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

November 23, 2013

RAY COOK WINS 9TH ANNUAL CHEVROLET PERFORMANCE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP RACE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

                OCALA, FL – Driving a car he named “Johnny Cash,” Ray Cook of Brasstown, NC started 19th and won the 9th Annual Chevrolet Performance World Championship Race for the NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series in front of a packed house on Saturday night at Bubba Raceway Park. 

Cook had the right set up and the driving experience on a hard slick track, as he took the lead on 43 and never looked back to claim the $10,000 top prize in the Horsepower By Hedrick Special.

                “Howard Stalls asked me to drive for him in this race at the beginning of the season, and they’ve been building it since then, like that old Johnny Cash song “One Piece At A Time” and tonight it made some cash too,” Cook said.  “We had trouble last night in qualifying, and had to come through the B-Main to make the race, but we had the right set up with tires and shocks to get us to the front.”

                Once the car was finished, the Stalls crew installed a brand new Chevrolet Performance 604 Engine right out of the crate they bought at NeSmith Chevrolet in Claxton, GA for $5,195, so they paid for the engine in its first night on the race track.

                Once Cook took the lead on lap 43, he packed his bags, turned in the key and checked out on the field to take a 5.942 second margin of victory at the checkered flag.  By winning the race from the 19th starting spot, Cook also earned the Hedman Husler of the Race Award for a $100 bonus.  Before Cook took control of the race, there were five lead changes in the 100-lap event.

                Mike Pegher Jr. of Cranberry, PA finished second in the Bobby Lake Motorsports Warrior, and the 2013 NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series Rookie of the Year Kyle Bronson of Brandon, FL came back from a cut tire to take the third spot in the Brandon Ford Warrior.

It was an up, down, and up night through the field for Bronson.  After starting 13th, Bronson charged up to the third spot by lap 14, but cut down cut down a left-rear tire on lap 15 that sent him to the pit area.  Bronson restarted at the tail end of the lead lap, and raced his way back through the field to as far up as second by lap 62.

William Thomas of Phenix City, AL led two laps of the race and drove the Alexander’s Industrial Service GRT to a fourth-place finish.  Walker Arthur of Forest, VA was fifth in the Cecil B. Arthur Beef Farms Special.

The 2013 NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series National Champion Ronnie Johnson of Chattanooga, TN started 23rd and finished sixth in the Hickman Manufacturing Special.  Johnson broke his primary car, the NeSmith Chevrolet Special in the B-Main race, took a provisional and borrowed Riley Hickman’s car for the main event.

                Shan Smith of Dade City, FL led the pack for seven laps in the Outlaw Race Parts Rocket and finished seventh.  Jeff Smith of Chatsworth, GA was eighth in the Bilstein Shocks Warrior and Tait Davenport of Benton, KY took the ninth spot in the Murtco, Inc. Special.  Ryan Montgomery of Fairmont, WV rounded out the top ten in the Central Supply Warrior.

                The Saturday night preliminary 20-lap B-Main races were won by Mark Whitener of Middleburg, FL in the Dave’s Towing Special and Rodney Wing of Meridian, MS in the Ed Metals Special.

                In Friday night preliminary action, the 2012 Chevrolet Performance World Championship Race winner Ivedent Lloyd Jr. of Ocala, FL set fast time among the 49 entrants with a lap around the 3/8-mile clay oval in 14.896 seconds driving the Augusta Delivery Service Special.  Lloyd then earned the pole position for the Saturday night main event by winning the first of four 15-lap heat races.

                The other three heat races were won by Josh Adkins of Talladega, AL in the Yellow Hammer Construction Special, Justin McRee of Cottondale, AL in the High Roller Race Cars Special, and Arthur.

                Many of the cars that started at the front of the field and ran in the top five during the first half of the race were not around for the checkered flag.  At the start of the race, Lloyd took the lead followed by McRee, Montgomery, Adkins and Dalton Myers of Riverview, FL in the Ed Metals Special.  Lloyd was setting a fast pace and had a half-straightaway lead by lap three.

                The first of 11 caution flags came out on lap four when Jake Perkins of Ocala, FL spun the Perkins Dentistry Special in turn two.  Lloyd restarted with McRee, Montgomery, Pegher, Adkins, Myers, Arthur, Bronson, Shan Smith and Jimmy Sharpe Jr. of Soperton, GA in the Certified Energy, Inc. Special doubled up behind him.

                Montgomery drove under McRee on the restart to take over the second spot.  J-Mac got his car wound up on the outside to retake the position on lap five, and Shan Smith charged up to the fourth position.  On lap seven, Shan Smith was glued to the bottom groove of the track and drove under Montgomery to take third.

