish) helps us get back to more of an even keel," Smith said after his morale-boosting run at Lone Star. "I feel like I'm racing with these guys now." That wasn't the case for much of Smith's last two seasons on the WoO LMS trail. His program was sterling in 2007 – he won four times and finished a career-high third in the points race after leading the standings for nearly half the season – but he hasn't been able to recapture that magic. Last year was especially difficult for Smith, who managed just four top-five finishes on the tour. "Me and my crew chief Darrell Cooper worked tremendously hard and we threw everything we could at it," Smith said of his '09 trevails. "But when you get to chasing your tail like a dog, before long you're going in circles. That's kinda what we got into at mid-season. It was frustrating to work so hard and not get any results, but the competition level is so tough out here with these (WoO) guys, if you're not at the top of your game you're in trouble." As the lone WoO LMS regular driving a GRT chassis, Smith found himself at a disadvantage last year. He decided to join the bigger pool of travelers in the Rocket Chassis camp late in the 2009 season – thanks to sponsorship from Ernie Davis, who fields the cars that defending WoO LMS champion Josh Richards of Shinnston, W.Va., runs in many non-Outlaw events – and the results have been encouraging. "We got teamed with Mark Richards and Rocket Chassis and now we've been getting more information than we had been getting," described Smith. "We're working with Mark and the other (Rocket) drivers, including my best buddy Tim Fuller. Our shock program with Integra has really picked up, my motor program has stepped up with RaceTek and I've got a new crew man – Brad (Baum), who used to be with Chub Frank – helping Darrell and getting all my tires done, so we're more ahead of the game this year." Smith currently ranks only 10th in the WoO LMS points standings, 134 points behind co-leaders Richards and 2006 champion Tim McCreadie of Watertown, N.Y. But he thinks his points status doesn't quite tell the story of his improvement this season. "We've been qualifying so much better this year," said Smith, who owns 11 career WoO LMS victories. "I think we really had it turned around (last month during a trip to Ocala, Fla., and Screven), but we had the motor issues that set us back and hurt us in the points. If we can get rid of the bad luck and start knocking out some top fives, we can get this points deal turned around." Smith heads into this weekend's WoO LMS doubleheader, which begins on Friday night at Fayetteville (N.C.) Motor Speedway before heading to Swainsboro, hot off a valuable Tuesday-afternoon practice session at his hometown Senoia (Ga.) Raceway. With a fresh RaceTek engine buttoned under the hood of his J.P. Drilling No. 44, he's ready to pursue an elusive Outlaw checkered flag. There will be plenty of top-notch competition for Smith to deal with at Swainsboro, including former WoO LMS champions Richards, McCreadie, Darrell Lanigan of Union, Ky., and Steve Francis of Ashland, Ky., and Smith's fellow Peach State Outlaw Shane Clanton of Locust Grove, Ga., who joined Smith in the Tuesday test at Senoia. Also expected to provide a stiff challenge to Smith and the invading stars are Swainsboro's Chesley Dixon and brothers Ben and Jeremy Faircloth; Casey Roberts of Toccoa, Ga.; and John Henderson of Aiken, S.C. Swainsboro Raceway's WoO LMS event on Saturday night will serve as the grand finale for three full days of activities that comprise the town of Swainsboro's annual Pine Tree Festival, which includes a Saturday-morning parade through the downtown streets. Several race cars and the track's pace truck will be part of the parade. The speedway's pit gates are scheduled to open at 12 noon and the grandstands will be unlocked at 3 p.m. Practice is set to start at 6 p.m., followed by qualifying at 7 p.m. and racing at 8 p.m. Racing for Swainsboro's crate Late Model, Road Warrior, Mini-Stock, Pure Stock and Super Street divisions will also be part of the show. The program includes features-only for all divisions except the WoO LMS and crate Late Models. General admission is $25 and $15 for children 7-12. Pit passes are $35 and $20 for children 7-12. (Thanks to Kevin Kovac - World of Outlaws Late Model Series PR Director)
