NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series News Release:
Contact – ROBY HELM – (865) 207-4157
August 30, 2010

NeSMITH CHEVROLET WEEKLY RACING SERIES ROUND UP FOR AUGUST 30

CARTERSVILLE, GA – Justin McRee of Tuscaloosa, AL picked up his eighth NeSmith Smith Chevrolet Weekly Racing Series West Region win of the season on Saturday night in Week 22 competition in a 29-car field at Magnolia Motor Speedway driving the Century Dedicated, Inc. Trak-Star. McRee now has 779 points in 13 starts this season and he can still earn full points in three more events.

McRee’s win gave defending NeSmith Chevrolet Weekly Racing Series Chassis Manufacturers Champion Trak-Star Race Cars built by Boland Performance of Cuba, AL its 57th win of the season, and brought them to within one more win of clinching their second straight title.

NeSmith Chevrolet Weekly Racing Series West Region point leader Johnny Stokes of Columbus, MS did not net any points on Saturday night at Magnolia Motor Speedway, but three-time and defending NeSmith Chevrolet WRS West Region Champion Lucky Keeton of Toomsuba, MS finished third at The Mag to net one point and stay in the title hunt.

Chad Washington of Greenville, MS took his second NeSmith Chevrolet Weekly Racing Series West Region win of the season on Saturday night at Greenville Speedway in Greenville, MS driving the C&W Graphics GRT. Washington kept three-time NeSmith Chevrolet Weekly Racing Series Chassis Manufacturers Champion GRT Race Cars of Greenbrier, AR with a mathematical chance of winning its fourth title.

Mark Tice of Avon, MS finished second on Saturday night at Greenville Speedway to move into a tie for the fourth spot in the West Region standings with Mike Palasini Jr. of Leland, MS. Each driver has 854 points and both drivers can still earn 50 more bonus points by competing in a pair of NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series National Touring events this weekend.

The 2008 NeSmith Chevrolet Weekly Racing Series East Region Champion Adam Martin of Talladega, AL drove the Martin Racing Barry Wright to his fourth win of the season at Talladega Short Track in Eastaboga, AL.

Mother Nature dampened the hopes of several NeSmith Chevrolet WRS competitors by washing out five events, three in the West Region and two in the East Region. In the West Region, Friday night’s race at Hattiesburg Motorsports Park in Hattiesburg, MS was rained out, and on Saturday night, Magnolia Motor Speedway’s second feature race was rained out, as was racing at Whynot Motorsports Park in Meridian, MS.

NeSmith Chevrolet WRS Week 22 East Region Saturday night events at East Alabama Motor Speedway in Phenix City, AL and at Flomaton Speedway in Flomaton, AL were also rained out. NeSmith Chevrolet WRS East Region point leader Chase Edge of Lafayette, AL and title contender Terrance Nowell of Phenix City, AL did not compete in Week 22 action.

Bonus points will be in play this weekend for Keeton, Palasini, Tice, Edge and Nowell at the NeSmith Chevrolet DLMS National Touring event this Friday and Saturday night at Whynot Motorsports Park and on Sunday night at Magnolia Motor Speedway.

The $5,000-to-win NOS Energy Drink 75 will be held on Friday and Saturday nights at Whynot Motorsports Park, and the $2,000-to-win GM Performance Parts Black Ice 40 will be held on Sunday night at Magnolia Motor Speedway. Eligible drivers can earn up to 50 Weekly Racing Series bonus points by competing in both races.

This weekend’s two NeSmith Chevrolet DLMS National Touring races are not only important for that series with the points and prize money, but they will also be pivotal events for Weekly Racing Series competitors that can make or break their championship hopes.

Keeton can earn 50 more bonus points to bring his season total of bonus points up to the maximum allowed of 150. That would bring Keeton to within four points of Stokes, who has already earned his 150 bonus points that have been added to his best 16 finishes. Palasini and Tice can also earn 50 bonus points that would move them up the West Region standings into a tie for the third spot.

Other West Region top ten drivers eligible to earn 50 bonus points this weekend include Chad McCool of Millport, AL, and Jason Michau of Kilmichael, MS. Shay Knight of Ethelsville, MS can still earn another 25 West Region bonus points.

Edge is still eligible to earn another 25 bonus points to add to his East Region leading point total, while Nowell has to grab the 50 bonus points available to him this weekend to remain in the hunt for the East Region Championship.

Other East Region top ten drivers that can earn 50 bonus points this weekend include Josh Huss of Flomaton, AL, Kevin Maher of McDavid, FL, Richie Stephens of Phenix City, AL, Paul Walters of Valley, AL, Dana Eiland of Salem, AL, Chris Griffin of Flomaton, AL and Tim Staples of Pell City, AL. Second-place driver Ryan King of Anniston, AL can still earn another 25 East Region bonus points.

Each NeSmith Chevrolet Weekly Racing Series Region Champion will receive a new GM Performance 604 Crate Engine from GM Performance Parts valued at $5,295 and a $1,500 cash award. The Regional Runners-Up will receive a $1,000 cash award, and the third-place drivers in each Region’s final point standings will receive a $500 cash award.

For a complete rundown of the NeSmith Chevrolet Weekly Racing Series point standings in both the East and West Regions, visit the series web site at www.nesmithracing.com, or visit the series on Facebook at NeSmith Racing. Becoming a fan of the NeSmith Racing Facebook page will make you eligible for special prizes that will be given away each month.