crusapr
09-25-2015, 06:12 PM
CARTERSVILLE, GA – The NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series has had more than its share of storms effecting races on the 2015 schedule. The series fell victim to another storm on Thursday that has forced cancellation of two October events. This storm wasn’t weather related, but rather the culmination of a long-term political storm.
On Thursday, Kentucky Lake Motor Speedway officials announced that the Commonwealth of Kentucky has exercised Eminent Domain, ceased control of the track, and shut it down effective immediately. This also cancels the Commonwealth Cup races for the NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series on October 23 and 24 and creates an opening in the 2015 schedule of events.
NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series officials have already begun the process of filling the open dates that are scheduled to be Rounds 22 and 23 of the 2015 season at another venue. The NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series made two visits earlier this season at Kentucky Lake Motor Speedway. Those races were won by Cleveland, TN drivers Riley Hickman on August 28 and John Ownbey on August 29.
Here’s the text of the closure announcement issued by Kentucky Lake Motor Speedway late Thursday:
Clover Leaf Realty, LLC has announced that it will cease operations at Kentucky Lake Motor Speedway in Marshall County and end its season early, effective immediately. In 2014, the Commonwealth of Kentucky gave notice that its reconstruction of the I-24/Purchase Parkway Interchange for the I-69 corridor would take much of the real property used to operate the racetrack. After communicating with state officials, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet filed a condemnation lawsuit in Marshall Circuit Court to take the racetrack property by eminent domain in July.
The lawsuit has cast a cloud over the 2015 race season and future of the facility. On Monday, September 21, the Court granted the Commonwealth’s motion for an interlocutor order to take the land. The approximately 36 acres being taken encompasses the racetrack’s pit area, maintenance building, ticket office and scales, rendering the racetrack’s utilities inoperable. This prompted the racetrack owners to make the hard decision to close the racetrack and end the season early. “We did the best we could, but the state’s taking of our property has really left us with very few options,” said co-owner, Ronnie Jones.
Hopkinsville businessmen, Ronnie Jones and Jim Hale, purchased the racetrack in 2013 with the stated intention of working hard and making it a great track again. KLMS was slated to end the season with a reprisal of the Commonwealth Cup headlined by the NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series on October 23rd and 24th. Also lost was an appearance by the United States Auto Club Aimsoil National Sprint cars scheduled for October 17th. “Our employees, fans and sponsors have been great, and we want to thank them for everything,” said co-owner, Jim Hale.
The next event on the 2015 NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series schedule of events will be Round 21 with the $5,000-to-win 60-lap Showdown On The Coast on October 16-17 at Golden Isles Speedway in Brunswick, GA.
For more information and rules 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. You can follow us on Twitter @NeSmithRacing.
NeSmith Chevrolet, Buick, GMC of Claxton, GA is the Title Sponsor of the NeSmith Late Models. NeSmith Chevrolet, Buick, GMC is the nation’s number one GM Powertrain and Performance Dealer six years running, with free delivery anywhere in the Southeast. Chevrolet Performance Parts is an Official Sponsor of the NeSmith Late Models. Hoosier Racing Tire is the Official Tire Sponsor of the NeSmith Late Models. RockAuto.com is an Official Sponsor of the NeSmith Late Models. Beyea Headers is the NeSmith Late Model Hard Charger Sponsor. Sunoco Race Fuels is the Official Race Fuel of the NeSmith Late Models. Panama City Cycles is the Official ATV Provider of the NeSmith Late Models. AR Bodies is an Associate Sponsor of the NeSmith Late Models. NeSmith Late Model Contingency Sponsors for 2015 are CrateInsider.Com, Integra Racing Shocks, Image Screen Printing, and Gresham Race Parts. 2015 Chassis Sponsors are Trak-Star Race Cars, Warrior Race Cars, Rocket Chassis, GRT Race Cars, and CVR Race Cars.
On Thursday, Kentucky Lake Motor Speedway officials announced that the Commonwealth of Kentucky has exercised Eminent Domain, ceased control of the track, and shut it down effective immediately. This also cancels the Commonwealth Cup races for the NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series on October 23 and 24 and creates an opening in the 2015 schedule of events.
NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series officials have already begun the process of filling the open dates that are scheduled to be Rounds 22 and 23 of the 2015 season at another venue. The NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series made two visits earlier this season at Kentucky Lake Motor Speedway. Those races were won by Cleveland, TN drivers Riley Hickman on August 28 and John Ownbey on August 29.
Here’s the text of the closure announcement issued by Kentucky Lake Motor Speedway late Thursday:
Clover Leaf Realty, LLC has announced that it will cease operations at Kentucky Lake Motor Speedway in Marshall County and end its season early, effective immediately. In 2014, the Commonwealth of Kentucky gave notice that its reconstruction of the I-24/Purchase Parkway Interchange for the I-69 corridor would take much of the real property used to operate the racetrack. After communicating with state officials, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet filed a condemnation lawsuit in Marshall Circuit Court to take the racetrack property by eminent domain in July.
The lawsuit has cast a cloud over the 2015 race season and future of the facility. On Monday, September 21, the Court granted the Commonwealth’s motion for an interlocutor order to take the land. The approximately 36 acres being taken encompasses the racetrack’s pit area, maintenance building, ticket office and scales, rendering the racetrack’s utilities inoperable. This prompted the racetrack owners to make the hard decision to close the racetrack and end the season early. “We did the best we could, but the state’s taking of our property has really left us with very few options,” said co-owner, Ronnie Jones.
Hopkinsville businessmen, Ronnie Jones and Jim Hale, purchased the racetrack in 2013 with the stated intention of working hard and making it a great track again. KLMS was slated to end the season with a reprisal of the Commonwealth Cup headlined by the NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series on October 23rd and 24th. Also lost was an appearance by the United States Auto Club Aimsoil National Sprint cars scheduled for October 17th. “Our employees, fans and sponsors have been great, and we want to thank them for everything,” said co-owner, Jim Hale.
The next event on the 2015 NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series schedule of events will be Round 21 with the $5,000-to-win 60-lap Showdown On The Coast on October 16-17 at Golden Isles Speedway in Brunswick, GA.
For more information and rules 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. You can follow us on Twitter @NeSmithRacing.
NeSmith Chevrolet, Buick, GMC of Claxton, GA is the Title Sponsor of the NeSmith Late Models. NeSmith Chevrolet, Buick, GMC is the nation’s number one GM Powertrain and Performance Dealer six years running, with free delivery anywhere in the Southeast. Chevrolet Performance Parts is an Official Sponsor of the NeSmith Late Models. Hoosier Racing Tire is the Official Tire Sponsor of the NeSmith Late Models. RockAuto.com is an Official Sponsor of the NeSmith Late Models. Beyea Headers is the NeSmith Late Model Hard Charger Sponsor. Sunoco Race Fuels is the Official Race Fuel of the NeSmith Late Models. Panama City Cycles is the Official ATV Provider of the NeSmith Late Models. AR Bodies is an Associate Sponsor of the NeSmith Late Models. NeSmith Late Model Contingency Sponsors for 2015 are CrateInsider.Com, Integra Racing Shocks, Image Screen Printing, and Gresham Race Parts. 2015 Chassis Sponsors are Trak-Star Race Cars, Warrior Race Cars, Rocket Chassis, GRT Race Cars, and CVR Race Cars.