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Early SHAMROCK Forecasted for Cleveland Speedway 2013 Opener, March 9th
CLEVELAND, Tenn.(2/15/2013) -- As always the Cleveland Speedway will kick-off the racing season with the 18th annual SHAMROCK event, though this season a tad bit earlier than normal. The Southern All-Star sanctioned event will take place, Saturday March 9th and like its recent yearly predecessors will boast a $10,000 payday at the conclusion of the 50 lapper. This edition of spring-time classic event will host again an array of the best Super Late Model talent from around the country. Last season Jimmy Owens of Newport, TN added his name to the who's who list of past champions before strolling on to his second consecutive National Championship which wrapped up with a over $200,000 late season prize money earnings record.
The SHAMROCK came to fruition when late owner Joe Lee Johnson decided to bookend his racing schedule. The GOBBLER always closed out the schedule in November, so in early 1994 Johnson and promoter B.J. Parker came up with a March race. The SHAMROCK was born on March 12th, that year when Ringgold, Georgia's Rex Richey took the checkers. As for most wins, Scott Bloomquist still has the most SHAMROCK's in his trophy den. The Mooresburg, TN, racing superstar has three victories, which is one more than Batesville, Arkansas' Billy Moyer, Dale McDowell and Duayne Hommel. The only local Super Late Model racer to ever claim a SHAMROCK title was Ricky Holland in 2000, when the nearby Georgetown, Tennessee native held off McDowell for his biggest career victory.
The list of racers that are expected to be in action at Cleveland Speedway in 2013 including the three time SHAMROCK champion Bloomquist as well as reigning SHAMROCK champion Owens. Recent GOBBLER winner Randy Weaver of Crossville, TN should be in competition as should Cleveland's fan favorite Dale McDowell of Chickamauga, GA. As for regional S.A.S SLM racers looking to take this years $10,000 prize, former series champion Billy Ogle Jr. is likely along with local favorite Skip Arp of nearby Georgetown. Last season S.A.S Rookie of the Year Mike Weeks, S.R.R.S champion Riley Hickman from Ooltewah and current track champion Jason Welshan or Maryville will likely be vying for the top prize Saturday, March 9th.
As a bonus to racefans the S.A.S will not be the only division in action Saturday, March 9th. The Steel-head LLM's and Crate LM's will share second billing as they compete in a pair of $1,200 to-WIN "DOUBLE TROUBLE" features. Also in action will be the A & B-Hobby divisions. The Pony and FWD classes will not be in action, but are scheduled to begin racing the following weekend. Last season the LLM/Crate division was combined, but in 2013 the Late Model style classes will see separate action. Gates are tentatively scheduled to open at 2PM on raceday with Hot Laps Practice beginning around 5:30PM EST. Cleveland Speedway is less than 20-miles North of Chattanooga, Tennessee, off I-75 in the town of Cleveland, TN. For more details call the track at (423)479-8574, or visit the on-line web-site at www.clevelandspeedway.com.
Race History:
2012: Jimmy Owens (#20) of Newport, TN
2011: Shane Clanton (#25) of Locust Grove, GA
2010: Jonathan Davenport (#49) of Blairesville, GA
2009: Billy Moyer (#21) of Batesville, AR
2008: RAINED OUT
2007: Chris Madden (#44) of Gaffney, SC
2006: Scott Bloomquist (#0) of Mooresburg, TN
2005: Dale McDowell (#17M) of Chickamagua, GA
2004: Patrick Duggan (#15) of Lenior City, TN
2003: Duayne Hommel (#H2) of Newport, TN
2002: Duayne Hommel (#H2) of Newport, TN
2001: Dan Schleiper (#s9) of Sullivan, WI
2000: Ricky Holland (#42) of Georgetown, TN
1999: Dale McDowell (#17M) of Chickamagua, GA
1998: RAINED OUT
1997: Scott Bloomquist (#0) of Mooresburg, TN
1996: Billy Moyer (#21) of Batesville, AR
1995: Scott Bloomquist (#0) of Mooresburg, TN
1994: Rex Richey (#87) of Ringgold, GA
CLEVELAND, Tenn.(2/15/2013) -- As always the Cleveland Speedway will kick-off the racing season with the 18th annual SHAMROCK event, though this season a tad bit earlier than normal. The Southern All-Star sanctioned event will take place, Saturday March 9th and like its recent yearly predecessors will boast a $10,000 payday at the conclusion of the 50 lapper. This edition of spring-time classic event will host again an array of the best Super Late Model talent from around the country. Last season Jimmy Owens of Newport, TN added his name to the who's who list of past champions before strolling on to his second consecutive National Championship which wrapped up with a over $200,000 late season prize money earnings record.