                Lloyd wasn’t able to shake the field after the lap four restart, as McRee chased him down to battle side-by-side for the lead on lap eight, but before the war could be waged for the point, debris in turn three brought out the caution flag and set up another double-file restart. 

The top ten coming back to the green flag were Lloyd, McRee, Shan Smith, Bronson, Adkins, Montgomery, Pegher, Arthur, Thomas and two-time NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series Champion David Earl Gentry of Murfreesboro, TN in the Eads Farms/Hardy & Associates Warrior.

Shan Smith continued to be hooked up on the bottom groove and passed Lloyd for the lead on the restart coming off the second turn.  McRee was running third, but slowed off the pace on lap 14 to bring out the caution flag.  That moved Bronson up to the third spot for the restart that quickly went back to yellow when Sharpe spun coming off the fourth turn.

The yellow came out again on lap 15 when Bronson cut down his left-rear tire and reshuffle the top ten for the restart with Shan Smith leading Lloyd, Arthur, Adkins, Montgomery, Whitener, Thomas, Pegher, Cook, and Davenport.  When the field went back to green flag action, business picked up as there were several two and three-wide battles for position throughout the top ten.

Lloyd got wound up on the outside groove to sail around Smith for the lead in turn two on the restart.  Thomas charged from sixth to third on lap 16.  Adkins got around Thomas for third on lap 19 while Whitener took over the fifth spot.  Adkins was on the move again on lap 21 when he sailed around the outside of Shan Smith to take the second spot.

Whitener passed Thomas for the fourth position on lap 22 just before the field was slowed by a debris caution on lap 23.  Lloyd led Adkins, Shan Smith, Whitener, Thomas, Montgomery, Cook, Pegher, Chase Edge of LaFayette, AL in the Edge’s Gas Company Special, and Bronson back to the green flag.

Shan Smith drove back under Adkins for the second spot on the restart, while Whitener and Thomas got by Adkins on lap 24 to move up to third and fourth respectively.  Myers spun in turn four on lap 25 to bring out a caution flag to set up another double file restart with Lloyd leading Shan Smith, Whitener, Thomas, Adkins, Montgomery, Wing, Cook, Pegher and Bronson.

When the green flag came out, Lloyd went high in turn one, while Smith challenged on the bottom groove of the track.  That left the middle groove open for Whitener to make it a three-wide battle for the lead in turn two.  As the lead trio shot off the second turn, Whitener took the lead followed by Lloyd and Smith.

Thomas sailed around the outside of Shan Smith to take over the third spot on lap 27, and by lap 33, Whitener was beginning to lap the cars on the tail end of the lead lap.  Austin Kirkpatrick of Ocala, FL spun the Sonny’s Bar-B-Que Special in turn four on lap 36 to bring out the caution flag.  The top ten for the restart was Whitener leading Lloyd, Thomas, Shan Smith, Adkins, Montgomery, Wing, Bronson, Cook, and Pegher.

Jeff Mathews of Valrico, FL has mechanical issues with his CURS Warrior on the restart to bring the caution flag back out, and during the caution period, Adkins had to give up the fifth spot when he had to pit with a cut tire.  When the field went back to green flag action, Bronson charged from seven to fourth by lap 37.

As the racing surface began to get black and slick, Cook’s race car came to life as he powered his way from eighth to fourth by lap 39.  Two laps later, the entire complexion of the race would dramatically change at the front of the pack.

With Whitener holding a comfortable lead, he suddenly slowed off the pace in turn three on lap 41 to bring out the caution flag.  When Whitener went to the pits, Lloyd took over the lead, but as the cars were lining up for the double file restart, Lloyd also had to dive into the pits after cutting down a right-rear tire.

That gave Thomas the lead followed by Cook, Bronson, Shan Smith, Pegher, Montgomery, Wing, Johnson, Jeff Smith and Davenport.  Lloyd came out of the pit area with a fresh right-rear tire and restarted 17th as the last car on the lead lap.

When the field went back to green flag racing, Cook moved up to challenge Thomas for the lead on lap 42.  Cook was able to drive under Thomas to take the lead on lap 43 coming off the fourth turn.  Montgomery drove around the outside of Shan Smith down the backstretch on lap 44 to take over the fourth spot.

By the halfway point in the race, Cook was pulling away from Thomas and held a half-straightaway lead in lapped traffic.  The field would bunch up one more time when the caution flag came out on lap 62 when Jeff Smith and Lloyd got together coming off the fourth turn while battling for the eighth spot.

The final double-file restart of the race had Cook leading Thomas, Bronson, Arthur, Pegher, Shan Smith, Johnson, Davenport, Wing and Brent Barrett of Cleveland, MS in the Custom Spraying, Inc. GRT.  Bronson got by Thomas for second on the restart, and on lap 65, Pegher passed Thomas for third.

