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NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series News Release: Contact – ROBY HELM – (865) 207-4157

June 26, 2015

TIGHT ROOKIE OF THE YEAR BATTLE HEADS INTO SALUTE TO AMERICA NATIONALS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

CARTERSVILLE, GA – Next to the $10,000 NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series National Championship, the most prestigious prize a driver can earn in the Touring Division is the Cruise With The Champions Rookie of the Year Award. For 2015, four drivers out of the eight Rookie candidates have emerged in a tight battle for the honor.

The quartet of NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series Rookie of the Year candidates will continue their battle for the series’ top tyro award in the Salute To America Nationals on July 2 at Talladega Short Track in Eastaboga, AL, July 3 at Penton Raceway in Penton, AL, and on July 4 at East Alabama Motor Speedway in Phenix City, AL.

Not only are they in a close fight for the Rookie of the Year Award, but they are also battling for Top 10 spots in the overall points fund-paying positions. Ryan King of Seymour, TN, Matt Henderson of Loudon, TN, Cody Martin of Christiana, TN and Ryan Crane of Panama City, FL are third through sixth respectively in the NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series point standings.

King is third in the standings with 838 points after two top five finishes and five top ten finishes in 11 races driving the Brian King Roofing Stinger. King’s best finish of the season came on June 5 with a second-place effort at Tri-County Race Track in Brasstown, NC.

After finishing third in the NeSmith Chevrolet Weekly Racing Series National point standings and winning Track Championships at his home track, 411 Motor Speedway in Seymour, TN in 2012 and 2014, King didn’t decide to hit the road and compete on the NeSmith Late Model National Tour until the day before the season started in late January.

Henderson is fourth in the NeSmith Late Model standings and second in the Rookie standings with 768 points. Henderson is the only Rookie of the Year candidate with a win this season at Golden Isles Speedway in Brunswick, GA on February 14. Henderson also has four top five finishes and six top ten finishes, and a series-leading two Fast Time Awards in 11 races.

Henderson has become a fan favorite, as he drives one of the most recognizable race cars in all of dirt late model racing. Henderson drives the #H2 “Tough As Nails” Duayne Hommel Tribute Car to honor his racing hero. Hommel of Newport, TN was just coming into his own on the National stage of dirt late model racing when injuries suffered in a 2003 highway accident ended his career.

Martin has had a steady season to date, as he will arrive at the Salute To America Nationals fifth in the National standings and third in the Rookie standings with 668 points. In 11 NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series races, Martin has a pair of top ten finishes driving the Martin Motorsports Warrior.

Crane is sixth in the NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series standings and fourth in the Rookie of the Year standings with 566 points after five top ten finishes in 11 races. Crane is looking to pick up his racing program for the Salute To America Nationals with a new Panama City Cycles Rocket prepared by 1993 Hav-A-Tampa Dirt Late Model Series National Champion Clint Smith.

The 3rd Annual Salute To America Nationals will feature a 40-lap $2,000-to-win race on Thursday night, July 2 at Talladega Short Track, a 40-lap $2,000-to-win race on Friday night, July 3 at Penton Raceway, and a 50-lap $2,500-to-win race on Saturday night, July 4 at East Alabama Motor Speedway, who will also present a huge Fireworks Spectacular.

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.

Penton Raceway is located at 2120 County Road 108, LaFayette, AL 36862. For more information call 334-864-0666, or visit the track web site at www.pentonraceways.com, or like their Facebook page at Penton Raceway.

East Alabama Motor Speedway is on Eastern Daylight Time and is located at 4238 U.S. Highway 80 West, Phenix City, AL 36870. For more information call 334-297-2594, or visit the track web site at www.eamsdirt.com.

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. Racecar Engineering is the Official Parts Supplier 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, TNT Race Cars, and CVR Race Cars.

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