Previewing Southern tours for the '13 season
By Joshua Joiner
DirtonDirt.com staff writer
With spring just around the corner (or already here in many places), here's a look at developments on Southern Dirt Late Model tours for the 2013 season. The brief capsules, with information primarily from series officials, directors and publicists, focus on changes for the upcoming season and includes links to the series websites and schedule pages. As usual most series are concerned about fuel costs, the economy and need more sponsorship. With that said, welcome to 2013 (regional series preview home):
Carolina Clash Super Late Model Series
2012 recap: Luke Roffers of Concord, N.C., won a series-best five of 13 races on his way to topping former series champion Jeff Smith of Dallas, N.C., by 10 points for his first series championship.
2013 opener: After Cherokee Speedway’s March Madness offered Carolina Clash drivers bonus points for competing in the Southern All Stars-sanctioned event, the Clash tour held its first points race at Carolina Speedway’s Skyler Trull Memorial on March 9, with two-time series champion Dennis Franklin of Gaffney, S.C., claiming a $5,000 victory.
Schedule highlights (complete schedule): After merging with the Battle of the Eastern All Stars Tour over the offseason, the Carolina Clash is set for its busiest season in 2013 with 24 dates at nine tracks. Most tour events pay $4,000 to the winner.
Rule/format changes: Key to the Clash’s unification with the BEAST series was blending of tire rules to allow the Clash’s mainstay American Racer along with the Hoosier Tires allowed on the BEAST circuit. Under the new rules, Carolina Clash racers can use Hoosier SPEC 1250, SPEC 1350 and SPEC 1600. The American Racer tires will be the JSR SPEC 12, JSR SPEC 48 and JSR SPEC 56.
Expected regulars: Roffers is expected to be back for the majority of events along with other tour regulars such as Franklin, Smith, Ricky Weeks and Kennie Compton Jr. The series will likely see an infusion of new competitors with the allowance of Hoosier tires and the return of tracks like Cherokee and Gordon Park Speedway. Limited Late Model graduate Damon Kotke of Louisburg, N.C., plans to enter the majority of the tour’s events.
Key question: Will the BEAST merger and the new tire rule make the series more appealing to more of the Carolina’s top competitors this season?
Odds and ends: The series will again use its Chase for the Championship format this season, expanding the playoff format to eight events beginning with a Aug. 24 visit to Lancaster. ... The Chase is sponsored by JE Pistons and Roush Yates Engines. ... Returning the tour’s schedule for the first time since 2004, Cherokee hosts a series-high five events this season, while Carolina and Fayetteville Speedway each host four races. ... Hosting three series races, Gordon Park Speedway returns to the series schedule for the first time since 2008, marking the tour’s first events in the Peach State since a 2009 visit to Hartwell Speedway. ... Laurens County hosts its first series event since 2007. ... Five-time series champion Ricky Weeks of Rutherfordton, N.C., leads the tour’s all-time wins list with 35 victories. Jeff Smith is second with 27 wins. ... Last year’s 13 races was the fewest in series history. ... The tour’s previous mark for most races in a season was 23 races in 2005 and ’06.
Chevrolet Performance Super Late Model Series
2012 recap: None; 2013 is first series season for the specialty series of higher-power Crate engine cars.
2013 opener: The new Crate Racin' USA-promoted tour kicks off its late summer-early fall schedule with a doubleheader weekend Aug. 2-3 at Penton Raceway and East Alabama Motor Speedway.
Schedule highlights (complete schedule): The series visit 10 tracks in its inaugural season between opener at Penton and the season finale Oct. 12 at Talladega Short Track in Eastaboga, Ala. All events will pay $3,000-to-win except the $5,000-to-win Talladega finale.
Rule/format changes: The unique series requires competitors to use the all-aluminum Chevrolet Performance CT 525 Engine, or the less powerful Chevrolet Performance 604 and 602 Crate Engines standard with most Crate tours. Competitors are also required to run spec shocks produced by Bilstein Shocks.
Expected regulars: According to series officials, drivers committed to run the series include Ronnie Johnson, David Gentry, Matthew Turner, Chase Edge and Johnny Stokes.
Key question: Is there room in Dirt Late Model racing for a series that caters strictly to 525 crate-powered cars?
