Story By: DEAN REYNOLDS / DIRTCAR – NICHOLS, SC – The Second Annual South of the Border Showdown for DIRTcar Northeast Sportsman cars is a little less than three weeks away.
The Glen Ridge Motorsports Park from Fultonville, NY has come aboard in a big way to help support the event at the Lake View Motor Speedway in Nichols, South Carolina on February 2nd – 5th.
Last year the event consisted of one day of practice, followed by two days of competition where the winner of the feature events won $2,000 and $3,000 respectively. This year, the Showdown has been expanded by one day with a Thursday night feature paying $1,000 to win.
“Ray from Glen Ridge approached me in Charlotte during the World Finals, he really wanted the event to be one more day,” said Lake View promoter Scott Tripp, “The concern for teams coming that far is weather. By adding a day, even if we have to cancel one night because of weather, they will still get two paydays. Last year, while cold, we got lucky. It’s all to help the teams cover some of their expenses.”
Glen Ridge is a DIRTcar Sanctioned track that headlines the DIRTcar Sportsman on Sunday nights. The exciting quarter-mile holds two DIRTcar Sportsman Series events each year. Many of their weekly competitors will also be at Lake View.
“Ray is a great guy, we talked for a long time in Charlotte and we got a good plan together to add the third day,” Tripp continued, “I’m excited, we are offering over $27,000 for the three days. I’m a New Yorker and having these cars at my track really is a dream of mine.”
Drivers such as Andrew Buff (who collected the $3,000 check last year), Super DIRT Week winner Zach Sobotka, Jamy Begor, Justin Buff, Canadian Cedric Gauvreau, Jim Nagle, New Hampshire’s Tanner Siemons, Mike Ballestero, David Boisclair, Mike Bruno, Brock Pinkerous and many more have already entered.
Teams should note, while it’s a three-day event. The previous night’s feature have no bearing on the next, all three are complete new shows so if a team wants to come down for Friday and Saturday only they can. “Absolutely! We realize four days and nights could be tough, if they (competitors) want to come down for two nights or even just Saturday they are more than welcome too,” noted Tripp, “Look at Mike Fowler last year, basically got dared to come on social media. He jumped in his truck by himself, drove overnight and competed with his sportsman on the second night. That was cool!”
Wednesday has been set aside for practice sessions only so teams can get acclimated with the Lake View oval. On Thursday, the 25 lap feature will pay $1,000 to win, $100 to take the green, Friday night’s finale is 35 laps, $2,000 to win, $150 to start with the 50 lap, Saturday night spectacular paying $3,000 to win, $200 to start.
Teams are encouraged to enter by Jan. 15th to be entered in drawings to win prizes from Hoosier Racing Tires and VP Racing Fuels. Teams of course can enter after the 15th or even just come to the event and enter.