Cook was pulling away from the field and by lap 70 was in a different zip code with over a full straightaway lead on Bronson.  Pegher chased down Bronson by lap 80 to battle him side-by-side for the second spot, and took the position on lap 82 with an outside move down the back stretch. 

By the time Pegher got to second, Cook was nowhere in sight.  With ten laps to go, Cook was almost a half a lap ahead of Pegher.  Cook cruised home for the win to join the likes of Lloyd, Jonathan Davenport, Doug Horton, Tim McCreadie, Shannon Buckingham, Randy Korte and Jimmy Owens as a winner of the Chevrolet Performance World Championship Race.

The NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series will return to Bubba Raceway Park to open the 2014 season with five straight nights of Speedweeks racing on January 28 through February 1.  There will be four 40-lap $2,000-to-win races on January 28, 29, 30, and 31, with a 50-lap $3,000-to-win finale on February 1.

For more information and rules about the NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series, visit the series all-new 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.

OFFICIAL RESULTS OF ROUND 21 AT BUBBA RACEWAY PARK IN OCALA, FL ON 11/22-23/12:

POS        STRT     CAR #    DRIVER                               HOMETOWN                     LAPS     $ WON 
1.             19           114         Ray Cook                             Brasstown, NC                    100         $10,100
2.             9              1c            Mike Pegher Jr.                  Cranberry, PA                    100         $5,000
3.             13           40b         Kyle Bronson (R)               Brandon, FL                        100         $3,000
4.             15           19           William Thomas                                Phenix City, AL                  100         $2,000
5.             4              87           Walker Arthur                    Forest, VA                            100         $1,750
6.             23           R1           Ronnie Johnson                  Chattanooga, TN                100         $1,500
7.             11           55           Shan Smith                           Dade City, FL                      99           $1,300
8.             21           17s          Jeff Smith                            Chatsworth, GA                  99           $1,200
9.             24           18d         Tait Davenport                   Benton, KY                          99           $1,100
10.          5              12           Ryan Montgomery            Fairmount, WV                  99           $1,000
11.          22           110         Brent Barrett (R)                Cleveland, MS                     98           $800
12.          12           18           Chase Edge                          LaFayette, AL                     97           $700
13.          2              19m        Josh Adkins (R)                   Talladega, AL                     97           $600
14.          10           33c         Carter Stokes                      New Smyrna Beach, FL    96           $500
15.          26           59           Jake Perkins                        Ocala, FL                             95           $450
16.          18           54w        Rodney Wing                      Meridian, MS                      76           $440
17.          1              21           Ivedent Lloyd Jr.               Ocala, FL                             61           $430
18.          20           11k         Austin Kirkpatrick (R)      Ocala, FL                             59           $420
19.          17           58           Mark Whitener                   Middleburg, FL                  40           $400
20.          16           33           Jeff Mathews                       Valrico, FL                          35           $400
21.          7              54           Dalton Myers                      Riverview, FL                     24           $400
22.          14           56           David Earl Gentry             Murfreesboro, TN             22           $400
23.          3              25           Justin McRee                       Cottondale, AL                   13           $400
24.          6              26           Jimmy Shapre Jr.              Soperton, GA                       13           $400
25.          8              47h         Brad Hall                             Knoxville, TN                     13           $400
26.          25           5k           George Kowatic                 Moon Township, PA          3              $400

ENTRIES:  49
FAST QUALIFIER:  Lloyd, 14.896 Seconds
PROVISIONALS:  Johnson and Davenport
LONGEST TOW PROVISIONAL:  Kowatic
BUBBA RACEWAY PARK PROVISIONAL:  Perkins
LEAD CHANGES:  5
LAP LEADERS:  Lloyd, 1-7; S. Smith, 8-14; Lloyd, 15-24; Whitener, 25-40; Thomas, 41-42; Cook, 43-100
LAPS LED:  Cook, 58; Lloyd, 17; Whitener, 16; S. Smith, 7; Thomas, 2
HEDMAN HUSLER OF THE RACE:  Cook (started 19th and finished 1st)
ROOKIE OF THE RACE:  Bronson
DOMINATOR RACE PRODUCTS HARD LUCK AWARD:  Lloyd
PRC JUST MISSED IT AWARD:  Doug Horton
STEALTH RACING CARBURETORS 7TH-PLACE AWARD:  S. Smith
VELOCITA RACEWEAR 8TH-PLACE AWARD: J. Smith
MODERN IMAGES 9TH-PLACE AWARD:  Davenport
AR BODIES 10TH-PLACE AWARD:  Montgomery
MIKE CUSTOM TANKS 11TH-PLACE AWARD:  Barrett
SHORTY’S SHOCK SERVICE 12TH-PLACE AWARD:  Edge
SCHOENFELD HEADERS 13TH-PLACE AWARD:  Adkins
J.T. KERR RACING EQUIPMENT 14TH-PLACE AWARD:  C. Stokes
KINSER AIR FILTERS 15TH-PLACE AWARD:  Perkins
CAUTIONS:  11
MARGIN OF VICTORY:  5.942 Seconds
TIME OF THE RACE:  1 Hour, 21 Minutes and 22.295 Seconds

GROUP QUALIFYING:

1ST GROUP:

POS

CAR #

DRIVER

HOMETOWN

CHASSIS

LAP 1

LAP 2

TIME

1

26

Jimmy Sharpe Jr.