Odds and ends: The champion of the inaugural series will earn $10,000. ... The Chevrolet Performance Series joins the NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series Touring Division and the NeSmith Chevrolet Old Man’s Garage Weekly Racing Series under Crate Racin' USA’s umbrella of racing series. ... The CT525 engine is available at NeSmith Chevrolet in Claxton, Ga., for $6,995 with free next-day delivery anywhere in the Southeast.
Comp Cams Super Dirt Series
2012 recap: Jon Mitchell of Texarkana, Texas, unseated 2011 champion Brandon Smith of Floral, Ark., in dramatic fashion, needing a tiebreaker to claim his first series title. Mitchell won the tiebreaker of most series victories; he had one while Smith was winless.
2013 opener: Originally planned for Beebe (Ark.) Speedway, the tour’s April 12 opener was moved to Camden (Tenn.) Motor Speedway because of delays in off-season improvements at Beebe. The race at Camden, the first-ever Tennessee event in the seven-year history of the series, is part of a doubleheader weekend that continues April 13 at Riverside International Speedway in West Memphis, Ark.
Schedule highlights (complete schedule): The series plans 22 dates at 13 tracks this season with a base event payout of $2,000 to the winner. All Saturday events pay at least $400 to every starter while Friday races pay at least $300. The series is finalizing details for a summer miniseries, which will see four or five races paying $2,500 to win.
Rule/format changes: The series plans to adjust its tire rule, but details have yet to be released.
Expected regulars: Jon Mitchell, Kyle Beard, Keith Lawson, Jon Kirby, Robert Baker, Brandon Smith, Kenneth Jackson, Shane Harris, Timothy Culp and Keith Craft. Rookie contenders include Rick Hearnsburger, Drew Armstrong, Joe Long and Ashley Newman.
Key question: With 15 drivers declaring intent to contend for the series title, does the series have room for what would be one the largest groups of regulars for any touring series?
Odds and ends: Timberline Speedway in Corley, Texas, joins Camden as the tour’s second new track. Timberline will host the tour’s first-ever visit to Texas on May 3 before a return visit on July 26. ... A July 6 event at Greenville Speedway is the tour’s first visit to the Mississippi oval since 2009. ... The Arkansas-based tour will spend the majority of its season in its home state with 15 races at Arkansas ovals. ... Arkansas tracks Beebe, Northeast Arkansas Speedway and Little Rock's I-30 Speedway are set to host three races apiece. ... Batesville, Ark., drivers Wendell Wallace (15) and Billy Moyer Jr. (10) are the tour’s two winningest drivers.
Mississippi State Championship Challenge Series
2012 recap: After teaming with Caldwell Motorsports early in the season, Scott Dedwylder of Vossburg, Miss., went on to top brothers Rick and Brian Rickman of Columbus, Miss., for his first series title.
2013 opener: The Charles and Jannie Thrash-promoted tour kicks off its season with a doubleheader weekend March 16-17 at Whynot Motorsports Park and Magnolia Motor Speedway.
Schedule highlights (complete schedule): Rebounding from a series-low 11 events in 2012, the tour has a 20-race schedule planned for its 13th season in 2013. The richest events are a $5,000-to-win race at Columbus Speedway on March 30 and the season-ending Gumbo Nationals paying $7,500 to the winner Oct. 4-5 at Greenville Speedway.
Rule/format changes: The only changed announced is a 12-inch spoiler allowed for cars with CT 525 crate engines at certain racetracks.
Expected regulars: Most of last year’s regulars are expected back, including Dedwylder, the Rickmans, Chad Thrash and Jeremy Broadus. Returning from a brief retirement, former champion David Breazeale plans to frequent the tour, while Henry Cooper and Mark Dodson plan to chase the tour’s rookie title.
Key question: With just one victory by a top-five points finisher last season, can the tour’s regulars compete to win races on a consistent basis?
