COLUMBUS, MS – The NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series National Tour will open its 2010 season on Saturday at “The Baddest Bullring In The South” Columbus Speedway in Columbus, MS with the 40-lap $2,500-to-win Winter Classic. The defending NeSmith Chevrolet DLMS National Champion Eric Cooley of Fulton, MS will lead the entry list.
Cooley took his first career win at Columbus Speedway last September, on his way to becoming the youngest National Champion in the history of dirt late model racing at the age of 18. Cooley and the rest of the competitors entering Saturday’s event will all start with clean slate on the points page in battling for the $20,000 that goes to the 2010 NeSmith Chevrolet DLMS Champion.
Along with Cooley, top contenders in the hunt for the Winter Classic checkered flag include National Dirt Late Model Hall of Fame inductee and multi-time Winter Classic Champion Ronnie Johnson of Chattanooga, TN, along with 2009 series top five drivers Larry Boutwell of Baker, FL, Matthew Turner of Dawsonville, GA, and Derrick Rainey of Powder Springs, GA.
Top 10 drivers from the 2009 season expected to return include Marcus Minga of Shannon, MS, Justin McRee of Woodstock, AL, and seven-time Mississippi State Late Model Champion Mike Boland of Cuba, AL.
Four drivers have signed up to compete for the 2010 NeSmith Chevrolet DLMS Rookie of the Year Award that will pay the top rookie driver in the 2010 final point standings $5,000. Charlie Henderson of Cottondale, AL and Ross Camponovo of Clarksdale, MS have been joined by Michael Blount of Sumrall, MS and Pete Cochran of Villa Rica, GA as RoY candidates.
Blount is the 2004 Mississippi State Modified Champion and picked up a win on the National Tour last season in Gulfport, MS. Cochran will drive for Troy and Cindy Dixon of Temple, GA, who have fielded successful cars in the NeSmith Chevrolet DLMS National Tour since 2005.
Columbus Speedway will host an open practice session on Friday night with the gates opening at 3 p.m., and practice from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. On Saturday, the gates open at 9 a.m. with NeSmith Chevrolet Registration beginning at 9 a.m., and tech opens at 10 a.m. The Drivers Meeting is scheduled for 12:30 p.m., with racing to follow.
NeSmith Chevrolet DLMS competitors are reminded that they must register before presenting their race cars for pre-race technical inspection. It is suggested that drivers get to the track early to complete their 2010 registration paperwork and purchase their 2010 membership.
The NeSmith Chevrolet DLMS will compete in Qualifying, Heat Races, B-Main Races, and the 40-lap $2,500-to-win main event on 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 Winter Classic. 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 took his first career win at Columbus Speedway last September, on his way to becoming the youngest National Champion in the history of dirt late model racing at the age of 18. Cooley and the rest of the competitors entering Saturday’s event will all start with clean slate on the points page in battling for the $20,000 that goes to the 2010 NeSmith Chevrolet DLMS Champion.
Along with Cooley, top contenders in the hunt for the Winter Classic checkered flag include National Dirt Late Model Hall of Fame inductee and multi-time Winter Classic Champion Ronnie Johnson of Chattanooga, TN, along with 2009 series top five drivers Larry Boutwell of Baker, FL, Matthew Turner of Dawsonville, GA, and Derrick Rainey of Powder Springs, GA.
Top 10 drivers from the 2009 season expected to return include Marcus Minga of Shannon, MS, Justin McRee of Woodstock, AL, and seven-time Mississippi State Late Model Champion Mike Boland of Cuba, AL.
Four drivers have signed up to compete for the 2010 NeSmith Chevrolet DLMS Rookie of the Year Award that will pay the top rookie driver in the 2010 final point standings $5,000. Charlie Henderson of Cottondale, AL and Ross Camponovo of Clarksdale, MS have been joined by Michael Blount of Sumrall, MS and Pete Cochran of Villa Rica, GA as RoY candidates.
Blount is the 2004 Mississippi State Modified Champion and picked up a win on the National Tour last season in Gulfport, MS. Cochran will drive for Troy and Cindy Dixon of Temple, GA, who have fielded successful cars in the NeSmith Chevrolet DLMS National Tour since 2005.
Columbus Speedway will host an open practice session on Friday night with the gates opening at 3 p.m., and practice from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. On Saturday, the gates open at 9 a.m. with NeSmith Chevrolet Registration beginning at 9 a.m., and tech opens at 10 a.m. The Drivers Meeting is scheduled for 12:30 p.m., with racing to follow.
NeSmith Chevrolet DLMS competitors are reminded that they must register before presenting their race cars for pre-race technical inspection. It is suggested that drivers get to the track early to complete their 2010 registration paperwork and purchase their 2010 membership.
The NeSmith Chevrolet DLMS will compete in Qualifying, Heat Races, B-Main Races, and the 40-lap $2,500-to-win main event on 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 Winter Classic. 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.
