CARTERSVILLE, GA – NeSmith Racing officials worked hard and quickly into last night to be able to announce today that Talladega Short Track in Eastaboga, AL will host the NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Touring Division for two events on May 1 and May 2. There will be a 40-lap $2,000-to-win race on May 1, and a 50-lap $2,500-to-win race on May 2.

The announcement of the Talladega Short Track NeSmith Late Model races come less than 24 hours after Duck River Raceway Park in Wheel, TN announced the cancellation of their NeSmith Late Model dates of May 1-2 that had been on the NeSmith Late Model schedule since December.

“I want to thank Promoters Robert Lawton and Howard Commander, who are leasing Talladega Short Track on May 1-2, and TST Promoters Lynn Phillips and Alfred Gurley for spending a lot of time with me on the phone last night and this morning, listening to our situation, and helping the series, our fans, and our competitors out of an unfortunate situation by scheduling these races at the last minute,” NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series Director Adam Stewart said. “That just goes to show the reputation this series has built over the past 11 years that four former RPM National Promoters of the Year would have enough confidence in us to bring a quality field of drivers and a professionally run show to Talladega Short Track on such short notice.”

The May 1 race at Talladega Short Track will also commemorate the 200th race in the 11-year history of the NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series. To celebrate this milestone, Savemore Commercial Laundry Equipment of Southside, AL will put up $200 to the Fast Qualifier of the race. For the 201st race on May 2, the series will present $201 to the Fast Qualifier of that event.

“To me, it’s only fitting that the 200th and 201st NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series Touring races are being held at Talladega Short Track because Promoters Lynn Phillips and Alfred Gurley hosted our second race in 2005,” NeSmith Racing Founder and CEO Mike Vaughn said. “Lynn and Alfred have believed in everything we’ve done and have been a part of this series since the beginning. They have stepped up to run not only the NeSmith Late Models, but also the Chevrolet Super Late Model Series with the Chevrolet Performance CT 525 Engine and the NeSmith/AR Bodies Street Stock Division.”

The top entrants will include the defending and two-time NeSmith Late Model National Champion and current point leader Ronnie Johnson of Chattanooga, TN, Cruise With The Champions Rookie of the Year Point leader Ryan King of Seymour, TN, Chase Edge of LaFayette, AL, Ryan Crane of Panama City, FL, Cody Martin of Christiana, TN, and Matt Henderson of Loudon, TN.

Also expected are Johnny Stokes of Columbus, MS, Justin McRee of Woodstock, AL, Marcus Minga of Shannon, MS, Michael Blount of Sumrall, MS, Frank Wilson of Milton, FL, Jeff Smith of Dalton, GA, Chris O’Connor of Cantonment, FL, Justin Shipley of Douglasville, GA, Michael Luna of Sparta, TN, and many more of the top drivers from Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, Mississippi and Florida.

The Sunoco Young Guns Challenge Series point leader and NeSmith Chevrolet Weekly Racing Series title contender 13-year-old Cruz Skinner of Oxford, AL will lead the local Talladega Short Track contingent of NeSmith Late Model drivers. On the other end of the age spectrum, the living legend 82-year-old Red Farmer of Hueytown, AL is expected to compete.

With it being NASCAR Sprint Cup and Xfinity Series weekend at Talladega Super Speedway, the place to be when the sun goes sun down on May 1 and May 2 is across the street at Talladega Short Track to see the NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series Touring Division.

NASCAR Xfinity Series driver Cale Conley of Vienna, WV competed in the first five NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series races this season and is currently eighth in the point standings. Conley will run the superspeedway during the day, and then come across the street during the evening to compete on the dirt with the NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series.

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. Racecar Engineering is the Official Parts Supplier 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 and Image Screen Printing. 2015 Chassis Sponsors are Trak-Star Race Cars, Warrior Race Cars, Rocket Chassis, GRT Race Cars, TNT Race Cars, and CVR Race Cars.