CARTERSVILLE, GA – The NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series National Tour will host a 40-lap $2,500-to-win non-points race this Saturday at Columbus Speedway in Columbus, MS. This will be the first event since the points season ended last month, and the “Homecoming” of 2009 NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series National Champion Eric Cooley of Fulton, MS.
Cooley at 18-years-old has made history in becoming the youngest National Champion in the history of dirt late model racing. Cooley will collect a $20,000 check from the $50,000 NeSmith Chevrolet DLMS National Point Fund, a new GM Performance 604 Engine, and a new race car chassis at the series Awards Banquet on December 9 in Tampa, FL.
Columbus Speedway is Cooley’s home track, and holds a special place in his championship season. Cooley took his first career NeSmith Chevrolet DLMS National Touring win at the Baddest Bullring In The South on September 5. Cooley was also the NeSmith Chevrolet Weekly Racing Series Columbus Speedway/Magnolia Motor Speedway Champion this season.
It will be a busy weekend for Cooley, has he will also compete in the 30-lap $2,000-to-win 4th Annual NeSmith Chevrolet Weekly Racing Series Fall Nationals Invitational Race at Columbus Speedway on Friday night, as well as the Race of Champions and the Race of Regions on Saturday after taking the fourth spot in the NeSmith Chevrolet WRS West Region standings this season.
The Saturday night race is open to all drivers and will feature a mix of the NeSmith Chevrolet DLMS National Touring drivers, and many of the 173 drivers that have been invited to the Friday night WRS Invitational Race.
Cooley will be joined by NeSmith Chevrolet DLMS Top 10 drivers Larry Boutwell of Baker, FL, Matthew Turner of Dawsonville, GA, Derrick Rainey of Powder Springs, GA, series Rookie of the Year Ben McCreary of Baldwyn, MS, Chase Washington of Houlka, MS, Marcus Minga of Shannon, MS, Mike Boland of Cuba, AL, and Justin McRee of Woodstock, AL.
Boland will be looking for his fourth NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series win of the season on Saturday night, as will National Dirt Late Model Hall of Fame Inductee Ronnie Johnson of Chattanooga, TN. Johnson already has one Columbus Speedway series win this season.
NeSmith Chevrolet Weekly Racing Series stars expected include the three-time West Region Champion Lucky Keeton of Toomsuba, MS, and East Region Champion Scott Knowles of Lanett, AL. The NeSmith Chevrolet Northern Challenge Series Champion Rick Stout of Stanton, MI may also make a Fall Nationals appearance.
Also look for West Region Top 10 drivers Michael Arnold of Hattiesburg, MS, Shannon Lee of Lumberton, MS, Kody Barber of Bogalusa, LA, Cliff Williams of Star, MS, Tracy Brown of Lumberton, MS, Randy Boyd of Marion, MS, and Evan Ellis of Plantersville, MS.
East Region representatives expected include Larry Harrod of Plains, GA, 2008 East Region Champion Adam Martin of Talladega, AL, Terrance Nowell of Phenix City, AL, Montana Dudley of Phenix City, AL, Dana Eiland of Salem, AL, Chase Edge of Lafayette, AL, Richie Stephens of Phenix City, AL, Jimmy Elkins Jr. of Talladega, AL, and Jerry Goodwin of Wilsonville, AL.
Columbus Speedway will be hosting an open practice session on Thursday night from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. The pit gate will open at 10 a.m. and the drivers meeting will be at 1 p.m. on both Friday and Saturday.
The Wingate Inn located at U.S. Highway 82 and Military Road in Columbus, MS is the Official Host Hotel for the NeSmith Chevrolet DLMS for the Fall Nationals weekend. The Wingate Inn is offering NeSmith Chevrolet DLMS fans and competitors a special discount rate of $75.00 per night. To make reservations call 662-327-9999 and ask for the Columbus Speedway discount rate.
Columbus Speedway is located seven miles east of Columbus, MS 1.5 miles north of U.S. Highway 82. Take Stokes Road, 1.5 miles north of U.S. Highway 82, then turn right on Lacy Road. The track will be ¾-mile on the left. For more information call 662-241-5004, or visit the track web site at www.columbusspeedway.net.