For the convenience of travelers, Swainsboro will run the WoO feature early in the show. The previously announced Thursday night pre-lim has been cancelled. < WORLD OF OUTLAWS $10,000 TO WIN < CRATE LATE MODELS $1000 TO WIN Plus Features in Road Warrior, Mini Stock, Pure Stock, and Super Street, with a $100 Bonus to Feature Winners. Practice @ 6Pm, Qualifying @ 7Pm, Racing @ 8Pm Grandstands - $25 ages 7-12 $15 www.swainsbororaceway.com www.worldofoutlaws.com
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April 30 (Fri.) Anderson (SC) Late Model Stocks, B Mini Stock, C Mini Stock, Renegades, Super Renegades, BM Modified, and 600 Legends divisions. www.andersonmotorspeedway.com
April 30 (Fri.) Atlanta Motor Speedway’s Friday Night Drags and Show-N-Shine. Entry fee $20. Adm. $7. Practice 6:15 p.m. Drag racing elimination 9:19 p.m. www.atlantamotorspeedway.com
May 1 New Senoia Raceway Topless Late Model, NeSmith Dirt Late Model, B- Cadet, Hobby, Enduro, Modified Mini Stock, and Pure Mini Stock (25 laps $500 to win). http://www.newsenoiaraceway.com
May 7-8 Waycross Battle of the Swamp for Super Late Models 50 laps $10,000 to win + WMS Late Models, Super Streets, & pure stocks. www.wayxspeeday.com http://www.battleoftheswamp.com
May 7 (Fri.) Boyd's Southern Regional Racing Series $3000 to win www.southernregionalracingseries.com
May 8 South Georgia Slam 2010 Series: 100 laps late models, sportsman, hobbie, thunder car, wildones, and skeeters. Heats start at 4:00. $10. http://www.racesgmp.com
May 8 Mar. 27 North Georgia Southern All Stars $5000 to win www.northgeorgiaspeedway.com www.southernallstarsracingseries.com
May 8 New Senoia Raceway Topless Late Model ($2000 to win), NeSmith Dirt Late Model, B- Cadet, Hobby, Enduro, Modified Mini Stock, and Pure Mini Stock. http://www.newsenoiaraceway.com
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Headlining Saturday's Program at Toccoa will be the Super Latemodels. Supers will qualify to set the field for their feature event. <<<< Special Challenge for the Super Latemodels....If the Supers want to pay a $50 Entry Fee....100% of all Entry Fees paid will go to the Winner of Saturday's feature. Drivers will not be required to pay said Entry fee but if you win the feature and did not pay the Entry fee, it will go to the highest finishing driver that did pay Entry fee.>>>> Fastrak Crate Latemodels will be running a $1,000 to win Feature event, plus Limiteds / Hobby ($500 to win Feature) / Modified Street / Street Stock 4Cyl / Young Guns / and the Front Wheel Drives. www.toccoaspeedway.info
Lavonia Speedway will race back into action Saturday with the ground pounding Super Late Models, Limited Late Models, FASTRAK Late Models, plus five of the most exciting support classes around including Modified Street, Stock V-8, Stock Four Cylinders, Young Guns, and Up Front divisions. Both Super Late Models, Limited Late Models & FASTRAK Crate Late Models will qualify to determine their lineups. Racing Action @ 7PM - Grandstands $12 www.lavoniadirttrack.com
Promotion idea: Talladega Short Track Grandstand Rainout Tickets Honored at Green Valley Speedway. Turn in your TST rain check tickets from last weekend and Green Valley Speedway will double their value see www.greenvalleyspeedway.com 1 TST $20 Friday or Saturday ticket worth 4 (four) $10 GVS grandstand tickets (no limit on quantity and tickets must be in good redeemable condition) 2 (two) of these GVS tickets will be good this Friday April 30th 2 (two) of these GVS tickets will be good any Friday Night in 2010
Good source for news about shows and results at Senoia is http://douglcountyliar.blogspot.com/ < Sat, May 1, 2010 Pure Mini Stock Championship $500 To Win 25 Lap Feature Event Plus Racing in Topless Late Model, NeSmith Late Model, B- Cadet, Hobby, Enduro, and Modified Mini Stock. < Sat, May 8, 2010 (MY Birthday of all days) Topless Late Model Championship $2000 To Win Topless Late Model Championship $2000 To Win Feature Plus Racing in NeSmith Late Model, B- Cadet, Hobby, Enduro, Modified Mini Stock, and Pure Mini Stock.
