2018 NeSmith Late Model Tour Opens At Camden And NAS

CARTERSVILLE, GA – The 2018 NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series National Tour opens this weekend with a pair of races at Camden Speedway in Camden, TN and at North Alabama Speedway in Tuscumbia, AL. Camden Speedway will host a 40-lap $2,000-to-win race on Friday night, and North Alabama Speedway will present at 50-lap $2,500-to-win event on Saturday night.

Camden Speedway will welcome the NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series for the first time on Friday night, as the NeSmith/Durrence Layne Chevrolet Racing Division opens its 14th consecutive season. North Alabama Speedway will continue its tradition of running the NeSmith Late Model Touring Division, as it was also on the schedule during its inaugural season in 2005.

A talented group of men and machines will open the 2018 NeSmith Late Model National Tour, as the run for the Durrence Layne Cup begins. Heading the entry list is the defending and two-time NeSmith Late Model National Champion Cory Hedge(not a nice word)(not a nice word)(not a nice word)(not a nice word) of Loudon, TN.

Hedge(not a nice word)(not a nice word)(not a nice word)(not a nice word) will be attempting to win his third straight Durrence Layne Cup in 2018, a feat that has only been done by one other driver, National Dirt Late Model Hall of Fame Inductee Ronnie Johnson of Chattanooga, TN in 2013, 2014, and 2015. Back to once again challenge for the National Championship will Grant Garrison of Walton, KY.

Garrison was the 2017 NeSmith Late Model National Championship Runner Up and the 2017 Cruise With The Champions Rookie of the Year. Garrison will be trying to become only the second driver in the history of the NeSmith Late Model Tour to earn the RoY honors and then come back the next season to win the National Championship. Chip Brindle of Chatsworth, GA turned that trick in 2007 and 2008.

Youth will be served in the NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series National Tour as 14-year-old Colton Horner of Katy, TX will return for his second full season after finishing third in the 2017 NeSmith Late Model National point standings. Horner will also run for the VP Racing Fuels Young Guns Challenge Series Championship.

The VP Racing Fuels Young Gun Challenge Series is a special series designed for drivers 18-years-old and younger to compete for a separate point fund. Another 14-year-old driver competing for the VP Racing Fuels Young Guns title, as well as the Cruise With The Champions Rookie of the Year honors in 2018 on the NeSmith Late Model National Tour is Parker Martin of Milledgeville, GA.

Another Cruise With The Champions RoY candidate and VP Racing Fuels Young Gun Challenger for the 2018 NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series National Tour is 18-year-old Ashton Winger of Senoia, GA.

Marcus Minga of Shannon, MS finished fourth in the 2017 NeSmith Late Model National point standings, and “The Ninja” will return for a run at the Durrence Layne Cup in 2018. Another pair of 2017 top ten drivers making the trip to Camden Speedway on Friday night and North Alabama Speedway on Saturday night are Jake Knowles of Rome, GA and Matt Henderson of Loudon, TN.

Also expected for the 2018 NeSmith Late Model season opening weekend are Austin Burns of Georgetown, IN, Chad Stapleton of Edinburgh, IN, Jordan Hedger of Independence, KY, Jamey Boland of Cuba, AL, Brandon Williams of Crossville, TN, Ben Brocato of Muscle Shoals, AL, Bryant Marsh of Corinth, MS, Ashley Newman of Ripley, TN, Joe Mike of Mayfield, KY, Ronnie Cooper of McKenzie, TN, Steve Russell of Pontotoc, MS and Ben Garner of Greenfield, TN.

Both Camden Speedway and North Alabama Speedway will also feature three other NeSmith Weekly Racing Series Divisions with the NeSmith Performance Parts Street Stock Division, the NeSmith Chevrolet Late Model Sportsman Division, and the Durrence Layne Chevrolet Modified Sportsman Division in action each night.

On Friday, the Pit Gate at Camden Speedway opens at 4 p.m. with NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series Pre-Race Registration and Technical Inspection from 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. The Drivers Meeting is set for 6:30 p.m. and Hot Laps are scheduled for 7 p.m.

Camden Speedway is located at 500 U.S. Highway 70 Bypass, Camden, TN. For more information call 731-924-2119, or visit the track web site at www.camdenracing.com. You can Like them on Facebook at Camden Speedway TN.

On Saturday at North Alabama Speedway, the Pit Gate opens at 4 p.m. with NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series Pre-Race Registration and Technical Inspection from 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. The Drivers Meeting is set for 6:30 p.m. and Hot Laps are scheduled for 7 p.m.

North Alabama Speedway is located at 12200 Highway 247, Tuscumbia, AL 35674. For more information call 256-702-5852, or visit the track web site at www.northalabamaspeedway.com. You can Like them on Facebook at North Alabama Speedway.

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.


Durrence Layne Chevrolet, Buick, GMC of Claxton, GA is the Title Sponsor of the NeSmith Late Models. Durrence Layne Chevrolet, Buick, GMC is one of the nation’s top GM Powertrain and Performance Dealers, 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. VP Racing Fuels and Lubricants is the Official Race Fuel and Lubricant of the NeSmith Late Models. RockAuto.com is an Associate Sponsor of the NeSmith Late Models. Beyea Headers the NeSmith Late Model Hard Charger Sponsor. Knowles Race Parts and Bodies is the Official Parts Supplier for the NeSmith Late Models. Cruise With The Champions is the Official Vacation and Rookie of the Year Sponsor for the NeSmith Late Models. David Smith Carburetors is the Official Carburetor of NeSmith Racing. Freestyle Graphix is the Official Wrap, Banner, and Sign Company of NeSmith Racing. NeSmith Late Model Contingency Sponsors for 2017 are Out-Pace Performance, CrateInsider.Com, Knowles Racing Parts and Bodies, and FreeStyle Graphix. 2018 Chassis Sponsors are Trak-Star Race Cars, Warrior Race Cars, Rocket Chassis, GRT Race Cars, and CVR Race Cars.