Soperton, GA

Scorpion

15.115

15.446

15.115

2

19m

Josh Adkins – R

Talladega, AL

Barry Wright

15.322

15.887

15.322

3

56

David Earl Gentry

Murfreesboro, TN

Warrior

15.532

15.417

15.417

4

11r

Stacey Roberts

Sylvester, GA

Bloomquist

15.496

15.652

15.496

5

33c

Carter Stokes

New Smyrna Bch, FL

Rocket

15.664

15.498

15.498

6

59

Jake Perkins

Ocala, FL

Mastersbilt

15.929

15.605

15.605

7

47

Shannon Lee

Lumberton, MS

GRT

16.020

15.625

15.625

8

1

Johnny Stokes

Columbus, MS

GRT

15.696

15.663

15.663

9

110

Brent Barrett – R

Cleveland, MS

GRT

15.814

15.667

15.667

10

2

Marty Hardy

Biloxi, MS

GRT

16.142

16.639

16.142

11

11k

Austin Kirkpatrick - R

Ocala, FL

Barry Wright

NT

16.304

16.304

12

14k

Karl Willard

Cochran, GA

Rocket

17.861

17.150

17.150

2ND GROUP:

POS

CAR #

DRIVER

HOMETOWN

CHASSIS

LAP 1

LAP 2

TIME

1

18

Chase Edge

LaFayette, AL

Mastersbilt

15.459

15.302

15.302

2

87

Walker Arthur

Forest, VA

Mastersbilt

15.355

15.394

15.355

3

47h

Brad Hall

Knoxville, TN

Mastersbilt

15.366

15.490

15.366

4

18d

Tait Davenport

Benton, KY

Longhorn

15.868

15.509

15.509

5

33

Jeff Mathews

Valrico, FL

Warrior

15.525

15.569

15.525

6

54w

Rodney Wing

Meridian, MS

Snow Bros.

16.207

15.670

15.670

7

33s

Sid Scarbrough

Florence, MS

Trak-Star

15.736

15.691

15.691

8

5

Ronnie Johnson

Chattanooga, TN

Mastersbilt

15.746

15.849

15.746

9

42

Cla Knight

North Augusta, SC

Barry Wright

15.818

15.946

15.818

10

14

Tyler Clem

St. Petersburg, FL

Rocket

16.758

15.872

15.872

11

56L

Shep Lucas

McKenzie, AL

Trak-Star

16.032

16.361

16.032

12

00c

J.D. Pass

Brandon, MS

HRRC

16.426

16.300

16.300

3RD GROUP:

POS

CAR #

DRIVER

HOMETOWN

CHASSIS

LAP 1

LAP 2

TIME

1

19

William Thomas

Phenix City, AL

GRT

15.216

15.206

15.206

2

54

Dalton Myers

Riverview, FL

Snow Bros.

15.261

15.265

15.261

3

25

Justin McRee

Cottondale, AL

HRRC

15.419

15.262

15.262

4

111

Steven Roberts

Jesup, GA

Barry Wright

15.510

15.403

15.403

5

11

Doug Horton

Bruceton Mills, WV

Warrior

15.482

15.513

15.482

6

45

Bobby Richardson

Eustis, FL

Mastersbilt

15.503

15.670

15.503

7

55

Shan Smith

Dade City, FL

Rocket

15.522

15.553

15.522

8

B69

Bryan Bernhardt

Clearwater, FL

Rocket

15.723

15.683

15.683

9

5

George Kowatic

Moon Township, PA

Warrior

15.703

15.936

15.703

10

58

Mark Whitener

Middleburg, FL

Barry Wright

16.131

15.704

15.704

11

75k

Joe Krcelich

Carmichaels, PA

Rocket

16.850

16.008

16.008

12

27L

Michael Lake

Uniontown, PA

Warrior

16.018

16.011

16.011

4TH GROUP:

POS

CAR #

DRIVER

HOMETOWN

CHASSIS

LAP 1

LAP 2

TIME

1

21

Ivedent Lloyd Jr.

Ocala, FL

Snow Bros.

