NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series News Release:
Contact – ROBY HELM – (865) 207-4157
June 23, 2010

NeSMITH CHEVROLET DLMS WHYNOT COCA-COLA NATIONALS A MUST SEE

MERIDIAN, MS – The Coca-Cola Nationals this weekend for the NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series National Tour at Whynot Motorsports Park is a must-see event for any race fan. One of the most competitive fields of over 40 cars and drivers will be racing on one of the most competitive tracks on the tour that lends itself to three and four-wide action.

That action begins on Friday night with the $2,000-to-win Dasani Water 40, and continues on Saturday night with the $2,500-to-win Coca-Cola Classic 50, Rounds 10 and 11 of the 2010 NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series National Touring season.

The mix of top 13 in the NeSmith Chevrolet DLMS National point standings, combined with Regional dirt late model stars, NeSmith Chevrolet Weekly Racing Series title contenders, and the strong local contingent should make for a memorable two nights of dirt track racing.

Eric Cooley of Fulton, MS is the defending NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series National Champion and leads the point standings coming into the Coca-Cola Nationals at Whynot Motorsports Park. Cooley will be looking for his third win of the season and has a 46-point lead over Matthew Turner of Dawsonville, GA.

Justin McRee of Cuba, AL is not only a local favorite, but he is also third in the NeSmith Chevrolet DLMS points chase, 52 points behind Turner. “J-Mac” has a National Tour career win at Whynot Motorsports Park, as well as multiple wins this season in NeSmith Chevrolet Weekly Racing Series West Region competition.

McRee’s teammate, Chargin’ Charlie Henderson of Cottondale, AL is fourth in the National points, 42 points behind McRee, and he also leads the VP Racing Fuels Rookie of the Year point standings. Shannon Lee of Lumberton, MS is fifth in the points chase, and second in the VP Racing Fuels Rookie of the Year standings, 20 points behind Henderson.

Another local favorite, Chris McElhenney of Lake, MS is sixth in the National Tour points chase, 16 points behind Lee. Larry Harrod of Plains, GA is seventh in the National points, and third in the VP Racing Fuels RoY standings, 14 points behind McElhenney.

Harrod is fresh off his first career National Touring win on June 18 at Penton Raceway in Penton, AL, and is also a title contender this season in NeSmith Chevrolet Weekly Racing Series East Region competition. Mississippi drivers make up the next four spots in the NeSmith Chevrolet DLMS National point standings.

Marcus Minga of Shannon, MS is eighth, 28 points behind Harrod, and Michael Blount of Sumrall, MS is ninth, 60 points behind Minga, and is fourth in the VP Racing Fuels RoY standings. Jay Burchfield of Columbus, MS is tenth in the National point standings, 18 points behind Blount, and is fifth in the VP Racing Fuels RoY standings.

Johnny Stokes of Columbus, MS is 11th in the National point standings, and is also tied for second in the NeSmith Chevrolet WRS West Region point standings with the highest event point average. William Thomas of Phenix City, AL is 12th, and won the National Touring season opener in January at Columbus Speedway in Columbus, MS. Frank Wilson of Harold, FL is 13th in the National points, and sixth in the VP Racing Fuels RoY standings.

Lucky Keeton of Toomsuba, MS will be defending his home turf as the three-time NeSmith Chevrolet Weekly Racing Series West Region Champion and the current West Region point leader. Jim McDuffie of Meridian, MS is the 2008 NeSmith Chevrolet WRS West Region Champion, and is fresh off a win at Whynot Motorsports Park on June 19.

Other NeSmith Chevrolet Weekly Racing Series West Region title contenders expected this weekend at the Coca-Cola Nationals include Tony Lawson of Laurel, MS, Shay Knight of Ethelsville, AL, Cliff Williams of Star, MS, Jason Michau of Kilmichael, MS and Wesley Greene of Winona, MS. NeSmith Chevrolet Weekly Racing Series East Region title contenders expected include Kevin Maher of McDavid, FL, Josh Huss of Flomaton, AL, and Chris Smith of Brewton, AL.

NeSmith Chevrolet Weekly Racing Series competitors, who compete at sanctioned weekly track throughout the Southeast, can earn up to 150 bonus points that are added to their best 16 point night totals. Competitors earn 25 bonus points at each NeSmith Chevrolet DLMS National Touring events up to the 150-point limit.

Southeastern dirt late model stars expected this weekend for the Coca-Cola Nationals at Whynot Motorsports Park include seven-time NeSmith Chevrolet DLMS National Touring winner Mike Boland of Cuba, AL, the 2008 NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series National Champion Chip Brindle of Chatsworth, GA, Ronny Lee Hollingsworth of Northport, AL, and Shep Lucas of McKenzie, AL. Boland took a National Touring win last season at WMP.

Other local favorites entered include the defending NeSmith Chevrolet Weekly Racing Series Whynot Motorsports Park Late Model Champion Randy Boyd of Marion, MS, the 2008 NeSmith Chevrolet WRS WMP Late Model Champion Larry Murphy of Meridian, MS, Wiley Williams of Stonewall, MS, Roger Rolison of Meridian, MS, and Tody Ratcliff of Meridian, MS.

Race fans will have an opportunity to get involved with the high speed action on Saturday night, and at the same time, give to a worthwhile cause by participating in the “Ride For Life” auction to win a ride with one of eight drivers. All of the proceeds from the auctions will be going to the local chapter of the American Cancer Society.

Rides at race speeds over 100 miles per hour with Lucky Keeton, Jim McDuffie, Justin McRee, Chris McElhenney, Mike Boland, Larry Murphy, Randy Boyd, and Tody Ratcliff will be auctioned off. The highest bidder for each driver will strap into the passenger seat of a specially-built two-seat dirt late model race car and take a six-lap ride around Whynot Motorsports Park.

The Whynot Motorsports Park Pure Stocks, Mini Stocks, and Stingers will compete on Friday night, and the Street Stocks and Modifieds will each race for $800-to-win on Saturday night.

The Drury Inn and Suites in Meridian, MS is the Official Host Hotel for the NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series National Tour two-race Coca-Cola Nationals at Whynot Motorsports Park this weekend. The Drury Inn and Suites will be offering NeSmith Chevrolet DLMS fans and competitors a special discount rate.

The Drury Inn and Suites is located at Exit 154B on I-59/20 at 112 Highway 11 and 80 North. The Drury Inn and Suites is offering NeSmith Chevrolet DLMS fans and competitors a special discount rate of $85 per night for a King room, and $95 per night for a Double Queen room. To make reservations call 601-483-5570 and ask for the Whynot Racing Rate.

Each room at the brand new facility comes with a free hot breakfast, free long distance, free high-speed wireless internet, and free evening cocktails and snacks. The Meridian, MS Drury Inn and Suites also have an indoor pool and hot tub. To see the facility on the Internet go to https://wwws.druryhotels.com/PropertyOverview.aspx?Property=0143.

Whynot Motorsports Park is located south of Meridian, MS on State Road 19. For more information call Whynot Motorsports Park at 601-644-3010, or visit the track web site at www.whynotmotorsportspark.com. For more information about the NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series, visit the series web site at www.nesmithracing.com.