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Roby Helm
CARTERSVILLE, Ga. (April 22) - With a stellar field of NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series drivers representing ten states headed to Pike County Speedway in McComb, MS for the 100-lap $10,000-to-win Cajun Spring Nationals, there will be a group of drivers battling each other in a race within the race for the Sunoco Race Fuels Rookie of the Year title.
Chip Brindle of Chatsworth, GA and Jeff Fields of Aragon, GA are locked in a tight battle for the NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series National point lead. Brindle has an eight-point lead over Fields. The 2008 NeSmith Chevrolet DLMS National Champion will pick up a $20,000 check at season's end.
Brindle knows a little about the Sunoco Race Fuels Rookie of the Year battle, as he was the 2007 NeSmith Chevrolet DLMS Rookie of the Year. Brindle won $5,000 for the title, and a brand new GRT Chassis. His success has led a group of eight drivers to the first four events of the 2008 NeSmith Chevrolet DLMS season to battle for that prize this season.
Jason Hiett of Lincoln, AL leads the Sunoco Race Fuels Rookie of the Year points, and he is seventh overall on the NeSmith Chevrolet DLMS National points with one top five finish. Hiett with 254 points, has a ten point lead over Scott Knowles of Lanett, AL. Knowles is currently ninth overall in the National points with a top ten finish.
Hunter Peacock of Macon, GA is third the Sunoco Race Fuels Rookie of the Year point standings, and tenth overall in the National points. Peacock has 212 points with a second-place finish, and a fast time honor at the season opener at Talladega Short Track in Eastaboga, AL in January.
Eric Cooley of Fulton, MS has moved into position to challenge for the Sunoco Race Fuels Rookie of the Year title, as he is fourth in the Rookie points, and 11th in the National standings with 198 points. Cooley could be higher in the Rookie points race, but he has competed in just three of the first four races of the season.
A pair of Hoosier State drivers that finished one-two in the NeSmith Chevrolet Weekly Racing Series Indiana State competition in 2007 have stepped up to the National Tour this season, and are competing for the Sunoco Race Fuels Rookie of the Year Championship.
Steve Godsey of Bedford, IN won the NeSmith Chevrolet Weekly Racing Series Indiana Championship last season, and was third in the 2007 NeSmith Chevrolet WRS West Region. Godsey has had success in Mississippi having won the Weekly Racing Series post-season extravaganza Fall Nationals and the Race of Regions last November at Columbus Speedway in Columbus, MS.
Godsey, a second-generation drive and son of National Dirt Late Model Hall of Fame inductee Ray Godsey, has 182 points, and sits fifth in the Sunoco Race Fuels Rookie of the Year points, and 14th in the National points.
Jim Moon of Zionsville, IN finished second to Godsey last season in the NeSmith Chevrolet Weekly Racing Series Indiana points. Moon leads a two-car team on the National Tour this season with veteran Chris Carlson of West Milwaukee, WI. Moon is sixth in the Sunoco Race Fuels Rookie points, and is 17th in the National standings with 144 points.
A pair of Sunoco Race Fuel Rookie of the Year candidates are tied for the seventh spot in the Rookie standings with 120 points, and will be looking to break out this weekend at Pike County Speedway.
Chad Wallace of LaGrange, GA won the 2007 NeSmith Chevrolet Weekly Racing Series Track Championship at Penton Raceway in Penton, AL, and finished third in the East Region points. Marcus Minga of Shannon, MS will be looking for success in his home state, after a top ten finish in NeSmith Chevrolet DLMS action last season at Columbus Speedway.
Other top contenders expected at Pike County Speedway this weekend for the richest NeSmith Chevrolet DLMS points race of the season include Chris Tays of Corinth, MS, Larry Boutwell of Baker, FL, and the 2007 NeSmith Chevrolet DLMS National Championship Runner-Up Jay Blair of Angie, LA, who will be debuting a new Mastersbilt race car.
The top dirt late model drivers from Mississippi will also be represented in legendary fashion this weekend at Pike County Speedway with seven-time Mississippi State Late Model Champion Mike Boland of Cuba, AL, "Dr. Dirt" Johnny Stokes of Columbus, MS, and Rodney Wing of Meridian, MS.
Also representing Mississippi at Pike County Speedway this weekend will be the defending and two-time NeSmith Chevrolet Weekly Racing Series West Region Champion Lucky Keeton of Toomsuba, MS. Keeton already has four wins in 2008 Weekly Racing Series action and leads the West Region in quest of his third straight title.
The NeSmith Chevrolet DLMS cars and stars will compete in Qualifying and Heat Races on Friday night, in which the top 16 starting spots for the Saturday night 100-lap main event will be determined. On Saturday night, the B-Main Races will fill starting spots 17 through 24, followed by the 100-lap $10,000-to-win main event.
The Best Western Hotel in McComb, MS is the Official Host Hotel for the NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series 100-lap $10,000-to-win Cajun Spring Nationals at Pike County Speedway. The Best Western Hotel will be offering NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series fans and competitors a special discount rate.
The Best Western Hotel in McComb, MS is located at exit 17 on I-55, and features comfortable rooms with Tempur-pedic mattresses, flat screen HDTVs, free high-speed internet and an indoor pool. The special discount rate for NeSmith Chevrolet DLMS fans and competitors is $79.99 per night. To make reservations call 601-249-4300 and ask for the Pike County Speedway discount rate.
For more information call Pike County Speedway at 601-783-2500, or visit the track web site at www.pikecountyspeedway.com. Pike County Speedway is located at exit 8 on I-55. For more information about the NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series, visit the series web site at www.nesmithracing.com.
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