NeSMITH CHEVROLET DLMS READY FOR CENTRAL MS MID-STATE NATIONALS

               CARTERSVILLE, GA – After a one week postponement, the NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series drivers are chomping at the bit to get to Central Mississippi Speedway in Winona, MS this weekend for the Mid-State Nationals presented by Kirk Auto Group this Friday night and Saturday night for Rounds 7 and 8 of the 2010 season.

               The Mid-State Nationals presented by Kirk Auto Group at Central Mississippi Speedway will be two complete shows with Friday night’s race being a 40-lap $2,000-to-win event, and a 50-lap $2,500-to-win race on Saturday night.  Severe storms in the area forced postponement of the races last weekend, but the weather is looking great for this weekend.

               The defending NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series National Champion Eric Cooley of Fulton , MS is the point leader heading into the double-racing weekend.  The 19-year-old driver holds a 14-point lead over “The Ironman” Matthew Turner of Dawsonville , GA.

Turner will be looking to extend his streak of consecutive races with the series he has competed in to his 93^rd and 94^th which is every race the NeSmith Chevrolet DLMS has run since its inception in 2005.

Justin McRee of Cuba, AL is third in the National standings.  McRee is 60 points behind Turner, and is in a battle for the third spot with his teammate, “Chargin’” Charlie Henderson of Cottondale , AL .  Henderson leads the VP Racing Fuels Rookie of the Year points chase, and is just six points behind “J-Mac.”

               Other top drivers expected at CMS this weekend are Marcus Minga of Shannon, MS, Chris McElhenney of Lake, MS, “Dr. Dirt” Johnny Stokes of Columbus, MS, Cliff Williams of Star, MS, Chris Ragan of Ramer, TN, Mike Palasini Jr. of Leland, MS, Lamar Furr of Hollandale, MS, Brooks Strength of Jackson, MS, Shay Knight of Ethelsville, MS, and Jered Smith of Hazlehurst, MS.

There are six VP Racing Fuels Rookie of the Year candidates in the top 11 of the NeSmith Chevrolet DLMS National Touring points.  Not only are they battling for the National Championship that pays $20,000 to the top point driver at the end of the season, but they are also competing for the $5,000 cash award that goes to the VP Racing Fuels Rookie of the Year candidate with the most points at the end of the season.

               Shannon L ee of Lumberton, MS is fifth in the National points and second in the RoY points, 28 points behind Henderson .  “The Big Tree” Larry Harrod of Plains, GA is eighth in National points and third in RoY points.

               Jay Burchfield of Columbus, MS is ninth in National points and fourth in RoY points, and Frank “The Buzz Saw” Wilson of Harold, FL is tenth in National points, and fifth in RoY points.  “The Sheriff” Michael Blount of Sumrall , MS is 11^th in National points and sixth in RoY points.  Just 138 points separate fourth through 11^th in the NeSmith Chevrolet DLMS National points chase.

               Other VP Racing Fuels Rookie of the Year candidates expected this weekend at Central Mississippi Speedway include Evan Ellis of Plantersville, MS, Mark Tice of Avon, MS, and Troy Dixon of Temple, GA.

               The local contingent of Central Mississippi Speedway NeSmith Chevrolet Weekly Racing Series drivers include Wesley Greene of Winona, MS and Randall Beckwith of Kilmichael, MS.  Greene has two straight NeSmith Chevrolet WRS wins this season at CMS and is undefeated at the ¼-mile clay oval in 2010.  Beckwith is the defending NeSmith Chevrolet Weekly Racing Series Late Model Champion at Central Mississippi Speedway and posted six wins at the track in 2009.

The NeSmith Chevrolet DLMS will present two complete shows on both Friday and Saturday nights with qualifying, heat races, and main events.  Each day the pit gate along with NeSmith Chevrolet DLMS Tech and Registration opens at 4 p.m. , with the drivers meeting set for 6:30 p.m. , and Hot Laps are scheduled for 7 p.m. followed by racing action.

The Hampton Inn in Grenada , MS is the Official Host Hotel for the NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series Mid-State Nationals presented by the Kirk Auto Group this weekend at Central Mississippi Speedway in Winona , MS .  The Hampton Inn will be offering NeSmith Chevrolet DLMS fans and competitors a special discount rate of $69 per night.

               The Hampton Inn in Grenada , MS is located at Exit 206 on I-55 and the number to call to make reservations is 662-226-1886.  Be sure to ask for the Kirk Auto Group discount rate of $69 per night.

               Central Mississippi Speedway is located seven miles east of I-55 at exit 185, then turn left on Hendrex Road .  For more information call 662-312-0469, or visit the track web site at www.cmsdirt.com.  For more information about the NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series visit www.nesmithracing.com.

NeSmith Chevrolet, Buick, GMC of Claxton, GA is the Title Sponsor of the NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series.  NeSmith Chevrolet, Buick, GMC is the nation’s number one GM Powertrain Dealer four years running, and is also the nation’s number one volume dealer of Chevrolet, Buick, and GMC cars, trucks, SUVs and vans with free delivery anywhere in the Southeast.  Hoosier Race Tire is the Official Tire Sponsor of the NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series.  VP Racing Fuel is the Official Racing Fuel of the NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series.  NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series Contingency Sponsors for 2010 are Dominator Race Products, Race Car Engineering, KRC , Joe Gibbs Driven, Maximum Signs and Graphics, Mike Custom Tanks, Shorty’s Shock Service, Warrior Race Cars , Trak-Star Race Cars, GRT Race Cars, TNT Race Cars.