Buddy Rogers Memorial 44 Visit Marks First Trip by SAS to ‘The Taz’ Since ‘06
HUNTSVILLE, AL (August 26, 2012)—For the first time since June of 2006, the Southern All Stars Dirt Racing Series will make an appearance to the ‘Bad Fast’ Tazewell Speedway in Tazewell, TN for the Fourth annual running of the Buddy Rogers Memorial, a Labor Day Holiday Weekend Classic on Sunday Night September 2nd.
This will mark the 14th appearance ever by the Alabama based SAS organization to Tazewell Speedway. The SAS first appeared on the Tazewell schedule in May of 1997 with Scott Sexton of Pigeon Forge, TN claiming the event win. The series would run the high banks annually through 2006. When the SAS last visited Tazewell, Chris Madden of Gray Court, SC claimed the event win. Among winners of SAS at Tazewell, that list includes: Jimmy Owens of Newport, TN (twice); Duayne Hommel of Newport, TN (twice); Scott Sexton (twice) and single victories by Skip Arp, Billy Ogle Jr., Mike Head, Chris Madden, Steve Smith, John Thompson and three time SAS Champ Ronnie Johnson.
Randy Weaver of Crossville, TN who drives the Outlaw Race Products sponsored GRT Race Car leads the contingent of SAS travelers into Tazewell Speedway over second place driver Mike Weeks of Friendsville, TN. Weeks also leads the Rookie of the Year points. Third in series points includes Shan Smith of Dade City, FL, William Thomas of Phenix City, AL fourth and Billy Ogle Jr. of Knoxville, TN fifth. Weaver rallied from his 12th starting spot to claim a runner-up finish during the series’ last event on August 18th at Cleveland Speedway where Billy Ogle Jr. went on for the $3,500 win.
Currently this season there has been three Super Late Model events contested at Tazewell Speedway. Bub McCool of Vicksburg, MS claimed the $10,000 World of Outlaws Late Model Series-sanctioned Outlaw Sizzler 50 presented by Rusty Wallace Cadillac-GMC-KIA of Morristown on April 28th over Scott Bloomquist of Mooresburg, TN, Darrell Lanigan of Union, KY, Chris Madden of Gray Court, SC and Billy Ogle Jr. On Sunday Night June 3rd the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series made their lone season visit to Tazewell with Scott Bloomquist claiming the Toyota of Knoxville 50 ($10,000) event win over Don O’Neal of Martinsville, IN; Billy Ogle Jr.; John Blankenship of Williamson, WV and Earl Pearson Jr. of Jacksonville, FL. On July 28th the Ray Cook-promoted Schaeffer’s Oil Southern Nationals Series made their annual appearance to Tazewell with Chris Madden claiming the $5,300 prize over Brad Neat of Dunnville, KY; Mike Marlar of Winfield, TN; Brett Miller of Greeneville, TN and Dale McDowell of Chickamauga, GA.
There will be a complete show of Practice, VP Racing Fuels Qualifying, Hoosier Racing Tire Last Chance Showdowns and the 44-lap main event which honors long time East Tennessee competitor Buddy Rogers. Support Classes will also be on hand for the event.
The pit gates open at 4:00 pm EST with the Grandstand Gates opening at 5:00 pm at Tazewell Speedway. The driver’s meeting is slated for around 7:00 pm. Transponders will be available for rental and are required for competition as well as RaceCeiver’s.
Tazewell Speedway is located at 1400 Bacchus Road-Tazewell, TN 37879. Further information can be obtained by logging on to www.tazewellspeedway.net or by calling (423) 626-2222.
Further information on the Southern All Stars Dirt Racing Series can be obtained by calling General Manager Lynn Acklin at (256) 509-6603 or PR/Race Director Chris Tilley at (606) 219-1723 or you can log on to the official series website at www.sasdirt.com . Also, check the Southern All Stars Dirt Racing Series on Facebook or be a follower on Twitter @SASDIRT.
SAS Buddy Rogers Memorial ‘44’–Purse: 1) $4400, 2) $2500, 3) $1200, 4) $1000, 5) $800, 6) $700, 7) $600, 8) $550, 9) $500, 10) $475, 11) $450, 12) $425, 13) $400, 14) $350, 15) $300, 16) $300, 17) $300, 18) $300, 19) $300, 20) $300, 21) $300, 22) $300, 23) $300, 24) $300.
2012 Southern All Stars Dirt Racing Series Sponsors
*Hoosier Racing Tire “The Official Race Tire” of the Southern All Stars Dirt Racing Series
*VP Racing Fuels “The Official Fuel” of the Southern All Stars Dirt Racing Series
*Arizona Sport Shirts “The Official Merchandise Vendor” of the Southern All Stars Dirt Racing Series
2012 Southern All Stars Dirt Racing Series Supporters Include: Schaeffer’s Racing Oil by Elaine White, Gotta Race, AR Bodies, Brodix Cylinder Heads, Cruise with the Champions, MSR Mafia Web Design and Service and H3 Performance Graphics.
Current Southern All Stars Dirt Racing Series Championship Point Standings (after August 18th):
1. Randy Weaver-896 (Crossville, TN)
2. Mike Weeks-722 (Friendsville, TN)
3. Shan Smith-664 (Dade City, FL)
4. William Thomas-500 (Phenix City, AL)
5. Billy Ogle Jr.-472 (Knoxville, TN)
6. Jake Knowles-458 (Tyrone, GA)
7. Skip Arp-390 (Georgetown, TN)
8. Mark Vineyard-366 (Powell, TN)
9. Ray Cook-344 (Brasstown, NC)
10. Dylan Ames-306 (Harvest, AL)
2012 Southern All Stars Dirt Racing Series event winners:
# 1-April 7-Jimmy Owens-Newport, TN (Cleveland Speedway)
# 2-April 14-Vic Hill-Mosheim, TN (Smoky Mountain Speedway)
# 3-May 5-William Thomas-Phenix City, AL (Talladega Short Track)
# 4-May 12-Skip Arp-Georgetown, TN (Cleveland Speedway)
# 5-May 26-Randy Weaver-Crossville, TN (Whynot Motorsports Park)
# 6-May 27-Randy Weaver-Crossville, TN (Magnolia Motor Speedway)
# 7-June 16-Vic Hill-Mosheim, TN (Smoky Mountain Speedway)
# 8-June 23-Randy Weaver-Crossville, TN (Talladega Short Track)
# 9-July 28-Randy Weaver-Crossville, TN (Talladega Short Track)
# 10-August 18-Billy Ogle Jr.-Knoxville, TN (Cleveland Speedway)
Upcoming Southern All Stars Dirt Racing Series events:
September 2-Tazewell Speedway-Tazewell, TN-$4,400 to win BUDDY ROGERS MEMORIAL
September 15-Cleveland Speedway-Cleveland, TN-$3,500 to win GRANT ADCOX MEMORIAL
September 22-Smoky Mountain Speedway-Maryville, TN-$5,000 to win KING OF THE MOUNTAIN 50