Odds and ends: Whynot host the most series races with five events on the track’s schedule. Greenville and Jackson Motor Speedway each host three events. ... A May 17 date at North Alabama Speedway is the tour’s first visit to the Tuscumbia, Ala., oval since 2008 and the tour’s first venture outside of Mississippi since sanctioning two events in Florida in 2010. ... Series sponsors include Hoosier Race Tires, Five Star Bodies, TWM, Trak Star Race Cars, GRT Race Cars, B-Line Fabricators, L&D Trucking, Rocket Chassis, X-Treme Graphics, Jay Dickens Racing Engines, Scott Performance Wires, All-Star Performance, Base Fuel, Beyea Headers, Braswell Carburetors, Out-pace products, Schoenfeld Headers, Four Seasons Race Products and Fast Shafts.
P&W Sales Southern United Professional Racing
2012 recap: Rob Litton of Alexandria, La., wrapped up his third series title with a late charge to win the series finale at Lone Star Speedway, claiming his second SUPR victory of 2012 and 27th of his career.
2013 opener: The Louisiana-based series kicked off its 25th season with a doubleheader weekend March 2-3 at Texas Motor Speedway and Kennedale Speedway Park. Teammates Shane Hebert and Jeremy Payne gave Allgayer Racing a weekend sweep.
Schedule highlights (complete schedule): This year’s Texas-focused tour will see 29 races at 14 tracks, including five first-time series tracks. Lone Star Speedway and I-30 Speedway are set to host the most series events with four apiece.
Rule/format changes: None announced.
Expected regulars: The series should maintain its base of regulars and part-timers such as Litton, Allen Tippen, Kevin Sitton, Zach McMillan and Jim Bryant, while travelers like Morgan Bagley and Chris Wall can be expected to compete with the series from time to time.
Key question: Can Litton repeat and become the first driver with four SUPR titles?
Odds and ends: After running without title sponsorship last season, SUPR is now sponsored by P&W Sales, the Texas-based oilfield manufacturers representative of former driver Wayman McMillan, car owner for his son Zach as well as Bagley. ... Litton’s previous SUPR titles came in 2004 and ’10. ... Litton joined by Doug Ingalls, David Ashley and Kenny Merchant. ... Texas is set to host a series-high 17 events, breaking the ’98 mark of 10 events. ... Two of the first-time tracks are new Texas ovals — Cotton Bowl Speedway and Timberline Speedway. Kennedale Speedway Park, Gator Motorplex and Southern Oklahoma Speedway are the other three. ... The Southern Oklahoma event is the tour’s first race in Oklahoma since 2006.
Schaeffer Oil Southern Nationals
2012 recap: Chris Madden of Gray Court, S.C., won four of 10 events on the two-week summer tour, topping Mike Marlar of Winfield, Tenn., and Billy Ogle Jr. of Knoxville, Tenn., for his fourth series title.
2013 opener: Wythe Raceway is once again the starting point for Ray Cook’s annual summer miniseries that visits 10 tracks in 13 days.
Schedule highlights (complete schedule): The tour’s 2013 schedule features the same 10 venues as 2012 and the same ratio of $3,500-to-win and $5,300-to-win events. However, the order has shuffled somewhat to reduce travel miles for competitors and fans.
Rule/format changes: Plans call for a slight format change with qualifying being split into two groups. The top four qualifiers from each group will transfer directly into the main event, whereas the top eight overall have transferred in previous seasons.
Expected regulars: The series expects back the majority of last year’s regulars including Madden, Marlar, Ogle, Vic Hill and Tony Knowles. Former series champ Jonathan Davenport is expected to return to the tour this season after chasing the Lucas Oil Series rookie title kept him away in 2012.
Key question: Following the tour’s most successful season in 2012, will a more travel-friendly schedule lead to an even better tour this season?
Odds and ends: Smoky Mountain Speedway has stepped up to hold a $5,300-to-win show after the track’s successful debut on the series last season. ... With 21 victories, Madden has a firm hold on the top of the tour’s all-time wins. Casey Roberts is second with seven wins. ... The series enjoyed arguably its most competitive roster of regular drivers last season with its top three points finishers (Madden, Marlar and Ogle) all having national touring victories on their resumes.
Southern All Star Dirt Racing Series
2012 recap: Randy Weaver of Crossville, Tenn., dominated the series, winning six of 16 events on his way to his third series title.
2013 opener: The sport’s longest-running touring series kicked off its 31st season March 3 at Cherokee Speedway’s March Madness, with Jared Landers of Batesville, Ark., earning $10,000 for his first-ever series victory.
