Once a week throughout the 2013 racing season, TennesseeRacer.com is going to present a question and answer session with a dirt racer from the local, regional or national level as a way for fans to get to know more about the personalities of their favorite drivers.

There are eight questions, which will be the same for each driver. The questions are meant to provide short, quick answers.

The questions will be presented in black while the driver’s responses will be posted in red. See how your answers match up with the driver’s responses.

Jason Manley celebrates in victory lane at 411 Motor Speedway from the top of his car

This week’s featured driver is Jason Manley.

1. What is your favorite movie or TV show?

Days of Thunder

 2. What chore around the house or shop do you most hate doing?

At the shop it’s cleaning up and at home its laundry.

3. What is your favorite food?

Japanese

 4. What is your favorite sports team?

The Vols

 5. What is the worst job you’ve ever had?

I’d have to say the sewer crew for the city.

6. What is your favorite thing to do outside of racing?

Spending time with my children.

7. Where is your favorite place to go on vacation?

Gulf Shores, Alabama

8. If not racing I would be_____.

There’s really no telling! Probably a lot of no good!

Late Model of Jason Manley(32)

 

By Chris Tilley

BRASSTOWN, NC (May 19, 2013)—After twice being postponed because of flooding at the track (May 10) and being rained out (May 17), the Boyd’s Speedway/Spring Nationals Series event has been re-scheduled for this coming Friday Night May 24^th paying $4,000 to win. This will be a complete make-up of the May 17^th race that was rained out. The show will be re-started in its entirety. A complete show of Practice, Time Trials, B-Mains and the 40-lap feature will be rain plus a complete show for the support classes

The final Spring Nationals (Non-Points) event brings the series to the 1/3 mile banked clay oval of Boyd’s Speedway in Ringgold, GA for a visit to the track located on the Tennessee/Georgia State border on Friday Night May 24^th. The event will pay $4,000 to win / $400 to start the 40-lapper at the track that started racing in 1952 and is currently promoted by Gar Dickson.

On Friday Night May 24^th the Gates will open at 4:00 pm EST and racing begins at 7:00 pm. The Crate Late Models, A-Hobby and B-Hobby divisions will provide support on the evening’s racing card. Adult General Admission is $15.00 with Adult Pit Passes being $30.00. Boyd’s Speedway is located at 1481 Scruggs Road in Ringgold, GA 30736. Arm bands and tickets from the May 17^th event will be good for this event. Also, entry fees from the last event will be carried over to this week’s event.

Further information can be obtained by calling (706) 891-6803 or visit www.boydsspeedway.net . A reminder to teams that Mufflers are mandatory, the SCH112530 and SCH112535 are required and no Dirt Pro Mufflers are allowed per track rules. More information can be viewed on the track’s website on their rules page. For the Boyd’s Speedway event, the following tire rule has been established: Hoosier 1350, 1600, LM 40 and American Racer 48, 56 only.

The final points race of the inaugural 2013 Spring Nationals tour took place May 17^th at the Boyd’s Speedway in Ringgold, Georgia. Sprinkles and light rain fell throughout the afternoon hours at the Chattanooga area facility, but a window of favorable weather allowed the thirty (30) cars in attendance to hot lap and qualify. Billy Ogle, Jr. laid down the quickest lap overall and in Group A during time trials at a 13.368, while Ivedent Lloyd, Jr. paced Group B with a lap of 13.451. Unfortunately, as the B-Mains were lining up, another rain shower fell over the oval and continued rain throughout the evening prompted a postponement of the $4,000 to win event.

After polling the series regulars, the majority chose to make tonight the final points race of the season, which means that next Friday’s duel will be non-points. All drivers in attendance May 17^th received an equal 50 show-up points. Following eight completed points events and two rain-outs, Steve Casebolt, of Richmond, Indiana, is the 2013 Spring Nationals Champion followed by Billy Ogle, Jr., David Payne, Stacy Boles, and Michael Chilton to round out the top five.

Further information on Ray Cook’s Spring Nationals Series can be obtained by logging on to the official series website located at www.southernnationalsseries.comor by calling Ray Cook at (828) 360-5353.

