Steve Hixson
04-30-2012, 03:55 PM
CLEVELAND, Tenn. – The Southern All-Star Dirt Racing Series is set to invade the Cleveland (TN) Speedway for the second time this season for the 35th edition of the TENNESSEE MEMORIAL race, Saturday night May 12th. Like the previous S.A.S race in early April an array of Super Late Model racings elite from around the South are expected to be in competition for the $3,500 to win 50 lapper. A number of area Regional and National competitors are expected to once again embark on the 1/3 mile clay banked dirt track for this special event designed to honor the Nation’s Veterans and the fallen heroes in advance of upcoming Memorial Day weekend at the end of the month.
The annual Spring time event has brought the best of the S.A.S touring series to the track since 1997 when a pair of local racers Lamar Scoggins and Kevin Gibson took the checkers for the first two years, before Clint Smith won his first of two May races in 2000 and ‘03. This event has seen its fair share of exciting finishes, among some of the sport’s more notable superstars. The defending (and ’06) champion Jonathan Davenport, is now driving for NASCAR star Clint Bowyer, while Randy Weaver of Crossville, TN won in back to back races in 2010 and 2009. Other recent winners include Jimmy Owens (’08) Shane Clanton (’07) and Cleveland fan favorite Dale McDowell in 2005.
Current S.A.S Champion Knoxville’s Billy Ogle Jr. and his teammate Tommy Kerr are likely to be in competition along with series regulars. Last season’s championship runner up William Thomas of Phenix City, AL always runs well at Cleveland and will likely be racing at Cleveland. Drivers like; Mike Weeks of Friendsville, TN, Steve Smith of Powell, TN, Jake and Tony Knowles of Tyrone, GA, Brian Reece of Sharpsburg, GA, Vic Hill of Mosheim, TN, Ross White of Karns, TN, Chad Ogle of Sevierville, TN and Mark Douglas also of Knoxville could haul down the I-75 roadway for the SLM showdown.
Local Tennesseeian SLM racers such as Hall of Famer; Ronnie Johnson of Chattanooga, Riley Hickman of nearby Ooltewah, and Kayne (and Brian) Hickman of Soddy Daisy, could challenge for the TN MEMORIAL title. The Murphy (NC) Mafia of racers headed by David Payne and the Chastain Bros (Johnny and Shawn) will likely see neighbors George Mashburn and possibly even Shane Tankersley back to Cleveland to race. Previous Show-Me 100 Champ and reigning Gobbler Champion, the Tar-heel Tiger from nearby Brasstown, Ray Cook will likely be in competition as well.
Alabama and Georgia could sit well represented as Josh Putnam of Killen been on a recent roll around the South. Robert Gant of Flatrock and Bo Shirley of Gadsden could make the Tide-trek towards Cleveland as they fair well during most special SLM events. As for the Peach State Posse of racers; Derek Ellis, Aaron Ridley and Chip Brindle of Chatsworth could all represent. Tyler Millwood of Cassville been a top performer as of late, and former S.A.S Champion Jamie Perry of Ringgold could come in and make the short trip across the TN/GA state-line for the night of racing action.
Local racers will also see a FULL THROTTLE of points races highlighted by a Double Points LLM/Crate special paying $1,200 to-WIN. The A&B-Hobby, Pony and FWD will all race their regular program. Pit gates will open at approximately 3PM EST with drivers meeting set for 6:30PM with hot laps to follow. The track is located about 20-miles North of Chattanooga, off of I-75 and APD-40 on South Lee Hwy. For more details call the track at (423)479-8574, or visit the web-site on-line at www.clevelandspeedway.net.
The annual Spring time event has brought the best of the S.A.S touring series to the track since 1997 when a pair of local racers Lamar Scoggins and Kevin Gibson took the checkers for the first two years, before Clint Smith won his first of two May races in 2000 and ‘03. This event has seen its fair share of exciting finishes, among some of the sport’s more notable superstars. The defending (and ’06) champion Jonathan Davenport, is now driving for NASCAR star Clint Bowyer, while Randy Weaver of Crossville, TN won in back to back races in 2010 and 2009. Other recent winners include Jimmy Owens (’08) Shane Clanton (’07) and Cleveland fan favorite Dale McDowell in 2005.
Current S.A.S Champion Knoxville’s Billy Ogle Jr. and his teammate Tommy Kerr are likely to be in competition along with series regulars. Last season’s championship runner up William Thomas of Phenix City, AL always runs well at Cleveland and will likely be racing at Cleveland. Drivers like; Mike Weeks of Friendsville, TN, Steve Smith of Powell, TN, Jake and Tony Knowles of Tyrone, GA, Brian Reece of Sharpsburg, GA, Vic Hill of Mosheim, TN, Ross White of Karns, TN, Chad Ogle of Sevierville, TN and Mark Douglas also of Knoxville could haul down the I-75 roadway for the SLM showdown.
Local Tennesseeian SLM racers such as Hall of Famer; Ronnie Johnson of Chattanooga, Riley Hickman of nearby Ooltewah, and Kayne (and Brian) Hickman of Soddy Daisy, could challenge for the TN MEMORIAL title. The Murphy (NC) Mafia of racers headed by David Payne and the Chastain Bros (Johnny and Shawn) will likely see neighbors George Mashburn and possibly even Shane Tankersley back to Cleveland to race. Previous Show-Me 100 Champ and reigning Gobbler Champion, the Tar-heel Tiger from nearby Brasstown, Ray Cook will likely be in competition as well.
Alabama and Georgia could sit well represented as Josh Putnam of Killen been on a recent roll around the South. Robert Gant of Flatrock and Bo Shirley of Gadsden could make the Tide-trek towards Cleveland as they fair well during most special SLM events. As for the Peach State Posse of racers; Derek Ellis, Aaron Ridley and Chip Brindle of Chatsworth could all represent. Tyler Millwood of Cassville been a top performer as of late, and former S.A.S Champion Jamie Perry of Ringgold could come in and make the short trip across the TN/GA state-line for the night of racing action.
Local racers will also see a FULL THROTTLE of points races highlighted by a Double Points LLM/Crate special paying $1,200 to-WIN. The A&B-Hobby, Pony and FWD will all race their regular program. Pit gates will open at approximately 3PM EST with drivers meeting set for 6:30PM with hot laps to follow. The track is located about 20-miles North of Chattanooga, off of I-75 and APD-40 on South Lee Hwy. For more details call the track at (423)479-8574, or visit the web-site on-line at www.clevelandspeedway.net.