Bristol Motor Speedway
NOTEBOOK: Fastrak Grand Nationals on tap
From series reports
Crate Late Model teams from around the country are planning on attending the Fastrak Grand Nationals, the two-track event scheduled for Oct. 18 and Oct. 20 when the organization's overall champion will pocket $50,000.
Drivers from New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Oregon, California, Illinois, Missouri, Virginia, West Virginia, Tennessee, Minnesota, and Missouri are expected for the event.
"We would not miss it for anything," said Oregon driver Robby Ireland. "We had a great time meeting all the Fastrak teams from back East last year. The guys were great to us and we had a good time. I went and bought a new hauler this year just to make sure we got back there this year."
Preliminary events are scheduled for Oct. 6 at Green Valley Speedway in Glencoe, Ala. (Southern and Mideast region competitors) as well as Sept. 28 at McKean County Raceway in East Smethport, Pa. (Northeast).
Mountain Raceway Park in Maryville, Tenn., has been chosen as the site for Oct. 17-18 action that opens the Grand National weekend. Volunteer Speedway in Bulls Gap, Tenn., hosts Oct. 19-20 action with the $50,000 winner being crowned.
If car counts allow, the weekend will pay back to the top 50 drivers. — Mike Leone
Stokes competing in StormPay.com event
A veteran of the Mississippi Mafia, Johnny Stokes of Columbus, Miss., has joined the field for the Sept. 14-15 StormPay.com Dirt Late Model Series Twin 40s at Columbus Speedway. Each race pays $2,500 to the winner. The veteran Southeastern dirt late model star known as “Dr. Dirt” is the promoter of Columbus. On his nights off of his promoting duties, Stokes competes in StormPay.com events.
StormPay.com series founder Mike Vaughn will promote the weekend events, freeing Stokes to suit up and strap on his helmet. In 2007, Stokes has two top-five finishes and four top-10 finishes in five starts. — Roby Helm
Keeton virtually clinches West Region
Lucky Keeton of Toomsuba, Miss., has all but wrapped up his second straight StormPay.com Weekly Racing Series West Region Championship, and while Frank Wilson of Milton, Fla., leads the South Region, challenger James Ussery of Cottondale, Fla., is coming on strong with three weeks remaining in the season.
There are three West Region events left on the schedule and 30 bonus points available before the season ends Sept. 30. Keeton has 786 points based on his top 16 finishes in 25 starts with 12 wins.
Larry Murphy of Meridian, Miss., picked up his win Sept. 8 at Whynot Motorsports Park, moving him into second spot in the West with 691 points.
Wilson leads the South Region with 742 points based on his 16 best finishes in 40 starts and has a 35-point lead over Josh Huss of Flomaton, Ala. Huss is second with 707 points based on his 16 best finishes in 25 starts, and Jonathan Joiner of Milton, Fla. is third with 684 points based on his 16 best finishes in 20 starts. Ussery captured a pair of Sept. 7-8 victories to move into the top 10. — Roby Helm
