DAWSONVILLE, GA – Two-time NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series Champion David Earl Gentry of Murfreesboro, TN picked up a check for $2,500 on January 12 at the NeSmith Chevrolet DLMS Awards Banquet at the Georgia Racing Hall of Fame from Jim Hiland of Bilstein Shocks for winning the 2012 Bilstein Bandit Championship.

Gentry was one of four drivers that competed in the 2012 NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series Touring Division season using the $135 Bilstein Spec Shock. The four drivers, known as the “Bilstein Bandits,” competed for a $5,000 point fund.

Riding on the $135 Bilstein Spec Shocks, Gentry finished second in the 2012 NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series Touring Division point standings accumulating 1,852 points with three wins, 11 top five finishes, 15 top ten finishes, two fast time awards, and led 135 laps of competition in 22 races driving the Eads Farms/Hardy & Associates Warrior.

In the Bilstein Bandit point standings, Gentry turned in 409 points, and the second spot went to Michael Blount of Sumrall, MS with 379 points driving the Lamar Auto Salvage GRT. Blount, who finished seventh in the NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series Touring Division point standings, received a check for $1,000 from Bilstein Shocks.

Johnny Stokes of Columbus, MS finished third in the Bilstein Bandit standings with 294 points driving the Bassett Hound Motorsports GRT and received a $700 check from Bilstein Shocks. Stokes finished fifth in the NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series Touring Division point standings. Frank Wilson of Harold, FL was fourth in the Bilstein Bandit standings with 158 points in the Wilson Lumber Trak-Star and earned a check for $500 from Bilstein Shocks.

The $135 Bilstein Spec Shock that is built and sealed at the factory to prevent any expensive modifications, will be exclusive shock used for competition in the new Chevrolet Performance Super Late Model Series that will begin in August of 2013. The $135 Bilstein Spec Shock remains an option for NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series competitors that wish to be eligible for the 2013 Bilstein Bandits point fund.

The $135 Bilstein Spec Shocks are available exclusively through Crate Racin’ USA, the sanctioning body for the Chevrolet Performance Super Late Model Series, the NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series, and the NeSmith Performance Parts Street Stock Division.

A list of Authorized $135 Bilstein Spec Shock Dealers is available online at www.nesmithracing.com. For more information and to sign up for the 2013 Bilstein Bandits Program, contact Tim Sims at 334-864-0805 or 256-794-4047.

For more information about the NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series visit the series web site at www.nesmithracing.com, or visit the series on Facebook at NeSmith Racing. Becoming a fan of the NeSmith Racing Facebook page will make you eligible for special prizes that will be given away each month. You can follow us on Twitter @NeSmithRacing.

NeSmith Chevrolet, Buick, GMC of Claxton, GA is the Title Sponsor of the NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series. NeSmith Chevrolet, Buick, GMC is the nation’s number one GM Powertrain and Performance Dealer six years running, with free delivery anywhere in the Southeast. Chevrolet Performance Parts is an Official Sponsor of the NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series. Hoosier Racing Tire is the Official Tire Sponsor of the NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series. Hedman Hedders is the Official Hedder of the NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series and the Hedman Husler Award sponsor. Bilstein Shocks is the Official Spec Shock of the NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series. Old Man’s Garage is the sponsor of the NeSmith Chevrolet Old Man’s Garage Weekly Racing Series. RockAuto.com and VP Racing Fuels are Official Sponsors of the NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series. NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series Contingency Sponsors for 2013 are Dominator Race Products, Race Car Engineering, KRC, QA 1 Precision Products, Modern Images, Mike Custom Tanks, Shorty’s Shock Service, Schoenfeld Headers, Integra Racing Shocks, J.T. Kerr Racing Equipment, Kinser Air Filters, and AR Bodies. 2013 Chassis Sponsors are Trak-Star Race Cars, Warrior Race Cars, Rocket Chassis, GRT Race Cars, TNT Race Cars, Stinger Race Cars, and CVR Race Cars.