FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

May 6, 2021

Cool Temperatures and a Rainy Forecast Doom Spring Nationals Again at Wythe Raceway

(BRASSTOWN, NORTH CAROLINA) For the second time in a little over a month, cool temperatures and a rainy forecast have doomed the Schaeffer’s Oil Spring Nationals Series inaugural visit to Wythe Raceway. Track owner Fred Brown and series promoter Ray Cook jointly made the decision this morning to cancel the $10,053 to win event scheduled for Friday, May 7 at the Rural Retreat, Virginia speedplant. With no open dates on the miniseries schedule for the remainder of 2021, the program will not be rescheduled. The Schaeffer’s Oil Southern Nationals Series will make a stop at Wythe Raceway on Saturday, July 17; however, for the second show of the summer tour.

“We really hate to lose the Wythe Raceway race – it was shaping up to have a solid field of cars and I know the fans really love going to that place,” quoted Cook this morning. “They are supposed to get rain all morning on Friday and that’s not an ideal place when it gets wet like that with the way they park in the infield after crossing the track. Plus with the cooler temperatures in the 40s at night in the mountains, Fred (Brown) thought it was the smartest decision to call it early and save drivers, teams, and fans added travel expense. We look forward to working with Fred and Wythe Raceway this summer and hopefully we can finally get a spring race in with them in 2022!”

All eyes are now fixated on Smoky Mountain Speedway in Maryville, Tennessee, as the Schaeffer’s Oil Spring Nationals Series rolls into town on Saturday evening, May 8. The Mother’s Day weekend special – dubbed as the ‘Smoky Mountain Spring Shootout’ – will boast a $10,053 payday and a strong field of Super Late Model drivers will be on hand to vie for their share of the $30,000+ purse. The Schaeffer’s Oil Spring Nationals Series has visited the historic Volunteer State oval on five different occasions, which has produced five different winners: Tommy Kerr ('13), Billy Ogle, Jr. ('14), Casey Roberts ('15), Scott Bloomquist ('16), and Dale McDowell ('19).

Jonathan Davenport (Tazewell Speedway), Brandon Overton (I-75 Raceway), David Payne (Tri-County Race Track), Dale McDowell (Crossville Speedway), and Tanner English (Clarksville Speedway) have already picked up wins with the Schaeffer’s Oil Spring Nationals Series during the 2021 campaign. A total of seven drivers have perfect attendance so far, which keeps their hopes alive to pocket the $10,053 payday for claiming the Championship. Currently, Dirt Late Model Hall of Famer Dale McDowell has a twenty-four point lead over two-time miniseries champion Donald McIntosh in the point chase with Cory Hedgec0ck, David Payne, and Stacy Boles rounding out the top five.

At Smoky Mountain on Saturday, May 8, the pit gates will open at 2:00pm, while the grandstands and tier parking will open an hour later at 3:00pm. Admission into the grandstands is $25.00 for ages 12 and up, while children ages 11 and under will be admitted for FREE. Those ages 12 and up will be admitted into tier parking and the pit area for $40.00. Kids ages 11 and under will be allowed into tier parking for FREE, while the same age group will be admitted into the pit area for only $20.00.

A full show of FK Rod Ends Group A & B qualifying, heat races, consolation events, and a 53-lap feature event will be held on Saturday. The tire rule at Smoky Mountain Speedway will be Hoosier 1350 and 1600; American Racer 48 and 56. The entry fee will be $100.00 and transponders will be available to rent. Any driver not advancing into the 22-car feature filed will receive 75.00 in tow money. Along with the ground-pounding Super Late Models on the three-division racing card will be the 604 Late Models ($1,500 to win) and the Open Wheel Modifieds ($1,200 to win).

Smoky Mountain Speedway can be found at 809 Brick Mill Road in Maryville, TN 37801 and the track phone number is 865-856-8989. If you can’t make it to the Knoxville area this weekend, all of the dirt-slinging action will be broadcast LIVE on www.floracing.com. Learn more about the Volunteer State facility online at www.smokymtnspeed.com.

Purse for Saturday, May 8 at Smoky Mountain (TN) Speedway:
1) $10,053, 2) $5,000, 3) $2,500, 4) $1,800, 5) $1,250, 6) $900, 7) $800, 8) $700, 9) $675, 10) $650, 11) $625, 12) $600, 13) $575, 14) $550, 15) $525, 16) $500, 17) $500, 18) $500, 19) $500, 20) $500, 21) $500, 22) $500 --- $30,703 TOTAL

Current Schaeffer’s Oil Spring Nationals Series Point Standings:
1. Dale McDowell - 972
2. Donald McIntosh - 948
3. Cory Hedgec0ck - 932
4. David Payne - 876
5. Stacy Boles - 862
6. Jeff Neubert - 763
7. Johnny Cloer - 739
8. Jensen Ford - 668
9. John Ownbey - 556
10. Jadon Frame - 544

2021 Schaeffer’s Oil Spring Nationals Series Schedule:
Saturday, April 3 - Tazewell Speedway (Tazewell, TN) – JONATHAN DAVENPORT
Friday, April 16 - I-75 Raceway (Sweetwater, TN) – BRANDON OVERTON
Friday, April 23 - Tri-County Race Track (Brasstown, NC) – DAVID PAYNE
Friday, April 30 - Crossville Speedway (Crossville, TN) – DALE MCDOWELL
Saturday, May 1 - Clarksville Speedway (Clarksville, TN) – TANNER ENGLISH
Friday, May 7 - Wythe Raceway (Rural Retreat, VA) – CANCELED / WEATHER
Saturday, May 8 - Smoky Mountain Speedway (Maryville, Tennessee) - $10,053 to win
Saturday, May 29 - Dixie Speedway (Woodstock, Georgia) - $4,053 to win
Sunday, May 30 - Rome Speedway (Rome, Georgia) - $4,053 to win
Monday, May 31 - 411 Motor Speedway (Seymour, Tennessee) - $10,052 to win

For more information on the Schaeffer’s Oil Spring Nationals Series presented by Sunoco Race Fuels, please point your Internet browser to www.SouthernNationalsSeries.com or feel free to call series promoter Ray Cook at 828-360-5353. You can also follow us across social media platforms on facebook.com/southernnationalsseries and on Twitter @sonationals.

The Spring Nationals Series would like to thank all of our 2021 marketing partners including: Schaeffer’s Oil & Specialized Lubricants, Sunoco Race Fuels, American Race Tires, Delph Communications, E-Z-GO, Arizona Sport Shirts, Capital Race Cars, Collins Signs, DirtonDirt.com, FK Rod Ends, Hoosier Racing Tire, Keyser Manufacturing, MasterSbilt Race Cars, RockAuto.com, Wiles Driveshafts, Vic Hill Racing Engines, The Steering Buddy, Knowles Race Parts & Bodies, Coosa Heating & Air, The Joie of Seating, and DirtCarLift.com.

About Schaeffer’s Oil & Specialized Lubricants:
Schaeffer's Specialized Lubricants: synthetic motor oils, hydraulic fluids, and diesel fuel additives have achieved a world-class reputation for improving engine performance and fuel economy, but their diverse product line includes all types of industrial lubricants, industrial greases, and industrial oils as well as specialty items like their chain lubes and degreasers. Founded in 1839, their philosophy is to provide advanced lubricants for improved performance, reliability, and fuel economy. Learn more or find a rep near you at www.SchaefferOil.com.

Media Contact: Ryan Delph - Delph Communications
www.DelphCommunications.com