FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Oh Canada! Ricky Weiss Becomes 33rd Different Bonus Series Winner at Toccoa Raceway

By Chris Tilley, Series Publicist

TOCCOA, GA (March 17, 2018)—Ricky Weiss of Headingly, Manitoba, Canada soared past Casey Roberts on lap 18 to lead the remaining distance and capture his first-career Schaeffer’s Oil Southern Nationals Bonus Series presented by Sunoco Race Fuels and Tennessee RV Saturday Night at Toccoa Raceway in Toccoa, Ga. in front of a packed house.

Weiss drove the Derrick’s Sandblasting, AIE Communications, Hawkeye Construction, Penske Shocks and Turk Enterprises-sponsored Vic Hill Racing Engines-powered Sweet-Bloomquist Race Car to the $6,400 payday, his first on the Southern Nationals Bonus Series.

Polesitter Casey Roberts and Cla Knight brought the field to life for the 64-lapper to open the 64th season at Toccoa Raceway with Roberts going to the lead early on. By the 15th lap, Ricky Weiss was poised to make a challenge for the lead as he had gotten to the back bumper of Roberts. Weiss would make the pass for the lead on the 17th lap and by the time they got back to the flagstand he had now held the race lead. Weiss would hold on to the point for the remaining distance as a great race ensued behind the leader as drivers would swap positions multiple times until the end of the race. Shanon Buckingham would make the bottom side of the race track work to his advantage and finish second ahead of David Payne at the finish line with Zack Mitchell and Brent Dixon rounding out the top five.

Six caution flags slowed the event that took just over thirty minutes to complete. The first caution came as Drew Collins and David McCoy would slow on lap nine. Clayton Turner would slow his mount on lap 15 to draw the second yellow flag. Kenny Collins slowed on lap 29. Fast Qualifier Cla Knight slowed on lap 32 to draw the fourth caution while Casey Roberts slowed in turn four to bring out the next caution. The final yellow flag came on lap 61 as Benji Hicks slowed at the top of turn one.

The Canadian hot shoe talked about his victory. “Once I got rolling there, I knew we were good. I just tried to be patient, it’s a different track to pass on. I knew we had a good hot rod. I’ve (messed up) a few times and took myself out of a race, so I didn’t want to do that. I didn’t want to see that caution (late with three laps left) but we made it work,” Weiss said.

The Southern Nationals Bonus Series returns to action on Saturday Night April 28th at Blue Ridge Motorsports Park in Blue Ridge, Ga. paying $4,000-to-win and $400-to-start. The Schaeffer’s Oil Spring Nationals opens action on March 30-31 at Senoia (GA) Raceway for $3,000-to-win and $10,000-to-win races respectively.

Official Summary of Results
Southern Nationals Bonus Series-Toccoa Raceway-Toccoa, GA-March 17, 2018

Feature Finish:
1. Ricky Weiss-Headingly, Canada
2. Shanon Buckingham-Morristown, Tenn.
3. David Payne-Murphy, N.C.
4. Zack Mitchell-Enoree, S.C.
5. Brent Dixon-Elberton, Ga.
6. Aaron Ridley-Chatsworth, Ga.
7. Casey Roberts-Toccoa, Ga.
8. Chicky Barton-Middlesboro, Ky.
9. Robby Moses-Maryville, Tenn.
10. Benji Hicks-Mt. Airy, N.C.
11. Cla Knight-North Augusta, S.C.
12. Kenny Collins-Colbert, Ga.
13. Jeremy Ledford-Mt. Airy, Ga.
14. Clayton Turner-Toccoa, Ga.
15. David McCoy-Franklin, N.C.
16. Drew Collins-Auburn, Ga.
17. Randy Nichols-Young Harris, Ga. (Did Not Start)

Entries: 17
Fast Qualifier: Cla Knight-12.024 seconds
Time of Race: 30 minutes, seven seconds
Yellow Flags: Six (laps 9, 15, 29, 32, 36, 61)
Red Flags: None

Current Southern Nationals Bonus Series Points (after March 17)
1. Ricky Weiss-396
2. David Payne-382
3. Casey Roberts-380
4. Shanon Buckingham-372
5. Aaron Ridley-370
5. Brent Dixon-370
7. Kenny Collins-360
8. Benji Hicks-358
9. Robby Moses-356

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Shane Clanton Mr. Domination During Southern Nationals Bonus Opener at Tri-County

By Chris Tilley, Series Publicist

BRASSTOWN, NC (March 16, 2018)-Shane Clanton of Zebulon captured his third career Schaeffer's Oil Southern Nationals Bonus Series presented by Sunoco Race Fuels and Tennessee RV victory on Friday Night March 16th at Tri-County Race Track in Brasstown, N.C.

Clanton lead start to finish for the $3,000 payday while driving the Weldbank Energy, Super K Express and Penske Shocks-sponsored Clements Racing Engines-powered Capital Race Car.

"I don't know what to say about this Ray Cook, (series promoter) he's trying to be the innovator of the sport for safety and put racing back in our hands. It's pretty exciting to come and win a first race with the chains on," stated winner Shane Clanton.

Three cautions slowed the 40 lapper. The first yellow came out on lap ten as Shanon Buckingham slowed in turn four with a right-rear flat tire. Robby Moses brought out the second caution flag of the night as he spun his mount in turn four. The third and final yellow flag came out on the restart as Austin Smith spun in turn four collecting Chicky Barton.

The Southern Nationals Bonus Series returns to action on Saturday Night at Toccoa (GA) Raceway racing 64 laps for $6,400-to-win.

Official Summary of Results
Southern Nationals Bonus Series-Tri-County Race Track-Brasstown, NC-March 16, 2018

Feature Finish:
1. Shane Clanton-Zebulon, Ga.
2. Ricky Weiss-Headingly, Canada
3. Casey Roberts-Toccoa, GA
4. Shawn Chastain-Murphy, N.C.
5. Jamie Oliver-Murphy, N.C.
6. David Payne-Murphy, N.C.
7. Tyler Bruening-Decorah, Iowa
8. Kenny Collins-Colbert, Ga.
9. Aaron Ridley-Chatsworth, Ga.
10. Brent Dixon-Elberton, Ga.
11. Benji Hicks-Mt. Airy, N.C.
12. Shanon Buckingham-Morristown, Tenn.
13. Robby Moses-Maryville, Tenn.
14. Payton Freeman-Commerce, Ga.
15. Chicky Barton-Middlesboro, Ky.
16. Joey Standridge-Tellico Plains, Tenn.
17. Craig Greer-Cleveland, Tenn.
18. Austin Smith-Rome, Ga.
19. Jason Croft-Woodstock, Ga.
20. Randy Nichols-Young Harris, Ga.
21. Kip Cochran-Franklin, N.C.

Entries: 21
Fast Qualifier: Shane Clanton-12.536 seconds
Time of Race: 20 minutes, 20 seconds
Yellow Flags: Three (laps 10, 16, 16 restart)