BULLS GAP, Tenn. - The Third Annual Late Model Showdown @ The Gap is scheduled Saturday, April 23 at Volunteer Speedway. Headlining the racing program will be the Ultimate Super Late Model Series competing in a 75-lap, $10,000-to-win main event along with the Fastrak Racing Series Pro (Crate) Late Models for a 40-lap, $2,000-to-win Southeast regional touring race, plus action in "Gunslingers of Kingsport" Hobby Stock (20 laps).
Previous Late Model Showdown @ The Gap winners were: Shanon Buckingham (Fastrak Pro Late Model) and Austin Dillon (Super Late Model) in 2008, while Jensen Ford (Fastrak Pro Late Model) and Chad Ogle (Super Late Model) were winners in 2009. Mother Nature was winner in 2010, as the event was washed out.
A star-studded lineup of both Ultimate Super Late Model Series and Fastrak Racing Series Pro Late Model comptitors are expected to be present for the Late Model Showdown @ The Gap. A tentative list of racers set to tackle the high banks at Volunteer Speeday on Saturday, April 23 include Ty Dillon (grandson of NASCAR team-owner Richard Childress and winner of last weekend's Automobile Racing Club of America event at Talladega Superspeedway) of Lewisville, N.C.; Scott Bloomquist of Mooresburg, Tenn,; Jimmy Owens of Newport, Tenn.; Chris Madden of Gray Court, S.C.; Ray Cook of Brasstown, N.C.; Jonathan Davenport of Blairsville, Ga.; Chip Brindle of Chatsworth, Ga.; Casey Roberts of Toccoa, Ga.; Chris Ferguson of Mount Holly, N.C.; Petey Ivey of Union, S.C.; Dennis Franklin of Gaffney, S.C.; Ricky Weeks of Rutherfordton, N.C.; Jeff Smith of Dallas, N.C.; Daniel Baggerly of Rural Retreat, Va.; Ross Bailes of Clover, S.C.; Zack Mitchell of Enoree, S.C.; John Henderson of Aiken, S.C.; David McCoy of Franklin, N.C.; Casey Barrow of Savannah, Ga.; Colby Cannon of Greenwood, S.C.; both John and Johnny Pursley of Clover, S.C.; Royce Bray of Hull, Ga.; Brandon Umberger of Rural Retreat, Va.; David Smith of Inman, S.C.; Lee Cooper of Woodruff, S.C., along with several others.
Then throw in the East Tennessee Super Late Model and Pro Late Model drivers that possibly will be present such as Mark Douglas of Knoxville, Kerry Jones of Bristol, Randy Weaver of Crossville, Chad Ogle of Sevierville, Tommy Kerr of Maryville, Billy Ogle Jr. of Knoxville, Mike Weeks of Friendsville, Steve Smith of Powell, Mark Vineyard of Powell, Dale Ball of Johnson City, Bobby Mays of Jonesborough, Shanon Buckingham of Morristown, Tim Byrd of Jonesborough, Mike Smith of Rogersville, plus others.
For both the Super Late Models and Pro Late Models, time trials, heat races and B-mains will determine the 24-car starting lineups for the respective feature events.
Adult grandstand admission on Saturday, April 23 is $25, youth (ages 9-15) $10, with 8-and-under admitted free in the grandstands. Pit passes and backside tier-parking $35, regardless of age.
The pit gate will open on Saturday, April 23 at 2 p.m. with the grandstand gate opening at 4:30 p.m. Ultimate Super Late Model Series and Fastrak Racing Series Pro Late Model pre-race technical inspections will begin at 3 p.m. Drivers' meeting is scheduled in the pits at 6:30 p.m. Hotlaps are tentatively scheduled to begin at 7 p.m., to be followed by qualifying and then racing action getting the green flag around 8 p.m.
"I'm really excited about this upcoming 'Late Model Showdown @ The Gap,' because the events each of the past couple of year's have really produced some great racing for the fans," said Ultimate Super Late Model Series / Fastrak Racing Series spokesman Stan Lester from the sanctioning organization's Carnesville, Ga., headquarters. "We're looking for a strong contingent of our regular touring Ultimate and Fastrak racers to be present, and I also believe we'll draw a quality field of Super Late Model competitors from around the East Tennessee region, and then you've got other 'surprise' drivers who just might show up.
"I've said it since the first time I ever visited Volunteer Speedway - 'I love The Gap!' You'll be hard-pressed to find a nicer motorsports facility anywhere in the country than what owners Joe and Phyllis Loven have. Race fans and race teams always mention Volunteer Speedway as one of the top tracks in the country. It's sure hard to beat the exciting racing action you see on those high banks. If you enjoy watching high-speed, side-by-side racing, then by all means this 'Late Model Showdown @ The Gap' is a must-see."
