For Immediate Release
June 30, 2010

NeSMITH CHEVROLET DLMS READY TO LIGHT THE FUSE OF THE THREE-RACE FIRECRACKER NATIONALS

CARTERSVILLE, GA – The NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series National Tour is ready to light the fuse of the Firecracker Nationals on Friday and Saturday at 441 Speedway in Dublin, GA, and on Sunday night at East Alabama Motor Speedway in Phenix City, AL with over $35,000 in prize money up for grabs.

Drivers from five states will converge on 441 Speedway on Friday night for the $2,000-to-win Stars and Stripes 40, and then return on Saturday night for the $2,500-to-win Salute To America 50. The series cars and stars will then head west to East Alabama Motor Speedway on Sunday night for the $2,500-to-win Salute To The Armed Forces 50 on Sunday night.

Top entries include the defending NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series National Champion Eric Cooley of Fulton, MS, who is also the current point leader with two wins on the season. Last season at the age of 18, Cooley became the youngest driver in the history of dirt late model racing to win a National Championship.

Matthew Turner of Dawsonville, GA is second in the NeSmith Chevrolet DLMS National standings, 46 points behind Cooley. Turner is the “Ironman” of the NeSmith Chevrolet DLMS National Tour as the only driver to compete in every NeSmith Dirt Late Model Series National Touring event since the series’ inception in 2005.

Turner and the series are scheduled to reach a major milestone at East Alabama Motor Speedway on Sunday night, as it will mark the 100th NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series National Touring event.

A pair of teammates are third and fourth in the National standings with Justin McRee of Tuscaloosa, AL in the third spot, and Chargin’ Charlie Henderson of Cottondale, AL sitting fourth. “J-Mac” is fresh off his first win of the season on June 25 in Meridian, MS, and Henderson is the VP Racing Fuels Rookie of the Year point leader.

Shannon Lee of Lumberton, MS is fifth in the National standings and second in the VP Racing Fuel Rookie of the Year points. Chris McElhenney of Lake, MS is sixth in the NeSmith Chevrolet DLMS National points chase.

Larry Harrod of Plains, GA gives the Peach State another driver along with Turner in the NeSmith Chevrolet DLMS National points top ten. Harrod, also known as “The Big Tree” because of his trade as a logger, is seventh in the National points with one win on the season, and is third in the VP Racing Fuels Rookie of the Year point standings.

Michael Blount of Sumrall, MS is eighth in the NeSmith Chevrolet DLMS National point standings, and as a Lamar County Mississippi Deputy Sheriff, Blount will be in hot pursuit of the competition this weekend looking for his second career series win. Marcus Minga of Shannon, MS is ninth, and Jay Burchfield of Columbus, MS rounds out the top ten in NeSmith Chevrolet DLMS National points.

The action will begin on Thursday night as 441 Speedway will host an open practice session with the gates opening at 4 p.m., and practice from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. The NeSmith Chevrolet DLMS will compete in time trials, heat races, and main events each of the three nights during the Firecracker Nationals.

Race fans will have an opportunity to get involved with the high speed action on Saturday night at 441 Speedway, and at the same time, give to a worthwhile cause by participating in the “Ride For Life” auction to win a ride at race speed with one of six 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 the top National and local drivers 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 at race speed around 441 Speedway.

On Friday and Saturday nights at 441 Speedway, the gates open at 4 p.m. with NeSmith Chevrolet DLMS Registration and Pre-Race Technical Inspection from 4:30 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. The Drivers Meeting each night will be at 6:45 p.m. with racing scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

The Jameson Inn at Exit 51 on I-16 in Dublin, GA is the NeSmith Chevrolet DLMS Official Host Hotel for the 441 Speedway Firecracker National events. The Jameson Inn is offering NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series fans and competitors a special discount rate of $49.95 per night. To make reservations call 478-275-3008 and ask for the 441 Speedway discount rate.

On Sunday at East Alabama Motor Speedway, the gates open at 3 p.m. Eastern Time with NeSmith Chevrolet DLMS Registration and Pre-Race Technical Inspection from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. The Drivers Meeting will be at 7 p.m. with racing scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

For more information about 441 Speedway call 478-595-7299, or visit the track web site at www.441speedway.com. The track is located six miles south of I-16 on U. S. Highway 441. For more information about East Alabama Motor Speedway call 334-297-2594, or visit the track web site at www.eamsdirt.com. The track is located six miles west of Phenix City, AL on U.S. Highway 80.

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.