Story By: RYAN DELPH / SOUTHERN NATIONALS SERIES – BRASSTOWN, NC – A pair of rescheduled Schaeffer’s Oil Southern Nationals Series presented by Coltman Farms Racing and fueled by Sunoco events will be held this weekend in the states of Alabama and Georgia to wrap up the 2024 campaign.
Up first will be a visit to the historic East Alabama Motor Speedway in Phenix City, Alabama on Friday night, August 2 for a $7,553 to win Super Late Model showdown. On Saturday evening, August 3, the dirt-slinging action will quickly shift to Senoia Raceway in Senoia, Georgia for the annual ‘Roscoe Smith Classic,’ which boasts a $7,544 top prize in honor of the great Roscoe Smith.
Coming into the double-dip, a total of seven Southern Nationals races escaped the wrath of Mother Nature from July 12-27. Dale McDowell captured four series wins (Volunteer Speedway, I-75 Raceway, North Georgia Speedway, Tazewell Speedway), while Donald McIntosh (Beckley Motor Speedway), Chris Madden (Wythe Raceway), and Casey Roberts (Screven Motor Speedway) also visited victory lane on the tour. After the points were tallied and each driver’s worst finish was dropped following the point finale at Tazewell last Saturday night, Donald McIntosh was crowned the miniseries Champion for a second time over runner-up Cory Hedgecock, Rookie of the Year Gavin Cowan, Benji Hicks, and Stacy Boles.
On Friday at East Alabama Motor Speedway, the pit gates will open at 3:00pm and the grandstands will start to allow patrons into the facility starting at 5:00pm. The Drivers Meeting is set for 6:30pm and Hot Laps will take to the racetrack at 7:00pm (All Times EST). Adult general admission for the event will be $25.00, while kids ages 10 and under will be allowed into the stands for FREE. Military (with valid ID) will receive $5.00 off general admission. Stadium seating is $30.00, top row seating is $35.00, and box seating is $45.00. Pit passes will be $40.00 for adults, $20.00 for kids ages 6-10, and FREE for children ages 5 and under.
Joining the Super Late Models on the racing card will be the 604 Late Model, 602 Late Model, Road Warrior, Hobby, Hot Shot, and 602 Charger divisions. Previous Southern Nationals winners at EAMS include: Jonathan Davenport (’10), Casey Roberts (’11), Chris Madden (’12), Jonathan Davenport (’13), and Carson Ferguson (’23). The track is located at 4238 US Highway 80 West in Phenix City, Alabama 36870.
At Senoia Raceway on Saturday, the Red Clay 602 Late Model, Charger, Hobby, and Hot Shot classes will be joining the ground-pounding Super Late Models in the ‘Roscoe Smith Classic.’ The pit gates will swing open at 3:00pm and the grandstands will open for fans starting at 5:00pm. The Drivers Meeting is set for 5:30pm, Hot Laps will get underway at 6:00pm, and racing action is slated to start around 7:00pm. Previous Southern Nationals winners at Senoia include: Donald McIntosh (’17), Brandon Overton (’20), Carson Ferguson (’22), and Ashton Winger (’23).
Adult general admission is $20.00, while kids ages 12 and under will be allowed into the stands for FREE. Pit passes will be $35.00 for adults, $20.00 for kids ages 6-12, and FREE for young children ages 5 and under. Wristbands and tickets from the rain-out on July 18 will be good for either this event on August 3 or the program at Senoia on August 10. Senoia Raceway is located at 171 Brown Road in Senoia, GA 30276.
The Southern Nationals tire rule in 2024 is Hoosier Racing Tire NLMT 2, 3, 4 and American Racer Tire 44, 48, Pro3/56, Pro4. 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 others. The entry fee will be $100.00 each night and transponders will be available to rent. Any driver not advancing into the feature field will receive $75.00 in tow money.