By James Essex
So many times in the past those that have made the sport of dirt late model racing what it is today have not been recognized for their accomplishments or have not received a thank you from their loyal fans while they are still actively racing. In 2006 the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series, Arizona Sport Shirts and Banshee Graphics will honor one of the greats, the legendary Freddy Smith. Freddy is beginning his 40th year of racing and at several stops during the '06 Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series campaign, race fans across the country will get to pay tribute to the man known as "The Southern Gentleman".
"The idea to honor a driver with the grace and style of Freddy Smith is something that is going to be really fun this year, said Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Director, Spencer Wilson." "This is not a farewell tour, Freddy has made it known he will continue to race as long as he has the desire to do so and he has earned that right. We are pleased to announce that the “40 Years of the Southern Gentleman Tour” will be the first program of this type for the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series and will take place in 2006. We plan to make this an annual part of the series with the idea to take one of our heroes each season that have given so much to our sport and basically give the fans a full year to show their appreciation.”
Freddy Smith's remarkable career began in 1966 driving a '56 Chevy which he and his late father, Grassy had built. Freddy has become synonymous with the high profile sponsors he has driven for over the years including: B&D Industrial Boilers, Denny's Marina, Barry Wright, LA Gear, GVS and Christenberry Trucking and Farms. In 1996 Freddy and his wife, Naomi moved to Tennessee from North Carolina where they reside in the town of Seymour, TN just outside of Knoxville, TN. There have been a total of 782 career feature wins along the way with several of them being in some of the most prestigious races in dirt late model history. Freddy is the only five time winner of the Dirt Track World Championship Race ('83, '85, '91, '93 and '98), he won the first $100,000 to win Dream race at Eldora in 1994 and came back to win it again in 2000. He twice has won the oldest dirt late model event in the country, the Hillbilly 100 which he captured in 1981 and again in 1983. He is a two-time Show Me 100 victor in 1998 and 2001 and also has won the Topless 100 which happened in 1993.
“Freddy Smith has given most of his life to dirt track racing. His many accomplishments and genuine “nice guy” personality have made him a true champion of our sport. This special recognition from the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series is truly deserved,” added Series Consultant and former Hav-A-Tampa President Mike Swims.
Freddy was also the 1996 Hav-A-Tampa Late Model Series Champion and was in the first class to be inducted into the National Dirt Late Model Hall of Fame back in 2001. He was also inducted in the Walk of Fame at the Dirt Track@Lowe's Motor Speedway in 2004. The one win that has eluded Freddy in his storied career is the World 100 at Eldora Speedway, he continues to get opportunities to garner that elusive victory as in 2005 when he made the race for 19th time which is more than anyone else in the 35 year history of the event.
"I just want to thank everyone with the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series for coming up with this idea." said Freddy. "It's a pleasure to race with them and I want to thank Spencer Wilson, James Essex, Rick Schwallie and everyone with the series staff and Forrest Lucas and Bob Patison of Lucas Oil for their support." There will be events during the season where Freddy and the famous 00 will be going back in time with sentimental car schemes by Banshee Graphics from some of his more memorable wins. There will also be commemorative T-shirts from Arizona Sport Shirts and other items for sale during the season to honor Freddy as he embarks on his 40th season of racing. There will also be autograph sessions at selected races during the year.
"Freddy truly deserves this special attention more than any other dirt racer, racing today, we are humbled by this opportunity to be the official souvenir manufacturer and vendor of this tour." stated Gerald Newton Arizona Sport Shirts VP of Operations.
Freddy and Naomi would like to thank all of their sponsors for the 2006 racing season including: ACPT, AFCO, Appleton, Arizona Sport Shirts, Inc., Art's Radiator & Welding, ATL, Barnes Pump System, Beardon Oil and Sunoco, Bradley's Wrecker Service, Champ Pans, Christenberry Trucking and Farms, Cliburn Tank Lines, Cruise of the Champions, D&M Performance, Gaerte Engines, HPC, Hoosier Racing Tires, Hyperco, Isky Racing Cams, JB Performance, J&J Race Cars, Kinzer Oil Drilling, Matco Tools, MOPAR by Gaerte, MSD Ignitions, Muddslinger, the Magazine, Outerwear's, Performance Bodies, Performance Friction, Phil's Starter, PRC, Pro-Blend, Real Wheels, Red Line Oil, Richmond Gears, Schoenfeld, Seals-It, Sierra Racing Products, Simpson Race Products, Top Seal, TWM, Ultra Shield, Volunteer Trucking, Inc. and White Oaks Motorsports.
To keep with Freddy during his "40 Years of the Southern Gentleman" tour you can visit his website at www.freddysmith.com and to view the latest happenings with Freddy and the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series you can log on to the series website at www.lucasdirt.com.
