Volunteer Speedway to host Round 2 of Fastrak Dirt Late Model $250,000 'Grand Nationals' on Wednesday and Thursday, Oct. 21-22

BULLS GAP, Tenn. — Round 1 of the Fastrak Dirt Late Model Racing Series "Grand Nationals" are complete. Over 100 racers representing 30 states were eligible for the 2009 chase for the $250,000 national championship.

Now the racing action heads to the Volunteer State and the Commonwealth of Virginia for the final two rounds, and race fans around East Tennessee and Southwest Virginia ... you don't want to miss any of the racing action scheduled because it promises to be exciting. Plus it will be your last opportunity to watch the Fastrak Dirt Late Model Grand Nationals locally, because beginning in 2010 and for all future events the racing will be held in Florida during SpeedWeeks.

Round 2 will be held Wednesday and Thursday, Oct. 21-22 at Volunteer Speedway, with Round 3 slated for Friday and Saturday, Oct. 23-24 at Wythe Raceway in Rural Retreat, Va., just a close drive up Interstate 81 into the state of Virginia from "The Gap." 

Once the checkered flag waves following Round 3 at Wythe Raceway and all on-track battles have been settled among the competitors, the Fastrak Dirt Late Model Racing Series national champion will be crowned. Big money ($30,000 to the champion from the $250,000 series point fund) will be paid out. The remainder of the $250,000 will be distributed back through the top-30 in the final point standings.

Local Volunteer Speedway racers Shanon Buckingham of Morristown, Dale Ball of Johnson City, and Jensen Ford of Piney Flats; along with Bobby Mays, Tim Byrd and Jerry Broyles of Jonesborough, will be looking to defend their home turf against the outside invaders.

A partial listing of out-of-state drivers expected to be present include Billy James of Sikeston, Mo.; Brandon Haley of Lavonia, Ga.; Mike Pegher Jr. of Wetford, Penn.; Justin Hirt of Tigerton, Wis.; Danny Allen of Gillette, Wyo.; Jacob Black of Van Buren, Mo.; A.J. Diemel of Bonduel, Wis.; Mike Blose of New Bethlehem, Penn.; Ron Parker of Lawndale, N.C.; Royce Bray of Hull, Ga.; Blake Bentley of Duncan, S.C.; Max Blair of Centerville, Penn.; Matt Long of Concord, N.C.; David Smith of Inman, S.C.; Brett Swedberg of Shawano, Wis.; Lee Cooper of Woodruff, S.C.; Kenny Peeples Jr. of Rural Retreat, Va.; Chris Steele of York, S.C.; Parker Herring of Hartwell, Ga.; Erin Wood of Rapid City, S.D.; David Scott of Garland, Penn.; John Watson of Conneaut, Ohio; Dan Wanta of Seymour, Wis.; Brandon Umberger of Rural Retreat, Va.; Owen Osteen of Woodruff, S.C.; Barry Arnold of Max Meadows, Va,; Jonathan Taylor of Toccoa, Ga.; Vic Chandler of Weaverville, N.C.; David Watts of Buchanan, Va.; Timbo Mangum of Lancaster, S.C., plus many others.

Wednesday, Oct. 21 will be an evening of open practice for all Fastrak Dirt Late Model Racing Series competitors along with "McDonald's" Hobby Stock racers, to be followed by time-trials to determine heat race lineups for the Fastrak Dirt Late Model national championship event on Thursday night.

The pit gate will open Wednesday at 3 p.m. and the grandstands open at 7 p.m. The drivers' meeting is scheduled for 6 o'clock, with open practice getting started around 7 p.m. Adult grandstand admission on Wednesday is $10, with kids 12-and-under admitted free. Pit admission and backside tier-parking $25.

Highlighting the racing program on Thursday, Oct. 22 will be the Fastrak Dirt Late Model Racing Series Grand Nationals ... "National Championship Shootout at The Gap." The night of racing will kick off with hotlaps, to be followed by heat races, last chance consolations and a 50-lap Fastrak Dirt Late Model main event. Also racing will be the "McDonald's" Hobby Stocks, who will run two heat races to determine starting positions for their 20-lap feature.

The pit gate will open Thursday at 2 p.m. and the grandstands open at 5 p.m. The drivers' meeting is scheduled for 6 o'clock, with hotlaps starting at 7 p.m. Adult grandstand admission on Thursday is $20, with kids 12-and-under admitted free. Pit admission and backside tier-parking $30.

***Coupons good for $3 off adult grandstand admission for Thursday, Oct. 22, will be available at McDonald's and Pizza Plus locations around the Bulls Gap, Greeneville and Rogersville areas.

For more information, contact any of the following listed below:

Fastrak Dirt Late Model Racing Series: (678) 935-7304 www.FastrakRacing.com
Fastrak Dirt Late Model Racing Series: CEO Stan Lester (706) 244-2732

Volunteer Speedway: (423) 235-5020 www.VolunteerSpeedway.com
Track Office - Weekdays Only 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.: (423) 378-5942
Phyllis Loven: (423) 676-9081
Race Director David Bryant: Race Shop (423) 235-5420 ... Cell (865) 978-1752
Robert Walden-Media/Public Relations Director: (423) 928-9644 robwald@prodigy.net  
Jimmy Meade-Marketing and Sales: (423) 817-0925
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