For more information about the NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series, visit the series web site at www.nesmithracing.com.
Cooley at 18-years-old has made history in becoming the youngest National Champion in the history of dirt late model racing. Cooley will collect a $20,000 check from the $50,000 NeSmith Chevrolet DLMS National Point Fund, a new GM Performance 604 Engine, and a new race car chassis at the series Awards Banquet on December 9 in Tampa, FL.
Columbus Speedway is Cooley’s home track, and holds a special place in his championship season. Cooley took his first career NeSmith Chevrolet DLMS National Touring win at the Baddest Bullring In The South on September 5. Cooley was also the NeSmith Chevrolet Weekly Racing Series Columbus Speedway/Magnolia Motor Speedway Champion this season.
It will be a busy weekend for Cooley, has he will also compete in the 30-lap $2,000-to-win 4th Annual NeSmith Chevrolet Weekly Racing Series Fall Nationals Invitational Race at Columbus Speedway on Friday night, as well as the Race of Champions and the Race of Regions on Saturday after taking the fourth spot in the NeSmith Chevrolet WRS West Region standings this season.
The Saturday night race is open to all drivers and will feature a mix of the NeSmith Chevrolet DLMS National Touring drivers, and many of the 173 drivers that have been invited to the Friday night WRS Invitational Race.
Cooley will be joined by NeSmith Chevrolet DLMS Top 10 drivers Larry Boutwell of Baker, FL, Matthew Turner of Dawsonville, GA, Derrick Rainey of Powder Springs, GA, series Rookie of the Year Ben McCreary of Baldwyn, MS, Chase Washington of Houlka, MS, Marcus Minga of Shannon, MS, Mike Boland of Cuba, AL, and Justin McRee of Woodstock, AL.
Boland will be looking for his fourth NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series win of the season on Saturday night, as will National Dirt Late Model Hall of Fame Inductee Ronnie Johnson of Chattanooga, TN. Johnson already has one Columbus Speedway series win this season.
NeSmith Chevrolet Weekly Racing Series stars expected include the three-time West Region Champion Lucky Keeton of Toomsuba, MS, and East Region Champion Scott Knowles of Lanett, AL. The NeSmith Chevrolet Northern Challenge Series Champion Rick Stout of Stanton, MI may also make a Fall Nationals appearance.
Also look for West Region Top 10 drivers Michael Arnold of Hattiesburg, MS, Shannon Lee of Lumberton, MS, Kody Barber of Bogalusa, LA, Cliff Williams of Star, MS, Tracy Brown of Lumberton, MS, Randy Boyd of Marion, MS, and Evan Ellis of Plantersville, MS.
East Region representatives expected include Larry Harrod of Plains, GA, 2008 East Region Champion Adam Martin of Talladega, AL, Terrance Nowell of Phenix City, AL, Montana Dudley of Phenix City, AL, Dana Eiland of Salem, AL, Chase Edge of Lafayette, AL, Richie Stephens of Phenix City, AL, Jimmy Elkins Jr. of Talladega, AL, and Jerry Goodwin of Wilsonville, AL.
Columbus Speedway will be hosting an open practice session on Thursday night from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. The pit gate will open at 10 a.m. and the drivers meeting will be at 1 p.m. on both Friday and Saturday.
The Wingate Inn located at U.S. Highway 82 and Military Road in Columbus, MS is the Official Host Hotel for the NeSmith Chevrolet DLMS for the Fall Nationals weekend. The Wingate Inn is offering NeSmith Chevrolet DLMS fans and competitors a special discount rate of $75.00 per night. To make reservations call 662-327-9999 and ask for the Columbus Speedway discount rate.
Columbus Speedway is located seven miles east of Columbus, MS 1.5 miles north of U.S. Highway 82. Take Stokes Road, 1.5 miles north of U.S. Highway 82, then turn right on Lacy Road. The track will be ¾-mile on the left. For more information call 662-241-5004, or visit the track web site at www.columbusspeedway.net.
For more information about the NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series, visit the series web site at www.nesmithracing.com.
