CARTERSVILLE, GA – The NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series will visit Cochran Motor Speedway in Cochran, GA for the first time this Friday night and Saturday night for Rounds 13 and 14 of the 2015 National Touring season. This Friday night will be a $2,000-to-win 40-lap race, and Saturday night’s event will be a $4,000-to-win 50-lap event.

The two Cochran, GA races will feature a clash of the NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series regulars and the tough Cochran Motor Speedway and South Georgia local favorites. One of the most competitive fields of dirt late model competitors is expected this weekend at Cochran Motor Speedway.

Defending and two-time NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series National Champion Ronnie Johnson of Chattanooga, TN will arrive at Cochran Motor Speedway on Friday as the Touring Division point leader in search of his unprecedented third straight title. The National Dirt Late Model Hall of Fame Inductee has a 100-point lead over Chase Edge of LaFayette, AL.

In 12 starts, Johnson has 1,028 points after one win, five top five finishes, and ten top ten finishes. Edge will be looking for a good weekend in Cochran, GA to keep pace with Johnson in the battle for the $10,000 National Championship. In his last visit to South Georgia, Edge found Victory Lane at Waycross Motor Speedway in Waycross, GA. Edge has 928 points after one win, three top five finishes, seven top ten finishes, and one fast time award in 12 starts.

Behind Johnson and Edge, there are four drivers in the third through sixth spots in the NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series National Touring Division point standings that are also battling for the 2015 Cruise With The Champions Rookie of the Year Award.

Ryan King of Seymour, TN is third in the National Touring Division points and he leads the Cruise With The Champions Rookie of the Year standings with 892 points after two top five finishes and five top ten finishes in 12 starts. King has a 38-point advantage over Matt Henderson of Loudon, TN, who has become a fan favorite, driving the #H2 Duayne Hommel Tribute Car.

Henderson has also seen South Georgia success with a win in February at Golden Isle Speedway in Brunswick, GA. Henderson has 854 points with one win, four top five finishes, seven top ten finishes, and a series leading two fast time awards in 12 races. Henderson is fourth in the National points and second in the Rookie points.

Ryan Crane of Panama City, FL is fifth in the NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series standings and is third in the Cruise With The Champions Rookie of the Year standings with 806 points. Crane has five top ten finishes in 12 races. Cody Martin of Christiana, TN is sixth in the National points and fourth in the RoY standings with 744 points after two top ten finishes in 12 races.

Other top NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series drivers expected this weekend at Cochran Motor Speedway are Marcus Minga of Shannon, MS, Roderick Dykes of Smith Station, GA, Michael Blount of Sumrall, MS, and 13-year-old Will Roland of Jasper, GA.

Dykes has been a South Georgia NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series winner this season at Golden Isle Speedway. Roland is also competing for points in the Sunoco Young Guns Challenge Series for NeSmith Late Model drivers 18 years of age and younger.

The local favorites at Cochran Motor Speedway will be ready to put forth a strong effort to keep the big money on their home turf during the NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series two-day visit. Look for track regulars Will Herrington of Cochran, GA, Montana Dudley of Phenix City, AL, Larry Harrod of Plains, GA, and Jimmy Thomas of Phenix City, AL.

South Georgia favorites will be well represented this weekend at Cochran Motor Speedway with expected entries from Blackshear, GA drivers Cecil Eunice, Hunter Carter, and Sunoco Young Guns Challenge Series driver Ryan Carter, along with Swainsboro, GA drivers Jeremy Faircloth, Ben Faircloth, and Chesley Dixon, plus Mallory Harvey of Baxley, GA, and Ches Chester of Twin City, GA.

On both Friday and Saturday, the pit gate opens at 4 p.m. with NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt late Model Series Pre-Race Registration and Technical Inspection from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. The Drivers Meeting is set for 6:30 p.m. with Hot Laps to follow.

Cochran Motor Speedway is located at 241 Jim Wimberly Road, Cochran, GA 31014. For more information call 478-456-4036, or visit the Cochran Motor Speedway web site at www.cochranspeedway.com. You can also like their Facebook page at Cochran Motor 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.


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, 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, TNT Race Cars, and CVR Race Cars.