Naples, ME 9/22/09- It’s been almost a year since the pit gates of Southern National Speedway have swung open to greet race teams. However, with the cooperation of track owner Kirk Leone and Pro All Stars Series (PASS) South owner Tom Mayberry, the silence will be replaced with 150 laps of green flag racing from some of the top super late model drivers in the country this weekend. The “Southern National Comes Alive 150” will mark not only the twelfth stop on the fourteen race PASS South tour but it will also double up as the third race of the four race PASS National championship series between both the PASS North and PASS South drivers.
The track has stood idle since last season’s Thanksgiving Classic race in which three time 2009 PASS South series winner Preston Peltier claimed the victory, starting shotgun on the field after showing up the day after qualifying had taken place. Durham, NC resident Jay Fogleman also scored a win last season at Southern National, winning the USAR Pro Cup race.
Several other drivers including Joey Coulter, Brad Bischoff, and two youngsters in Devin Jones and Bradley McCaskill have all filed entries for this weekends’ return to Southern National. Jones is coming off a pair of top ten runs at the Hickory Motor Speedway, while McCaskill has shown fans of PASS super late model racing that the small time guy with the family operation can still get it done as he posted a season best finish of fourth last race out at Hickory. Southern National track champion and current PASS South competitor John Batten will be fielding two cars, one for himself and one for Brandon Head who will be making his return to racing.
When it comes to the PASS National series championship picture, it’s Maine versus North Carolina. Ben Rowe, the PASS South points leader, holds the top spot over 2009 PASS North champion Johnny Clark. Defending national champion Cassius Clark from Farmington, Maine still has an outside chance of defending his title as he currently sits sixth in national points. Mark Gibson is right behind the top two in third, with Jay Fogleman and Ryan Blaney fourth and fifth. All three made the long haul north to Beech Ridge Motor Speedway in Maine for the PASS 300 two weeks ago, giving themselves a shot to make their bid for the title. They are all vying for a Leavitt Super Late Model chassis and a complete Quartermaster clutch package that will be awarded to the 2009 National champion series titlist.
Not only will the PASS South super late models be in action but the PASS truck series will also make a return to the Kenly North Carolina facility. Jody Measamer is coming off of a win at Hickory Motor Speedway in the series’ last outing but it has been all Grant Davidson this season when you look at the championship standings. With just two races remaining before the first ever PASS truck series champion is crowned, Davidson holds a thirty six point lead over second place man Measamer. Plus, one of the strongest fields of 4 cylinders racers of the season will add local flavor to Saturday’s big event.
There’s an optional practice session scheduled for Friday afternoon September 25; the pit area opens at 2:00 PM and rotating practice runs from 4:00 PM until 7:00 PM. Saturday September 26 is race day at Southern National. The pit area opens at 1:00 PM and rotating practice is on track from 3:00 until 4:30 PM. Time trials hit the speedway at 5:15 and racing gets the green at 6:15 PM. The speedways’ address is 8071 Newsome Mill Road in Lucama North Carolina.
For more information including schedules, standings, and results for all PASS sanctioned touring series visit their home on the web at www.racewithpass.com or www.proallstarsseries.com . For marketing or media information contact Norm Desjardins at 603-539-3368 or for technical information contact Scott Reed at 207-625-3230.