The SHAMROCK came to fruition when late owner Joe Lee Johnson decided to bookend his racing schedule. The GOBBLER always closed out the schedule in November, so in early 1994 Johnson and promoter B.J. Parker came up with a March race. The SHAMROCK was born on March 12th, that year when Ringgold, Georgia's Rex Richey took the checkers. As for most wins, Scott Bloomquist still has the most SHAMROCK's in his trophy den. The Mooresburg, TN, racing superstar has three victories, which is one more than Batesville, Arkansas' Billy Moyer, Dale McDowell and Duayne Hommel. The only local Super Late Model racer to ever claim a SHAMROCK title was Ricky Holland in 2000, when the nearby Georgetown, Tennessee native held off McDowell for his biggest career victory.
The list of racers that are expected to be in action at Cleveland Speedway in 2013 including the three time SHAMROCK champion Bloomquist as well as reigning SHAMROCK champion Owens. Recent GOBBLER winner Randy Weaver of Crossville, TN should be in competition as should Cleveland's fan favorite Dale McDowell of Chickamauga, GA. As for regional S.A.S SLM racers looking to take this years $10,000 prize, former series champion Billy Ogle Jr. is likely along with local favorite Skip Arp of nearby Georgetown. Last season S.A.S Rookie of the Year Mike Weeks, S.R.R.S champion Riley Hickman from Ooltewah and current track champion Jason Welshan or Maryville will likely be vying for the top prize Saturday, March 9th.
As a bonus to racefans the S.A.S will not be the only division in action Saturday, March 9th. The Steel-head LLM's and Crate LM's will share second billing as they compete in a pair of $1,200 to-WIN "DOUBLE TROUBLE" features. Also in action will be the A & B-Hobby divisions. The Pony and FWD classes will not be in action, but are scheduled to begin racing the following weekend. Last season the LLM/Crate division was combined, but in 2013 the Late Model style classes will see separate action. Gates are tentatively scheduled to open at 2PM on raceday with Hot Laps Practice beginning around 5:30PM EST. Cleveland Speedway is less than 20-miles North of Chattanooga, Tennessee, off I-75 in the town of Cleveland, TN. For more details call the track at (423)479-8574, or visit the on-line web-site at www.clevelandspeedway.com.
Race History:
2012: Jimmy Owens (#20) of Newport, TN
2011: Shane Clanton (#25) of Locust Grove, GA
2010: Jonathan Davenport (#49) of Blairesville, GA
2009: Billy Moyer (#21) of Batesville, AR
2008: RAINED OUT
2007: Chris Madden (#44) of Gaffney, SC
2006: Scott Bloomquist (#0) of Mooresburg, TN
2005: Dale McDowell (#17M) of Chickamagua, GA
2004: Patrick Duggan (#15) of Lenior City, TN
2003: Duayne Hommel (#H2) of Newport, TN
2002: Duayne Hommel (#H2) of Newport, TN
2001: Dan Schleiper (#s9) of Sullivan, WI
2000: Ricky Holland (#42) of Georgetown, TN
1999: Dale McDowell (#17M) of Chickamagua, GA
1998: RAINED OUT
1997: Scott Bloomquist (#0) of Mooresburg, TN
1996: Billy Moyer (#21) of Batesville, AR
1995: Scott Bloomquist (#0) of Mooresburg, TN
1994: Rex Richey (#87) of Ringgold, GA