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Steve Hixson
CLEVELAND, Tenn. (May 15) - The 31st edition of the Cleveland (TN) Speedway's TENNESSEE MEMORIAL RACE, presented by Coca-Cola is this Saturday night, May 17th. The annual O'Reilly Southern All-Star event, draws a large arrray of regional and local dirt Super Late Model raceteams to the 1/3-mile clay-banked dirt track, thats located just North of Chattanooga, Tennessee. Again this season the event garners a $5,000 to-Win, 'A' Main-Feature for the SLM's along with local racing action on the undercard for area racers.
In 2007 the GEORGIA GIANT Shane Clanton made the trek from Michigan (racing the previous night with the World of Outlaw Late Model series) to win after early race leader Casey Roberts fell from competition with mechanical problems. Again in 2008 Clanton will be in competition with the WoOLMs fella's on Friday in Ohio and could be planning a TN MEMORIAL RACE weekend return to Cleveland Speedway. The familiar yellow # 25 races out of the RSD shop just South of Atlanta and is last years Cleveland O'SAS GOBBLER champ also.
A top field of regional racers will be expected, for the O'SAS event, and many are scheduled the weekends pair of events, that kick off the night before Cleveland, down at the North Georgia Speedway, (Friday, May 16th) at promoter Monty Morrow's other venue, that is hosting the $2,000. to-Win: SLM 'MAYHEM 40' event. So far in 2008, besides mother-nature winning a bunch of dates, Chattanooga's Randy 'BIG DADDY' Burrows and Cleveland's Todd Morrow have been the one's to beat. Both have won two (2) features and weekly run in the top of the pack.
O'SAS touring racers expected to be in action include the 2007 O'SAS Series champion and current series points leader Ivedent Lloyd of Ocala, FL, current Cleveland Speedway Driving School Rookie of the Year leader Jason Fitzgerald of Jacksonville, FL, and Chatsworth, GA., driver Derek Ellis who is also running for the series rookie title. Last years RotY Stacy Holmes of Munford, AL, Randy Weaver of Crossville, TN, Anthony Hill of Carrollton, GA, Jimmy Owens of Newport, TN, Tony Knowles of Tyrone, GA, plus many more drivers from across the region are expected.
Others that could be expected to possibly enter the event include; former series champ and local fan favorite, Dale McDowell of Chickamagua, GA, 2007 JEAN JOHNSON MEMORIAL winner Chris Madden of Gray Court, SC, 2007 JIMMY MOWRY MEMORIAL winner Skip Arp of Georgetown, TN and former, back to back O'SAS champ Chris Madden of Gray Court, SC. As for Cleveland's, Georgia and North Carolina neighbors racers such as David Payne of Murphy, NC, has had success already this season, at the track, the TARHEEL TIGER Ray Cook of Brasstown, NC, always runs strong, as does the TANK Shane Tankersley, Jake Knowles, and Aaron Ridley all of which come from the Peach State.
Local SLM racers that will probably be defending the home turf for this special event, include; reigning Track Champion Paul Tims of Georgetown, TN, Maryville racer Brad Coffey, Cleveland native SHORTY Keith Frazier, Lenior City pilot Ruber Mayfield and the tracks most recent winner the AXE-MAN Kevin Gibson of nearby Ringgold, GA. Other than the O'SAS SLM races, there will be racing in Limited/Crate Late Models, A & B Hobby's, the Pony Stocks and Front Wheel Drive divisions. The normal North GA/Cleveland bonuses will be in place for all local classes.
Racefans will witness two laps of Sunoco Race Fuels qualifying for the O'SAS series with that locks in the Top 10 starters of the 'A' Main feature race. An undetermined amount of 'B'Main/Last Chance Heats, will determine the remainder of the twenty-four (24) car starting field. If a racer wins both the SLM race at North Georgia and then wins the O'SAS event at Cleveland, CAR SMART Auto Sales (of Cleveland, TN) will pay-out a $1,000. bonus, to the victor. Gates open around 4PM EST with racing beginning with Hot Lap Practice shortly after the drivers meeting, arounf 7:30PM.
The O'SAS sanctioning group will be enforcing the new body rules for nose pieces, fender flares, filler panels and other amended rules for the 2008 season. The track is located on US Hwy 11 (Lee Highway) just North of the US 64 bypass in Cleveland, TN. For more information call the track at (423)479-8574 or visit either the tracks web-site www.clevelandspeedway.com or the O'SAS web-site www.southern-allstars.com
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