Atlanta Motor Speedway's 2010 season of Friday Night Drags will hit high speed Friday, as the 17-week season starts with the first of three non-points events. Those expected to return include back-to-back Pro champion Tony Morse, of Grantville, and fan-favorite and Super Bike star Michelle Ewing, of Sharpsburg, who posted a remarkable seven wins in 10 2009 Super Bike races. Grandstand gates open at 6:30 p.m. $7. Drag racing entry is open to all competitors with a drivers license and a helmet. Entry is open to any car, truck, motorcycle, ATV or motorized vehicle. Entry fee $20. Practice 6:15 p.m. through 8:15 p.m. Elimination runs will begin at 9:19 p.m. www.atlantamotorspeedway.com $7
After taking the weekend off due to the rain Saturday Night, the engines will fire once again this Saturday at the 3/8th mile Watermelon Capital Speedway, in Cordele, Ga. with racing for Bandolero's, Legends, Front Wheel Drive, Claimers, Mini Stock, Pure Stock, and Super Street. http://www.watermeloncapitalspeedway.com
TALLADEGA SHORT TRACK WAS RAINED OUT FOR SATURDAY. NEXT RACE SATURDAY MAY 1ST FULL RACING PROGRAM + MINI SPRINTS HOT LAPS AT 6:45PM - RACING AT 7:30PM Late_Model_Mark reports that 137 cars, 35 Supers, and a big crowd showed up before the skies opened up. www.talladegashorttrack.com
Boyd's has a regular weekly show Friday night, and brings in the Southern Regional Racing Series next Friday for a $3000 to win feature. Boyd's Speedway Results 4-23-2010 Last Friday (partial results) < CRATE LATE MODELS 1. ROBBY MASON #72 (FIRST VICTORY OF THE YEAR) 2. JERRY COFFMAN #30 3. REX RICHEY #16 4. CRAIG BURROW #23 5. BOBBY MAYSE #22 6. JASON MCMAHAN 310 7. BEN DAVIS #41 8. KENNY KIZZAR #A-1 9. KENNETH SWEATT #17M 10. DILLON AMES #77 11. CASS FOWLER #9 12. PATRICK HARVEY #27 13. SCOTT OHMS #R76 14. DAVID TINDELL #111 15. TODD STAFFORD #118 16. JIM BOB DAVIS #3D 17. AARON WILSON 3S14 18. KEVIN GIBSON #87 19. JACOB ANDERSON #64 20. MIKE FRANKS #F4 < STEEL HEADED LATE MODELS 1. TODD HERNADEZ #B5 (FIRST VICTORY OF THE YEAR) 2. RICK HIXSON #16 3. ANDY MILLER #17M 4. JEFF SMITH #00 5. JASON WELSHAN #29 6. MIKE LEWELLING #22L 7. MATT SWEATT #5 8. RUSTY VALLENGER #29 9. PAT CASTLEBERRY #P14 10. TY MCGEE #71 11. MIKE BRIGHT #79C 12. JOHN BURGER #71 13. DAVID DOS #28 14. DAVEY DAVIS #D11 15. DENNY SLAYTON #99S Full report at http://www.georgiastockcarracing.com
Promotion idea: The grand stands for Mobile International Speedway are configured for handicap parking. To use handicap parking, admittance is through the pit gate and parking is directly behind the grand stands on the hill. Handicap restroom facilities and concession stand access are also provided. www.mobilespeedway.net
Dixie's Saturday Monster Truck show was postponed by rain until Sun. One fan posted on www.4m.net: "I really enjoyed the show. The kids were loving it, and the motorcross freestyle was really good. That was the largest crowd I have ever seen at Dixie."