Boyd’s (May 24^th) Purse (40 Laps): 1) $4000, 2) $2000, 3) $1400, 4) $800, 5) $700, 6) $675, 7) $650, $625, 9) $600, 10) $580, 11) $560, 12) $540, 13) $520, 14) $500, 15) $480, 16) $460, 17) $440, 18) $420, 19) $400, 20) $400, 21) $400, 22) $400.

Final 2013 Spring Nationals Point Standings

1 – c9 Steve Casebolt – 1382
2 – 201 Billy Ogle, Jr. – 1352
3 – 8 David Payne – 1300
4 – 11 Stacy Boles – 1286
5 – 97 Michael Chilton – 1266
6 – 63 Josh Collins – 1240
7 – 30 Ryan King – 1210
8 – 13 George Mashburn – 1043
9 – 17m Dale McDowell – 946
10 – r1 Riley Hickman – 560

2013 Spring Nationals Series Schedule:

Fri March 15-Volunteer Speedway-Bulls Gap, TN-$4,000 to win Dale McDowell winner

Sat March 16-Volunteer Speedway-Bulls Gap, TN-$10,000 to win John Blankenship winner

Fri April 12-Tri-County Race Track-Brasstown, NC-$4,000 to win Casey Roberts winner

Sat April 13-Smoky Mountain Speedway-Maryville, TN-$6,000 to win Tommy Kerr winner

Thur April 18-201 Speedway-Sitka, KY-$4,000 to win Eddie Carrier Jr. winner

Fri April 19-Ponderosa Speedway-Junction City, KY-$5,000 to win Rain Out

Sat April 20-Cleveland Speedway-Cleveland, TN-$5,000 to win Randy Weaver winner

Thur May 9-Duck River Speedway-Wheel, TN-$4,000 to win Tim McCreadie winner

Sat May 11-Dixie Speedway-Woodstock, GA-$6,000 to win Steve Casebolt winner

Fri May 24-Boyd’s Speedway-Ringgold, GA-$4,000 to win/$400 start (40 laps) NON POINTS

By Chris Tilley (C/T Motorsports Marketing and Promotions)

MARYVILLE, TN (May 16, 2013)—After a month off since the visit by the World of Outlaws Late Model Series, the Smoky Mountain Speedway in Maryville, TN will kick off Memorial Day Weekend by a visit from the Ultimate Late Model Series on Saturday Night May 25^th paying $4,000 to win.

In three previous Super Late Model events held at Smoky Mountain Speedway this season, there have been three different winners that have graced victory lane as Jonathan Davenport of Blairsville, GA claimed the $5,000 to win WIMZ Rockin’ with the Stars event sanctioned by the Southern All Stars Dirt Racing Series on March 23^rd, then Tommy Kerr of Maryville, TN claimed the Ray Cook-promoted Spring Nationals stop and $6,000 on April 13^th while Shane Clanton of Zebulon, GA graced victory lane while claiming the World of Outlaws Late Model Series visit on April 26^th and took home $10,000.

In addition to the Ultimate Late Models, the Crate Late Models will compete for $1,000 to win, the Street Stocks will race for $300 to win and the Mini Stocks will race for $200 to win. The Ultimate Late Models will Practice, Qualify and lock in eight, then run B-Mains to fill the field of 22 plus two series provisional starting spots to determine the field for the 40-lapper.

The Ultimate Series has also had three different winners in their first three events (held between March 10-May 10) as Riley Hickman of Chattanooga, TN won their Lavonia, GA stop then Dale McDowell of Chickamauga, GA claimed the North GA Stop and Casey Roberts claimed the event win at the Cleveland County, NC venue.

The Pit Gates will open at 3:00 pm with Grandstand Gates opening at 5:00 pm and the Driver’s Meeting slated for 7:00 pm. Adult General Admission is $15.00 with Adult Tier Parking $20.00 and Adult Pit Passes being $35.00.

