Story By: RYAN DELPH / SOUTHERN NATIONALS SERIES – BRASSTOWN, NC – It all comes down to this.
After eight exciting Schaeffer’s Oil Spring Nationals Series contests, the miniseries will wrap up in a big way over Memorial Day weekend with a triple shot in the states of Georgia and Tennessee from May 27-29.
Three drivers – Carson Ferguson, Payton Freeman, and Cla Knight – will duke it out for the right to earn the 2022 Spring Nationals title and the $10,053 Championship spoils. With three races remaining this weekend and the opportunity to drop their worst finish following the finale, Carson Ferguson currently leads the standings by 44 markers over Payton Freeman and by 48 points over Cla Knight.
Up first will be a visit to Lavonia Speedway in Lavonia, Georgia on Friday night, May 27, as the series makes its first-ever stop to the Peach State oval for a $4,053 to win shootout. The action will then quickly shift to Boyd’s Speedway in Ringgold, Georgia on Saturday evening, May 28, as a $5,053 top prize will be up for grabs for the cars and stars racing with the tour. Vic Hill (’13), Dale McDowell (’14), Donald McIntosh (’15), Mike Marlar (’16), and Brandon Overton (’17) emerged victorious in the previous #SpringNationals races at the Chattanooga-area facility. The tripleheader will then conclude with a similar $5,053 to win program on Sunday, May 29 at Duck River Raceway Park in Wheel, Tennessee. In the two previous tour events held at DRRP, Tim McCreadie (’13) and Dale McDowell (’14) reached victory lane.
For Friday Night Thunder at Lavonia Speedway, the gates will open at 5:00pm with hot laps scheduled to start at 7:45pm. Admission into the grandstands will be $20.00, while trackside admission will be $30.00 and pit admission will be $35.00. Along with the Super Late Models running for a $4,053 winner’s check, other divisions on the racing card include Thunder Bomber ($1,000 to win), 602 Late Models ($800 to win), Front Wheel Drive ($800 to win), Stock 4 ($600 to win), Young Guns ($200 to win), and 602 Chargers ($300 to win).
In addition to the first place prize money on the line at Lavonia, Lake House Nutrition has stepped up to sponsor $100 for the Super Late Model pole award. Lavonia Speedway is located at 5941 Lavonia Highway in Lavonia, Georgia 30553.
At Boyd’s Speedway on Saturday, the pit gates will swing open at 3:00pm and the grandstands will start to allow patrons into the facility at 5:30pm. The Driver’s Meeting is slated for 6:30pm and hot laps will start promptly at 7:00pm. Grandstand admission is $20.00 for adults, $5.00 for kids ages 6-12, and FREE for those children ages 5 and under. A pit pass will be $40.00 for adults, $15.00 for kids ages 6-12, and FREE for those children ages 5 and under.
Along with the ground-pounding Super Late Models chasing a $5,053 windfall, other classes in competition include: 604 Crate Late Models ($1,200 to win), 602 Sportsman ($1,000 to win), Enduro ($1,000 to win), Front Wheel Drive ($400 to win), Crown Vic ($200 to win), and Beginner Sportsman ($150 to win). Boyd’s Speedway is located at 1481 Scruggs Road in Ringgold, Georgia 30736.
On Sunday at Duck River Raceway Park, the pit gates will open at 2:00pm and the grandstands will open shortly after at 3:00pm. The Driver’s Meeting is scheduled for 4:00pm with hot laps taking to the racetrack at 4:30pm. Racing action for the ‘Memorial Day Classic’ presented by Victory Fun Park will begin by 6:00pm.
In addition to the Spring Nationals competitors gunning for the $5,053 payday in the season finale, other classes in dirt-slinging action will include 604 Late Models ($1,000 to win), 602 Late Models ($1,000 to win), CRUSA Open Wheel Modifieds ($1,000 to win), Modified Street ($700 to win), Pure Pony ($1,000 to win), FWD Rookie ($300 to win), Factory Stocks ($600 to win), Dwarf ($400 to win), CRUSA Street Stock ($800 to win), Mod Lites ($750 to win), and Kids Mini Cup. Duck River Raceway Park is located at 1100 Haskins Chapel Road in Lewisburg, Tennessee 37091.
The last three rounds of the Schaeffer’s Oil Spring Nationals tour this weekend will feature a complete show of FK Rod Ends qualifying, consolation events, and a 40-lap headliner. The Super Late Model tire rule will be Hoosier 1350 or 1600 on all four corners; American Racer 48 or 56 on all four corners. Body rules and the Droop Rule will be the same as those agreed on by both the World of Outlaws Late Model Series and the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series – among many others. The entry fee each night will be $100.00 and transponders will be available to rent. Any driver not advancing into the feature field will receive $75.00 in tow money.