Senoia raceway releases 2017 event schedule

Enthusiasm surrounding the 3/8ths mile ‘bull ring’ Senoia Raceway is higher than it has ever been during its six decade history. Track promoters Bill Massey, Mayes Massey and Doug Stevens will enter their third year at the helm of the Georgia speed plant in 2017 and the trio has put together an aggressive schedule dotted with special events featuring major travelling super late model series.



“We are really excited about our plans for the 2017 racing season,” said Mayes Massey. “We think our fans are going to be just as excited to see this competition.”



The gumbo clay that replaced the standard red clay predominantly found in the southeast created a stir this past season. Competitors from across the nation commented on how ‘racy’ the tight track became with the new slicker surface.



“It’s already one of the best surfaces in the country,” said World of Outlaws standout Shane Clanton after winning a hotly contested race last March with Chris Madden. “It would be hard to get any better racing than what we just did.”



“The surface slowed the guys down and made the racing better,” said Southern All-Stars promoter Lynn Acklin. “Senoia had some of the best racing our series enjoyed this past summer.”



That new found racing reputation and the driver’s ability to race from top to bottom at Senoia Raceway has prompted many series to request dates at the track in 2017. Many were just as excited as Senoia Raceway’s track promoters to announce their plans to visit the track during the upcoming year.



Senoia Raceway will offer racers a couple of practice nights in early March prior to opening on Saturday, March 18th. The opener will be quickly followed up with the Ray Cook Spring Nationals tour visiting for a double-header the next weekend. Friday, March 24 will feature a $4000 to win event while the very next night will see the tour competitors chase a $6000 pay day.



The Ultimate Super Late Model Series received a rave reviews for their shows at Senoia Raceway this past fall and they have earmarked a return on Saturday, April 22, as well as, the sanction for the ‘Friends of the Dream 40’ in late August. Series winners Casey Roberts (October 2016) and Michael Page (August 2016) found success last year at Senoia and will look to cash in on the $4000 to win series events.



Lynn Acklin and the Southern All-Stars Series will return three times in 2017 with the first appearance scheduled for Saturday, May 20. They will return for a double-header weekend on Friday, June 30 and Saturday, July 1. Each of the three races will pay $4000 to the winner. Four-time defending Southern All-Stars Series champion Riley Hickman will go head to head with the only other four-time series champion, Clint ‘Cat Daddy’ Smith, at Smith’s hometown arena.



The track’s biggest event the past two seasons has been the Billy Clanton Classic honoring one of the great driver from the track’s storied history. The Billy Clanton Classic will take on a new feel in 2017 as the Craftsman Tools World of Outlaws Dirt Late Model Series will now sanction the race scheduled for Saturday, June 3rd. Shane Clanton, the son of race honoree Billy Clanton, has won both of the previous races and is a former champion of the Craftsman Tools World of Outlaws Dirt Late Model tour. If he is to win his third Billy Clanton Classic, he will have to better his series rival Josh Richards and other tour regulars.



Ray Cook’s summer series will return for a special on Thursday, June 20 before headlining the 2nd Annual ‘Showdown at Senoia’ in late October with his late season series. The ‘Showdown at Senoia’ will once again offer the largest purse in track history including $10,000 to win the Ray Cook Series finale.



Senoia Raceway will host weekly points racing for the Super Late Models, Limited Late Models, Crate Late Models, B Cadets, Hobby Stock, Mini Stock and Bombers. Each of the weekly classes will also enjoy opportunities for special events featuring increased purses and laps.



“Our support classes are just as important, if not more important, to the success of our racing program,” said Massey. “The racing our fans see in these classes is some of the best. We saw many times this past year where they would be racing three and four wide. They all really put on a great show and we will schedule each some special events that showcase that talent.”



The USCS Sprint Cars will return for the 8th Annual Summer Nationals in August and the fans will be happy to see the Monster Trucks and Waterless Boat Races back on the schedule.



For a current schedule of events for 2017, additional information, rules and more, visit the Senoia Raceway website at www.senoiaraceway.com. The track also offers an e-mail newsletter (sign-up on the website), Facebook page, twitter feed, instagram and snapchat for social media access to news and information. You can also contact the track directly at 770.599.6161.