Chevy Super Series Has The Right Engine In The Right Car At The Right Time

[525superseriespr]

CARTERSVILLE, GA – The Chevrolet Performance Super Late Model Series 2015 season opener will take place at 411 Motor Speedway in Seymour, TN this Saturday night for a $3,000-to-win $300-to-start 50-lap race. The Chevy Super Series is America’s first “Factory Backed and Factory Built” super late model series that has brought new life to dirt late model racing.

With financial support from Chevrolet Performance, the Chevy Super Series is the first dirt late model series in the history of the sport to be backed by a major automobile manufacturer. The dirt late models in the series are powered by the all-aluminum Chevrolet Performance CT525 racing engine that is based off the Chevrolet production LS3 Engine.

The Chevy Super Series has the right engine in the right race cars at the right time for the benefit of fans, race promoters and competitors.

The LS3 Engine comes under the hood of the Chevrolet Corvette, Chevrolet Camaro, and the Chevrolet SS available to the consumer at Chevrolet dealerships worldwide. The Chevy Super Series is the first dirt late model series in the history of the sport where the race cars are powered by the same factory built engine the fans can purchase in their passenger cars that get then to the race track.

The Chevrolet Performance Super Late Model Series with the CT 525 Engine has created new opportunities for racers to reach the super late model level of the sport by being economical and durable. The cost of the all-aluminum Chevrolet racing engine with all of the accessories needed to go racing is under $11,000. That’s a lot less than a built open engine that can cost $40,000 up.

The affordable price of the all-aluminum production-based Chevrolet Racing Engine is making it economically possible to keep competitors involved in super late model racing, as well as keeping purses at a reasonable level for the race promoters, and it is giving fans an opportunity to see close two and three-wide super late model racing action.

The Chevy built racing engine gives the super late model racer plenty of speed while not overpowering the track. Just about every driver that has driven a super late model powered by the CT 525 Engine has said the same thing about it: The engine gives the car more drivability and is easier to handle than a dirt late model powered by a more expensive higher horsepower engine.

The CT 525 is basically a maintenance free and durable engine. It is built and sealed at the factory to prevent any expensive modifications. All the racers have to do is change the oil. This gives racers more time to work on the handling of their race cars.

The speed, the durability, the affordability, the drivability, and the more work on handling of the race car all leads to giving the fans a new opportunity in watching a super late model race – close, side-by-side competition.

High horsepower more expensive engines lead to spinning tires, that leads to rubber being laid down on the track, and that leads to single-file racing. The CT 525 Engine is more based on torque than horsepower. This torque gives the cars forward bite without spinning the tires. This leads to multi-groove racing with drivers battling each other for position two and three-wide.

This Saturday night at 411 Motor Speedway, race fans will have the opportunity to see a new style of super late model racing with the Chevrolet Performance Super Late Model Series that will give them the opportunity to see speed, close racing, and driver talent on display. Fans should not come to 411 Motor Speedway this Saturday night if they want to see cubic dollars racing.

Race fans that have seen the Chevrolet Performance Super Late Model Series have been pleasantly surprised with the type of racing they have just witnessed, and have expressed their approval to series officials and track promoters, letting them know they would like to see it again. They have been reacquainted with drivers they haven’t seen for a while, and are getting to know a new crop of drivers.

As it begins its third season, the Chevy Super Series continues to grow in both fan and competitor interest. Grandstands are filling up more and car counts are on the rise. Driver talent and the opportunity to showcase that talent has become the hallmark of the Chevrolet Performance Super Late Model Series.

This Saturday night at 411 Motor Speedway, the fans will see an abundance of talent from a Hall of Fame driver, veteran super late model drivers, young drivers making names for themselves, and overnight sensations that just needed the opportunity the Chevy Super Series provides to step up on to the National stage of super late model racing.

National Dirt Late Model Hall of Fame Inductee and defending Chevy Super Series National Champion Ronnie Johnson of Chattanooga, TN has revived his illustrious dirt late model racing career through the Chevrolet Performance Super Late Model Series. Johnson is well known on the National level of the sport as a two-time Dirt Track World Championship Race winner.

Johnson was the lead driver for Chevrolet Performance in the Research and Development of the CT 525 Engine, and won many races against more expensive engines during this period. In his third season with the Chevy Super Series, the “Chattanooga Flash” will be looking to repeat his 411 Motor Speedway win from last season.

Johnson will be joined by the 2013 Chevy Super Series National Champion William Thomas of Phenix City, AL, the 2013 and 2014 National Championship Runners-Up Tim Busha of Boaz, AL and Tyler Crowder of Lamont, FL. 2014 Chevy Super Series race winners Jake Knowles of Rome, GA and Pierce McCarter of Gatlinburg, TN.

