CARTERSVILLE, GA – The eight-race NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series Winter Shootout Series begins this week with the 25th Annual Icebowl at Talladega Short Track in Eastaboga, AL. The Winter Shootout Series has picked up a sponsor in RockAuto.com, and will now feature a $5,000 point fund for drivers with perfect attendance.
The action will begin on Thursday with an open practice session to prepare for the RockAuto.con Winter Shootout opener at Talladega Short Track with the gates opening at 9 a.m., and practice from 12 noon to 5 p.m. There will also be a practice on Friday with the gates opening at 9 a.m. and the practice from 12 noon to 4:30 p.m.
Qualifying and Heat Races to fill the front starting spots for the $3,000-to-win 50-lap RockAuto.com Winter Shootout opener for the NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series will be on Saturday. The gates open at 8 a.m., with Pre-Race Registration from 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. The Drivers Meeting is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. and Hot Laps will begin at 10 a.m.
The B-Main Races to fill the back half of the big show and the $3,000-to-win 50-lap main event will take place on Sunday. The gates will open at 9 a.m. with the Drivers Meeting scheduled for 11 a.m. The Opening Ceremonies for the 25th Annual Icebowl are set for 11:30 a.m. with racing at 12 noon.
RockAuto.com Winter Shootout races for the NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series are also scheduled for Bubba Raceway Park in Ocala, FL with three races on January 28, 29, and 30; a pair of races at Golden Isles Speedway in Brunswick, GA on February 5 and 6; and two races at Cochran Motor Speedway in Cochran, GA on February 27 and 28.
The Top 5 drivers with perfect attendance in the point standings will collect out of the $5,000 RockAuto.com Winter Shootout point fund. The top point driver will receive $2,500, the second-place driver will pick up $1,000, and the third-place driver will collect $700. The fourth-place driver will take home $500, and the fifth-place driver will take $300 to the bank.
Despite a fire at Talladega Short Track on December 27 that burned the Control Tower and main Concession Stand to the ground, the 25th Annual Icebowl will go on as scheduled. Crews of volunteer help that consisted of racers and fans alike have been busy at Talladega Short Track cleaning up and removing the charred remains of the building.
Portable Concession Stands have been brought in to serve the fans, and Race Control has been moved to the V.I.P. Tower in turn four of the 1/3-mile clay oval. NeSmith Racing will officiate the 25th Annual Icebowl that will also feature Super Late Models, Limited Late Models/Sportsmen, the NeSmith Performance Parts Street Stock Division, Thunder Cars, and Hot Shots.
Talladega Short Track officials have said construction of a new Control Tower and main Concession Stand will begin after the completion of the 25th Annual Icebowl. The racing surface itself was not affected by the fire, and NeSmith Racing has brought in “Dr. Dirt” Johnny Stokes from Magnolia Motor Speedway in Columbus, MS to manicure and prepare the track.
Talladega Short Track is located at 4343 Speedway Blvd., Eastaboga, AL 36260. For more information call 256-831-1413, or visit the track web site at www.talladegashorttrack.com. You can also like them on Facebook at Talladega Short Track.
For more information and rules 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.
NeSmith Chevrolet, Buick, GMC of Claxton, GA is the Title Sponsor of the NeSmith Late Models. 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 Late Models. Hoosier Racing Tire is the Official Tire Sponsor of the NeSmith Late Models. RockAuto.com is an Official Sponsor of the NeSmith Late Models. Beyea Headers is the NeSmith Late Model Hard Charger Sponsor. Sunoco Race Fuels is the Official Race Fuel of the NeSmith Late Models. Panama City Cycles is the Official ATV Provider of the NeSmith Late Models. AR Bodies is an Associate Sponsor of the NeSmith Late Models. NeSmith Late Model Contingency Sponsors for 2015 are CrateInsider.Com, Integra Racing Shocks, Image Screen Printing, and Gresham Race Parts. 2015 Chassis Sponsors are Trak-Star Race Cars, Warrior Race Cars, Rocket Chassis, GRT Race Cars, and CVR Race Cars.