14.900

14.896

14.896

2

12

Ryan Montgomery

Fairmont, WV

Warrior

15.061

15.488

15.061

3

R1

Riley Hickman

Cleveland, TN

Mastersbilt

15.400

15.226

15.226

4

1c

Mike Pegher Jr.

Cranberry, PA

Warrior

15.483

15.520

15.483

5

17s

Jeff Smith

Chatsworth, GA

Warrior

15.695

15.571

15.571

6

40b

Kyle Bronson – R

Brandon, FL

Warrior

15.809

15.707

15.707

7

2

Dennis Franklin

Chesnee, SC

Barry Wright

16.078

15.890

15.890

8

03

Chris O'Connor

Cantonment, FL

HRRC

16.152

15.920

15.920

9

17h

Matt Henderson

Loudon, TN

CVR

16.423

15.964

15.964

10

51w

William Stile

Muse, PA

Rocket

16.248

16.586

16.248

11

51

Mack McCarter – R

Gatlinburg, TN

Rocket

16.285

16.428

16.285

12

114

Ray Cook

Brasstown, NC

Mastersbilt

17.259

16.338

16.338

13

24

Greg Martin

Oliver Springs, TN

Bloomquist

16.700

16.571

16.571

HEAT RACES (15 Laps – Top 4 Transfer To Main Event):

                1ST HEAT:  1. Lloyd; 2. Montgomery; 3. Pegher; 4. Bronson (R); 5. Hickman; 6. O’Connor; 7. J. Smith; 8. Cook; 9. Franklin; 10. McCarter (R); 11. Stile; 12. Henderson; 13. Martin DNS.

                2ND HEAT:  1. Adkins (R); 2. Sharpe; 3. C. Stokes; 4. Gentry; 5. Kirkpatrick (R); 6. Barrett (R); 7. Lee; 8. Hardy; 9. Willard; 10. Perkins; 11. Sta. Roberts; 12. J. Stokes.

                3RD HEAT:  1. McRee; 2. Myers; 3. S. Smith; 4. Thomas; 5. Whitener; 6. Ste. Roberts; 7. Horton; 8. Kowactic; 9. Krcelich; 10. Lake; 11. Richardson DQ; 12. Bernhardt DQ.

                4TH HEAT:  1. Arthur; 2. Hall; 3. Edge; 4. Mathews; 5. Wing; 6. Johnson; 7. Davenport; 8. Clem; 9. Lucas; 10. Knight; 11. Pass; 12. Scarbrough.

B-MAINS (20 Laps – Top 3 Transfer To Main Event):

1ST B-MAIN:  1. Whitener; 2. Cook; 3. J. Smith; 4. Horton; 5. Krcelich; 6. Stiles; 7. Hickman; 8. O’Connor; 9. Kowatic; 10 Ste. Roberts DNS; 11. Lake DNS; 12. Franklin DNS;  13. McCarter DNS; 14. Henderson DNS; 15. Martin DNS.
2ND B-MAIN:  1. Wing; 2. Kirkpatrick (R); 3. Barrett (R); 4. Blount; 5. Lee; 6. Pass; 7. Hardy; 8. Davenport; 9. Stokes; 10. Johnson; 11. Clem; 12. Perkins; 13. Sta. Roberts; 14. Willard; 15. Lucas DNS; 16. Knight DNS.
FINAL 2013 NeSMITH CHEVROLET DIRT LATE MODEL SERIES POINT STANDINGS:

1. 5 Ronnie Johnson – 1,754
2. 40b Kyle Bronson (R) – 1,642
3. 18d Tait Davenport – 1,570
4. 1 Johnny Stokes – 1,408
5. 25 Justin McRee – 1,370
6. 18 Ronny Lee Hollingsworth – 1,304
7. 110 Brent Barrett (R) – 1,288
8. 19m Josh Adkins (R) – 1,286
9. 121 Michael Blount – 992
10. 56 David Earl Gentry – 820
11. 10 Matthew Turner – 776
12. 47 Shannon Lee – 748
13. 55 Shan Smith – 696
14. 51 Mack McCarter (R) – 654
15. 1s Jeremy Shaw (R) – 640
16. 8a Todd Morrow – 562
16. 19 Marcus Minga – 562
18. 73 Evan Ellis – 536
19. 117 Jake Teague (R) – 534
20. 18 Chase Edge - 450

R – Denotes Rookie of the Year Candidate


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 and Performance Dealer six 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.  Hedman Hedders is the Official Hedder of the NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series and the Hedman Husler Award sponsor.  Bilstein Shocks is the Official Spec Shock of the NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series.  Old Man’s Garage is the sponsor of the NeSmith Chevrolet Old Man’s Garage Weekly Racing Series.  RockAuto.com is an Official Sponsor of the NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series.  Racecar Engineering is the Official Parts Supplier of the NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series.  Renegade Race and Performance Fuels are a series Associate Sponsor and fuel supplier.  NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series Contingency Sponsors for 2013 are Dominator Race Products, Stealth Racing Carburetors, Modern Images, Mike Custom Tanks, Shorty’s Shock Service, Schoenfeld Headers, J.T. Kerr Racing Equipment, Kinser Air Filters, AR Bodies, Velocita Racewear, and Performance Rod & Custom.  2013 Chassis Sponsors are Trak-Star Race Cars, Warrior Race Cars, Rocket Chassis, GRT Race Cars, TNT Race Cars, Stinger Race Cars, and CVR Race Cars. 