Racing action for Smoky Mountain Speedway includes the hosting of other special events throughout the 2013 season including: Southern All Stars Dirt Racing Series, Ray Cook’s Spring Nationals Series, Ray Cook’s Schaeffer’s Oil Southern Nationals Series, American Modified Series, World of Outlaws Late Model Series, United Sprint Car Series, Southern Regional Racing Series and the Ultimate Late Models.

The Smoky Mountain Speedway is located at 809 Brickmill Road in Maryville, TN 37801. The track phone number is (865) 856-8989. You can obtain further information on Smoky Mountain Speedway by logging on to www.smokymountainspeedway.com . Be a follower of Smoky Mountain Speedway on Twitter by following @SMOKYMTNSPEED.

For more information on the Ultimate Late Model Series, please visit www.ultimatesupers.com .

Smoky Mountain/Ultimate May 25^th Purse (40 Laps): 1) $4000, 2) $2000, 3) $1350, 4) $1000, 5) $875, 6) $775, 7) $700, $600, 9) $500, 10) $450, 11) $425, 12) $400, 13) $400, 14) $400, 15) $400, 16) $400, 17) $400, 18) $400, 19) $400, 20) $400, 21) $400, 22) $400, 23) $400, 24) $400.

The following photos were taken during the Friday night Spring Nationals(postponed) race at Boyd’s Speedway in Ringgold, GA and the Southern All Stars event at the Cleveland Speedway on Saturday.

Click on each photo to enlarge.

Aaron Ridley talks with friends and crew members at Boyd's

#257 Skylar Marlar

Steve Casebolt debriefs after hot laps at Boyd's

#81 Aaron Ridley

Billy Ogle, Jr.

Soon-to-be-married Ryan King and Brittany Moore photographed while photographing themselves

Skip Arp waits for hot laps in his hauler at Boyd's

Adam Beeler works on the right front of his car

#18 Brandon Kinzer

Skylar Marlar at work on his car in the Boyd's pit area

Series director Ray Cook talks with driver David Payne at Boyd's

#1N Jordy Nipper

#63 Josh Collins

#1 Vic Hill

#10 Chris Wilson gets some last minute advice at Boyd's

#116 Randy Weaver is almost ready to hit the track at Boyd's

Ross White

Spring Nationals champion Steve Casebolt

Spring Nationals runner-up Billy Ogle, Jr.

Billy Ogle shows off his winner's check from the SAS race in Tazewell after Chris Madden's DQ.

Busy pit area in Cleveland

Ivedent Lloyd, Jr. and Riley Hickman are ready to race.

#A19- William Thomas

#H3- Kayne Hickman

#29- Jason Welshan

#0- Ross White

Florida's Ivedent Lloyd, Jr. made a rare appearence in east Tennessee

#201- Billy Ogle, Jr.

#17- Mark Rosner

#257- Skylar Marlar

#H1- Jason Hiett

#116- Randy Weaver

#77- Dylan Ames

#22- Adam Beeler

#R1- Riley Hickman

#81- Aaron Ridley

#97- Skip Arp

#J39- Jimmy Elliott

#c9- Steve Casebolt

#53- Ray Cook

Winner Steve Casebolt emerges from his car in Cleveland

Steve Casebolt with the Tennessee Memorial trophy

While Blankenship enjoyed the fruits of the win, Dennis Erb Jr. was left with what could have been. Erb led the first 67 laps of the race until smoke bellowed from his number 28 car forcing him pitside. Erb and Blankenship had put on a side-by-side battle for the top spot for most of the race until that point. Blankenship then ran away with the race as he went unchallenged over the last 30 laps of the event.

“I have to thank all of my crew, Tom Buckingham and everyone else, this is the biggest win we have ever had,” exclaimed Blankenship in Lucas Oil Victory Lane. “That was quite a race for the lead between Dennis and me, and then I saw smoke out of his car and I knew he was in trouble. This Rocket Chassis car has been good all year long, we have been knocking on the door for a big win like this since last year, and tonight it finally happened.”