After leading 45 of the 50 laps in last year’s 411 Motor Speedway Chevy Super Series race, third-generation driver Brandon Williams of Crossville, TN will be back to get the one that got away. Also expected are last year’s Cruise With The Champions Rookie of the Year Runner-Up Jadon Frame of Winchester, TN, Jacob Grizzle of Blairsville, GA, Lavon Sparks of Phenix City, AL, Mark Dowdy of Waterloo, AL, David Brannon of Elora, TN, and Jeff Smith of Chatsworth, GA.

Rejoining the Chevy Super Series Tour for 2014 will be the father and son team of Ross and Adam Martin of Talladega, AL. Ryan King of Anniston, AL and Mario Gresham of Rome, GA are the first two drivers to sign up to compete for the 2015 Cruise With The Champions Rookie of the Year Award.

Race fans are encouraged to arrive early at 411 Motor Speedway on March 21, as the Chevy Super Series drivers and their race cars will be in the Chevy Fan Zone behind the main grandstand at 411 Motor Speedway from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m..

The Chevy Fan Zone gives both the competitors and the fans an opportunity to get to know each other on a personal basis in an effort to enhance their experience at Chevy Super Series events. The fans are used to just seeing a race car going around the track while sitting in the stands, but at Chevy Super Series events, they will also know the person under the helmet sitting behind the wheel!

The cars and stars of the Chevy Super Series will be in the Chevy Fan Zone signing autographs, posing for photos, and kids will receive driver hero cards and coloring books. The fans can also see the race cars, and the production-based engines that power them up close. The chances are pretty good that several fans will have the same engine under the hood of the car they drove to the race track!

The action at 411 Motor Speedway will get underway on Friday night, March 20 with an open practice session from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. On Saturday, March 21, the pit gate opens at 1 p.m. with Chevy Super Series Pre-Race Registration and Technical Inspection from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. The Drivers Meeting is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. with Hot Laps and Racing to follow.

411 Motor Speedway is located one mile south of U.S. Highway 441 on U.S. Highway 411 at 632 Maryville Highway, Seymour, TN 37865. For more information call 865-257-7223 or visit the track web site at www.411motorspeedway.net and their Facebook page at 411 Motor Speedway.

For more information about the Chevrolet Performance Super Late Model Series visit the series web site at www.525superseries.com, or visit the series on Facebook at Chevrolet Performance Super Late Model Series.


Chevrolet Performance Parts is the Title Sponsor of the Chevrolet Performance Super Late Model Series. Hoosier Racing Tire is the Official Tire Sponsor of the Chevrolet Performance Super Late Model Series. Sunoco Race Fuel is the Official Race Fuel of the Chevrolet Performance Super Late Model Series. Panama City Cycles is the Official ATV Provider of the Chevrolet Performance Super Late Model Series. Schaeffer’s Oil Presented By Chad Wallace and Heather Newsome is the Official Oil of the Chevrolet Performance Super Late Model Series. AR Bodies is an Official Sponsor of the Chevrolet Performance Super Late Model Series. Cruise With The Champions is an Official Sponsor of the Chevrolet Performance Super Late Model Series. Chevrolet Performance Super Late Model Series Contingency Sponsors for 2014 are Modern Images, Mike Custom Tanks, KRC Power Steering, David Smith Carburetors, Kinser Air Filters, Shorty’s Shock Service, and CrateInsider.Com.

[W2Racing09]

I wish there were a series in this area, I would definitely hit some races. Keep it up, this engine is the key to the longevity of this sport.

Thanks,
Jeff.

[PushinTheLimit]

I've been considering doing this series next year if things go well this year. For my small operation, this is probably my best and really only way of really getting into SLM racing.

[fastford]

if you are the only supplier of the only engine allowed to run in a series, then you should sponsor that series I would think, I have no dog in this fight, however just look at what happened to the old ASA asphalt series, you saw thunderbirds with the mandatory chevy crate engines in them, how well did that work out? JMO

[W2Racing09]

if you are the only supplier of the only engine allowed to run in a series, then you should sponsor that series I would think, I have no dog in this fight, however just look at what happened to the old ASA asphalt series, you saw thunderbirds with the mandatory chevy crate engines in them, how well did that work out? JMO

It works well, Crate LMs all over the country do the same thing. I know where I'm at the division is growing at an astronomical pace. On Asphalt racing you have the ACT tour which has been around running the 603 crate for well over a decade now. This CT525 is the Super LM equivalent. There are some diehard Ford and Mopar people but for the most part I don't think it bothers too many people that there is not a ford option. If there was people would be complaining that one is better than the other, etc.

