Bristol Motor Speedway
Notebook: Tazewell will try to dodge rain again
From series, track and staff reports
There were plenty of Dirt Late Model special events scheduled for March, but Mother Nature allowed few of them to go off without a hitch. Among those rained out the last weekend of the month was Cleveland (Tenn.) Speedway's Southern All Star-sanctioned Shamrock, the Southern Regional Racing Series event at Checkered Flag Speedway in Hohenwald, Tenn., and the Advanced Auto Parts Thunder Series race at Tazewell (Tenn.) Speedway.
"I guess some things are not meant to happen," said Cleveland promoter Monty Morrow, who saw inclement weather cancel five consecutive attempts at running O'Reilly SAS events at Cleveland and North Georgia Speedway. The events were canceled altogether.
The Southern Regional Racing Series has rescheduled its Checkered Flag Speedway event for Aug. 23. Tazewell will attempt to run its AAPTS-sanctioned Thunder Thaw 50 on April 5. Tazewell has attempted to run its event March 9, March 29 and March 30. — Kelley Carlton and staff reports
SRRS LANDS PPM SPONSORSHIP: The Southern Regional Racing Series has come to a three-year agreement with PPM Racing Products as the title sponsor of the Murfreesboro, Tenn.-based tour. PPM is Rockwood, Tenn.-based manufacturer and distributor of racing parts. — John Mosier
JACKSON LIMITS SPOILERS FOR MSCC EVENT: Many regulars on the Mississippi State Championship Challenge use spec engine packages that allow for 12-inch rear spoilers, but that rule is amended for the April 5 stop at Jackson (Miss.) Motor Speedway in Byram. All entered cars using open-competition or spec engines must use an 8-inch rear spoiler for the Jackson event. It's the first event at the Don Cliburn-owned track that has seen several improvements during the off-season. — From series reports
ANOTHER DIRT OVAL IN FLORIDA: Florida is getting another dirt track, but it's not going to be big enough for Dirt Late Model events. Columbia Motorsports Park in Lake City, Fla., a facility with a half-mile asphalt oval, is building a 1/8-mile dirt oval in the middle of the pits. "I decided that the middle of the infield would be the best place for the new track since the bathrooms, concession stand, electric, water are all there now, and we want our racers and fans to have the best conveniences for our new track," said track owner Don Nerone. The track plans to hose go-karts on Friday nights and quads on Sundays. Quarter-midgets and motorcycles may also run at the track, which is expected to be completed in June. — Jane Smith