“The track was really racy tonight,” said the winner afterwards. Blankenship started sixth in the stout field, but first had to withstand a solid challenge from Wendell Wallace early in the race. “Wendell was really good there early on until he had that flat; once he went out, we were able to stay close to Dennis with the caution flags. I have to thank all of my sponsors of course, Coal, Todd Case Trucking, Bear Cove Village, VP Fuels, Integra Shocks, and Cornett Engines.”

Smith, who won last week at LaSalle Speedway, came from seventh as he fought his way to a second finish. “Congrats to John on the win, he was gone there at the end! I couldn’t see him on the track anymore! Our car was tight early on, but as the race wore on, we got a whole lot better. Hey, this has been a solid two weeks for us. A win and a second place, we’ll take it, as we head to the Show-Me 100 next weekend.”

Francis, last August’s winner of Batesville’s biggest race, the COMP Cams Topless 100, had a solid finish in third as he held off Billy Moyer and Owens. Owens retook the championship points lead from Don O’Neal, who finished eighth.

Completing the top ten were Scott Bloomquist, Earl Pearson Jr., O’Neal, Eric Jacobsen, and Jack Sullivan.

In preliminary action, Earl Pearson Jr. set the overall time (Group A) amongst the 40 entrants, with a lap of 13.679 seconds. Bobby Pierce set the fastest time in Group B with a time of 13.738 seconds. Earl Pearson Jr., Steve Francis, Dennis Erb Jr., and Wendell Wallace won their respective heat races. Jimmy Owens and Billy Moyer Jr. won their respective B-Mains.

The Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series will be back in action next weekend at the “Diamond of the Dirt Tracks”, Lucas Oil Speedway in Wheatland, MO with the 21st Annual Lucas Oil “Show-Me 100″ presented by Protect the Harvest. Events will get underway on Thursday, May 23rd with a complete show for the Lucas Oil MLRA late models. The LOLMDS will take to the track on Friday, May24th and Saturday, May 25th. For more information on the “Show-Me 100″ or Lucas Oil Speedway, check out www.lucasoilspeedway.com.

For the latest breaking news on the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series, log onto www.lucasdirt.com and follow the series on www.facebook.com/lucasdirt and www.twitter.com/#!/lucasdirt.

Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series

Race Summary

Saturday Night, May 18th, 2013
Bad Boy 98 – Batesville Motor Speedway – Batesville, AR

Red Buck Fast Time Group A: Earl Pearson Jr. / 13.679 seconds

Red Buck Fast Time Group B: Bobby Pierce / 13.738 seconds

Wiles Drive Shafts Heat Race #1 (12 Laps, Top 4 Transfer): Earl Pearson Jr., Don O’Neal, Eddie Carrier Jr., Chris Simpson, Jimmy Owens, Brandon Smith, Jack Sullivan, Jay Brunson, Shawn Knuckles, Robert Baker
 

Eibach Springs Heat Race #2 (12 Laps, Top 4 Transfer): Steve Francis, Brady Smith, Jared Landers, Jesse Stovall, Chris Wall, David Breazeale, Stacy Taylor, Jerry Lierly, Braden Mitchell, Brian Ritchie

Simpson Performance Products Heat Race #3 (12 Laps, Top 4 Transfer): Dennis Erb Jr., John Blankenship, Timothy Culp, Kyle Beard, Tyler Reddick, Keith Craft, Terry Phillips, Jeff Floyd, BJ Robinson, Bobby Pierce

FK Rod Ends Heat Race #4 (12 Laps, Top 4 Transfer): Wendell Wallace, Jimmy Mars, Eric Jacobsen, Billy Moyer, Billy Moyer Jr., AJ Diemel, Mark Whitener, Brian Birkhofer, Austin Rettig, Scott Bloomquist

CV Products B-Main #1 (15 Laps, Top 3 Transfer): Jimmy Owens, Chris Wall, Jack Sullivan, David Breazeale, Brandon Smith, Robert Baker, Stacy Taylor, Jay Brunson, Shawn Knuckles, Jerry Lierly, Braden Mitchell, Brian Ritchie

