PDA

View Full Version : Stellar Field Expected For East Bay NeSmith Chevrolet DLMS Season Opener



crusapr
02-21-2011, 07:05 PM
CARTERSVILLE, GA – A stellar field of cars and drivers are expected for the first three events of the NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series Tour this Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights at East Bay Raceway Park in Tampa, FL. On Thursday and Friday night, there will be a 40-lap $2,000-to-win race each night and a 50-lap $3,000-to-win race on Saturday night.

The 2011 NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series Tour will begin the points season with many title contenders for the $20,000 Championship and the NeSmith Cup Trophy, including three former champions. There will also be an impressive list of new drivers that have given their intentions of running for the $5,000 VP Racing Fuels Rookie of the Year Award in 2011.

Defending and two-time NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series Touring Champion Eric Cooley of Fulton, MS will be looking for his third straight title. Over the past three seasons, the 19-year-old driver has pocketed $71,025 in earnings and is second on the all-time list. Cooley will have some championship caliber competition in 2011.

Joining Cooley on the NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series Tour for 2011 will former Champions David Gentry of Lewisburg, TN and Chip Brindle of Chatsworth, GA. Gentry won the NeSmith Chevrolet DLMS Touring title in 2006 and 2007, and Brindle grabbed the series’ top prize in 2008.

Gentry is the all-time money earner in the history of the NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series Tour collecting $116,395 and is tied for third on the all-time winners list with eight victories. Gentry also holds the series record for the most wins in a season with seven in 2006.

Brindle is third on the all-time earnings list at $70,610, and in addition to his 2008 championship, he earned the 2007 VP Racing Fuels Rookie of the Year Award with the NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series.

The 2010 NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series Tour Championship Runner-Up Matthew Turner of Dawsonville, GA will be looking to compete in his 108th consecutive NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series Touring event at East Bay Raceway Park this Thursday night. Turner is the only driver to have competed in every series event held since its inception in 2005.

The 2010 VP Racing Fuels Rookie of the Year Larry Harrod of Plains, GA will be looking to repeat Brindle’s 2007-2008 performance by winning the 2011 series championship. Harrod had two wins on the NeSmith Chevrolet DLMS Tour in 2010 and finished fourth in the point standings.

Other Top 10 drivers from the 2010 NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series Tour expected to be at East Bay Raceway Park this week to begin a new run at the 2011 title are Justin McRee of Tuscaloosa, AL, Shannon Lee of Lumberton, MS, Charlie Henderson of Cottondale, AL, Michael Blount of Sumrall, MS, Marcus Minga of Shannon, MS, and Johnny Stokes of Columbus, MS. Stokes was the 2010 NeSmith Chevrolet Weekly Racing Series West Region Champion.

At least eight drivers have thrown their hats into the ring to run for the 2011 VP Racing Fuels Rookie of the Year title with the NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series. The 2010 NeSmith Chevrolet Weekly Racing Series Old Man’s Garage East Region Champion Chase Edge of Lafayette, AL will lead the group of rookie drivers to East Bay Raceway Park.

Also making intentions on running for the VP Racing Fuels Rookie of the Year title are Shan Smith of Dade City, FL, Josh Pea(not a nice word)(not a nice word)(not a nice word)(not a nice word) of Dover, FL, Jake Knight of Georgetown, MS, Tootie Arnold of Meadville, MS, the 2006 NeSmith Chevrolet Weekly Racing Series South Region Champion Frank Wilson of Harold, FL, Mark Tice of Avon, MS, and Jake Teague of Oliver Springs, TN. Smith picked up a win last season on the tour at his home track at East Bay Raceway Park.

Also expected at East Bay Raceway Park this Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights are travelers Doug Horton of Bruceton Mills, WV and Randy Weaver of Crossville, TN. Horton won the $10,000 top prize in December at the 6th Annual NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series World Championship Race, and Weaver took two out of the three series events at East Bay last February.

Top local favorites expected for the trio of NeSmith Chevrolet DLMS events include Keith Nosbisch of Valrico, FL, Jack Nosbisch Jr. of Riverview, FL, Steve Mathis of Plant City, FL, Travis Varnadore of Dover, FL, Phillip Cobb of Riverview, FL, Jeff Mathews of Dover, FL, Bryan Bernhardt of Clearwater, FL, and Wallace Pea(not a nice word)(not a nice word)(not a nice word)(not a nice word) of Dover, FL.

NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series competitors are reminded that mufflers are required for competition at East Bay Raceway Park. Any standard external type mufflers are permitted and no insert mufflers will be allowed. For more information contact the NeSmith Chevrolet DLMS Competition/Technical Director Tim Sims at 256-794-4047.

The Best Western Business and Conference Center Hotel in Brandon, FL is the Official Host Hotel for the NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series Touring events at East Bay Raceway Park on February 23-26. The Best Western Hotel will be offering NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series fans and competitors a special discount rate of $55 per night.

The Best Western Business and Conference Center Hotel is located one mile west of Exit 257 on I-75 on State Road 60, just minutes from East Bay Raceway Park with a plethora of restaurants surrounding the facility. There is a Beef O’Brady’s Restaurant and Sports Bar, and an American Pie Pizza Restaurant right on the property.

Don’t pay more for lesser accommodations. To make reservations call the Best Western Business and Conference Center Hotel at 813-621-5555 and be sure to ask for the special East Bay Raceway Park special discount rate of $55.00 per night.

East Bay Raceway Park will host a practice session on Wednesday night. For more information call East Bay Raceway Park at 813-677-7223, or visit the track web site at www.eastbayracewaypark.com. East Bay Raceway Park is located five miles south of I-4 just off U.S. Highway 41.

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.


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 Dealer four years running, and is also the nation’s number one volume dealer of Chevrolet, Buick, and GMC cars, trucks, SUVs and vans with free delivery anywhere in the Southeast. GM Performance Parts is an Official Sponsor of the NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series. Hoosier Race Tire is the Official Tire Sponsor of the NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series. VP Racing Fuel is the Official Racing Fuel 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. Old Man’s Garage (OMG) is the sponsor of the NeSmith Chevrolet Weekly Racing Series East Region. NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series Contingency Sponsors for 2011 are Dominator Race Products, Race Car Engineering, KRC, Maximum Signs and Graphics, Mike Custom Tanks, Shorty’s Shock Service, Schoenfeld Headers, Integra Racing Shocks, J.T. Kerr Racing Equipment, Trak-Star Race Cars, Warrior Race Cars, Rocket Chassis, GRT Race Cars, TNT Race Cars, and Stinger Race Cars.