CARTERSVILLE, GA – The NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series Touring Division opens the 2013 season with the five-race Rock Auto.com Speedweeks Presented by Racecar Engineering on January 28 through February 2 at Bubba Raceway Park in Ocala, FL.  Rock Auto.com and Racecar Engineering have combined to offer a $10,000 cash point fund.

The action will begin on January 28 with an open practice session, and the first of four 40-lap $2,000-to-win races will be held on January 29.  Three more 40-lap $2,000-to-win races will follow on January 30, 31, and February 1, with the February 2 finale running 50-laps and paying $3,000-to-win.

Drivers that compete in all five NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series events at Bubba Raceway Park will be eligible for the Rock Auto.com/Racecar Engineering $10,000 point fund that will pay back 30 spots in the point standings after the February 2 race.  Those drivers will also be eligible for a drawing of special product contingency awards.

Several companies have put up product awards worth at least $500 apiece for the Top 30 drivers that compete in all five nights of NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series competition in the Rock Auto.com Speedweeks Presented by Racecar Engineering. 

Companies to date that have provided Contingency Product Awards for the NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series Rock Auto.com Speedweeks Presented by Racecar Engineering are VP Racing Fuels, Hoosier Racing Tire, Velocita Racewear, Hendren’s Race Engines, Mike’s Custom Tanks, Dominator Race Products, KRC, AR Bodies, Bilstein Shocks and Hedman Husler Hedders.

The NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series begins a new tradition to open their season with the Rock Auto.com Speedweeks Presented by Racecar Engineering at Bubba Raceway Park.

“We’re excited to open our season for the first time at Bubba Raceway Park with the Rock Auto.com Speedweeks Presented by Racecar Engineering with five straight nights of racing and a separate $10,000 cash Point Fund       and special Contingency Awards,” NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series Founder and Director Mike Vaughn said.  “As we saw in December at the World Championship Race, Bubba Raceway Park is a great place to race with plenty of three and four-wide racing.  Bubba Raceway Park is also very fan friendly and they will treated to some great racing.”

The points for the 2013NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series Championship will be taken from a driver’s best three point nights over the five-race Rock Auto.com Speedweeks Presented by Racecar Engineering.  The 2012 NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series Champion Matthew Turner of Dawsonville, GA will return to defend his title.

Drivers also planning to race for the 2013 championship are two-time series champion David Earl Gentry of Murfreesboro, TN, Larry Harrod of Plains, GA, Chase Edge of Lafayette, AL, Johnny Stokes of Columbus, MS, 2013 Rookie of the Year Chris Cantrell of Chester, SC, and Michael Blount of Sumrall, MS.

Jeremy Shaw of Millport, AL is the first driver to officially declare his intentions on competing for the 2013 Rookie of the Year Award with the NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series Touring Division.  Shaw won two races last year in limited action on the tour, and he finished fifth in the 2012 NeSmith Chevrolet Weekly Racing Series point standings.

In addition to the cars and stars of the Georgia-based NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series, many top competitors from the Northern States RUSH Racing Series will be in action including Doug Horton of Bruceton Mills, WV and Ryan Montgomery of Fairmount, WV.  Crate Racin’ USA, the sanctioning body for the NeSmith Chevrolet DLMS, has formed an alliance with the RUSH Racing Series for 2013.

Over 50 entrants are expected for the NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series Rock Auto.com Speedweeks Presented by Racecar Engineering at Bubba Raceway Park on January 28 through February 2.

The Howard Johnson’s Hotel in Ocala, FL at Exit 354 on I-75 is the Official Host Hotel for the NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series Rock Auto.com Speedweeks Presented by Racecar Engineering at Bubba Raceway Park.

The Howard Johnson’s Hotel is offering NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series fans and competitors a special discount rate of $64.99 per night plus tax.  Rooms are going fast, so call 352-629-7021 to make reservations, and ask for the NeSmith Racing special discount rate.  The physical address for the Howard Johnson’s Hotel is 3951 NW Blitchton Road, Ocala FL  34482.

Located just minutes from Bubba Raceway Park, the Howard Johnson’s Hotel has freshly remodeled rooms, each equipped with a mini fridge and a microwave, plus free high-speed internet service.  They also have a free continental breakfast and offer a hot breakfast for $4.99, a pool and hot tub.  There is also a plethora of restaurants and shopping close by.  For more information visit the Howard Johnson’s web site at www.hotelocala.com.

Bubba Raceway Park is located north of Ocala, FL at 9050 N.W. Gainesville Road, Ocala, FL 34482.  For more information call 352-622-9400, or visit the track web site at www.bubbaracewaypark.com and on Facebook at Bubba Raceway Park.

For more information 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.