Wrisco Aluminum B-Main #2 (15 Laps, Top 3 Transfer): Billy Moyer Jr., Mark Whitener, AJ Diemel, Jeff Floyd, Kyle Beard, Terry Phillips, Scott Bloomquist, BJ Robinson, Brian Birkhofer, Keith Craft, Austin Rettig, Bobby Pierce

Feature Finish (98 Laps):

Race Statistics

Entrants: 40

Lap Leaders: Dennis Erb Jr. (Laps 1 – 67); John Blankenship (Laps 68 – 98)

Caution Flags: Chris Wall (Lap 4); Bobby Pierce, Chris Wall (Lap 5); Chris Simpson (Lap 10); Scott Bloomquist, Jared Landers, Jesse Stovall, Jerry Lierly, Timothy Culp (Lap 14); Wendell Wallace (Lap 42); Mark Whitener (Lap 52); Dennis Erb Jr. (Lap 68)

Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Provisionals: Scott Bloomquist, Bobby Pierce

Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Emergency Provisionals: Jerry Lierly

Optima Batteries Hard Charger of the Race: Scott Bloomquist (Started: 23rd, Finished: 6th, Advanced: 17 positions)

Allstar Performer of the Race: John Blankenship

Sunoco Race for Gas Highest Finisher: Billy Moyer

JRi Shocks/Dunn Benson Ford Rookie of the Race: Billy Moyer Jr.

COMP Cams Engine Builder of the Race: Cornett Racing Engines

Ohlins Shocks Chassis Builder of the Race: Rocket Race Cars

Outerwears Crew Chief of the Race: Tom Buckingham (John Blankenship)
HAWK Performance Fastest Lap of the Race: Billy Moyer Jr. (Lap# 2; 13.567 seconds)

Time of Race: 57 minutes 52 seconds

Lucas Oil Championship Point Standings:
 

Race winner Steve Casebolt poses with the 1st place trophy.

By Richard Allen

Steve Casebolt says that he’s already had a great season, and it’s only May. On Saturday night at the Cleveland Speedway, that season got even better after the Indiana driver scored a $4,000 victory in the Southern All Stars sanctioned Tennessee Memorial.

Track and series officials were forced into somewhat of a hurry up mode during the night’s events as dark clouds hovered over the east Tennessee track with rain not very far away.

Billy Ogle, Jr. set the pace early when he posted the fastest qualifying time in Group A and overall with a lap of 13.442 seconds around the 3/8 mile clay oval. Also locked into a starting position for the feature race from this group were Aaron Ridley, Randy Weaver and Skip Arp.

Casebolt earned the outside front row starting spot by posting the fastest time in Group B when he toured the speedway in 13.46 seconds. Also earning feature starting spots from this group were Ray Cook, Riley Hickman and Ivedent Lloyd, Jr.

William Thomas and Mike Weeks won the two consolation races used to set the remainder of the starting lineup for the 40-lap main event.

At the start of the feature, Casebolt took advantage of his outside starting position to grab the early lead over Ogle, Cook, Weaver and Ridley.

While the front runner was not seriously threatened in the early laps, there was plenty of scrambling just behind him. Weaver looked to be the strongest contender to unseat Casebolt from the top of the leader board during the early laps. The three time and defending Southern All Stars champion moved from his 5th starting position to 4th when he got around Ridley on the first circuit. Then, he went to work on Cook for the 3rd spot by lap four.

However, Cook was able to fend off Weaver and then offer up a challenge of his own when he went after Ogle for the runner-up spot.

A lap 16 caution for an incident involving Ridley and Bo Shirley provided Cook with the opportunity he needed. On the ensuing restart, the ‘Tarheel Tiger’ moved around Ogle and set his sights on Casebolt. Meanwhile, Ogle, Weaver and a hard charging Thomas engaged in a furious three-wide fight for the 3rd position that saw the three cars run in that formation for multiple laps.

Casebolt’s car worked well on the high side of the track while Cook tried valiantly on the bottom to get around. On a couple of occasions, the final coming on lap 36, Cook drew completely alongside but was never able to complete the pass.

