CHARLOTTE, NC (May 27) – As the Pro All Stars Series (PASS) South Super Late Models prepare to return to Southern National Motorsports Park this weekend, the series is in the midst of one of its most competitive seasons ever. Through five races so far this year, there have been four different winners. Only Daniel Hemric has been able to double up in victory lane in 2014, yet that was with two different teams, Woodman Racing and Carswell Motorsports.
This Saturday night’s 2nd Annual Dogwood Blossom 150 could very well see the fifth different PASS South Super Late Model winner this season. Southern National Motorsports Park in eastern North Carolina has traditionally been a stronghold for Super Late Model racing. PASS South competitors John Batten and Joe Heigl are both former Super Late Model track champions at the high banked, 4/10 mile speedway.
Veteran racer Randy Renfrow has also seen his fair share of success at Southern National behind the wheel. But, these days, Renfrow is finding success in PASS South as the crew chief for Coulter Motorsports. Renfrow first wrenched cars in PASS South on a limited basis for Joey Coulter, before moving on to a full assault for the championship with Gray Gaulding in 2012. After a strong season last year with multiple drivers behind the wheel of the #2 machine, Renfrow is now mentoring Trevor Noles as he competes for the championship and Rookie-Of-The-Year honors in PASS South.
Growing up in nearby Fuquay-Varina, NC, Noles is very familiar with the tracks of eastern NC. Noles first experience racing full size stock cars came at Southern National Motorsports Park and that has him excited for his prospects this weekend.
“Southern National is probably one of my favorite racetracks to go to, it’s high-banked and you can keep a lot of speed there,” said Noles, driver of the Military Missions In Action Chevrolet. “It’s near my hometown and I’m looking forward to going there again. You know heading to Kenly and South Boston the next two weeks should be good since we raced there last year. Just getting used to a track for the first time is one of the hardest things, so I’m excited about going back.”
Last year, Noles dominated that PASS Pro Late Model division, winning the championship while driving for Coulter Motorsports on the strength of 7 wins in 12 starts. And, in just a handful of PASS South Super Late Model starts in 2013, Noles was able to score a career best second place finish to Austin Theriault last June at Southern National.
Despite the success of a year ago, 2014 has been somewhat of a struggle for Coulter and Renfrow. But things have definitely turned around for the duo as they head home this weekend to Southern National. After a top 10 finish in the prestigious Easter Bunny 150 at Hickory Motor Speedway, Noles put forth his best performance thus far in a PASS South Super Late Model, leading 144 laps and finishing second at Ace Speedway in the most recent event for the series. With that said, Noles realizes the learning curve is steep when racing in the most competitive short track series in North America.
“Moving up has definitely been tough trying to get used to the speed and saving the tires,” said Noles, who currently sits fifth in PASS South points. “You know we’re just having to get used to racing with these guys, they’re a good group to race with and we’re glad to be here.”
Hometown fans can see Trevor Noles in person along with all the “Big Boys With The Bad, Fast Toys” at Southern National or watch live Pay-Per-View coverage of every lap and every division competing at the Dogwood Blossom 150 on PASS TV Powered By MotorsportsBroadcasting.com and Race22.com.
PASS South points leader Tyler Church and championship contenders Jared Irvan and Tyler Dippel lead the list of drivers currently pre-entered for this weekend’s 2nd Annual Dogwood Blossom 150. Defending PASS National Champion, Jay Fogleman returns to action at Southern National along with Gus Dean, Chad Kendrick, and Kiel Spaulding. Brandon Setzer will be looking for another strong run following his third place finish at Ace Speedway along with veterans Brandon Ward and Tate Fogleman. While Ted Mickelson and Matt Daley hope to rebound with a good run on the high banks.
Action gets under way on Friday, May 30th at Southern National Motorsports Park with rotating practice for all divisions from 4-7 PM. On Saturday, May 31st, practice will start at 2 PM, followed by qualifying at 5 PM and racing slated to start at 7 PM. The PASS South Super Late Models will race for 150 laps, along with a 50 lapper for the PASS Pro Late Models, and action for the Pee Dee/Coastal Supertruck Series.
PASS South and PASS Pro Late Model entry forms for the Dogwood Blossom 150 at Southern National Motorsports Park can be found at ProAllStarsSeries.com.
The Pro All Stars Series is recognized as North America’s premier sanctioning body for asphalt Super Late Models and boasts such marquee events as PASS South’s Easter Bunny 150 at the historic Hickory Motor Speedway, the Autobus La Quebecoise Triple Crown at Autodrome Chaudière, and the legendary Oxford 250 at Oxford Plains Speedway.