So many times in the past those that have made the sport of dirt late model racing what it is today have not been recognized for their accomplishments or have not received a thank you from their loyal fans while they are still actively racing. In 2006 the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series, Arizona Sport Shirts and Banshee Graphics will honor one of the greats, the legendary Freddy Smith. Freddy is beginning his 40th year of racing and at several stops during the '06 Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series campaign, race fans across the country will get to pay tribute to the man known as "The Southern Gentleman".
"The idea to honor a driver with the grace and style of Freddy Smith is something that is going to be really fun this year, said Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Director, Spencer Wilson." "This is not a farewell tour, Freddy has made it known he will continue to race as long as he has the desire to do so and he has earned that right. We are pleased to announce that the “40 Years of the Southern Gentleman Tour” will be the first program of this type for the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series and will take place in 2006. We plan to make this an annual part of the series with the idea to take one of our heroes each season that have given so much to our sport and basically give the fans a full year to show their appreciation.”
Freddy Smith's remarkable career began in 1966 driving a '56 Chevy which he and his late father, Grassy had built. Freddy has become synonymous with the high profile sponsors he has driven for over the years including: B&D Industrial Boilers, Denny's Marina, Barry Wright, LA Gear, GVS and Christenberry Trucking and Farms. In 1996 Freddy and his wife, Naomi moved to Tennessee from North Carolina where they reside in the town of Seymour, TN just outside of Knoxville, TN. There have been a total of 782 career feature wins along the way with several of them being in some of the most prestigious races in dirt late model history. Freddy is the only five time winner of the Dirt Track World Championship Race ('83, '85, '91, '93 and '98), he won the first $100,000 to win Dream race at Eldora in 1994 and came back to win it again in 2000. He twice has won the oldest dirt late model event in the country, the Hillbilly 100 which he captured in 1981 and again in 1983. He is a two-time Show Me 100 victor in 1998 and 2001 and also has won the Topless 100 which happened in 1993.
“Freddy Smith has given most of his life to dirt track racing. His many accomplishments and genuine “nice guy” personality have made him a true champion of our sport. This special recognition from the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series is truly deserved,” added Series Consultant and former Hav-A-Tampa President Mike Swims.
Freddy was also the 1996 Hav-A-Tampa Late Model Series Champion and was in the first class to be inducted into the National Dirt Late Model Hall of Fame back in 2001. He was also inducted in the Walk of Fame at the Dirt Track@Lowe's Motor Speedway in 2004. The one win that has eluded Freddy in his storied career is the World 100 at Eldora Speedway, he continues to get opportunities to garner that elusive victory as in 2005 when he made the race for 19th time which is more than anyone else in the 35 year history of the event.
"I just want to thank everyone with the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series for coming up with this idea." said Freddy. "It's a pleasure to race with them and I want to thank Spencer Wilson, James Essex, Rick Schwallie and everyone with the series staff and Forrest Lucas and Bob Patison of Lucas Oil for their support." There will be events during the season where Freddy and the famous 00 will be going back in time with sentimental car schemes by Banshee Graphics from some of his more memorable wins. There will also be commemorative T-shirts from Arizona Sport Shirts and other items for sale during the season to honor Freddy as he embarks on his 40th season of racing. There will also be autograph sessions at selected races during the year.
"Freddy truly deserves this special attention more than any other dirt racer, racing today, we are humbled by this opportunity to be the official souvenir manufacturer and vendor of this tour." stated Gerald Newton Arizona Sport Shirts VP of Operations.
Freddy and Naomi would like to thank all of their sponsors for the 2006 racing season including: ACPT, AFCO, Appleton, Arizona Sport Shirts, Inc., Art's Radiator & Welding, ATL, Barnes Pump System, Beardon Oil and Sunoco, Bradley's Wrecker Service, Champ Pans, Christenberry Trucking and Farms, Cliburn Tank Lines, Cruise of the Champions, D&M Performance, Gaerte Engines, HPC, Hoosier Racing Tires, Hyperco, Isky Racing Cams, JB Performance, J&J Race Cars, Kinzer Oil Drilling, Matco Tools, MOPAR by Gaerte, MSD Ignitions, Muddslinger, the Magazine, Outerwear's, Performance Bodies, Performance Friction, Phil's Starter, PRC, Pro-Blend, Real Wheels, Red Line Oil, Richmond Gears, Schoenfeld, Seals-It, Sierra Racing Products, Simpson Race Products, Top Seal, TWM, Ultra Shield, Volunteer Trucking, Inc. and White Oaks Motorsports.
To keep with Freddy during his "40 Years of the Southern Gentleman" tour you can visit his website at www.freddysmith.com and to view the latest happenings with Freddy and the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series you can log on to the series website at www.lucasdirt.com.