At the finish it was Steve Casebolt, Ray Cook, William Thomas, Randy Weaver, Billy Ogle, Jr., Ivedent Lloyd, Jr., Skip Arp, Riley Hickman, Derek Ellis, Mike Weeks, Michael Asberry and Jason Hiett.

Click here to listen to the post-race comments of Steve Casebolt via YouTube with no download required.

The race winning car.

I hope to do live updates from the racing action from the Southern All Stars race at Cleveland Speedway in Cleveland, TN(5-18-13) on this site.

Here is the link to my twitter account for pictures and other information:

https://twitter.com/TennesseeRacer

You do not need a twitter account to view.

Follow the updates by refreshing the page and looking in the ‘Comments’ boxes below this post.

Steve Casebolt became the first ever Spring Nationals champion

 

By Richard Allen

The second time did not prove to be the charm for Boyd’s Speedway as far as getting in its scheduled Spring Nationals race was concerned. For the second time in as many weeks, the dirt oval located in Ringgold, Georgia was forced to postpone its $4,000-to-win feature event due to weather conditions.

Despite the presence of dark clouds on the horizon, track and series officials tried desperately to get the race in on Friday night. With a light sprinkle falling, cars took to the track for hot laps and qualifying in a “hurry up” mode.

Billy Ogle, Jr. posted the fastest overall lap among the 30 cars to make an effort in time-trials. His time was 13.368 seconds around the 1/3 mile banked clay facility. However, it would all prove to be in vein as the rain intensified and officials were left with no other option but to call for a postponement. The event will be made up in its entirety next Friday night(5-24-13).

Spring Nationals promoter Ray Cook had polled his series regulars prior to qualifying to see just how many of them would be able to return a week later should the race be lost. Last week’s rain out had subsequently made this event the series finale for the ten race mini-series. After multiple competitors said they would not be able to return, Cook decided that race or no race on this night, the series standings would be decided.

Next week’s event will be for the posted purse money but not for series points.

As a result of that decision, points leader Steve Casebolt was crowned as the first Spring Nationals champion. The Indiana native pocketed $5,353 for his efforts over the nine race stretch that began at the Volunteer Speedway in Bulls Gap, Tennessee back in March.

“We had a lot of good runs,” Casebolt said of his team’s effort throughout the Spring Nationals. “We started off with a 2nd and a 3rd down at Bulls Gap and that made us think we had a shot at it. I think the worst run we had was a 9th and we ended up getting to win one so that was really good. We’ve already had a good season and its really just getting started, so if we can keep this going, we’ve got a chance to have one of my best seasons ever.”

Click here to listen to the full interview with Steve Casebolt via YouTube with no download required.

Billy Ogle, Jr. finished second in the inaugural Spring Nationals tour.

I hope to do live updates from the racing action from the USCS Sprint Car and Limited Late Model race at 411 Motor Speedway in Seymour, TN(5-3-13) on this site.

Here is the link to my twitter account for pictures and other information:

https://twitter.com/TennesseeRacer

You do not need a twitter account to view.

Follow the updates by refreshing the page and looking in the ‘Comments’ boxes below this post.

By Michael Despain, SAS PR

Huntsville, AL- May 9, 2013- After being halted by Mother Nature last weekend, the Southern All Star Racing Series is set to return to action for its second visit of the 2013 season to the Ronnie Willkomm promoted Cleveland Speedway in Cleveland, TN for the 35th Annual Coca-Cola Tennessee Memorial event on Saturday May 18. The event will be 40 laps in distance and see the winner walk away with $4,000 in prize money.

In addition to the SAS event at Cleveland Speedway May 18^th, the postponed Ray Cook-Promoted Spring Nationals event will run on Friday Night May 17^th at Boyd’s Speedway in Ringgold, GA and pay $4,000 to win. This gives the drivers an opportunity to race for $8,000 in win money over two days at two fairly close race tracks.

