FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SAS EAST 12th Annual $7,000 to win Grassy Smith Memorial Race set for Friday Night June 25th Cherokee Speedway

Gaffney, South Carolina - The ‘Stars and Cars’ of the Southern All Stars EAST Series will visit Cherokee Speedway for the running of the 12th Annual Grassy Smith Memorial. Set for Friday June 25th, this one day show will feature a $7,000 to win 50 lap shootout on the 3/8th mile. This event has drawn the attention of the nation’s top drivers since the inaugural running of the Grassy Smith Memorial Race in 1999. This one will be no different - especially since the EAST series will also run the 4th Annual $5,500 Robert Pursley & Friends Memorial Race the following Saturday Night at I-77 Speedway in Chester, SC. Many drivers are planning to run both events, and with the Lucas Oil Series off that weekend it should be a who's who of racing.

The late Clarence "Grassy" Smith is known throughout the racing world for his contributions to motorsports. Grassy Smith stamped his name in the Southern racing scene building race engines for Nascar pioneers Holman Moody with their racing stable boasted of drivers such as Ned Jarrett, David Pearson, Cale Yarborough, Fireball Roberts and Curtis Turner. Grassy earned his reputation by being a top engine builder and a great friend to many.

When Grassy's son Freddy began to gain interest in motorsports the dirt racing world was forever changed. This father and son duo would catapult Freddy into racing history. Dubbed the "Southern Gentleman", he would go on to win over 785 feature races. He is a member of the Dirt Late Model Hall of fame and continues to be a force at any track. When asked about his father, Freddy was quick to reply that it was Grassy who was the real Southern Gentleman. "Grassy never met a stranger and would always offer his advice and a helping hand. He was a great man."

The Smith family legacy continues on with Freddy's son Jeff Smith. Jeff Smith operates his own racing team and is the owner of J & J race cars in Gastonia NC. "I remember my grandfather for always making racing a family event. He made everyone laugh with his one liners and was willing to help anyone at the track - even those he didn't know.” Jeff Smith is eager to return to South Carolina. "We look forward to our Grandfathers race. Hope full we (Jeff and Freddy) can get a good run and bring home one of those checkerd flags."

It is only fitting that Freddy Smith has won 4 of the races that carry his father's name. The only other drivers to defeat Smith in the Grassy Smith Memorial are World of Outlaw driver Rick Eckert, Dan Schlieper, ‘Rambo’ Dennis Franklin and Chris Madden. EAST Series Points Leader Casey Roberts will have his hands full with another expected stellar field - Freddy & Jeff Smith, Chris Madden, Johnny Pursley, Rambo Franklin, Jeff Cooke, Chris Ferguson and many more already have this date penciled in their schedules.

Support divisions racing for increased purses will include Limited Sportsman, the new Crate Sportsman Class, City Chevrolet Crate models, Pure Stock, and Extreme 4. Gates will open at 4 PM and Racing will begin promptly at 8 PM. More track info at www.Cherokee-Speedway.com.

For schedule, point standings and more information on the Southern All Stars EAST Racing Series please visit online at www.southernallstareastseries.com or email contact jammer50@charter.net. The Southern AllStars East series would like to thank the following sponsors:Hoosier Racing Tire South, NASCAR Technical Institute(www.ntievents.com), Bearden Oil, Cruise of Champions, ASI Sportswear, Big A’s Custom Graphics, Bailes Construction, Dominator Race Products and Carolina Driveline.

Prepared by JCRacing Promotions