Promotion idea: New Smyrna Speedway is offering its fans free General Admission this Saturday Night between 5-5:45pm... At 5:45pm the gates will be closed and will re-open at 6:00pm for the standard $10.00. www.speed51.com
CARQUEST Auto Parts will be the title sponsor of the upcoming May 15 pro late model race at the Gresham Motorsports Park. The show also includes feature events in the Outlaw Late Model, Truck, Renegade Street Stock, and Mini Stock divisions. CARQUEST will be handing out hats and can coolers to 200 lucky fans at the main gate at the May 15 GMP event and will have several additional fan prize giveaways throughout the evening's race program. www.GreshamMotorsportsPark.com
Montgomery's second Show Me the Money II has been re-scheduled for Saturday. It's 125 laps for pro late models paying $5000 to win. The remaining series dates: # May 1, 2010 - Show Me the Money II # June 5, 2010 - Show Me the Money III # July 17, 2010 - Show Me the Money IV # August 21, 2010 - Show Me the Money V # October 16, 2010 - Show Me the Money VI http://www.montgomeryspeedway.com
All qualifying times were a bit slower than usual due to the very damp racing surface in the Late Model division Saturday at Cochran. Mitch Fulford would start on the pole with a qualifying time of 18.481. After a beautiful start on the green flag lap, cars battled three wide going into turn 1. An early caution would cause the field to stack back up to try again. Not faltering on the restart, Fulford's machine would lead all twenty-five laps to the finish line. Keith Edge would qualify second and follow behind finishing second, with Rod Wiggins rounding out the top three. Late Models (partial) 1st - Mitch Fulford 2nd - Keith Edge 3rd - Rod Wiggins 4th - Stevie Jones 5th - Phil Pittman Upcoming: May 1 and May 8: racing in all classes. May 15 April Johnson Memorial race! http://www.cochrangaspeedway.com/
Jimmy Owens, of Newport, TN, scored his second straight Lucas Oil Model Dirt Series victory winning Friday Night's Bedford Valley Petroleum $10,000 to win event at Bedford Speedway. Jonathan Davenport, of Blairsville, won a heat race and was fifth. WoO regular Shane Clanton was 23rd, and Dale McDowell took a provisional and finished 26th and last. Points: 1st Scott Bloomquist - 1100, 2nd Jimmy Owens - 1095 The Lucas travelers will again end the season with $10,000 to win shows: "Talladega Short Track Nationals" Oct. 8, "Dixie Shootout Oct. 9, and "Rome Rumble" Oct. 10. www.lucasdirt.com
Matt Linder, of Hoschton, was fast qualifier of 26 entries and won a heat race at the United Sprint Car Series show at Carolina Speedway on Friday, but fell to eighth in the feature. Eight-time Series National Champion, Terry Gray, from Bartlett, Tennessee won. Georgians in the race: 8 - 1X Matt Linder, Hoschton, GA 12 - 67 Brian Thomas, Pendergrass, GA 13 - 96d Nick DeFeo, Marietta, GA 15 - 33 Joe Larkin, Suwannee, GA www.uscsracing.com
The 46th season opener at Tri-County Race Track, in Brasstown, NC, received the red flag Saturday night when a bad storm passed through the area and flooded the track. They run this week with hot laps starting a 7 p.m.
The GA Automobile Racing Hall of Fame Assn. is hosting a reunion June 5 for racers and fans of four Cherokee County race tracks: Canton Speedway, Cherokee Motor Speedway, Canton Intl. Speedway, and Dixie Speedway. It'll be at the Family Tradition Restaurant in Woodstock 11:00 to 4:00.
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