The Southern All Star Racing Series event at Cleveland Speedway on Saturday May 18 will feature a complete program of practice, WhitePerformance.com A-B Group Time Trials, PPM Racing Products Last Chance Showdowns, and will conclude with the 40 lap, $4,000 to win 35th Annual Coca-Cola Tennessee Memorial Southern All Star Racing Series A-Main. Joining the Southern All Star Racing Series in action at Cleveland Speedway on Saturday May 18 will be the track’s Steel Head/Limited Late Model, Crate Late Model, A-Hobby, B-Hobby, Pony, and Front Wheel Drive divisions.

This will mark the second of five trips of 2013 to the 1/3 semi-banked clay oval located just minutes from the Chattanooga area and Randy Weaver of Crossville, TN captured the win in the inaugural SAS visit to Cleveland in 2013, the 18th Annual Shamrock back on March 9, in an event that many race fans in the Southeast have dubbed the “race of the year” up to this point in 2013 that saw three different leaders with multiple lead changes and plenty of three-wide racing action that drew 39 entries from eight states and saw Weaver win over Mike Marlar, Billy Ogle, Jr., Dale McDowell, and David Payne.

Also as part of the 35th Annual Coca-Cola Tennessee Memorial, Cleveland Speedway will host the Blood Assurance Blood Drive. Cleveland Speedway and the Southern All Star Racing Series encourage everyone to visit the Blood Assurance Blood Drive and give the gift of life to help someone that may be in need.

Among those drivers expected from the Southern All Star Racing Series stable of cars include series points leader Riley Hickman of Chattanooga, TN, Jason Hiett of Oxford, AL, defending series Rookie of the Year Mike Weeks of Friendsville, TN, Mark Rosner of Rockford, TN, Jonathan Davenport of Blairsville, GA, Bret Holmes of Munford, AL, Billy Ogle, Jr. of Knoxville, TN, Hunter Peacock of Gray, GA, Mark Vineyard of Powell, TN, Shamrock winner Randy Weaver of Crossville, TN, and Bo Shirley of Gadsden, AL, along with a strong array of talented local and regional racing stars such as Dale McDowell of Chickamauga, GA, defending race winner Skip Arp of Georgetown, TN, Jake Knowles of Tyrone, GA, Brian Hendrix of Knoxville, TN, Jeff Franklin of Ten Mile, TN, Ray Cook of Brasstown, NC, Dylan Ames of Harvest, AL, William Thomas of Phenix City, AL, plus many more are expected.

Activities for the Southern All Star Racing Series event at Cleveland Speedway will see pit gates open at 2:00 p.m, with general admission opening at 3:00 p.m. The drivers meeting will be at 6:30 p.m., with practice laps set to begin at 7:00 p.m., followed immediately by time trials and green flag racing. All times listed are Eastern Daylight Time. Ticket prices for the Southern All Star Racing Series at Cleveland Speedway on Saturday May 18 in the general admission area is $15 for adults and a pit pass will be $30.

Southern All Star Racing Series Cleveland Speedway 35th Annual Coca-Cola Tennessee Memorial A-Main Payout for May 18, 2013: 1st- $4000, 2nd- $2000, 3rd- $1000, 4th- $750, 5th- $650, 6th- $550, 7th- $525, 8th- $500, 9th- $450, 10th- $425, 11th- $400, 12th- $350, 13th- $340, 14th- $330, 15th- $320, 16th- $310, 17th- $300, 18th- $300, 19th- $300, 20th- $300, 21st- $300, 22nd- $300, 23rd- $300, 24th- $300.

Skip Arp of Georgetown, TN won the 2012 version of the Southern All Star Racing Series sanctioned Coca-Cola Tennessee Memorial contest. The Southern All Star Racing Series has visited Cleveland Speedway at least one time every year since 1987 and has contested 104 previous series events at the storied facility originally built by the late Joe Lee Johnson and has produced 36 different series winners, with Dale McDowell of Chickamauga, GA the winningest driver in Southern All Star Racing Series history at Cleveland Speedway with 17 victories. Ronnie Johnson of Chattanooga, TN has 7 series wins, while Clint Smith of Senoia, GA and Rex Richey of Ringgold, GA have 6 series wins, with Randy Weaver of Crossville, TN, Jimmy Owens of Newport, TN, Duayne Hommel of Newport, TN, and Chris Madden of Grays Court, SC each with 5 series checkered flags at Cleveland Speedway.

