Bristol Motor Speedway
Notebook: Spring Thaw kicks off 2008 season
From series reports
Volunteer Speedway will begin its 35th season of of racing by hosting one of the richest events in the history of the 4-year-old Advance Auto Parts Thunder Series. The series, making its first visit to the Bulls Gap, Tenn., track, is sanctioning the 10th annual Spring Thaw 100 on Feb. 29-March 1, a $10,000-to-win event and the first of three series events at Volunteer in 2008.
Four-time and 2007 Spring Thaw winner Scott Bloomquist from nearby Mooresburg is among those expected to be on hand along with fellow Team Zero members Jimmy Owens of Newport, two-time Volunteer champion Kerry Jones of Bristol, Tenn., Shanon Buckingham of Morristown, Chris Madden of Gray Court, S.C., and John Blankenship of Williamson, W.Va.
Series regulars expected include three-time series champion Anthony White of Clinton, Tenn., Rick Rogers of Knoxville, Tenn., Tommy Kerr of Maryville, Tenn., and Randy Weaver of Crossville, Tenn.
Time trials and heat races are scheduled for Friday, Feb. 29, with dashes, consolations and the feature set for Saturday, March 1. Volunteer will also host crate engine Late Models and mini stocks on Friday and hobby stocks on Saturday. — From track reports
COOK TRIUMPHS AT WINCHESTER: Ray Cook of Brasstown, N.C., used the high groove at Winchester (Tenn.) Speedway to race to a 40-lap Winterfest victory on Feb. 16. Cook started sixth and moved into the lead after just six laps en route to earning $3,000. Competitors in the low groove "allowed us a clear lane up top and I was able to get the lead," said Cook, who outran Riley Hickman, Lamar Scoggins, Eric Hickerson and Brandon King for the victory. — Ryan Delph
SAS EAST SCHEDULE ANNOUNCED: The O'Reilly Southern All Star East schedule lists 16 events in the Carolinas and Georgia for 2008, anchored by three $10,000-to-win events. Two of the $10,000-to-win events are at Cherokee Speedway in Gaffney, S.C., which hosts six events overall. New tracks for 2008 are Hartwell (Ga.) Speedway and Fayetteville (N.C.) Motor Speedway. The season opens Feb. 23 at Travelers Rest (S.C.) Speedway. — Kelley Carlton
UDLMCS BUMPS ALLEN MEMORIAL PURSE: The inaugural Kim Allen Memorial on Oct. 25 at Hendry Counry Speedway in Clewiston, Fla., will pay a series-high $7,000 to the winner, the United Dirt Late Model Challenge Series announced. THe 50-lapper pays at least $350 to each starter. In other UDLMCS news, Homes of Merit has come aboard as a primary sponsor of the first-year series. UDLMCS opens its season Feb. 29 at Ocala (Fla.) Speedway. — From series reports
AMP SERIES POSTS BONUSES: The Arkansas Motorsports Professionals tour will post $500 bonuses for all drivers who compete in every series event. There are 19 events scheduled. The series also adjusted its points structure. See the series website for details. — From series reports
GRT ADDS TO MSRA SPONSORSHIP: GRT Race Cars is increasing its sponsorship of the Arkansas-based Mid-South Racing Association in 2008. Along with the a product certificate for half the price of a new chassis, which GRT provided in 2007, the Greenbrier, Ark., chassis builder is also teaming up with MSRA to provide a driver's merchandise trailer at selected series events. Series and driver apparel will be available at the trailer. — Ben Shelton
