NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series News Release:
Contact – ROBY HELM – (865) 207-4157
September 27, 2010

NeSMITH CHEVROLET WEEKLY RACING SERIES ROUND UP FOR SEPTEMBER 27
WEST REGION CHAMPIONSHIP TO BE DECIDED THIS WEEKEND

CARTERSVILLE, GA – Lucky Keeton of Toomsuba, MS picked up two victories on Saturday night at Hattiesburg Motorsports Park in Hattiesburg, MS driving the Boland Performance Trak-Star. Keeton’s tenth and 11th wins of the season, however, did not net Keeton any points with a seven-car field, but he is still in contention for his fourth West Region title.

That sets up the NeSmith Chevrolet Weekly Racing Series West Region “Championship Weekend” this Friday night at Hattiesburg Motorsports Park with a pair of $1,000-to-win feature races in a benefit Race For The Cure, and a pair of $750-to-win races on Saturday night at Greenville Speedway in Greenville, MS.

Keeton, the defending and three-time NeSmith Chevrolet Weekly Racing Series West Region Champion, trails West Region point leader Johnny Stokes of Columbus, MS by five points going into the Championship Weekend, the 27th and final week of the 2010 NeSmith Chevrolet WRS season. Stokes has 945 points with 13 wins, and Keeton has 940 points with 11 wins.

The point totals are based on the best 16 finishes for the top two drivers. In order to increase their point totals, they have to finish better than the worst point night of their best 16. Stokes is looking to net on a 48-point third-place finish and three 49-point second-place finishes.

If Stokes wins one of the four remaining races, he clinches the West Region title, as that would give him 947 points.

Keeton will be trying to net on two 48s, and two 49s to earn a potential 946 points. That means Keeton has to win all four races – the two at Hattiesburg Motorsports Park on Friday night and the two at Greenville Speedway on Saturday night - to clinch his fourth West Region Championship.

Besides Stokes and Keeton, there are two other drivers still in contention to win the NeSmith Chevrolet Weekly Racing Series West Region Championship.

Justin McRee of Tuscaloosa, AL is third with 926 points and will be trying to net on a 41, a 44, a 46, and a 49. If J-Mac can put together four straight wins, he could finish the season with a possible 946 points. A second-place finish would net Stokes one point, and also give him 946.

Cliff Williams of Star, MS is fourth with 921 points and will be trying to net on two 41s and two 47s. If Williams can win four straight, he could end up with 945 points, which could possibly tie Stokes if he fails to net any points in the four races.

If there is a tie in the points, the tie breaker is based on the number of wins. To date, Stokes has 13, Keeton has 11, McRee has eight, and Williams has seven. If Keeton takes four straight wins and Stokes finishes second to Keeton in one of those races, they would both have 946 points. Keeton would win the championship with 15 wins to 13 for Stokes.

If McRee wins out and Stokes finishes second in one of the races, they would both have 926 points. Stokes would win the title tie-breaker with 13 wins to 12 for McRee. Stokes would also win a title tie-breaker with Williams, 13 wins to 11 wins.

“With all of the point scenarios, it’s going to be a very interesting and entertaining two nights of racing,” NeSmith Chevrolet Weekly Racing Series Director Roby Helm said. “I’m sure there will be a festive atmosphere at Hattiesburg Motorsports Park on Friday night, as not only will the West Region Championship be on the line, but the proceeds from races are going to a very worth-while cause to find a cure for cancer. A 17-year-old young lady has put this event together as a high school project, and I hope the race fans and competitors will support it.”

Helm said with the big money that’s on the line in the Hattiesburg Motorsports Park and Greenville Speedway double feature events, they should draw not only the title contenders, but many of the top drivers in Mississippi.

“There is a potential to win $3,500 in the four races that will bring out the top guns in the Southeast to both tracks, but Stokes, Keeton, McRee and Williams have the potential to earn $5,000 in race earnings and point fund money, plus a GM Performance 604 Crate Engine valued at $5,295 in two days of racing,” Helm said. “Stokes can win the West Region Championship on Friday night at Hattiesburg Motorsports Park with a win, but if he doesn’t clinch it there, it will all be up for grabs on Saturday night at Greenville Speedway.”

The top four drivers are also racing for the top three spots in West Region point standings that pay out from the NeSmith Chevrolet Weekly Racing Series point fund.

The 2010 NeSmith Chevrolet Weekly Racing Series West Region Champion will receive a $1,500 cash award and a new GM Performance 604 Crate Engine. The West Region Runner-Up will receive a $1,000 cash award, and the third-place West Region driver 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.