*** TIRE RULES: For Ultimate Super Late Model Series competitors, the "only tire" permitted will be the series tire compounds: Hoosier spec 1300, 1350, 1600 and 2700/(70) right-rear option. ... Fastrak Racing Series tire compounds permitted: Hoosier FT 200, FT 400 and FT 600.
*** OPEN PRACTICE: A night of open practice (Ultimate Super Late Model Series, Fastrak Racing Series Pro Late Model and "Gunslingers of Kingsport" Hobby Stock) will be held on Friday, April 22. The pit gate will open at 5 p.m., with practice scheduled from 7:30 p.m. until 10:30 p.m. Pit admission will be $25 per person on Friday night, with free admission for fans in the grandstands to watch practice.
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*** NOTE: With a large crowd expected and all available seating space needed for the Late Model Showdown @ The Gap, no lawn chairs will be permitted in the front straightaway grandstand. Only stadium seat-type cushions will be allowed. Also, no coolers or outside food allowed to be brought into the front straightaway (main) grandstand! Coolers are permitted in the pit area and the reserved backstretch tier-parking - however no glass containers allowed.
Tell your family, friends, neighbors and co-workers all about racing at Volunteer Speedway. You can't beat the excitement of an action-packed night of racing at "The Gap!"
Directions to Volunteer Speedway: South on Interstate 81 from Tennessee/Virginia state lines, take Exit 23 (Bulls Gap/Greeneville), then turn right onto Hwy. 11-E at bottom of the exit ramp. Look for track entrance approximately 200 yards on left.
North on Interstate 81 from I-81/I-40 split (East of Knoxville, TN), take Exit 23, then turn left onto Hwy. 11-E at bottom of the exit ramp. Continue underneath the interstate over-pass and track entrance approximately 300 yards ahead on left.
Contact info for the Ultimate Super Late Model Series, Fastrak Racing Series and Volunteer Speedway is below:
Ultimate Super Late Model Series/Fastrak Racing Series Office: (678) 935-7304 www.FastrakRacing.com
Stan Lester - Ultimate Super Late Model Series/Fastrak Racing Series Director: (706) 244-2732
Ultimate Super Late Model Series: www.UltimateSupers.com
Volunteer Speedway (Recording Only): (423) 235-5020 www.VolunteerSpeedway.com
Track Office - Weekdays Only 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.: (423) 378-5942
Phyllis Loven (Track Owner): (423) 676-9081
Robert Walden - Media/Public Relations: (423) 928-9644
Previous Late Model Showdown @ The Gap winners were: Shanon Buckingham (Fastrak Pro Late Model) and Austin Dillon (Super Late Model) in 2008, while Jensen Ford (Fastrak Pro Late Model) and Chad Ogle (Super Late Model) were winners in 2009. Mother Nature was winner in 2010, as the event was washed out.
A star-studded lineup of both Ultimate Super Late Model Series and Fastrak Racing Series Pro Late Model comptitors are expected to be present for the Late Model Showdown @ The Gap. A tentative list of racers set to tackle the high banks at Volunteer Speeday on Saturday, April 23 include Ty Dillon (grandson of NASCAR team-owner Richard Childress and winner of last weekend's Automobile Racing Club of America event at Talladega Superspeedway) of Lewisville, N.C.; Scott Bloomquist of Mooresburg, Tenn,; Jimmy Owens of Newport, Tenn.; Chris Madden of Gray Court, S.C.; Ray Cook of Brasstown, N.C.; Jonathan Davenport of Blairsville, Ga.; Chip Brindle of Chatsworth, Ga.; Casey Roberts of Toccoa, Ga.; Chris Ferguson of Mount Holly, N.C.; Petey Ivey of Union, S.C.; Dennis Franklin of Gaffney, S.C.; Ricky Weeks of Rutherfordton, N.C.; Jeff Smith of Dallas, N.C.; Daniel Baggerly of Rural Retreat, Va.; Ross Bailes of Clover, S.C.; Zack Mitchell of Enoree, S.C.; John Henderson of Aiken, S.C.; David McCoy of Franklin, N.C.; Casey Barrow of Savannah, Ga.; Colby Cannon of Greenwood, S.C.; both John and Johnny Pursley of Clover, S.C.; Royce Bray of Hull, Ga.; Brandon Umberger of Rural Retreat, Va.; David Smith of Inman, S.C.; Lee Cooper of Woodruff, S.C., along with several others.