Thanks,
Jeff.

[bullring]

What's the hp and torque numbers on this engine?

[fastford]

do you work for gm? the way your courting them makes me wander. by the way, I have not heard any thing significant from asa in a good while now. are they still crate only?

[W2Racing09]

do you work for gm? the way your courting them makes me wander. by the way, I have not heard any thing significant from asa in a good while now. are they still crate only?

I wish I did work for GM, it would be a hell of a lot more exciting than my current office job working for the Government.

On ASA, I'm not sure. They are quite a way outside of the areas where I've ever lived and been around racing.

[fastford]

heres the thing , and ive got to get to work myself, a lot of crate supporters say that the fans want know the difference. this is where I disagree, dirt late model fans , I feel tend to know more about there form of racing than a lot of people think, and they know the difference, but ive been wrong before, time will tell , but the fans in the seats is what all of this is based on, so the attendance at these special (crate} events will be the deciding factor, maybe you or someone can keep us updated as to the attendance at these chevy super series races, any way, have a good day.

[W2Racing09]

heres the thing , and ive got to get to work myself, a lot of crate supporters say that the fans want know the difference. this is where I disagree, dirt late model fans , I feel tend to know more about there form of racing than a lot of people think, and they know the difference, but ive been wrong before, time will tell , but the fans in the seats is what all of this is based on, so the attendance at these special (crate} events will be the deciding factor, maybe you or someone can keep us updated as to the attendance at these chevy super series races, any way, have a good day.

I wish I could, but I live hundreds of miles from the closest event unfortunately.

The thing is, I was at Hagerstown for opening day this week which featured Open and Steel Block Late Models with good car counts. I think they would be lucky to have 1000 people in the stands. Unfortunately the SLM are not bringing fans in either at this point.

For the same price, on the same day Lincoln Speedway raced 410 Sprints ONLY (Hagerstown had SLM, LLM, Pure Stocks, Hobby Stocks and Ucars) and the place was packed and even had a ton of people watching from the infield.

The people who care about Speed seem to be focused more on the fastest cars (410 Sprints). The people who care about racing should be content to see good racing even if it means the cars are 1/2 second slower.

Thanks,
Jeff.

[bullring]

I wish I did work for GM, it would be a hell of a lot more exciting than my current office job working for the Government.

On ASA, I'm not sure. They are quite a way outside of the areas where I've ever lived and been around racing.

ASA has been gone for a long time. I saw a lot of good races in the late 70's early 80's. My final straw was when they went exclusively to the v6 engines. V6 and race car don't go together. I should say the touring series is gone. I think they still sanction some stuff but nothing like the glory years.

[heinen81]

I've been around them, and worked on late models, for a long time. When it comes to being able to tell the difference... you definitely could with the 602/604. I believe Chris Carlson was running a 604 at Plymouth with the WDLMA and you tell it was down on power and sounded much flatter compared to open motors. I didn't think that was a good fit, even on a dry/slick 3/8 mile. Now the 525 (I only watched a few compete)... I couldn't tell for a second when these ran against the open or spec motors, that these were a crate. They are technically a crate, but I have a hard time calling them that, because outside of a hammer down half mile... they hold their own against open motors. I guess they somewhat remind me of a WISSOTA motor in some ways in terms of sound/power and torque curve. Yes, they arrive in a crate, however at 75% of the weekly tracks in the USA running supers, I really feel they are no slouch and a good option for budget teams.

[ride height]

Just like the "crate" lates, unless you tech the daylites out of the motors. They will cheat their a$$es off and ruin it just like they did crates of the past.

[fastford]

I just read boyds rules for steel head , spec and crate engines, they all run together and make the 525s add enough weight to the front end to make it seem fair. I may take my little all steel engine up there and try it some time. also they allow the ford 347 crate engine to run with the 602 and 604 crates. I think there headed in the right direction.

[FlatTire]

The big picture every one needs to see is this series is an attempt to keep late model racing going and increase the potential population of folks that can afford it. There is no one perfect solution to any of it. With these crates cheating will be an issue that needs to be dealt with, but with open motors co$t is the issue. Take your pick, and go support what you believe in. No need to beat up on somebody trying to do some good for our sport. I'm sure there are far more profitable venues Chevrolet could be spending their time and money on. ;-)

I'm just glad Chevrolet is getting behind this like they are. Having a sponsor like them will attract other sponsors on their level and help the sport grow.