-30-


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

November 22, 2013

LLOYD EARNS THE POLE FOR THE NeSMITH CHEVROLET DLMS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP RACE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

                OCALA, FL – Defending race champion Ivedent Lloyd Jr. of Ocala, FL served notice on Friday night that he was looking for his second straight win as he earned pole position for Saturday night’s $10,000-to-win 100-lap 9th Annual Chevrolet Performance World Championship Race for the NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series at Bubba Raceway Park.

                Lloyd started the evening by setting fast time among the 49 entrants with a lap around the 3/8-mile clay oval in 14.896 seconds, and then winning the first of four 15-lap Heat Races driving the Augusta Delivery Service Special.  The top four finishers in each of the four Friday night heat races earned a spot in the main event on Saturday night that make up the “Sweet 16.”

                Josh Adkins of Talladega, AL won the second heat race to join Lloyd on the outside of the front row for the big show driving the Yellow Hammer Construction Special.  Justin McRee of Cottondale, AL won the third heat race in the High Roller Race Cars Special to earn the inside second row starting spot for the main event.  Walker Arthur of Forest, VA drove the Cecil B. Arthur Beef Farms Special to a win in the fourth heat to claim the outside second row starting spot.

                Joining Lloyd in the top four transfer spots to the main event out of the first heat were Ryan Montgomery of Fairmont, WV in the Central Supply Warrior, Mike Pegher Jr. of Cranberry, PA in the Bobby Lake Motorsports Warrior, and 2013 NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series Rookie of the Year Kyle Bronson of Brandon, FL in the Brandon Ford Warrior.

                The second through fourth-place drivers following Adkins under the checkered flag in the second heat were Jimmy Sharpe Jr. of Soperton, GA in the Certified Energy, Inc. Special, Carter Stokes of New Smyrna Beach, FL in the RCR Rocket, and two-time NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series Champion David Earl Gentry of Murfreesboro, TN in the Eads Farms/Hardy & Associates Warrior.

                Dalton Myers of Riverview, FL in the Ed Metals Special, Shan Smith of Dade City, FL in the Outlaw Race Parts Rocket, and William Thomas of Phenix City, AL in the Alexander’s Industrial Service GRT finished second through fourth respectively behind McRee in the third heat race to earn a seat among the Sweet 16 in the $10,000-to-win World Championship Race.

                Second through fourth respectively behind Walker in the fourth heat race to transfer into the big show were Brad Hall of Knoxville, TN in the Hall Racing Special, Chase Edge of LaFayette, AL in the Edge’s Gas Company Special, and Jeff Mathews of Valrico, FL in the CURS Warrior.

                Drivers that finished fifth on back in the four heat races on Friday night will have another opportunity to race into the 100-lap 9th Annual Chevrolet Performance World Championship Race through one of two 20-lap B-Main Races.  The top three finishers in each B-Main will fill in starting spots 17 through 22 for the main event.

                There are many big names still on the outside looking in the starting field for the World Championship Race.  Those drivers include the 2013 NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series National Champion Ronnie Johnson of Chattanooga, TN, former race winner Doug Horton of Bruceton Mills, WV, Ray Cook of Brasstown, NC, and Dennis “Rambo” Franklin of Gaffney, SC.

                The 23rd and 22nd starting spots in the World Championship Race are provisional spots for NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series Top 15 drivers in the point standings.  Along with Johnson, they include third-place Tait Davenport of Benton, KY, fourth-place Johnny Stokes of Columbus, MS, seventh-place Brent Barrett of Cleveland, MS, 12th-place Shannon Lee of Lumberton, MS, and 15th-place Mack McCarter of Gatlinburg, TN.

For more information and rules about the NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series, visit the series all-new 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.

PRELIMINARY RESULTS OF ROUND 21 AT BUBBA RACEWAY PARK IN OCALA, FL ON 11/22/12:

ENTRIES:  49
FAST QUALIFIER:  Lloyd, 14.896 Seconds
HEAT RACE WINNERS:  Lloyd, Adkins, McRee, and Arthur

GROUP QUALIFYING:

1ST GROUP:

POS

CAR #

DRIVER

HOMETOWN

CHASSIS

LAP 1

LAP 2

TIME

1

26

Jimmy Sharpe Jr.