Schedule highlights (complete schedule): The series plans 25 races, which would be the most since 2008. Along with the first two events, Cherokee Speedway’s season-ending Blue-Gray 100 will pay $10,000 to the winner Nov. 17. All other events pay at least $4,000 to the winner, with many paying $5,000. The series visits six new tracks this season: Tazewell Speedway, Volunteer Speedway, Green Valley Speedway, Needmore Speedway, Albany Motor Speedway and East Alabama Motor Speedway.
Rule/format changes: The series adjusted its tire rule, eliminating Hoosier’s 1300 compound to help teams save on costs. The tire rule remains Hoosier-only with 1350, 1450 and 1600 compounds allowed. The series also adjusted its format for $4,000- and $5,000-to-win races, adopting a two-group qualifying format that will transfer the top four qualifiers from each group directly into the main event.
Expected regulars: The series expects a host of regional drivers to frequent the tour, while drivers showing interest in running full time include reigning Rookie of the Year Mike Weeks, Brett Holmes, Mark Rosner, Jason Hiett and two-time series champion Ivedent Lloyd Jr.
Key question: Will the addition of a handful of prominent tracks help make the series more attractive to top regional drivers?
Odds and ends: After purchasing the series following last year’s second race, Matt Wagner of Huntsville, Ala., enters his first full season as the series owner. Wagner acquired the series from Tennesseans Charles Roberts and David Miller. ... The series has retained race director Chris Tilley after he filled the position on an interim basis in 2012. ... The $4,000 minimum winner’s purse is up from $3,500 last season. ... With his third series championship, Weaver matched National Dirt Late Model Hall of Famer Ronnie Johnson, who won the title in 1985 and ’87-’88. Clint Smith is the only driver to win more titles, with his championships coming in 1992-93, ’00 and ’03. ... The series recently announced that its June 1 event at Volunteer will be the Scott Sexton Memorial, honoring the veteran racer who died Jan. 10. Sexton was a 10-time winner on the series.
Southern Regional Racing Series
2012 recap: Riley Hickman of Ooltewah, Tenn., scored one victory one his way to topping 2011 champion Josh Putnam of Florence, Ala., in the final series standings.
2013 opener: Twice rained out, the series finally held its opener Feb. 9 at Boyd’s Speedway with Michael Page of Douglasville, Ga., earning $3,000 for his first career series victory.
Schedule highlights (complete schedule): The series plans 22 races with the biggest race coming during its first-ever visit to I-77 Raceway Park. The 3/8-mile West Virginia oval hosts the $10,000-to-win Heaven 77 July 1 as part of the tour’s Six Town Showdown miniseries that features six races in seven days beginning June 27 at Duck River Speedway and running through a July 3 event at Wartburg Speedway. The series will make its debut at Kentucky’s Lake Cumberland Speedway July 19-20 with a $2,000-to-win race Friday and a $5,000-to-win event Saturday.
Rule/format changes: The series will allow cars powered by a CT 525 crate engine to run at 2300 pounds, but without any aerodynamic enhancements. Format changes include double-file restarts, no cars locked into the main event through qualifying and a top four invert for heat races.
Expected regulars: Hickman, Putnam, Josh Henry and Jason Welshan are expected to follow the tour this season.
Key question: Will the tour’s core group of drivers follow the series well out of its base region to compete at West Virginia’s I-77 Raceway Park?
Odds and ends: The series enters its eighth season in 2013. ... I-77’s Heaven 77 make’s the tour’s first $10,000-to-win event in two years. ... Along with Lake Cumberland, the series is set for first-ever visits to Volunteer Speedway (May 4 and June 22) and Fort Payne Motor Speedway (June 1), while Thunderhill Raceway (May 18 and Aug. 31) returns to the tour after a hiatus in 2012. ... Boyd’s Speedway hosts the tour’s first three events. ... Ray Cook of Brasstown, N.C., leads the tour’s all-time wins list with 14 victories.
Spring Nationals
2012 recap: None; 2013 is first series season.
2013 opener: Ray Cook’s new 10-race series kicks off with a doubleheader weekend at Volunteer Speedway’s Spring Thaw event March 15-16.