[superdirt]

The NeSmith & FUEL series both have the same rule on the CT525. It must have the original GM sealing bolts. They don't tear down the motor. If it has the original bolts, there is no need to. There is a motor claim for the price of a new motor. Any track using this motor would be wise to follow their example.

There is only one motor builder authorized to use these bolts. Allowing only GM bolts will prevent virtually all of the rebuild tech issues that have been seen with the 602's and 604's (the more rebuilders there are, the more room there is for error etc). The 525 motor has proved to be reliable, so rebuilds are not necessary over a long period of time. Now that may mean teams have to have a 2nd motor when they finally need motor repairs as they may have to wait to get their motor back, but 2 CT525 motors is still 1/2 the price of an open aluminum motor!

The are many virtues of the 525 motor for Super Late Model racing. It's all aluminum, making it a true Super LM motor. Given the big spoiler, it's fast enough to the eye of the fans that its still a Super LM. The HUGE virtue of this motor is that GM controls the price. One of the things that happened to spec motors in the past is that name-brand builders ran up the price. No track has been able to control motor prices in the past, and only SUPR has come up with a price control on their new spec motor.

[W2Racing09]

The NeSmith & FUEL series both have the same rule on the CT525. It must have the original GM sealing bolts. They don't tear down the motor. If it has the original bolts, there is no need to. There is a motor claim for the price of a new motor. Any track using this motor would be wise to follow their example.

There is only one motor builder authorized to use these bolts. Allowing only GM bolts will prevent virtually all of the rebuild tech issues that have been seen with the 602's and 604's (the more rebuilders there are, the more room there is for error etc). The 525 motor has proved to be reliable, so rebuilds are not necessary over a long period of time. Now that may mean teams have to have a 2nd motor when they finally need motor repairs as they may have to wait to get their motor back, but 2 CT525 motors is still 1/2 the price of an open aluminum motor!

The are many virtues of the 525 motor for Super Late Model racing. It's all aluminum, making it a true Super LM motor. Given the big spoiler, it's fast enough to the eye of the fans that its still a Super LM. The HUGE virtue of this motor is that GM controls the price. One of the things that happened to spec motors in the past is that name-brand builders ran up the price. No track has been able to control motor prices in the past, and only SUPR has come up with a price control on their new spec motor.

Excellent post,

Thank you,
Jeff.

[fastford]

The NeSmith & FUEL series both have the same rule on the CT525. It must have the original GM sealing bolts. They don't tear down the motor. If it has the original bolts, there is no need to. There is a motor claim for the price of a new motor. Any track using this motor would be wise to follow their example.

There is only one motor builder authorized to use these bolts. Allowing only GM bolts will prevent virtually all of the rebuild tech issues that have been seen with the 602's and 604's (the more rebuilders there are, the more room there is for error etc). The 525 motor has proved to be reliable, so rebuilds are not necessary over a long period of time. Now that may mean teams have to have a 2nd motor when they finally need motor repairs as they may have to wait to get their motor back, but 2 CT525 motors is still 1/2 the price of an open aluminum motor!

The are many virtues of the 525 motor for Super Late Model racing. It's all aluminum, making it a true Super LM motor. Given the big spoiler, it's fast enough to the eye of the fans that its still a Super LM. The HUGE virtue of this motor is that GM controls the price. One of the things that happened to spec motors in the past is that name-brand builders ran up the price. No track has been able to control motor prices in the past, and only SUPR has come up with a price control on their new spec motor.

hum, one supplier and one rebuilder, seems a little socialist to me. I do believe its a super engine and a bigger spoiler might be ok, but nothing else. oh and by the way, using the sealed bolts as the way to tech them is bs, I guarantee you there is counterfeit bolts already out there.

[Bubstr]

This 525 Crate engine seems like a good idea at the surface, but look what happened to ASA and their change over to a crate engine. From hero to zero. It became a second class series and fell to the way side.

As long as there are SLM with open engines, the crate will just be another class to farther divide the car count. It would only be worse, if they had weight breaks and different spoiler rules. We would then have handicap racing and unenforceable rules. They may work for a regional series, or even local weekly racing, but when Lucas or WOO comes to town, I don't foresee them allowing any handicap. Their handicap is, spending a lot less on a engine. They would be crazy, trying to tech that mess. I think most, would like to see a cost savings some how, but it would take one rule for all cars. As long as there is a series running open engines, anything else will be a second class citizen. You can see this in Sprint cars now and there isn't much price difference between 410 and 360 Sprint engines. They have to run the 410s last, or most of the fans leave. Power perceived, is power achieved.

[muddy_mike]

What's the hp and torque numbers on this engine?

590-stretch 600 HP at the Flywheel...Cost slightly less than 10k