Soperton, GA

Scorpion

15.115

15.446

15.115

2

19m

Josh Adkins - R

Talladega, AL

Barry Wright

15.322

15.887

15.322

3

56

David Earl Gentry

Murfreesboro, TN

Warrior

15.532

15.417

15.417

4

11r

Stacey Roberts

Sylvester, GA

Bloomquist

15.496

15.652

15.496

5

33c

Carter Stokes

New Smyrna Bch, FL

Rocket

15.664

15.498

15.498

6

59

Jake Perkins

Ocala, FL

Mastersbilt

15.929

15.605

15.605

7

47

Shannon Lee

Lumberton, MS

GRT

16.020

15.625

15.625

8

1

Johnny Stokes

Columbus, MS

GRT

15.696

15.663

15.663

9

110

Brent Barrett - R

Cleveland, MS

GRT

15.814

15.667

15.667

10

2

Marty Hardy

Biloxi, MS

GRT

16.142

16.639

16.142

11

11k

Austin Kirkpatrick - R

Ocala, FL

Barry Wright

NT

16.304

16.304

12

14k

Karl Willard

Cochran, GA

Rocket

17.861

17.150

17.150

2ND GROUP:

POS

CAR #

DRIVER

HOMETOWN

CHASSIS

LAP 1

LAP 2

TIME

1

18

Chase Edge

LaFayette, AL

Mastersbilt

15.459

15.302

15.302

2

87

Walker Arthur

Forest, VA

Mastersbilt

15.355

15.394

15.355

3

47h

Brad Hall

Knoxville, TN

Mastersbilt

15.366

15.490

15.366

4

18d

Tait Davenport

Benton, KY

Longhorn

15.868

15.509

15.509

5

33

Jeff Mathews

Valrico, FL

Warrior

15.525

15.569

15.525

6

54w

Rodney Wing

Meridian, MS

Snow Bros.

16.207

15.670

15.670

7

33s

Sid Scarbrough

Florence, MS

Trak-Star

15.736

15.691

15.691

8

5

Ronnie Johnson

Chattanooga, TN

Mastersbilt

15.746

15.849

15.746

9

42

Cla Knight

North Augusta, SC

Barry Wright

15.818

15.946

15.818

10

14

Tyler Clem

St. Petersburg, FL

Rocket

16.758

15.872

15.872

11

56L

Shep Lucas

McKenzie, AL

Trak-Star

16.032

16.361

16.032

12

00c

J.D. Pass

Brandon, MS

HRRC

16.426

16.300

16.300

3RD GROUP:

POS

CAR #

DRIVER

HOMETOWN

CHASSIS

LAP 1

LAP 2

TIME

1

19

William Thomas

Phenix City, AL

GRT

15.216

15.206

15.206

2

54

Dalton Myers

Riverview, FL

Snow Bros.

15.261

15.265

15.261

3

25

Justin McRee

Cottondale, AL

HRRC

15.419

15.262

15.262

4

111

Steven Roberts

Jesup, GA

Barry Wright

15.510

15.403

15.403

5

11

Doug Horton

Bruceton Mills, WV

Warrior

15.482

15.513

15.482

6

45

Bobby Richardson

Eustis, FL

Mastersbilt

15.503

15.670

15.503

7

55

Shan Smith

Dade City, FL

Rocket

15.522

15.553

15.522

8

B69

Bryan Bernhardt

Clearwater, FL

Rocket

15.723

15.683

15.683

9

5

George Kowatic

Moon Township, PA

Warrior

15.703

15.936

15.703

10

58

Mark Whitener

Middleburg, FL

Barry Wright

16.131

15.704

15.704

11

75k

Joe Krcelich

Carmichaels, PA

Rocket

16.850

16.008

16.008

12

27L

Michael Lake

Uniontown, PA

Warrior

16.018

16.011

16.011

4TH GROUP:

POS

CAR #

DRIVER

HOMETOWN

CHASSIS

LAP 1

LAP 2

TIME

1

21

Ivedent Lloyd Jr.

Ocala, FL

Snow Bros.

14.900

14.896

14.896

2

12

Ryan Montgomery

Fairmont, WV

Warrior

15.061

15.488

15.061

3

R1

Riley Hickman

Cleveland, TN

Mastersbilt

15.400

15.226

15.226

4

1c

Mike Pegher Jr.

