CARTERSVILLE, GA – The NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series Tour opens the 2012 season on February 1 through 4 at East Bay Raceway Park in Tampa, FL to begin the 36th Annual Winternationals. The NeSmith Chevrolet DLMS will present three complete shows over four days.
The first wheels will turn on Wednesday night, February 1 with an open practice session. There will be 40-lap $2,000-to-win events on Thursday night, February 2 and Friday night, February 3. The Saturday night, February 4 event will be 50 laps paying $3,000-to-win.
Over 50 drivers from at least 12 different states are expected for the three races, as the drivers traveling with the NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series take on the local favorites at East Bay Raceway Park. The Top 10 point drivers from last season, plus several new faces looking to follow the Tour this season will be on hand at “The Clay By The Bay.”
The 2011 NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series Touring Champion Dan Breuer of Troutman, NC will arrive at East Bay Raceway Park looking to begin his quest of a second straight title. Two-time NeSmith Chevrolet DLMS Champion David Earl Gentry of Murfreesboro, TN will start the 2012 season looking for his third title after finishing second last season.
Matthew Turner of Dawsonville, GA finished third in the points chase last season, and will be looking to compete in his 125th 126th and 127th consecutive NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series events next week at East Bay Raceway Park. Turner is known as the “Ironman” of the NeSmith Chevrolet DLMS as the only driver to compete in every series event held since its inception in 2005.
Chase Edge of Lafayette, AL will begin his sophomore season with the NeSmith Chevrolet DLMS at East Bay after finishing fourth in the point standings last season and earning the VP Racing Fuels Rookie of the Year Award. Shannon Lee of Lumberton, MS will be looking for his third straight top five points finish in 2012.
Mark Tice of Avon, MS, Steve Cooke of Mt. Airy, NC, Frank Wilson of Harold, FL, Tootie Arnold of Bude, MS and Johnny Stokes of Columbus, MS finished sixth through tenth respectively in the 2011 NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series standings and are expected to return for the 2012 run for the $20,000 NeSmith Cup.
Several new drivers are expected to join last year’s regulars for the 2012 NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series season, including seven drivers making a run for the $5,000 VP Racing Fuels Rookie of the Year Award.
Drivers that have already thrown their hats in the ring as a 2012 VP Racing Fuels Rookie of the Year candidate are Pierce McCarter of Sevierville, TN, John Polasini of Leland, MS, Joseph Joiner of Milton, FL, Chris Cantrell of Chester, SC, Mark Rosner of Maryville, TN, Justin Summers of Greenback, TN, and Jake Teague of Oliver Springs, TN.
Randy Weaver of Crossville, TN, who has a pair of 2010 NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series Winternationals victories at East Bay Raceway Park, is expected to be among the 2012 entrants, and a Top 10 points driver from the 2010 NeSmith Chevrolet DLMS season, Michael Blount of Sumrall, MS will return to the tour this season.
The local dirt late model driver contingent at East Bay Raceway Park will be looking to repeat last year’s Winternationals performance, as they swept all three shows. Doug Horton of Bruceton Mills, WV drove a local car owned by Ken Nosbisch to victory in the first race, while Jack Nosbisch Jr. of Riverview, FL and Phillip Cobb of Apollo Beach, FL won the other two events.
Other local favorites include defending East Bay Raceway Park Late Model Champion Bryan Bernhardt of Clearwater, FL, along with former Track Champions Dave Schmauss of Tampa, FL, Keith Nosbisch of Valrico, FL, and Josh Peacock of Dover, FL. Also look for Travis and Maverick Varnadore of Dover, FL, Jeff Mathews of Tampa, FL, Devin Dixon of Apollo Beach, FL, and Shan Smith of Dade City, FL.
Competitors are reminded that mufflers are required for all race cars at East Bay Raceway Park. Mufflers must be securely fastened and have some type of internal noise dampening characteristics that include baffles, extruded holes, screen chambered, etc. Any questions should be directed to NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series Competition/Technical Director Tim Sims at 334-864-0805, or 256-794-4047.
East Bay Raceway Park officials have also issued a Winternationals Travel Advisory for fans and competitors in that they must enter the track from the north on Old Highway 41 and turn left on Burts Road to proceed to the track parking lot and pit gate. Old Highway 41 is closed south of the race track for bridge work.
For each of the three days of racing at East Bay Raceway Park, the pits will be open all day with Pre-Race Registration and Technical Inspection from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. The Drivers Meeting will be at 5 p.m. with Hot Laps set for 5:30 p.m. The NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series will compete in Qualifying, Heat Races, B-Mains, and a Main Event each night.
East Bay Raceway Park is located five miles south of I-4 off U.S. Highway 41. For more information call 813-677-7223 or visit the track web site at www.eastbayracewaypark.com.
The Best Western Business and Conference Center Hotel in Brandon, FL is the Official Host Hotel for the NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series events at East Bay Raceway Park on February 1-4. The Best Western will be offering NeSmith Chevrolet DLMS fans and competitors a special discount rate of $55.00 per night.
The Best Western Business and Conference Center Hotel is located one mile west of Exit 257 on I-75 on State Road 60, just minutes from East Bay Raceway Park with a plethora of restaurants surrounding the facility. There is a Beef O’Brady’s Restaurant and Sports Bar, and an American Pie Pizza Restaurant right on the property.
To make reservations call the Best Western Business and Conference Center Hotel at 813-621-5555 and be sure to ask for the special East Bay Raceway Park special discount rate of $55.00 per night.
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.
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 Dealer four 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. VP Racing Fuel is the Official Racing Fuel 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. NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series Contingency Sponsors for 2012 are Dominator Race Products, Race Car Engineering, KRC , QA 1 Precision Products, Modern Images, Mike Custom Tanks, Shorty’s Shock Service, Schoenfeld Headers, Integra Racing Shocks, J.T. Kerr Racing Equipment, Kinser Air Filters, Trak-Star Race Cars, Warrior Race Cars, Rocket Chassis, GRT Race Cars, TNT Race Cars, and Stinger Race Cars.