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Cleveland, TN (November 7th, 2011) Cleveland Speedway’s Gobbler will once again set the stage for the Southern All Stars Dirt Racing Series season finale. The 23rd Edition of the annual November classic will once again pay $5,000 to the winner and will ultimately determine the champion of the season-long point battle. The season began at the same legendary facility during the running of the March Shamrock event and will culminate at the final 50 lap event scheduled for Saturday, November 19th during the Gobbler/Joe Lee Johnson Memorial.
Current series point leader Billy Ogle Jr. of Knoxville holds a slim two point lead (factoring in 2 drops) in the season standings over William Thomas of Phenix City, Alabama, who had held the lead for much of the 2011 season until the most recent series event which was won by Ogle at Smoky Mountain Speedway in Maryville, TN on September 24th. “It’s only fitting that the title will come down to the last race of the seasonâ€, stated Series Director Brad Byrd. “Both drivers have had great seasons and are each worthy of the title but we can only crown one champion so it will make for a very exciting show come November 19th.â€
Ogle and Thomas will certainly be contenders but they will face a bevy of strong competition at the legendary third mile Tennessee oval. While many drivers are expected to be in competition, there are two southern hot shoes that will be considered early favorites and that’s two-time SAS Champion Chris Madden of Gray Court, South Carolina, who won the most recent SAS event held at Cleveland on August 20th and Blairsville Georgia’s Jonathan Davenport who won an SAS event back in May at Cleveland and seems to always be the one to beat when he makes an appearance at the southeastern Tennessee oval.
Along with Ogle, Thomas, Madden and Davenport, fans can also expect to see series regulars Tommy Kerr of Maryville and David Payne of Murphy, NC who are only separated by four points in third and fourth respectively and fifth place Brian Reese of Sharpsburg, GA. Other drivers expected to be in competition include national stars like Shane Clanton, winner of the March Shamrock at Cleveland, Ray Cook, Clint Smith and regional standouts like Skip Arp, Randy Weaver and Todd Morrow along with a strong contingent of locals led by the likes of Kevin Gibson, Riley Hickman, Kayne Hickman and Derek Ellis and fans can expect an event nothing short of spectacular.
The Southern All Stars racing format will consist of VP Race Fuels Race for the Pole Qualifying, locking in the top ten, Hoosier Tire South consolation heats and the 50 lap, $5,000 to win 23rd Annual Gobbler Main Event.
In addition to SAS Late Models the Steel Head/Crate combined Late Models will compete for $1,500 to win. A $50 entry fee will be charged for this division. The weights for the Steel Head cars are 2350 lbs. while the Crate cars are 2200 lbs. with a 12 inch spoiler or a 12X24 inch left rear spoiler. The Limited’s and Hobby’s will be competing for $400 to the winner with a $20 entry fee. The ‘Stacey McCalister Memorial’ for the Pony Cars will be $500 to win with a $20 entry fee. The tire rule for all local divisions apply consisting of Hoosier 1600/1350/21/55 or an American Racer 56.
Gate times are as follows: Pits are scheduled to open at 3:00pm, Stands at 4:00pm and driver’s meeting is scheduled for 5:00pm with hot laps to follow.
Cleveland Speedway is located at 420 South Lee Highway in Cleveland, Tennessee. For more information on tickets or directions please visit www.clevelandspeedway.com or call (423) 479-8574. For Series information please visit www.southernallstarsracingseries.com or call (865) 919-5550.
Current series point leader Billy Ogle Jr. of Knoxville holds a slim two point lead (factoring in 2 drops) in the season standings over William Thomas of Phenix City, Alabama, who had held the lead for much of the 2011 season until the most recent series event which was won by Ogle at Smoky Mountain Speedway in Maryville, TN on September 24th. “It’s only fitting that the title will come down to the last race of the seasonâ€, stated Series Director Brad Byrd. “Both drivers have had great seasons and are each worthy of the title but we can only crown one champion so it will make for a very exciting show come November 19th.â€
Ogle and Thomas will certainly be contenders but they will face a bevy of strong competition at the legendary third mile Tennessee oval. While many drivers are expected to be in competition, there are two southern hot shoes that will be considered early favorites and that’s two-time SAS Champion Chris Madden of Gray Court, South Carolina, who won the most recent SAS event held at Cleveland on August 20th and Blairsville Georgia’s Jonathan Davenport who won an SAS event back in May at Cleveland and seems to always be the one to beat when he makes an appearance at the southeastern Tennessee oval.
Along with Ogle, Thomas, Madden and Davenport, fans can also expect to see series regulars Tommy Kerr of Maryville and David Payne of Murphy, NC who are only separated by four points in third and fourth respectively and fifth place Brian Reese of Sharpsburg, GA. Other drivers expected to be in competition include national stars like Shane Clanton, winner of the March Shamrock at Cleveland, Ray Cook, Clint Smith and regional standouts like Skip Arp, Randy Weaver and Todd Morrow along with a strong contingent of locals led by the likes of Kevin Gibson, Riley Hickman, Kayne Hickman and Derek Ellis and fans can expect an event nothing short of spectacular.
The Southern All Stars racing format will consist of VP Race Fuels Race for the Pole Qualifying, locking in the top ten, Hoosier Tire South consolation heats and the 50 lap, $5,000 to win 23rd Annual Gobbler Main Event.
In addition to SAS Late Models the Steel Head/Crate combined Late Models will compete for $1,500 to win. A $50 entry fee will be charged for this division. The weights for the Steel Head cars are 2350 lbs. while the Crate cars are 2200 lbs. with a 12 inch spoiler or a 12X24 inch left rear spoiler. The Limited’s and Hobby’s will be competing for $400 to the winner with a $20 entry fee. The ‘Stacey McCalister Memorial’ for the Pony Cars will be $500 to win with a $20 entry fee. The tire rule for all local divisions apply consisting of Hoosier 1600/1350/21/55 or an American Racer 56.
Gate times are as follows: Pits are scheduled to open at 3:00pm, Stands at 4:00pm and driver’s meeting is scheduled for 5:00pm with hot laps to follow.
Cleveland Speedway is located at 420 South Lee Highway in Cleveland, Tennessee. For more information on tickets or directions please visit www.clevelandspeedway.com or call (423) 479-8574. For Series information please visit www.southernallstarsracingseries.com or call (865) 919-5550.
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