Then throw in the East Tennessee Super Late Model and Pro Late Model drivers that possibly will be present such as Mark Douglas of Knoxville, Kerry Jones of Bristol, Randy Weaver of Crossville, Chad Ogle of Sevierville, Tommy Kerr of Maryville, Billy Ogle Jr. of Knoxville, Mike Weeks of Friendsville, Steve Smith of Powell, Mark Vineyard of Powell, Dale Ball of Johnson City, Bobby Mays of Jonesborough, Shanon Buckingham of Morristown, Tim Byrd of Jonesborough, Mike Smith of Rogersville, plus others.
For both the Super Late Models and Pro Late Models, time trials, heat races and B-mains will determine the 24-car starting lineups for the respective feature events.
Adult grandstand admission on Saturday, April 23 is $25, youth (ages 9-15) $10, with 8-and-under admitted free in the grandstands. Pit passes and backside tier-parking $35, regardless of age.
The pit gate will open on Saturday, April 23 at 2 p.m. with the grandstand gate opening at 4:30 p.m. Ultimate Super Late Model Series and Fastrak Racing Series Pro Late Model pre-race technical inspections will begin at 3 p.m. Drivers' meeting is scheduled in the pits at 6:30 p.m. Hotlaps are tentatively scheduled to begin at 7 p.m., to be followed by qualifying and then racing action getting the green flag around 8 p.m.
"I'm really excited about this upcoming 'Late Model Showdown @ The Gap,' because the events each of the past couple of year's have really produced some great racing for the fans," said Ultimate Super Late Model Series / Fastrak Racing Series spokesman Stan Lester from the sanctioning organization's Carnesville, Ga., headquarters. "We're looking for a strong contingent of our regular touring Ultimate and Fastrak racers to be present, and I also believe we'll draw a quality field of Super Late Model competitors from around the East Tennessee region, and then you've got other 'surprise' drivers who just might show up.
"I've said it since the first time I ever visited Volunteer Speedway - 'I love The Gap!' You'll be hard-pressed to find a nicer motorsports facility anywhere in the country than what owners Joe and Phyllis Loven have. Race fans and race teams always mention Volunteer Speedway as one of the top tracks in the country. It's sure hard to beat the exciting racing action you see on those high banks. If you enjoy watching high-speed, side-by-side racing, then by all means this 'Late Model Showdown @ The Gap' is a must-see."
*** TIRE RULES: For Ultimate Super Late Model Series competitors, the "only tire" permitted will be the series tire compounds: Hoosier spec 1300, 1350, 1600 and 2700/(70) right-rear option. ... Fastrak Racing Series tire compounds permitted: Hoosier FT 200, FT 400 and FT 600.
*** OPEN PRACTICE: A night of open practice (Ultimate Super Late Model Series, Fastrak Racing Series Pro Late Model and "Gunslingers of Kingsport" Hobby Stock) will be held on Friday, April 22. The pit gate will open at 5 p.m., with practice scheduled from 7:30 p.m. until 10:30 p.m. Pit admission will be $25 per person on Friday night, with free admission for fans in the grandstands to watch practice.
____________
*** NOTE: With a large crowd expected and all available seating space needed for the Late Model Showdown @ The Gap, no lawn chairs will be permitted in the front straightaway grandstand. Only stadium seat-type cushions will be allowed. Also, no coolers or outside food allowed to be brought into the front straightaway (main) grandstand! Coolers are permitted in the pit area and the reserved backstretch tier-parking - however no glass containers allowed.
Tell your family, friends, neighbors and co-workers all about racing at Volunteer Speedway. You can't beat the excitement of an action-packed night of racing at "The Gap!"
Directions to Volunteer Speedway: South on Interstate 81 from Tennessee/Virginia state lines, take Exit 23 (Bulls Gap/Greeneville), then turn right onto Hwy. 11-E at bottom of the exit ramp. Look for track entrance approximately 200 yards on left.
North on Interstate 81 from I-81/I-40 split (East of Knoxville, TN), take Exit 23, then turn left onto Hwy. 11-E at bottom of the exit ramp. Continue underneath the interstate over-pass and track entrance approximately 300 yards ahead on left.
Contact info for the Ultimate Super Late Model Series, Fastrak Racing Series and Volunteer Speedway is below:
Ultimate Super Late Model Series/Fastrak Racing Series Office: (678) 935-7304 www.FastrakRacing.com
Stan Lester - Ultimate Super Late Model Series/Fastrak Racing Series Director: (706) 244-2732
Ultimate Super Late Model Series: www.UltimateSupers.com
Volunteer Speedway (Recording Only): (423) 235-5020 www.VolunteerSpeedway.com
Track Office - Weekdays Only 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.: (423) 378-5942
Phyllis Loven (Track Owner): (423) 676-9081
Robert Walden - Media/Public Relations: (423) 928-9644