Cranberry, PA

Warrior

15.483

15.520

15.483

5

17s

Jeff Smith

Chatsworth, GA

Warrior

15.695

15.571

15.571

6

40b

Kyle Bronson - R

Brandon, FL

Warrior

15.809

15.707

15.707

7

2

Dennis Franklin

Chesnee, SC

Barry Wright

16.078

15.890

15.890

8

03

Chris O'Connor

Cantonment, FL

HRRC

16.152

15.920

15.920

9

17h

Matt Henderson

Loudon, TN

CVR

16.423

15.964

15.964

10

51w

William Stile

Muse, PA

Rocket

16.248

16.586

16.248

11

51

Mack McCarter - R

Gatlinburg, TN

Rocket

16.285

16.428

16.285

12

114

Ray Cook

Brasstown, NC

Mastersbilt

17.259

16.338

16.338

13

24

Greg Martin

Oliver Springs, TN

Bloomquist

16.700

16.571

16.571

HEAT RACES (15 Laps – Top 4 Transfer To Main Event):

                1ST HEAT:  1. Lloyd; 2. Montgomery; 3. Pegher; 4. Bronson (R); 5. Hickman; 6. O’Connor; 7. J. Smith; 8. Cook; 9. Franklin; 10. McCarter (R); 11. Stile; 12. Henderson; 13. Martin DNS.

                2ND HEAT:  1. Adkins (R); 2. Sharpe; 3. C. Stokes; 4. Gentry; 5. Kirkpatrick (R); 6. Barrett (R); 7. Lee; 8. Hardy; 9. Willard; 10. Perkins; 11. Sta. Roberts; 12. J. Stokes.

                3RD HEAT:  1. McRee; 2. Myers; 3. S. Smith; 4. Thomas; 5. Whitener; 6. Ste. Roberts; 7. Horton; 8. Kowactic; 9. Krcelich; 10. Lake; 11. Richardson DQ; 12. Bernhardt DQ.

                4TH HEAT:  1. Arthur; 2. Hall; 3. Edge; 4. Mathews; 5. Wing; 6. Johnson; 7. Davenport; 8. Clem; 9. Lucas; 10. Knight; 11. Pass; 12. Scarbrough.

“SWEET 16” MAIN EVENT LINE-UP:

ROW 1:
21 Ivedent Lloyd Jr.
19m Josh Adkins (R)

ROW 2:
25 Justin McRee
87 Walker Arthur

ROW 3:
12 Ryan Montgomery
26 Jimmy Sharpe Jr.

ROW 4:
54 Dalton Myers
47h Brad Hall

ROW 5:
1c Mike Pegher Jr.
33c Carter Stokes

ROW 6:
55 Shan Smith
18 Chase Edge

ROW 7:
40 Kyle Bronson (R)
56 David Earl Gentry

ROW 8:
19 William Thomas
33 Jeff Mathews

B-MAIN LINE-UPS (20 Laps – Top 3 Transfer To Main Event):

1ST B-MAIN:
R1 Riley Hickman – 58 Mark Whitener
03 Chris O’Connor – 111 Steven Roberts
17s Jeff Smith – 11 Doug Horton
114 Ray Cook – 5k George Kowatic
2 Dennis Franklin – 75k Joe Krcelich
51 Mack McCarter (R) – 27 Michael Lake
51w William Stile – 17h Matt Henderson

2ND B-MAIN:
11r Stacey Roberts – 54w Rodney Wing
110 Brent Barrett (R) – 5 Ronnie Johnson
47 Shannon Lee – 18 Tait Davenport
2 Marty Hardy – 14 Tyler Clem
14k Karl Willard – 56L Shep Lucas
59 Jake Perkins – 42 Cla Knight
11k Austin Kirkpatrick (R) – 00c J.D. Pass
1 Johnny Stokes – 33s Sid Scarbrough

R – Denotes Rookie of the Year Candidate

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 and Performance Dealer six 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.  Hedman Hedders is the Official Hedder of the NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series and the Hedman Husler Award sponsor.  Bilstein Shocks is the Official Spec Shock of the NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series.  Old Man’s Garage is the sponsor of the NeSmith Chevrolet Old Man’s Garage Weekly Racing Series.  RockAuto.com is an Official Sponsor of the NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series.  Racecar Engineering is the Official Parts Supplier of the NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series.  Renegade Race and Performance Fuels are a series Associate Sponsor and fuel supplier.  NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series Contingency Sponsors for 2013 are Dominator Race Products, Stealth Racing Carburetors, Modern Images, Mike Custom Tanks, Shorty’s Shock Service, Schoenfeld Headers, J.T. Kerr Racing Equipment, Kinser Air Filters, AR Bodies, Velocita Racewear, and Performance Rod & Custom.  2013 Chassis Sponsors are Trak-Star Race Cars, Warrior Race Cars, Rocket Chassis, GRT Race Cars, TNT Race Cars, Stinger Race Cars, and CVR Race Cars. 

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