Schedule highlights (complete schedule): The unique series spreads its 10 races over four weekends from March until May. Along with the opening doubleheader, the schedule includes another doubleheader April 12-13 followed by three-race weekends April 18-20 and May 9-11. The series visits Tennessee, North Carolina, Kentucky and Georgia.
Rule/format changes: The series will use the same two-group qualifying format as Cook’s Southern Nationals tour with the top four qualifiers in each group locking into the main event. The only exception will be Volunteer’s $10,000-to-win event on March 16, which will use heat races to set the lineup for its 60-lap feature race.
Expected regulars: Many of the expected Southern Nationals regulars have shown interest in chasing the inaugural Spring Nationals title, including Chris Madden, Jonathan Davenport, Vic Hill, Billy Ogle, Jr., Brian Reese, Mike Marlar, Tony Knowles and Victor Lee.
Key question: Will the Spring Nationals be able to piggyback off of the recent success of Cook’s Southern Nationals Series and thrive at some different venues?
Odds and ends: The series offers a points fund with $5,300 going to the champion. ... Series officials expect a strong turnout for the opening weekend at Volunteer with standout drivers such as Jimmy Owens, Don O’Neal, Dale McDowell, John Blankenship, Eric Jacobsen, and potentially Scott Bloomquist planning a trip to the high-banked east Tennessee oval. ... All races pay at least $4,000 to the winner with every weekend featuring a combined winner’s purse of at least $10,000. ... Dixie Speedway host’s the series finale with a $6,000-to-win event May 11.
Ultimate Super Late Model Series
2012 recap: Casey Roberts of Toccoa, Ga., claimed two victories in topping Daniel Baggerly of Rural Retreat, Va., and Zack Mitchell of Enoree, S.C.
2013 opener: The tour’s third season kicked off March 10 with Riley Hickman earning $5,000 for his career first series victory as the tour took part in Lavonia (Ga.) Speedway’s first event since 2010.
Schedule highlights (complete schedule): The series is set for an 18-race schedule, including three $10,000-to-win events and an additional five races that pay $5,000 to the winner. Among the $10,000 events, the series will sanction Virginia Motor Speedway’s only Super Late Model series race of the season at May 18’s USA 100. The tour’s other $10,000 events come in the tour’s debut at Beckley Motorsports Park June 14-15 and County Line Raceway Nov. 15-16.
Rule/format changes: The American Racer 70 compound tire was added to the list of tires drivers can run on their right-rear wheel at series events.
Expected regulars: Roberts is expected to defend his title along with Mitchell returning to the tour. Casey Barrow, 2011 champion Chris Ferguson and Jeff Smith have also expressed interest in running the series.
Key question: How will the continued expansion of the series go over with the tour’s loyal followers?
Odds and ends: Series officials hope to add up to five races to the series schedule, including a potential major addition. ... Along with Beckley, the series will make initial visits to I-77 Raceway Park (June 1) and Friendship Motor Speedway (June 29 and July 13). ... Screven Motor Speedway again hosts the tour’s season finale, but the $5,000-to-win event has been pushed back a couple weeks to Nov. 30. ... Vic Hill scored a series-best four victories last season. ... The series hosted 13 races in its inaugural season in 2011 and 16 races in 2012.
Other Southern tours
The long-running Hedman Hedders National Late Model Series kicked off its season Feb. 9 during Waycross Motor Speedway’s Battle in the Swamp. Brandon Dewitt of Morven, Ga., claimed a $4,000 victory on the undercard to the night’s $10,000 Super Late Model event. The NLMS tour has five more races set for 2013, with three at Waycross and two at Albany Motor Speedway. ... The sixth season for the Southeastern Late Model Sportsman Series opened as part of Lavonia Speedway’s Late Model Mania event March 10 with Kenny Collins of Colbert, Ga., earning $2,000 for his fourth-career series victory. The tour only has two more confirmed dates — both at Toccoa Speedway on March 24 and April 13 — but series officials hope to sanction at least 15 races. ... Hendry County Motorsports Park hosted the season opener for the United Dirt Late Model Challenge Series on Feb. 23, with reigning series champion Mark Whitener of Middleburg, Fla., topping the race’s five entries. The sixth-year series has 10 races planned this season.