Cleveland Speedway is located at 2420 South Lee Highway in Cleveland, TN 37311 and is in its 54th season of dirt track racing entertainment. Directions to Cleveland Speedway are to take I-75 to the first Cleveland Exit (if you’re coming south from Knoxville, take the Third Cleveland Exit), go east (away from Fireworks Bldg.) about a mile (first exit ramp) to Hwy. 11. Turn left (back under the overpass) on Hwy. 11, and go two blocks (past the car lots & Mr. Zip,) the Speedway is on the left. Further information can be obtained by calling the Speedway office at (423) 479-8574 or by logging on to www.clevelandspeedway.net on the internet.

Further information on the Southern All Star Racing Series can be obtained by calling General Manager Lynn Acklin at (256) 924-4546 or Race Director Chris Tilley at (606) 219-1723 or you can log on to the official series website at www.sasdirt.com . Also, LIKE the Southern All Stars Dirt Racing Series on Facebook or be a FOLLOWER on Twitter @SASDIRT.

Current Southern All Star Racing Series Points (after April 6th):
1. Riley Hickman (Chattanooga, TN)- 418
2. Jason Hiett (Oxford, AL)- 386
2. Mike Weeks (Friendsville, TN)- 386
4. Jonathan Davenport (Blairsville, GA)- 372
5. Mark Rosner (Rockford, TN)- 358
6. Bret Holmes (Munford, AL)- 310
7. Billy Ogle Jr. (Knoxville, TN)- 284
8. Hunter Peacock (Gray, GA)- 240
9. Mark Vineyard (Powell, TN)- 220
10. Randy Weaver (Crossville, TN)- 214
11. Bo Shirley (Gadsden, AL)- 210

Current DirtonDirt.com/Cruise with the Champions Rookie of the Year Points (after April 6th):
1. Jason Hiett (Oxford, AL)- 127
2. Mark Rosner (Rockford, TN)- 126
3. Bret Holmes (Munford, AL)- 122

Southern All Star Racing Series Event Winners:
#1-Jared Landers-Batesville, AR (Cherokee Speedway) March 3rd
#2-Randy Weaver-Crossville, TN (Cleveland Speedway) March 9th
#3-Jonathan Davenport-Blairsville, GA (East AL Motor Speedway) March 16th
#4-Jonathan Davenport-Blairsville, GA (Smoky Mountain Speedway) March 23rd
#5- Billy Ogle, Jr.-Knoxville, TN (Tazewell Speedway) April 6

Upcoming Southern All Star Racing Series Events:
May 18 (Saturday)- Cleveland Speedway/Cleveland, TN- $4,000 to win (35th Annual Coca-Cola Tennessee Memorial Race)
June 1 (Saturday)- Volunteer Speedway/Bulls Gap, TN- $5,200 to win (Scott Sexton Memorial)
June 15 (Saturday)- Smoky Mountain Speedway/Maryville, TN- $5,000 to win (3rd Annual Big Daddy 500)

2013 Southern All Star Racing Series Sponsors:
*Hoosier Racing Tire “The Official Race Tire” of the Southern All Star Racing Series
*Patriot Sports “The Official Merchandise Vendor” of the Southern All Star Racing Series
*Sunoco Race Fuels “The Official Race Fuel” of the Southern All Star Racing Series

2013 Southern All Star Racing Series Supporters/Marketing Partners Include: AR Bodies, Brodix Cylinder Heads, Cruise with the Champions, DirtonDirt.com, H3 Performance Graphics, Integra Racing Shocks, Intercomp Racing Systems, JT Kerr Racing Equipment, MSR Mafia Web Design and Service, PPM Racing Products, RockAuto.com, Schaeffer’s Racing Oil by Ed Lowe, The Joie of Seating, WhitePerformance.com