Southern Thunder Series Proposed For The 2023 Racing Season

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CUBA, AL – Motorsports businessmen Mike Boland and Robert Brown are proposing a new Dirt Late Model sanctioning body around the Chevrolet Performance 602 Circle Track Engine called the Southern Thunder Series for 2023. Boland and Brown are proposing as many as 16 races paying a minimum of $1,000-to-win., with a graduated increase with an increase in car count.

The two men are spearheading the effort to give racers and tracks an economical option to make a little extra money in a tough economy. There will also be a proposed Season Points Fund for the Southern Thunder Series. Boland and Brown have spoken with several dirt track owners in Mississippi and Alabama that have shown interest in the new motorsports endeavor.

“We are looking to sanction Special Events for the 602 Late Models at tracks within a three-hour radius of Central Mississippi,” Boland said. “Tracks that have shown an interest in scheduling Southern Thunder Series events in 2023 include Magnolia Motor Speedway and Columbus Speedway in Columbus, MS, Jackson Motor Speedway in Jackson, MS, Buckshot Speedway in Clanton, AL, Tri-County Speedway in Flomaton, AL, and Talladega Short Track in Eastaboga, AL”

Boland has spent over 40 years as a Dirt Late Model competitor and constructor through his Cuba, AL-based Boland Performance that manufactures Trak-Star Race Cars. He is a 2023 Inductee in the National Dirt Late Model Hall of Fame. Brown owns Brown Engineering Racing Engines located in Aberdeen, MS.

“The 602 Late Model is now the affordable way to go Dirt Late Model racing, and the goal of the Southern Thunder Series is to give entry level late model racers an opportunity to travel to different tracks to compete without having to spend a lot of money to do so,” Boland said. “We intend to keep the purses low because big purses bring in big spenders and more experienced racers. We also want to make these races affordable to track owners in a tough economy.”

The engines that will power the Southern Thunder Series Dirt Late Models are the affordable all-steel 350 horsepower Chevrolet Performance 602 “Crate” Engines that are built and sealed at the factory to prevent any expensive modifications. The Southern Thunder Series will also utilize an affordable Shock Rule with a claim option.

The Chevrolet Performance 602 powerplants are called crate engines by Chevrolet Performance because of the wooden containers that are used to ship the engines to Chevrolet Performance Dealers across the county, and then on to the racers.

The Southern Thunder Series rules will be released soon, as the 2023 schedule comes together. For more information about the Southern Thunder Series, contact Mike Boland at 601-527-2990, or by E-Mail at mboland222@bellsouth.net, and Robert Brown can be reached at 662-436-0977.

[bullring]

Why not run a 604? 50 more horsepower in a late model would be a great improvement for a few bucks difference.

[dirtcrazy4u]

1000.00 to win ? There is not 1 car that is going to make or even break even. This deal doesn't last.

[HoosierDirtFan]

1000.00 to win ? There is not 1 car that is going to make or even break even. This deal doesn't last.

There is a possibility is could last. As far as breaking even that will probably only be the winner if that. The Sooner Late Model Series races for mostly a $1,000 to win. Outside of the 602 Red Clay Series what other 602 series is out there. There are a few 604 series and they do fine. Guess we all wait and see what their car counts look like though out the year.

[Wells Racing Photos]

Why not run a 604? 50 more horsepower in a late model would be a great improvement for a few bucks difference.

The CrateRacinUSA series is already well established in that area, there is also probably a need for a 602 regional series as well.

[MasterSbilt_Racer]

Why not run a 604? 50 more horsepower in a late model would be a great improvement for a few bucks difference.

It's more than a few bucks. I laugh as we keep taking power away from the car to make it cheaper but the thing makes so much downforce you can bolt down 600 hp under any conditions. Crate are just about who gets out front and has it loose enough to flat foot it. When do we start putting crate 4 bangers in?

[HoosierDirtFan]

1000.00 to win ? There is not 1 car that is going to make or even break even. This deal doesn't last.

There is a possibility is could last. As far as breaking even that will probably only be the winner if that. The Sooner Late Model Series races for mostly a $1,000 to win. Outside of the 602 Red Clay Series what other 602 series is out there. There are a few 604 series and they do fine. Guess we all wait and see what their car counts look like though out the year.