CARTERSVILLE, GA – The NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series National Tour will open its 2009 season this Saturday and Sunday at the 18th Annual Ice Bowl at Talladega Short Track with a 50-lap $3,000-to-win event. The past three NeSmith Chevrolet DLMS Ice Bowl Champions are expected, along with several of the top 2008 drivers from the series, and some new faces.
Defending NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series National Champion and 2007 Ice Bowl winner Chip Brindle of Chatsworth, GA will lead the entries along with two-time NeSmith Chevrolet DLMS National Champion and 2006 Ice Bowl winner David Gentry of Lewisburg, TN and defending NeSmith Chevrolet DLMS Ice Bowl winner Royce Bray of Hull, GA.
The Ice Bowl has historically become the race that has produced the season’s breakout driver. In 2006, Gentry won the season opener on his way to his first of two consecutive series titles. In 2007, Brindle won the NeSmith Chevrolet DLMS portion of the Ice Bowl, and went on to earn the Rookie of the Year Award.
Last year, Hunter Peacock of Macon, GA earned his first of three series-leading fast time honors, finished second in the race, and went on to finish sixth in the 2008 NeSmith Chevrolet DLMS National point standings.
Other top entries expected for the 2009 NeSmith Chevrolet DLMS season opener include 2008 National Championship Runner-Up Larry Boutwell of Baker, FL, the 2008 Sunoco Race Fuels Rookie of the Year Scott Knowles of Lanett, AL, Derrick Rainey of Powder Springs, GA, Chris Tays of Corinth, MS, Eric Cooley of Fulton, MS, Jeff Fields of Aragon, GA, Frank Ingram of Woodstock, GA, and Matthew Turner of Dawsonville, GA.
Talladega Short Track will be well represented with several of the Top 10 drivers from the NeSmith Chevrolet Weekly Series East Region. The 2008 NeSmith Chevrolet Weekly Racing Series East Region Champion and TST Track Champion Adam Martin of Talladega, AL will lead the local contingent.
Other top Talladega Short Track favorites include Jimmy Elkins Jr. of Talladega, AL, the 2007 NeSmith Chevrolet WRS East Region Champion Logan Yates of Delta, AL, Brian Ponder of Talladega, AL, and the 2006 NeSmith Chevrolet WRS East Region Champion Jason Wilson of Margaret, AL.
The NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series will compete in Qualifying and Heat Races on Saturday, with the B-Main Races and the 50-lap $3,000-to-win Main Event on Sunday. Talladega Short Track will be open for practice on Thursday and Friday. For more information visit the Talladega Short Track web site at www.talladegashorttrack.com.
Registration for the NeSmith Chevrolet DLMS event will open 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Saturday, and competitors are urged to get to the track early to purchase their 2009 Memberships, pay their entry fee, and fill out their paperwork. NeSmith Chevrolet DLMS Registration Forms will be available at the TST Pit Gate on Thursday and Friday.
Once this process has been completed, each competitor will receive a ticket to give to the technical inspectors when they present their race car for the pre-race technical inspection. The pre-race technical inspection will open at 8:15 a.m. on Saturday, and cars will not be teched until the driver has completed the registration process and given an inspection ticket.
The first five events of the 2009 NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series National Touring schedule have been announced, and the reminder of the 2009 schedule will be announced in the coming days.
Round 2 of the 2009 NeSmith Chevrolet DLMS National Tour will be on January 24 at Columbus Speedway in Columbus, MS with a 40-lap $2,500-to-win main event. East Bay Raceway Park in Tampa, FL will host Rounds 3, 4, and 5 on February 19, 20, and 21. The February 19 and 20 shows will each feature 40-lap $2,500-to-win main events, and the February 21 race will have a 50-lap $3,000-to-win main event.
For more information about the NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series, including the 2009 rules and regulations, visit the series web site at www.nesmithracing.com.
Defending NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series National Champion and 2007 Ice Bowl winner Chip Brindle of Chatsworth, GA will lead the entries along with two-time NeSmith Chevrolet DLMS National Champion and 2006 Ice Bowl winner David Gentry of Lewisburg, TN and defending NeSmith Chevrolet DLMS Ice Bowl winner Royce Bray of Hull, GA.
The Ice Bowl has historically become the race that has produced the season’s breakout driver. In 2006, Gentry won the season opener on his way to his first of two consecutive series titles. In 2007, Brindle won the NeSmith Chevrolet DLMS portion of the Ice Bowl, and went on to earn the Rookie of the Year Award.
Last year, Hunter Peacock of Macon, GA earned his first of three series-leading fast time honors, finished second in the race, and went on to finish sixth in the 2008 NeSmith Chevrolet DLMS National point standings.
Other top entries expected for the 2009 NeSmith Chevrolet DLMS season opener include 2008 National Championship Runner-Up Larry Boutwell of Baker, FL, the 2008 Sunoco Race Fuels Rookie of the Year Scott Knowles of Lanett, AL, Derrick Rainey of Powder Springs, GA, Chris Tays of Corinth, MS, Eric Cooley of Fulton, MS, Jeff Fields of Aragon, GA, Frank Ingram of Woodstock, GA, and Matthew Turner of Dawsonville, GA.
Talladega Short Track will be well represented with several of the Top 10 drivers from the NeSmith Chevrolet Weekly Series East Region. The 2008 NeSmith Chevrolet Weekly Racing Series East Region Champion and TST Track Champion Adam Martin of Talladega, AL will lead the local contingent.
Other top Talladega Short Track favorites include Jimmy Elkins Jr. of Talladega, AL, the 2007 NeSmith Chevrolet WRS East Region Champion Logan Yates of Delta, AL, Brian Ponder of Talladega, AL, and the 2006 NeSmith Chevrolet WRS East Region Champion Jason Wilson of Margaret, AL.
The NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series will compete in Qualifying and Heat Races on Saturday, with the B-Main Races and the 50-lap $3,000-to-win Main Event on Sunday. Talladega Short Track will be open for practice on Thursday and Friday. For more information visit the Talladega Short Track web site at www.talladegashorttrack.com.
Registration for the NeSmith Chevrolet DLMS event will open 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Saturday, and competitors are urged to get to the track early to purchase their 2009 Memberships, pay their entry fee, and fill out their paperwork. NeSmith Chevrolet DLMS Registration Forms will be available at the TST Pit Gate on Thursday and Friday.
Once this process has been completed, each competitor will receive a ticket to give to the technical inspectors when they present their race car for the pre-race technical inspection. The pre-race technical inspection will open at 8:15 a.m. on Saturday, and cars will not be teched until the driver has completed the registration process and given an inspection ticket.
The first five events of the 2009 NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series National Touring schedule have been announced, and the reminder of the 2009 schedule will be announced in the coming days.
Round 2 of the 2009 NeSmith Chevrolet DLMS National Tour will be on January 24 at Columbus Speedway in Columbus, MS with a 40-lap $2,500-to-win main event. East Bay Raceway Park in Tampa, FL will host Rounds 3, 4, and 5 on February 19, 20, and 21. The February 19 and 20 shows will each feature 40-lap $2,500-to-win main events, and the February 21 race will have a 50-lap $3,000-to-win main event.
For more information about the NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series, including the 2009 rules and regulations, visit the series web site at www.nesmithracing.com.
