CARTERSVILLE, GA – The NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series will try once again to open their 2014 season this Thursday, Friday and Saturday with a trio of $2,500-to-win races during the Super Bowl of Racing Presented By Rock Auto.com at Golden Isle Speedway in Brunswick, GA.
The teams are ready after five straight rainouts last week at Bubba Raceway Park in Ocala, FL, and the NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series did get a glimpse of what’s to come for the 2014 title chase for the $20,000 Championship and the run for the NeSmith Cup, as over 40 teams were on the grounds at Bubba Raceway Park.
Although they get did not get to turn a competitive wheel during the week, they’re equipment is fresh and ready to go for the Golden Isle Speedway races. The Thursday and Friday events will each be 30 laps in length, and the Saturday night race will be a 50-lap race.
The 2013 NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series Champion Ronnie Johnson of Chattanooga, TN will be back to defend his title. The National Dirt Late Model Hall of Fame Inductee had three wins last season, and will be looking for his 18th series career win at Golden Isles Speedway.
Another 2014 NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series Championship hopeful will be Tait Davenport of Benton, KY. Davenport finished the 2013 in strong fashion, taking the third spot in the point standings with one win, and will be looking to carry that momentum into the new season for another title run.
Johnny Stokes of Columbus, MS finished fourth in the 2013 NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series point standings, and at age 60 still has what it takes to be a front runner. Another top driver from last season was Justin McRee of Woodstock, AL, who finished fifth in the 2013 points chase win one win on the season.
Brent Barrett of Cleveland, MS missed the trip to Ocala, FL, but is planning on making the trip to Brunswick, GA this week to begin his sophomore season with the NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series. Barrett finished second in the Rookie of the Year point standings and seventh overall last season.
Josh Adkins of Talladega, AL could be one to watch in 2014, after a successful rookie season in 2013 where he finished eighth in the standings and was third in the Rookie of the Year standings. Michael Blount of Sumrall, MS was ninth last season in the standings, and is back for another title shot in 2014.
Two-time NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series Champion David Earl Gentry of Murfreesboro, TN ran a limited schedule last season, but still finished tenth in the point standings. Gentry is the top series career money earner, and is ready for a full season in 2014 in quest of his third NeSmith Cup.
There is also a quartet of former NeSmith Chevrolet DLMS Top 10 drivers returning for 2014. Shannon Lee of Lumberton, MS has a pair of Top 5 NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series point finishes on his resume, and he will be joined by former Top 10 series drivers Tootie Arnold of Meadville, MS, Frank Wilson of Milton, FL, and Marcus Minga of Shannon, MS.
Then there are the newcomers looking to be the breakout driver of the NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series for 2014. Two drivers that showed potential in limited action last season were Mack McCarter of Gatlinburg, TN and Montana Dudley of Phenix City, AL. Three other newcomers for 2014 are Adam Ray of Smithland, KY, Ronald Dunn of Corinth, MS, and Cody Martin of Christiana, TN.
Four drivers have thrown their hats in the ring to run for the NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series 2014 Rookie of the Year Award. Chris Noah of Rainbow City, AL, Paul Jorgensen of Blackshear, GA, Wil Herrington of Cochran, GA, and Ken Monahan of Lakeland, FL will battle for the top Rookie driver prize of $5,000.
Other drivers expected for the NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series Super Bowl of Racing Presented By Rock Auto.com at Golden Isles Speedway are NASCAR star Joey Coulter of Concord, NC, Jacob Hawkins of Fairmont, WV, Cecil Eunice of Blackshear, GA, and Mark Whitener of Middleburg, FL.
The on track action for the NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series Super Bowl of Racing Presented By Rock Auto.com at Golden Isles Speedway will begin with a practice session on Wednesday night from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m.
On Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, the pit gate opens at 12 Noon with NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series Pre-Race Registration and Technical Inspection from 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. The Drivers Meeting is set for 4:30 p.m., and Hot Laps are scheduled for 5 p.m.
Golden Isles Speedway is located 12 miles west of I-95 at Exit 29 on U.S. Highway 82. The physical address for Golden Isles Speedway is 101 Speedway Drive, Waynesville, GA 31566. For more information call 912-778-3767, or visit the track web site at www.goldenislesspeedway.com. You can also like their Facebook Page at Golden Isles Speedway.
For more information and rules about the NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series, visit the series all-new 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.
NeSmith Chevrolet, Buick, GMC of Claxton, GA is the Title Sponsor of the NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series. NeSmith Chevrolet, Buick, GMC is the nation’s number one GM Powertrain and Performance Dealer six years running, with free delivery anywhere in the Southeast. Chevrolet Performance Parts is an Official Sponsor of the NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series. Hoosier Racing Tire is the Official Tire Sponsor of the NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series. Hedman Hedders is the Official Hedder of the NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series and the Hedman Husler Award sponsor. RockAuto.com is an Official Sponsor of the NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series. Racecar Engineering is the Official Parts Supplier of the NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series. Renegade Race and Performance Fuels are a series Associate Sponsor and fuel supplier. AR Bodies is an Associate Sponsor of the NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series. NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series Contingency Sponsors for 2013 are Dominator Race Products, Stealth Racing Carburetors, Modern Images, Mike Custom Tanks, Shorty’s Shock Service, Schoenfeld Headers, J.T. Kerr Racing Equipment, Kinser Air Filters, Velocita Racewear, and Performance Rod & Custom. 2013 Chassis Sponsors are Trak-Star Race Cars, Warrior Race Cars, Rocket Chassis, GRT Race Cars, TNT Race Cars, Stinger Race Cars, and CVR Race Cars.