Bristol Motor Speedway
Notes: Aluminum crate engine key to new series
A new Dirt Late Model organization announced by Hall of Fame chassis manufacturer C.J. Rayburn hopes to develop a national series where cars using less-expensive crate engines can compete equally against Super Late Models with open-competition powerplants.
The National All Star Racing Series — tabbed the NASRS-NeSmith Chevrolet Super Series — will give Late Models using the new General Motors LS3 CT525 Circle Track aluminum crate engine a 200-pound weight break in racing against traditional Super Late Models using open-competition powerplants.
In announcing his plans Tuesday, the 69-year-old Rayburn called his plans "the biggest breakthrough that anybody has ever heard in racing" and vows to launch the new organization by July 1 with hopes of converting race teams to the series-specified engine.
"If we can take a (steel crate engine) and run with open motors and run up front, the possibilities of what we can do with this motor are tremendous," Rayburn said in a press release. "If we get these cars 200 pounds lighter with approximately 143 more horsepower (than standard crate engines), a 2,300-pound open motor car is not going to be competitive. Fans will be looking at faster cars."
Super Late Model cars with 800-horsepower engines costing $30,000 have dominated Dirt Late Model's biggest events and richest series, but the popularity of Crate Late Model racing with $5,000 powerplants providing half the horsepower has grown for lower-budget series and weekly tracks. Seldom do Supers and Crates compete, however. Rayburn's tour aims to bridge that gap by allowing teams with the $7,200 LS3 crate engine and its 543 horsepower to compete more equally against cars with unlimited motors.
NASRS cars using the LS3 crate engine will be required to weigh 2,100 pounds; existing Super Late Models from virtually any series will also be legal to compete on the new circuit weighing 2,300 pounds, according to series rules.
Rayburn touts other details he believes will make NASRS more attractive and less expensive: Streamlined body styles including single-piece sail panels and spoiler supports, a two-compound tire rule (Hoosier D21 and D55 tires with a Crate Racin' USA stamp) and cheaper non-racing fuel for teams using the aluminum crate engine.
Critics of crate-engine racing include those who say engine builders can cheat to boost horsepower in the sealed engines, and engine builders of open-competition engines who fear lost business. "We are going to get the motor builders mad at this deal," Rayburn said. "But I can tell you right now, I have a state-of-the-art engine-building business. It will be closed down."
The fledgling series has no dates, no committed racers and no specific plans yet, but Rayburn said in a phone interview he expects feedback and contacts with promoters as news of the series spreads. He's anxiously awaiting one of the new crate engines to drop into one of his cars at his Whiteland, Ind., shop.
"It is the logical way to make racing affordable again," he said. "I think that everyone will like it." — Todd Turner
LUCAS OIL STRENGTHENS POINTS FUND, TOW MONEY: With a record number of drivers following the series full time so far in 2009, the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series is rewarding drivers with extra money. Instead of paying the top 10 in series points at the conclusion of the season, the top 15 drivers in series points will receive cash awards, with the winner receiving a series-record $75,000. Also, the series is increasing Winner's Circle tow money for each event. In addition to the top 10 in series points receiving the traditional $700 in tow money, drivers outside the top 10 maintaining perfect attendance on the series will now also receive $350 per race. "This money is to help those who support the (series) with perfect attendance each week and at the banquet during these difficult economic downturns," said series director Ritchie Lewis. — From series reports
MOUNT PLEASANT PREPARES FOR FIRST ALMS EVENT: Mount Pleasant (Mich.) Speedway is scheduled to host the Sunoco American Late Model Series for the first time ever on May 22 for the opening race of a series tripleheader weekend. With Cherry (Mich.) Speedway and Winston (Mich.) Motor Speedway not racing Late Models on Friday, Mount Pleasant hopes to draw a large field of cars. The track is putting up a $250 bonus for any driver who can break the track record of 14.71 seconds in qualifying. Zack Olger of St. Johns, Mich., set the mark on July 27, 2007. After Mount Pleasant, Sunoco ALMS competitors are scheduled to run a pair of races in Ohio. Oakshade Raceway in Wauseon hosts Saturday's racing and Eldora Speedway in Rossburg. runs the Johnny Appleseed Classic on Sunday. — From staff reports
CLEVELAND UPS ANTE FOR JUVENILE DIABETES RACE: The third annual Race for Juvenile Diabetes at Cleveland (Tenn.) Speedway gets a boost in 2009 in becoming the first-ever event sanctioned by the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series at the third-mile oval. The June 16 event — sponsored by Car Smart of Cleveland, Advance Auto Parts, Lucas Oil and General Tire — features a $7,000-to-win feature, a raffle for a passenger car and two-seater rides. "Car Smart is going to sell chances on a car with all proceeds going to Juvenile Diabetes," said track promoter Monty Morrow. The Tuesday night special may also include some visitors from NASCAR. "We are real close to signing a couple of NASCAR stars to come in for the event," Morrow said. "There are a lot of other things we are working on and when they are in place we will let everyone know." — Bob Appleget
FASTRAK SUSPENDS DELLINGER FOR ENGINE VIOLATION: Fastrak Northeast announced Wednesday that driver Alan Dellinger and car owner Bob Williams Racing have been suspended and fined by the Fastrak Racing Series after a cylinder head protest following his May 15 victory at Raceway 7 in Conneaut, Ohio. Dellinger and Williams can't compete in Fastrak events for 365 days and each have been fined $1,000 along with the loss of all points and monies earned. Dellinger and Williams can appeal the decision. — Mike Leone
ODDS AND ENDS: Wisconsin's richest Fastrak race ever is scheduled for Monday at Shawano Speedway. The half-mile oval will pay $5,000 to the winner of the 40-lap Crate Late Model event. ... The Southern Regional Racing Series changed its Memorial Day weekend racing to include a pair of $3,000-to-win events at Duck River Speedway in Wheel, Tenn., on May 23-24. ... Stateline Speedway in Busti, N.Y., hosts a $5,000-to-win Super Late Model special on May 23. There's a $10 general adult admission for the Bud Vantassel-Dick Litz Memorial. ... The first-year Dart Corn Belt Clash has delayed its opening date to June 24 at Fayette County Speedway in West Union, Iowa. The Iowa-based tour also announced the last event on the five-race series will be Aug. 12 at Fayette County. ... East Bay Raceway Park near Tampa, Fla., is hosting the $3,800-to-win Scott Thompson Memorial on May 23. ... A-1 Raceway in Lacombe, La., has temporarily closes until completion of safety upgrades to meet new insurance codes.
